Stock-based compensation

Phantom Stock Plan and Restricted Stock Unit Plan

Effective January 1, 2004, we implemented a Phantom Unit Plan, which was revised on December 31, 2008 as the Second Amended and Restated Phantom Stock Plan (the “Phantom Plan”), to provide deferred compensation to certain key employees (the “Participants”). Phantom stock may be awarded to Participants in total up to 2% of the fair market value of the Company. No Participant may be granted, in the aggregate, more than 5% of the maximum number of phantom shares available for award. Under the Plan, awards vest on the fifth anniversary of the award date, but may also vest on a pro-rata basis following a Participant’s termination of employment with us due to death, disability, retirement or termination by us without cause. Also, phantom stock will vest if a change of control event occurs. Phantom shares are cash-settled within 120 days of the vesting date.

Effective March 1, 2012, we implemented a Non-Officer Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the “RSU Plan”) to create incentives to motivate Participants to put forth maximum effort toward the success and growth of the Company and to enable the Company to attract and retain experienced individuals who by their position, ability and diligence are able to make important contributions to the Company’s success. The RSU Plan is intended to replace the Phantom Plan. Although the Phantom Plan remains in effect, no further awards under the Phantom Plan are expected to be made.

Restricted stock units may be awarded to Participants in total up to 2% of the fair market value of the Company. Under the RSU Plan, awards generally vest in equal annual increments over a three-year period. RSU awards may also vest following a Participant’s termination of employment during the twelve-month period following the occurrence of a change of control event. RSU awards are cash-settled, generally within 120 days of the vesting date.

A summary of our phantom stock and RSU activity during the three months ended March 31, 2012 is presented in the following table:



	Phantom Plan						RSU Plan
	Weighted average grant date fair value		Phantom shares		Vest date fair value		Weighted average grant date fair value		Restricted Stock Units
	($ per share)						($ per share)
Unvested and outstanding at January 1, 2012	$	16.37	125,768				$	—	—
Granted	$	—	—				$	17.84	151,170
Vested	$	14.29	(22,803	)	$	378	$	—	—
Forfeited	$	18.02	(2,829	)			$	—	—
Unvested and outstanding at March 31, 2012	$	16.80	100,136				$	17.84	151,170

No payments for phantom shares or RSU were made during the first quarter of 2012 or 2011. Based on an estimated fair value of $17.91 per phantom share and RSU as of March 31, 2012, the aggregate intrinsic value of the unvested phantom shares and RSU outstanding was $4,501.

2010 Equity Incentive Plan

We adopted the Chaparral Energy, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”) on April 12, 2010. The 2010 Plan reserves a total of 86,301 shares of our class A common stock for awards issued under the 2010 Plan. All of our or our affiliates’ employees, officers, directors, and consultants, as defined in the 2010 Plan, are eligible to participate in the 2010 Plan.

These awards consist of shares that are subject to service vesting conditions (the “Time Vested” awards) and shares that are subject to market and performance vesting conditions (the “Performance Vested” awards). The Time Vested awards vest in equal annual installments over the five-year vesting period but may also vest on an accelerated basis in the event of a Transaction (as defined in the 2010 Plan). The Performance Vested awards vest in the event of a Transaction that achieves certain market targets as defined in the 2010 Plan.

A summary of our restricted stock activity during the three months ended March 31, 2012 is presented in the following table:



	Time Vested						Performance Vested
	Weighted average grant date fair value		Restricted shares		Vest date fair value		Weighted average grant date fair value		Restricted shares
	($ per share)						($ per share)
Unvested and outstanding at January 1, 2012	$	680.74	11,585				$	298.15	53,098
Granted	$	747.08	125				$	394.00	278
Vested	$	703.30	(255	)	$	191	$	—	—
Forfeited	$	703.30	(170	)			$	307.00	(593	)
Unvested and total outstanding at March 31, 2012	$	680.62	11,285				$	298.56	52,783

During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we repurchased and canceled 83 vested shares for tax withholding, and we expect to repurchase approximately 1,000 restricted shares vesting during the next twelve months. Payments for Time Vested restricted shares totaled $62 during the first quarter of 2012. There were no payments for Time Vested restricted shares during the first quarter of 2011. Based on an estimated fair value of $747.08 per Time Vested restricted share, the aggregate intrinsic value of the unvested Time Vested restricted shares outstanding was $8,431.

Stock-based compensation cost

Compensation cost is calculated net of forfeitures, which are estimated based on our historical and expected turnover rates. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the stock-based compensation cost could be different from what we have recorded in the current period.

A portion of stock-based compensation cost associated with employees involved in our acquisition, exploration, and development activities has been capitalized as part of our oil and natural gas properties. The remaining cost is reflected in lease operating and general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. We recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows for the periods indicated:



	Three months ended
	March 31,
	2012			2011
Stock-based compensation cost	$	1,804		$	1,675
Less: stock-based compensation cost capitalized	(653		)	(609		)
Stock-based compensation expense	$	1,151		$	1,066

As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, accrued payroll and benefits payable included $3,058 and $2,359, respectively, for stock-based compensation costs expected to be settled within the next twelve months. Unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $18,106 is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.11 years.