SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of Business

Barnwell is engaged in the following lines of business: 1) exploring for, developing, producing and selling oil and natural gas in Canada, 2) investing in land interests in Hawaii, 3) drilling wells and installing and repairing water pumping systems in Hawaii, and 4) developing homes for sale in Hawaii.  Barnwell’s oil and natural gas activities comprise its largest business segment.  Seventy-nine percent of Barnwell’s revenues and 86% of Barnwell’s capital expenditures for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 were attributable to its oil and natural gas activities.  Barnwell’s land investment segment revenues accounted for 10% of fiscal 2011 revenues; Barnwell’s contract drilling activities accounted for 10% of fiscal 2011 revenues; Barnwell’s residential real estate segment accounted for 0% of fiscal 2011 revenues; and other revenues comprised 1% of fiscal 2011 revenues.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Barnwell Industries, Inc. and all majority-owned subsidiaries, including an indirect 77.6%-owned land investment general partnership and two 80%-owned joint ventures (collectively referred to herein as “Barnwell,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or the “Company”).  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  Investments in companies over which Barnwell has the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, are accounted for using the equity method.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management of Barnwell to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.  Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates.  Significant assumptions are required in the valuation of deferred tax assets, asset retirement obligations, share-based payment arrangements, obligations for retirement plans, contract drilling estimated costs to complete, proved oil and natural gas reserves, and the carrying value of other assets, and such assumptions may impact the amount at which such items are recorded.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  The allowance for doubtful accounts is Barnwell’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in Barnwell’s existing accounts receivable and is based on historical write-off experience and the application of the specific identification method.  Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.  Barnwell does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

Real Estate Held for Sale

The costs of acquiring land and costs related to development and construction, including interest, property taxes and general and administrative expenses related to the development of land and home construction, are capitalized.  Costs that relate to a specific lot or home are assigned to that lot or home while common costs related to multiple lots or homes will be allocated to each in proportion to their anticipated sales value.

Real estate held for sale is reported at the lower of the asset carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.  The recorded balances are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the balance may not be fully recoverable.  This evaluation requires management to make assumptions and apply considerable judgments to, among others, estimates of the timing and amount of future cash flows, uncertainty about future events, including changes in economic conditions, changes in operating performance, and ongoing cost of maintenance and improvements of the assets.  Changes in these and other assumptions may require impairment charges that may materially impact the Company’s financial condition or its future operating results.  If economic conditions worsen in the future or if difficult market conditions extend beyond the Company’s expectations resulting in a decrease in the fair value of the aforementioned assets below carrying value, the Company will be required to record an impairment loss.

Investment in Residential Parcels

Barnwell’s investment in residential parcels consists of land held for speculative purposes which is not expected to be sold within one year of the balance sheet date.

Investment in residential parcels is reported at the lower of the asset carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.  The recorded balances are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the balance may not be fully recoverable.  This evaluation requires management to make assumptions and apply considerable judgments to, among others, estimates of the timing and amount of future cash flows, uncertainty about future events, including changes in economic conditions, changes in operating performance, changes in the use of the assets, and ongoing cost of maintenance and improvements of the assets.  Changes in these and other assumptions may require impairment charges that may materially impact the Company’s financial condition or its future operating results.  If economic conditions worsen in the future or if difficult market conditions extend beyond the Company’s expectations resulting in a decrease in the fair value of the aforementioned assets below carrying value, the Company will be required to record an impairment loss.

Investment in Joint Ventures

Barnwell accounts for its investment in joint ventures under the cost method when Barnwell’s ownership interest is so minor as to have no influence over the operations and financial policies of the investee.

Joint venture investments are reviewed for impairment whenever factors indicate a decrease in value of the investment has occurred that is other-than-temporary.  In evaluating whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers all available information, including the length of time and extent of the impairment, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the affiliate, the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value, and projected industry and economic trends, among others.  In determining the fair value of an investment and assessing whether any identified impairment is other-than-temporary, significant estimates and considerable judgment are involved.  These estimates and judgments are based in part on the Company’s current and future evaluation of economic conditions in general, as well as a joint venture’s current and future plans.  These impairment calculations contain additional uncertainties because they also require management to make assumptions and apply judgments to, among others, estimates of future cash flows, probabilities related to various cash flow scenarios, and appropriate discount rates.  Changes in these and other assumptions could affect the projected operational results of the unconsolidated affiliates and, accordingly, may require valuation adjustments to the Company’s investments that may materially impact the Company’s financial condition or its future operating results.  If economic conditions worsen in the future or if difficult market conditions extend beyond the Company’s expectations, resulting in declines in the fair value of the aforementioned assets below carrying value that are other-than-temporary, the Company will be required to record an impairment loss.

Investment in Land Interests

Barnwell accounts for sales of development rights under option and the Increment I and Increment II leasehold land interest sales under the full accrual method.  Gains from such sales are recognized when the buyer’s investments are adequate to demonstrate a commitment to pay for the property, risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer, and Barnwell does not have a substantial continuing involvement with the property sold.  With regard to the sales of Increment I and Increment II leasehold land interests, the percentage of sales payments are contingent future profits which will be recognized when they are realized.  All costs of the sales of Increment I and Increment II leasehold land interests were recognized at the time of sale and none were deferred to future periods when any contingent profits will be recognized.  Costs incurred for the acquisition and improvement of leasehold land interests and lot acquisition rights not yet sold are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Investments.”

Investment in land interests is reported at the lower of the asset carrying value or fair value and is evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the recorded investment balance may not be fully recoverable.  This evaluation requires management to make assumptions and apply considerable judgments to, among others, estimates of the timing and amount of future cash flows, uncertainty about future events, including changes in economic conditions, changes in operating performance, changes in the use of the assets, and ongoing cost of maintenance and improvements of the assets.  Changes in these and other assumptions may require valuation adjustments that may materially impact the Company’s financial condition or its future operating results.  If economic conditions worsen in the future or if difficult market conditions extend beyond the Company’s expectations resulting in a decrease in the fair value of the aforementioned assets below carrying value, the Company will be required to record an impairment loss.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties

Barnwell uses the full cost method of accounting under which all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves, including costs related to unsuccessful wells and estimated future site restoration and abandonment, are capitalized until such time as the aggregate of such costs net of accumulated depletion and oil and natural gas related deferred income taxes, on a country-by-country basis, equals the sum of 1) the discounted present value (at 10%), using average first-day-of-the-month prices during the 12-month period ending in the reporting period on a constant basis, of Barnwell’s estimated future net cash flows from estimated production of proved oil and natural gas reserves as determined by independent petroleum reserve engineers, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves but excluding future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations accrued on the balance sheet; plus 2) the cost of major development projects and unproven properties not subject to depletion, if any; plus 3) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in costs subject to depletion; less 4) related income tax effects.  If net capitalized costs exceed this limit, the excess is expensed.  Depletion is computed using the units-of-production method whereby capitalized costs, net of estimated salvage values, plus estimated future costs to develop proved reserves and satisfy asset retirement obligations, are amortized over the total estimated proved reserves on a country-by-country basis.  Investments in major development projects are not depleted until either proved reserves are associated with the projects or impairment has been determined.  At September 30, 2011 and 2010, Barnwell had no investments in oil and natural gas development projects, proved or unproved, that were not being depleted.  General and administrative costs related to oil and natural gas operations are expensed as incurred.  Proceeds from the disposition of minor producing oil and natural gas properties are credited to the cost of oil and natural gas properties.  Gains or losses are recognized on the disposition of significant oil and natural gas properties.

Revenues associated with the sale of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are delivered and title has passed to the customer.

Barnwell’s sales reflect its working interest share after royalties.  Barnwell’s production is generally delivered and sold at the plant gate.  Barnwell does not have transportation contracts with pipelines and does not have natural gas imbalances related to natural gas balancing arrangements with its partners.

Long-lived Assets

Long-lived assets to be held and used, other than oil and natural gas properties, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable.  If the future cash flows expected to result from use of the asset (undiscounted and without interest charges) are less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment loss is recognized.  Such impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.  Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the asset carrying value or fair value, less cost to sell.

Drilling rigs, office and other property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation cost is measured at fair value.  Barnwell utilizes a closed-form valuation model to determine the fair value of each option award.  Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of Barnwell’s stock over a period consistent with that of the expected terms of the options.  The expected terms of the options represent expectations of future employee exercise and are estimated based on factors such as vesting periods, contractual expiration dates, historical trends in Barnwell’s stock price, and historical exercise behavior.  The risk-free rates for periods within the contractual life of the options are based on the yields of U.S. Treasury instruments with terms comparable to the estimated option terms.  Expected dividends are based on current and historical dividend payments.

Retirement Plans

Barnwell accounts for its defined benefit pension plan, Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, and postretirement medical insurance benefits plan by recognizing the over-funded or under-funded status of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans (other than a multiemployer plan) as an asset or liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheet and recognizes changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  See further discussion at Note 9 below.

The estimation of Barnwell’s retirement plan obligations, costs and liabilities requires management to estimate the amount and timing of cash outflows for projected future payments and cash inflows for maturities and expected returns on plan assets.  These assumptions may have an effect on the amount and timing of future contributions.

At the end of each year, Barnwell determines the discount rate to be used to calculate the present value of plan liabilities and the net periodic benefit cost.  The discount rate is an estimate of the current interest rate at which the retirement plan liabilities could be effectively settled at the end of the year.  In estimating this rate, Barnwell looks to rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments and references the Citigroup Pension Liability Index at our balance sheet date.  The discount rate used to value the future benefit obligation as of each year-end is the rate used to determine the periodic benefit cost in the following year.  The estimated rate of return on plan assets is based on historical trends combined with long-term expectations, the mix of plan assets and long-term inflation assumptions.

The effects of actual results differing from the above assumptions or revisions to actuarial assumptions could materially affect Barnwell’s financial condition and/or results of operations.  The effects of changing assumptions are included in unamortized net gains and losses, which directly affect accumulated other comprehensive income. These unamortized gains and losses are amortized and reclassified to (loss) income over future periods.

Asset Retirement Obligation

Barnwell accounts for asset retirement obligations by recognizing the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred.  Barnwell’s estimated site restoration and abandonment costs of its oil and natural gas properties are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties and depleted over the life of the related reserves.  The liability is accreted at the end of each period through charges to oil and natural gas operating expense.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are determined using the asset and liability method.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax impacts of differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

Management evaluates its potential exposures from tax positions taken that have or could be challenged by taxing authorities in the evaluation.  These potential exposures result because taxing authorities may take positions that differ from those taken by management in the interpretation and application of statutes, regulations and rules.  Management considers the possibility of alternative outcomes based upon past experience, previous actions by taxing authorities (e.g., actions taken in other jurisdictions) and advice from tax experts.  Recognized tax positions are initially and subsequently measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis.  Liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits related to such tax positions are included in long-term liabilities unless the tax position is expected to be settled within the upcoming year, in which case the liabilities are included in current liabilities.  Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are included in income tax expense.

Contract Drilling

Revenues, costs and profits applicable to contract drilling contracts are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations using the percentage of completion method, principally measured by the percentage of labor dollars incurred to date for each contract to total estimated labor dollars for each contract.  Contract losses are recognized in full in the period the losses are identified.  The performance of drilling contracts may extend over more than one year and, in the interim periods, estimates of total contract costs and profits are used to determine revenues and profits earned for reporting the results of contract drilling operations.  Revisions in the estimates required by subsequent performance and final contract settlements are included as adjustments to the results of operations in the period such revisions and settlements occur.  Contracts are normally less than one year in duration.

(Loss) Earnings Per Common Share

Basic (loss) earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net (loss) earnings attributable to Barnwell stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted (loss) earnings per share includes the potentially dilutive effect of outstanding common stock options.

Reconciliations between net (loss) earnings attributable to Barnwell stockholders and common shares outstanding of the basic and diluted net (loss) earnings per share computations for the years ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:

	Year ended September 30, 2011
		Net Loss				Shares	Per-Share
		(Numerator)			(Denominator)		Amount
Basic net loss per share		$	(109,000	)		8,277,160		$	(0.01	)
Effect of dilutive securities - common stock options		-				-
Diluted net loss per share		$	(109,000	)		8,277,160		$	(0.01	)

	Year ended September 30, 2010
	Net Earnings			Shares		Per-Share
	(Numerator)			(Denominator)		Amount
Basic net earnings per share		$	3,840,000		8,273,848		$	0.46
Effect of dilutive securities - common stock options		-			-
Diluted net earnings per share		$	3,840,000		8,273,848		$	0.46

Potential dilutive shares consist of the common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options (both vested and non-vested) using the treasury stock method.  Potential dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of (loss) earnings per share if their effect is antidilutive.  Options to purchase 815,375 and 858,500 shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted shares for fiscal years 2011 and 2010, respectively, as their inclusion would have been antidilutive.

Environmental

Barnwell is subject to extensive environmental laws and regulations.  These laws, which are constantly changing, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and maintenance of surface conditions and may require Barnwell to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites.  Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit.  Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefit are expensed.  Liabilities for expenditures of a noncapital nature are recorded when environmental assessment and/or remediation is probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated at the year-end exchange rate and resulting translation gains or losses are accounted for in an equity account entitled “Accumulated other comprehensive income, net.”  Operating results of foreign subsidiaries are translated at average exchange rates during the period.  Realized foreign currency transaction gains or losses were inconsequential in fiscal 2011 and 2010.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid for the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.  Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

·Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities in active markets and have the highest priority.

·Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.

·Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the financial asset or liability and have the lowest priority.