NOTE 3 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation and Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Brushy Resources, Inc., ImPetro Operating, LLC, ImPetro Resources, LLC, Lilis Operating Company, LLC, and Hurricane Resources LLC. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP which requires the Company to make a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period; and the quantities and values of proved oil, natural gas and natural gas liquid (“NGL”) reserves used in calculating depletion and assessing impairment of its oil and natural gas properties. The most significant estimates pertain to the evaluation of unproved properties for impairment, proved oil and natural gas reserves and related cash flow estimates used in the depletion and impairment of oil and natural gas properties; the timing and amount of transfers of our unevaluated properties into our amortizable full cost pool; the fair value of embedded derivatives and commodity derivative contracts, accrued oil and natural gas revenues and expenses, valuation of options and warrants, and common stock; and the allocation of general and administrative expenses. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year comparative financial statements to conform to the 2019 presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on the Company’s previously reported results of operations, stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable

The Company has accounts receivable from joint interest owners of properties operated by the Company. The Company typically has the right to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover any non-payment of related joint interest billings. Management routinely assesses accounts receivable amounts to determine their collectability and accrues an allowance for uncollectible receivables when, based on the judgment of management, it is probable that a receivable will not be collected. The Company records actual and estimated oil and natural gas revenue receivable from third parties at its net revenue interest. In addition, the Company has receivables derived from sales of certain oil and natural gas production which are collateral under the Company’s credit agreements. The Company had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.4 million as of December 31, 2019. There was no allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2018.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

As of December 31, 2019, and 2018, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, revenue payable and advances from joint interest partners approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such items. The carrying value of the Company’s secured debt is carried at cost which approximates the fair value of the debt as the related interest rates approximates interest rates currently available to the Company.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties

The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas operations. Under this method, costs related to the exploration, non-production related development and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. Such costs include land acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenses, carrying charges on non-producing properties, costs of drilling, developing and completing productive wells, and any other costs directly related to acquisition and exploration activities. Proceeds from property sales are generally applied as a credit against capitalized exploration and development costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such a sale would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and the proved reserves attributable to these costs. A significant alteration would typically involve a sale of 25% or more of proved reserves.

Depletion of exploration and development costs and depreciation of wells and tangible production assets is computed using the units-of-production method based upon estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves. Costs included in the depletion base to be amortized include (a) all proved capitalized costs including capitalized asset retirement costs net of estimated salvage values, less accumulated depletion, and (b) estimated future development cost to be incurred in developing proved reserves, that are not otherwise included in capitalized costs.

Under the full cost method of accounting, capitalized oil and natural gas property costs less accumulated depletion (net of deferred income taxes) may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value, discounted at 10%, of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves and the cost of unproved properties not subject to amortization (without regard to estimates of fair value), or estimated fair value, if lower, of unproved properties that are not subject to amortization. Should capitalized costs exceed this ceiling, an impairment expense is recognized. The present value of estimated future net cash flows was computed by applying a flat oil price to forecast revenues from estimated future production of proved oil and natural gas reserves as of period-end, less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves (assuming the continuation of existing economic conditions), less any applicable future taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the ceiling value of the Company’s reserves was calculated based upon SEC pricing of $55.69 per barrel for oil and $2.58 per MMBtu for natural gas. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the ceiling value of the Company’s reserves was calculated based upon SEC pricing of $65.56 per barrel for oil and $3.10 per MMBtu for natural gas. Full-cost ceiling impairments totaling $228.3 million were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019 and resulted primarily from decreased commodity prices and reduction in expected PUDs used in preparation of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves as compared to the commodity prices used for the year ended December 31, 2018, when no such impairments were recognized.

The costs of unproved oil and natural gas properties are excluded from amortization until the properties are evaluated. Costs are transferred into the amortization base on an ongoing basis as the properties are evaluated and proved oil and natural gas reserves are established or if impairment is determined. Unproved oil and natural gas properties are assessed periodically, at least annually, to determine whether impairment had occurred. The assessment considers the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of proved reserves, the economic viability of development if proved reserves were assigned and other current market conditions. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and were then subject to amortization.

Wells in Progress

Wells in progress connotes wells that are currently in the process of being drilled or completed or otherwise under evaluation as to their potential to produce oil and natural gas reserves in commercial quantities. Such wells continue to be classified as wells in progress and withheld from the depletion calculation and the ceiling test until such time as either proved reserves can be assigned, or the wells are otherwise abandoned. Upon either the assignment of proved reserves or abandonment, the costs for these wells are then transferred to the full cost pool and become subject to both depletion and the ceiling test calculations in accordance with full cost accounting under Rule 4-10 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Capitalized Interest

For significant oil and natural gas investments in unproved properties, and significant exploration and development projects that have not commenced production, interest is capitalized as part of the historical cost of developing and constructing assets. Capitalized interest is determined by multiplying the Company’s weighted-average borrowing cost on debt by the average amount of qualifying costs incurred. Once an asset subject to interest capitalization is completed and placed in service, the associated capitalized interest is expensed through depreciation or impairment. As of December 31, 2019, there were no significant exploratory projects on unproved properties and none of the development projects exceeded the interest capitalization qualifying asset limit. As a result, no interest was capitalized as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.

Other Property and Equipment

Property and equipment include vehicles, office equipment and furniture which are stated at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment range from 4 to 20 years. The Company recorded approximately $0.2 million and $0.1 million of depreciation for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company incurs retirement obligations for certain assets at the time they are placed in service. The fair values of these obligations are recorded as liabilities on a discounted basis. The costs associated with these liabilities are capitalized as part of the related assets and depreciated. Over time, the liabilities are accreted for the change in their present value. For purposes of depletion, the Company includes estimated dismantlement and abandonment cost, net of salvage values, associated with future development activities that have not yet been capitalized as asset retirement obligations. Asset retirement obligations incurred are classified as Level 3 (unobservable inputs) fair value measurements.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when control passes to the purchaser which generally occurs when production is transferred to the purchaser. The Company measures revenue as the amount of consideration it expects to receive in exchange for the commodities transferred. All of the Company’s revenues from contracts with customers represent products transferred at a point in time as control is transferred to the customer.

The Company records revenue based on consideration specified in its contracts with its customers. The amounts collected on behalf of third parties are recorded in revenue payable. The Company recognizes revenue in the amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for transferring control of those goods to the customer. The contract consideration in the Company’s variable price contracts is typically allocated to specific performance obligations in the contract according to the price stated in the contract. Payment is generally received one or two months after the sale has occurred.

Stock based Compensation

The Company applies a fair value method of accounting for stock based compensation, which requires recognition in the financial statements of the cost of services received in exchange for equity awards. For equity awards, compensation expense is based on the fair value on the grant date or modification date and is recognized in the Company’s financial statements over the vesting period. The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes Merton option-pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options based on several criteria, including but not limited to, the valuation model used and associated input factors, such as expected term of the award, stock price volatility, risk free interest rate, dividend rate. These inputs are subjective and are determined using management’s judgment. If differences arise between the assumptions used in determining stock based compensation expense and the actual factors, which become known over time, the Company may change the input factors used in determining future stock based compensation expense. The fair value of restricted stock awards is identified as the closing stock price on the day the award was granted. The Company recognizes forfeitures as and when the stock awards are forfeited.

The Company accounts for warrant grants to nonemployees whereby the fair values of such warrants are determined using the option pricing model at the earlier of the date at which the nonemployee’s performance is complete or a performance commitment is reached.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for temporary differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the tax rates expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is used to reduce deferred tax assets when uncertainty exists regarding their realization.

The Company recognizes its tax benefits only for tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement. A liability for “unrecognized tax benefits” is recorded for any tax benefits claimed that do not meet these recognition and measurement standards. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company has determined that no liability is required to be recognized.

The Company’s policy is to recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. No interest or penalties were required to be accrued at December 31, 2019 and 2018. Further, the Company does not expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease during the next 12 months.

Concentration of Credit Risk

The Company operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, the Company makes full payment for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other joint interest owners in the property for their portion of those costs. When warranted, prepayments are required from joint interest owners for drilling and completion projects. Joint interest owners consist primarily of independent oil and natural gas producers whose ability to reimburse the Company could be negatively impacted by adverse market conditions.

The purchasers of the Company’s oil, natural gas and NGL production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies, refiners and natural gas pipeline companies. Credit evaluations are performed on the Company’s purchasers of its production and their financial condition is monitored on an ongoing basis. Based on those evaluations and monitoring, the Company may obtain letters of credit or parental guarantees from some purchasers.

All of the Company’s oil and natural gas derivative transactions are carried out in the over-the-counter market and are not typically subject to margin-deposit requirements. The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. The Company monitors the credit ratings of its derivative counterparties on an ongoing basis. If a counterparty were to default on its obligations to the Company under the derivative contracts or seek bankruptcy protection, it could have a material adverse effect on its ability to fund planned activities and could result in a larger percentage of our future production being subject to commodity price volatility. In addition, in poor economic environments and tight financial markets, the risk of a counterparty default is heightened and fewer counterparties may participate in derivative transactions, which could result in greater concentration of exposure to any one counterparty or a larger percentage of the Company’s future production being subject to commodity price changes.

Derivative Instruments

All derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability with changes in fair value recognized currently in earnings. Although derivative instruments are used by the Company to manage the price risk attributable to its expected oil and natural gas production, those derivative instruments have not been designated as accounting hedges under the accounting guidance. All of our derivatives are accounted for as mark-to-market activities. Under ASC Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” these instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value as either short term or long-term assets or liabilities based on their anticipated settlement date. The Company nets derivative assets and liabilities by commodity for counterparties where a legal right to such offset exists. Changes in the derivatives’ fair values are recognized in current earnings since the Company has elected not to designate its current derivative contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes.

The Company has recognized certain conversion features within its Second Lien Term Loan as embedded derivatives that have been bifurcated from the Second Lien Term Loan, as defined in Note 9 - Derivatives, and accounted for separately from the debt.

The Company has recognized that our crude oil sales agreement with ARM no longer meets the criteria for the “normal purchase normal sales” exception under ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging,” due to the Company not meeting the minimum quantities deliverable under the contract and the net settlement criteria being met. As a result, an embedded derivative exists as it is no longer probable the contract will only result in physical deliveries of crude oil and may net settle. See Note 9 - Derivatives for additional information.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), a standard on lease accounting requiring a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. This standard was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We adopted this standard effective January 1, 2019, utilizing a modified retrospective transition approach. We chose to use the effective date as our date of initial application. Consequently, financial information was not updated and the disclosures required under the new standard were not provided for dates and periods before January 1, 2019.

The standard includes optional transition practical expedients intended to simplify its adoption. We elected to adopt the package of practical expedients, which allowed us to retain the historical lease classification, including treatment for land easements, determined under legacy GAAP as well as a relief from reviewing expired or existing contracts to determine if they contain leases. This standard does not apply to the Company’s leases that provide the right to explore for minerals, oil, or natural gas resources.

Upon adoption, we recognized operating lease liabilities totaling approximately $7.5 million, with corresponding right of use assets totaling $7.4 million. The liabilities were calculated as the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments for existing operating leases. This standard did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings and had no impact on our cash flows (see Note 10 - Leases).

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which replaces the currently required incurred loss methodology with an expected loss methodology. This new methodology requires that a financial asset measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The update is intended to provide financial statement users with more useful information about expected credit losses on financial instruments. The amended standard is effective for the Company on January 1, 2023, with early adoption permitted, and shall be applied using a modified retrospective approach resulting in a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings upon adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the fair value disclosure requirements based on application of the disclosure framework. The provisions removed or amended certain disclosures and in some cases, the ASU requires additional disclosures. The standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2018-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Accrued Liabilities and Other

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s accrued liabilities consisted of the following:



	2019		2018
	(In thousands)
Accrued personnel costs	$	—	$	2,300
Accrued drilling and completion costs	5,021		2,849
Drilling advances	1,328		5,001
Accrued production expenses	3,326		2,926
Other accrued liabilities	3,885		1,718
Short-term operating lease liabilities	412		—
	$	13,972	$	14,794