Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

8. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with ASC 820—Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, fair value measurements are based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing an asset or liability, which are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect a company’s own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. We prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following fair value hierarchy:

· Level 1—quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

· Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

· Level 3—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The fair value input hierarchy level to which an asset or liability measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.

The following tables present the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, for each fair value hierarchy level:

	Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)		Total
	(In thousands)
June 30, 2013
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	—	$	3,389		$	—	$	3,389
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives	—		(4,330		)	—		(4,330		)
Interest rate derivatives	—		(3,872		)	—		(3,872		)
Total	$	—	$	(4,813	)	$	—	$	(4,813	)
December 31, 2012
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	—	$	1,061		$	—	$	1,061
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives	—		(17,664		)	—		(17,664		)
Interest rate derivatives	—		(5,939		)	—		(5,939		)
Total	$	—	$	(22,542	)	$	—	$	(22,542	)

The book values of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate fair value based on Level 1 inputs. Joint interest billings, oil sales and other receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying values of our debt approximates fair value since they are subject to short-term floating interest rates that approximate the rates available to us for those periods. Our long-term receivables, if any, after any allowances for doubtful accounts approximate fair value. The estimates of fair value of these items are based on Level 2 inputs.

Commodity Derivatives

Our commodity derivatives represent crude oil three-way collars for notional barrels of oil at fixed Dated Brent oil prices. The values attributable to the our oil derivatives are based on (i) the contracted notional volumes, (ii) independent active futures price quotes for Dated Brent, (iii) a credit-adjusted yield curve applicable to each counterparty by reference to the CDS market and (iv) an independently sourced estimate of volatility for Dated Brent. The volatility estimate was provided by certain independent brokers who are active in buying and selling oil options and was corroborated by market-quoted volatility factors. The deferred premium is included in the fair market value of the puts and compound options. See Note 7—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments.

Provisional Oil Sales

The value attributable to the provisional oil sales derivative is based on (i) the sales volumes subject to provisional pricing and (ii) an independently sourced forward curve over the term of the provisional pricing period.

Interest Rate Derivatives

We have interest rate swaps, whereby the Company pays a fixed rate of interest and the counterparty pays a variable LIBOR-based rate. The values attributable to the Company’s interest rate derivative contracts are based on (i) the contracted notional amounts, (ii) LIBOR yield curves provided by independent third parties and corroborated with forward active market-quoted LIBOR yield curves and (iii) a credit-adjusted yield curve as applicable to each counterparty by reference to the CDS market.