Seismic and Exploration Expenses (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Seismic and Exploration Expenses

Schedule of seismic and exploration expenses

	Three Months Ended March 31,
					For the Period November 10, 2005 (Inception) through March 31, 2013
	2013		2012
	($ in Thousands)
Seismic costs	$	18,109	$	15,214	$	360,157
Seismic cost recovery(1)		—		—		(25,126	)
Leasehold delay rentals		1,387		1,409		34,289
Force Majeure expense(2)		—		—		13,549
Drilling rig expense		2,822		727		29,621
	$	22,318	$	17,350	$	412,490

(1)

These amounts represent reimbursement from partners of past seismic costs incurred by the Company.

(2)

These amounts represent expenditures resulting from suspension of drilling activities in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico as a result of the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the resulting oil spill and the regulatory response thereto and other exploratory expenses.