EX-99.2 4 a12-28766_1ex99d2.htm EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

 

ITEM 7.                 MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in our historical financial statements and notes included in Exhibit 99.3. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. These forward-looking statements are subject to events, risks, assumptions and uncertainties that may be outside our control, including, among other things, the risk factors discussed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information” in the front of this Annual Report.

 

Overview

 

We are a Delaware limited partnership formed in April 2011 by Lime Rock Management, an affiliate of Lime Rock Resources, to operate, acquire, exploit and develop producing oil and natural gas properties in North America with long-lived, predictable production profiles. LRR A, LRR B and LRR C were formed by Lime Rock Management in July 2005 for the purpose of acquiring mature, low-risk producing oil and natural gas properties with long-lived production profiles. As used herein, references to “Fund I” or “predecessor” refer collectively to LRR A, LRR B and LRR C. Fund I is managed by Lime Rock Management and pays a management fee to Lime Rock Management. In addition, Fund I also receives administrative services from OpCo.

 

In connection with the completion of our IPO on November 16, 2011, pursuant to a contribution, conveyance and assumption agreement, we acquired specified oil and natural gas properties and related net profits interests and operations and certain commodity derivative contracts (the “Partnership Properties”) owned by LRR A, LRR B, and LRR C. The underwriters partially exercised their option to purchase additional units and on December 14, 2011, we issued an additional 1,200,000 units to the public. The net proceeds from the exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional common units was used to pay additional cash consideration for the properties purchased from Fund I in connection with the IPO and to make additional distributions to Fund I.

 

Fund I received total consideration for the Partnership Properties of 5,049,600 common units, 6,720,000 subordinated units, $311.2 million in cash and the assumption of $27.3 million of LRR A’s indebtedness. For further discussion regarding our IPO, please see Note 1 to the consolidated/combined financial statements included in this report.

 

Our properties are located in the Permian Basin region in West Texas and southeast New Mexico, the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma and East Texas and the Gulf Coast region in Texas. These properties consist of working interests in 874 gross (702 net) producing wells, of which we owned an approximate 80% average working interest. As of December 31, 2011, our total estimated proved reserves were approximately 28.8 MMBoe, of which approximately 36% were oil and NGLs as measured by volume, approximately 70% were proved developed producing and approximately 15% were proved developed non-producing. As of December 31, 2011, our estimated proved reserves had a standardized measure of $342.3 million.

 

Of our total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2011, 15.3 MMBoe, or approximately 53%, are located in the Permian Basin region; 10.0 MMBoe, or approximately 35%, are located in the Mid-Continent region; and 3.5 MMBoe, or approximately 12%, are located in the Gulf Coast region.

 

On June 1, 2012, we completed an acquisition from Fund I of certain oil and natural gas properties (the “Transferred Properties”) located in the Permian Basin region of New Mexico and onshore Gulf Coast region of Texas for $65.1 million in cash consideration (the “Transaction”). The Transaction was effective as of March 1, 2012.  In September 2012, we received $1.1 million in cash from Fund I related to post-closing adjustments to the purchase price for the acquisition. Our Management’s Discussion and Analysis has been retrospectively adjusted to assume the Transaction had occurred at the IPO date when we met the accounting requirements for entities under common control. Please refer to Note 2 of our financial statements included in Exhibit 99.3 regarding the retrospective adjustments.

 



 

How We Conduct Our Business and Evaluate Our Operations

 

We use a variety of financial and operational metrics to assess the performance of our oil and natural gas operations, including:

 

·                  oil, NGLs and natural gas production volumes;

·                  realized prices on the sale of oil, NGLs and natural gas, including the effect of our commodity derivative contracts;

·                  lease operating expenses;

·                  general and administrative expenses;

·                  net cash provided by operating activities;

·                  Adjusted EBITDA; and

·                  Distributable Cash Flow

 

Production Volumes

 

Production volumes directly impact our results of operations. For more information about our production volumes, please read “Financial and Operating Data” below.

 

Realized Prices on the Sale of Oil, NGLs and Natural Gas

 

Factors Affecting the Sales Price of Oil, NGLs and Natural Gas.  We market our oil, NGLs and natural gas production to a variety of purchasers based on regional pricing. The relative prices of oil, NGLs and natural gas are determined by the factors impacting global and regional supply and demand dynamics, such as economic conditions, production levels, weather cycles and other events. In addition, relative prices are heavily influenced by product quality and location relative to consuming and refining markets.

 

Oil Prices.  The NYMEX-WTI futures price is a widely used benchmark in the pricing of domestic and imported oil in the United States. The actual prices realized from the sale of oil differ from the quoted NYMEX-WTI price as a result of quality and location differentials. Quality differentials to NYMEX-WTI prices result from the fact that oils differ from one another in their molecular makeup, which plays an important part in their refining and subsequent sale as petroleum products. Among other things, there are two characteristics that commonly drive quality differentials: (1) the oil’s American Petroleum Institute, or API, gravity and (2) the oil’s percentage of sulfur content by weight. In general, lighter oil (with higher API gravity) produces a larger number of lighter products, such as gasoline, which have higher resale value, and, therefore, normally sells at a higher price than heavier oil. Oil with low sulfur content (“sweet” oil) is less expensive to refine and, as a result, normally sells at a higher price than high sulfur-content oil (“sour” oil).

 

Location differentials to NYMEX-WTI prices result from variances in transportation costs based on the produced oil’s proximity to the major consuming and refining markets to which it is ultimately delivered. Oil that is produced close to major trading and refining markets, such as near Cushing, Oklahoma, is in higher demand as compared to oil that is produced farther from such markets. Consequently, oil that is produced close to major consuming and refining markets normally realizes a higher price (i.e., a lower location differential to NYMEX-WTI).

 

The oil produced from our properties is a combination of sweet and sour oil, varying by location. We sell our oil at the NYMEX-WTI price, which is adjusted for quality and transportation differentials, depending primarily on location and purchaser. The differential varies, but our oil normally sells at a discount to the NYMEX-WTI price.

 

Natural Gas.  The NYMEX-Henry Hub price of natural gas is a widely used benchmark for the pricing of natural gas in the United States. Similar to oil, the actual prices realized from the sale of natural gas differ from the quoted NYMEX-Henry Hub price as a result of quality and location differentials. Quality differentials to NYMEX-Henry Hub prices result from: (1) the Btu content of natural gas, which measures its heating value, and (2) the percentage of sulfur, CO2 and other inert content by volume. Wet natural gas with a high Btu content sells at a premium to low Btu content dry natural gas because it yields a greater quantity of NGLs. Natural gas with low

 



 

sulfur and CO2 content sells at a premium to natural gas with high sulfur and CO2 content because of the added cost to separate the sulfur and CO2 from the natural gas to render it marketable. The wet natural gas is processed in third-party natural gas plants and residue natural gas as well as NGLs are recovered and sold. The dry natural gas residue from our properties is generally sold based on index prices in the region from which it is produced.

 

Location differentials to NYMEX-Henry Hub prices result from variances in transportation costs based on the natural gas’ proximity to the major consuming markets to which it is ultimately delivered. Also affecting the differential is the processing fee deduction retained by the natural gas processing plant, which is generally in the form of percentage of proceeds. The differential varies, but our natural gas normally sells at a discount to the NYMEX-Henry Hub price.

 

NGLs.  Gas produced from a well that is fused with NGLs is referred to as “wet gas.” Wet gas is generally sold at the wellhead or transported to a gas processing plant where the NGLs are separated from the wet gas, leaving NGL component products and “dry gas” residue. Both the NGLs and dry gas residue are transported from or sold at a gas processing plant’s “tailgate.” The NGLs recovered from the processing of our wet gas are sold as blended NGL barrels at a Mont Belvieu or Conway posted price, which is representative of the weighted average market value of the five primary NGL component products. For the majority of the properties that we operate that produce wet gas, we have agreements in place with gas plants in the various regions to process this natural gas in order to receive the revenue benefit of the NGLs that are generated from processing.

 

In the past, oil and natural gas prices have been extremely volatile, and we expect this volatility to continue. For example, during the year ended December 31, 2011, the NYMEX-WTI oil price ranged from a high of $113.93 per Bbl to a low of $75.67 per Bbl, while the NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas price ranged from a high of $4.92 per MMBtu to a low of $2.83 per MMBtu. For the five years ended December 31, 2011, the NYMEX-WTI oil price ranged from a high of $145.29 per Bbl to a low of $31.41 per Bbl, while the NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas price ranged from a high of $13.31 per MMBtu to a low of $1.88 per MMBtu. As of March 26, 2012, the NYMEX-WTI oil spot price was $107.03 per Bbl and the NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas spot price was $2.13 per MMBtu.

 

Commodity Derivative Contracts.  We enter into hedging arrangements to reduce the impact of commodity price volatility on our cash flow from operations. Our strategy includes entering into commodity derivative contracts at times and on terms desired to maintain a portfolio of commodity derivative contracts covering approximately 65% to 85% of our estimated production from total proved developed producing reserves over a three-to-five year period at a given point of time, although we may from time to time hedge more or less than this approximate range.

 

For a summary of volumes of our production covered by commodity derivative contracts and the average prices at which the production is hedged as of December 31, 2011, please refer to “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.”

 

Lease Operating Expenses.  We strive to increase our production levels to maximize our revenue and cash available for distribution. Lease operating expenses are the costs incurred in the operation of producing properties and workover costs. Expenses for utilities, direct labor, water injection and disposal, and materials and supplies comprise the most significant portion of our lease operating expenses. Lease operating expenses do not include general and administrative costs or production and other taxes. Certain items, such as direct labor and materials and supplies, generally remain relatively fixed across broad production volume ranges, but can fluctuate depending on activities performed during a specific period.

 

A majority of our lease operating cost components are variable and increase or decrease as the level of produced hydrocarbons and water increases or decreases. As these costs are driven not only by volumes of oil, NGLs and natural gas produced but also volumes of water produced, fields that have a high percentage of water production relative to oil, NGLs and natural gas production, also known as a high water cut, will experience higher levels of costs for each Bbl of oil or NGL or Mcf of natural gas produced.

 

We monitor our operations to ensure that we are incurring operating costs at the optimal level. Accordingly, we monitor our production expenses and operating costs per well to determine if any wells or properties should be shut in, recompleted or sold. We typically evaluate our oil, NGL and natural gas operating costs on a per Boe basis. This

 



 

unit rate allows us to monitor these costs in certain fields and geographic areas to identify trends and to benchmark against other producers.

 

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes.  The various states in which we operate regulate the development, production, gathering and sale of oil and natural gas, including imposing production taxes and requirements for obtaining drilling permits. Ad valorem taxes are generally tied to the valuation of the oil and natural gas properties; however, these valuations are reasonably correlated to revenues, excluding the effects of any commodity derivative contracts.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  We have entered into a services agreement with Lime Rock Management and OpCo pursuant to which management, administrative and operating services are provided to our general partner and us to manage and operate our business. Our general partner reimburses Lime Rock Management and OpCo for all costs and services they incur on our general partner’s and our behalf. Under the services agreement, our general partner will reimburse each of Lime Rock Management and OpCo, on a monthly basis, for the allocable expenses it incurs in its performance under the services agreement. For further information regarding the services agreement, please read “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence — Services Agreement”

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow are used as supplemental financial measures by our management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, commercial banks and others, to assess:

 

·                  our operating performance as compared to that of other companies and partnerships in our industry, without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis;

·                  the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our unitholders; and

·                  our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures.

 

Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Our Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of another company because all companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA or Distributable Cash Flow in the same manner. For further discussion of these non-GAAP financial measures, please read “Item 6. Selected Financial Data — Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

Trends and 2012 Outlook

 

We expect to spend approximately $21.2 million of total capital expenditures on the development of our oil and natural gas properties in 2012, including approximately $18.0 million of maintenance capital expenditures. Maintenance capital expenditures represent our estimate of the amount of capital required on average per year to maintain our production over the long term. We expect to spend the remaining $3.2 million of estimated expenditures primarily on projects designed to reduce operating costs and potentially growth capital. The estimated capital expenditures for 2012 do not include any amounts for acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties.

 

The estimate of capital expenditures provided above sets forth management’s best estimate based on current and anticipated market conditions and is based on current expectations as to the level of capital expenditures, which in turn depends on the amount of oil, natural gas and NGLs we produce, oil, natural gas and NGL prices, the prices at which we sell our oil, natural gas and NGL production, the level of our operating costs and the prices at which we enter into commodity derivative contracts.

 

Our revenues, cash flow from operations and future growth depend substantially on factors beyond our control, such as economic, political and regulatory developments and competition from other sources of energy. Oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and are expected to be volatile in the future. Factors affecting the price of oil include worldwide economic conditions, geopolitical activities, worldwide supply disruptions, weather conditions, actions taken by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and the value of the U.S. dollar in

 



 

international currency markets. Factors affecting the price of natural gas include the discovery of substantial accumulations of natural gas in unconventional reservoirs due to technological advancements necessary to commercially produce these unconventional reserves, North American weather conditions, industrial and consumer demand for natural gas, storage levels of natural gas and the availability and accessibility of natural gas deposits in North America.  Sustained periods of low prices for oil or natural gas could materially and adversely affect our financial position, our results of operations, the quantities of oil and natural gas reserves that we can economically produce and our access to capital. Please read “Risk Factors.”

 

In order to mitigate the impact of changes in oil and natural gas prices on our cash flows, we have entered into commodity derivative contracts, and we intend to enter into commodity derivative contracts in the future, to reduce cash flow volatility. Please read “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for a summary of volumes of our production covered by commodity derivative contracts and the average prices at which the production is hedged through 2015.

 

As an oil and natural gas company, we face the challenge of natural production declines. As initial reservoir pressures are depleted, oil and natural gas production from a given well or formation decreases. Our future growth will depend on our ability to continue to add estimated reserves in excess of our production. We plan to maintain our focus on adding reserves through acquisitions and exploitation projects and improving the economics of producing oil and natural gas from our existing fields in lieu of higher-risk exploration projects. We expect that these acquisition opportunities may come from Lime Rock Resources and possibly from Lime Rock Partners and its affiliates and also from unrelated third parties. Our ability to add proved reserves through acquisitions and exploitation projects is dependent upon many factors, including our ability to successfully identify and close acquisitions, raise capital, obtain regulatory approvals and procure contract drilling rigs and personnel.

 

Because Fund I and its affiliates own 100% of our general partner and because Fund I owns 5,049,600 common units and all of our 6,720,000 subordinated units, representing an aggregate 52.4% limited partner interest in us, each acquisition of assets from Fund I is considered a transfer of net assets between entities under common control. As a result, we are required to revise our financial statements to include the activities of such assets for all periods presented, similar to a pooling of interests, to include the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The table set forth below includes selected recast historical financial information as if the Transferred Properties were owned by us for all periods presented.

 

Financial and Operating Data

 

 

 

Partnership

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

November 16

 

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to December 31,

 

 

November 15,

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Revenues (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil sales

 

$

8,259

 

 

$

59,605

 

$

52,670

 

$

34,604

 

Natural gas sales

 

3,642

 

 

35,883

 

48,088

 

33,798

 

Natural gas liquids sales

 

1,829

 

 

14,500

 

14,748

 

10,617

 

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments

 

4,015

 

 

9,353

 

48,029

 

70,902

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivative instruments

 

6,664

 

 

12,674

 

(23,964

)

(62,375

)

Other income

 

 

 

159

 

116

 

24

 

Total revenues

 

24,409

 

 

132,174

 

139,687

 

87,570

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expense

 

2,780

 

 

21,391

 

23,804

 

19,066

 

Production and ad valorem taxes

 

976

 

 

7,763

 

9,320

 

6,731

 

Depletion and depreciation

 

5,061

 

 

37,206

 

55,828

 

56,349

 

Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

 

 

 

16,765

 

11,712

 

 

Management fees

 

 

 

5,435

 

6,104

 

8,500

 

General and administrative expense

 

1,749

 

 

5,149

 

5,293

(1)

2,408

 

Interest expense

 

604

 

 

919

 

3,223

 

1,274

 

Realized loss on interest rate derivative instruments

 

 

 

574

 

649

 

457

 

 



 

 

 

Partnership

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

November 16

 

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to December 31,

 

 

November 15,

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Production: (2), (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

88

 

 

657

 

698

 

602

 

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

1,086

 

 

8,606

 

11,287

 

9,076

 

NGLs (MBbls)

 

32

 

 

269

 

376

 

363

 

Total (MBoe)

 

301

 

 

2,360

 

2,955

 

2,478

 

Average net production (Boe/d)

 

6,543

 

 

7,398

 

8,096

 

6,788

 

 


(1)                                 General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2010 include a $2.5 million finder’s fee incurred in connection with the Potato Hills acquisition.

(2)                                 The Red Lake area constituted approximately 31% of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2011. Our production from the Red Lake area was 79 MBoe for the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011. Our predecessor’s production from the Red Lake area was 473, 518 and 367 MBoe for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 and the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

(3)                                 The Potato Hills field, which our predecessor acquired in February 2010, constituted approximately 29% of our estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2011. Our production from the Potato Hills field was 72 MBoe for the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011. Our predecessor’s production from the Potato Hills field was 527 and 614 MBoe for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 and the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively.

 

 

 

Partnership

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

November 16

 

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to December 31,

 

 

November 15,

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Average sales price:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (per Bbl):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales price

 

$

93.85

 

 

$

90.72

 

$

75.46

 

$

57.48

 

Effect of realized commodity derivative instruments (1)

 

8.15

 

 

(10.66

)

23.15

 

61.18

 

Realized sales price

 

$

102.00

 

 

$

80.06

 

$

98.61

 

$

118.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales price

 

$

3.35

 

 

$

4.17

 

$

4.26

 

$

3.72

 

Effect of realized commodity derivative instruments(1)

 

3.06

 

 

1.92

 

2.82

 

3.75

 

Realized sales price

 

$

6.41

 

 

$

6.09

 

$

7.08

 

$

7.47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NGLs (per Bbl)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales price

 

$

57.16

 

 

$

53.90

 

$

39.22

 

$

29.25

 

Effect of realized commodity derivative instruments(1)

 

(0.78

)

 

(0.65

)

 

 

Realized sales price

 

$

56.38

 

 

$

53.25

 

$

39.22

 

$

29.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average unit costs per Boe:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

$

9.24

 

 

$

9.06

 

$

8.06

 

$

7.70

 

Production and ad valorem taxes

 

$

3.24

 

 

$

3.29

 

$

3.15

 

$

2.72

 

Management fees

 

$

 

 

$

2.30

 

$

2.07

 

$

3.43

 

General and administrative expenses

 

$

5.81

 

 

$

2.18

 

$

1.79

 

$

0.97

 

Depletion and depreciation

 

$

16.81

 

 

$

15.76

 

$

18.89

 

$

22.74

 

 


(1)                                 Realized gains (losses) on commodity derivative instruments were $13.33 per Boe for the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011 and $3.96 per Boe for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011. Realized gains (losses) on commodity derivative instruments were $16.25 and $28.61 per Boe, for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 



 

Partnership’s Results of Operations

 

We completed our IPO on November 16, 2011 with net assets of $386.4 million contributed to us by Fund I and included in our consolidated financial statements at Fund I’s book value as a transaction between entities of common control. The book value of net assets we received primarily includes $400.1 million of cost basis of oil and natural gas properties, net derivative instruments of $36.2 million, $27.3 million of debt assumed from Fund I and asset retirement obligations of $22.7 million.

 

Additionally, as noted above, as a result being under common control with Fund I, we are required to retrospectively adjust our financial statements to include the results of the Transferred Properties. Our operating results for the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011 are presented below.

 

Period from November 16 to December 31, 2011

 

We recorded net income of $13.0 million during the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011. This net income was primarily driven by total revenues of $24.4 million offset by lease operating expenses of $2.8 million, production and ad valorem taxes of $1.0 million, depletion and depreciation of $5.1 million and general and administrative expenses of $1.7 million.

 

Sales Revenues.  Sales revenues of $13.7 million for the period consisted of oil sales of $8.3 million, natural gas sales of $3.6 million and NGL sales of $1.8 million. Our production volumes for the period included 120 MBbls of oil and NGLs and 1,086 MMcf of natural gas, or 2,609 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs and 23,609 Mcf/d of natural gas. On an equivalent basis, production for the period was 301 MBoe, or 6,543 Boe/d.

 

Our average sales price per Bbl for oil and NGLs, excluding the effect of commodity derivative contracts, for the period was $93.85 and $57.16, respectively. Our average sales price per Mcf of natural gas, excluding the effect of commodity derivative contracts, was $3.35.

 

During the third week in February 2012 and through the second week in March 2012, approximately 1,515 Bbls/d and 1.7 MMcf/d of our Red Lake field production was entirely shut-in due to a compression system upgrade at the gas plant that processes our Red Lake field natural gas. The upgrade was initially expected to last 7 days, but experienced delays and took 21 days to complete. We are currently producing 1,900 Boe per day, which is approximately 105% of pre-curtailment daily production volumes.

 

Relating to the previously disclosed Pecos Slope field curtailment, approximately 1.3 MMcf/d of production was curtailed in January and February 2012 due to the gas containing a nitrogen percentage greater than our gas purchaser’s specification. Beginning in March 2012, the curtailment was reduced to approximately 0.9 MMcf/d and is expected to remain at this level until the field-wide nitrogen rejection facility is installed. The cumulative curtailment from January to September 2012, on an annualized basis, represents approximately 125 Boe per day. Full restoration of production is expected to occur in October 2012 after a field-wide nitrogen rejection facility is installed by the gas gathering company that gathers and compresses our natural gas in the area. The actual timing and amount of resumed production may differ from these estimates.

 

Effects of Commodity Derivative Contracts.  Due to changes in oil and natural gas prices, we recorded a net gain from our commodity hedging program for the period of approximately $10.7 million, which is comprised of a realized gain of approximately $4.0 million and an unrealized gain of approximately $6.7 million.

 

Lease Operating Expenses.  Our lease operating expenses were approximately $2.8 million, or $9.24 per Boe, for the period. The per Boe amount is consistent with our predecessor’s rate for the remainder of 2011.

 

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes.  Our production and ad valorem taxes were approximately $1.0 million, or $3.24 per Boe, for the period. The per Boe amount is consistent with our predecessor’s rate for the remainder of 2011. Production taxes accounted for approximately $0.9 million and ad valorem taxes for $0.1 million of the total taxes recorded.

 



 

Depletion and Depreciation.  Our depletion and depreciation expense was approximately $5.1 million, or $16.81 per Boe, for the period.

 

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties.  We did not record any impairment charges during the period.

 

General and Administration Expenses.  Our general and administrative expenses were approximately $1.7 million, or $5.81 per Boe, for the period. The higher per Boe rate than our predecessor is primarily driven by additional expenses related to us being a public company.

 

Interest Expenses.  Our interest expense is comprised of interest on our credit facility and amortization of debt issuance costs. Interest expense was approximately $0.6 million for the period.

 

Predecessor Results of Operations

 

Factors Affecting the Comparability of the Historical Financial Results of Our Predecessor

 

The comparability of our predecessor’s results of operations among the periods presented is impacted by:

 

·                  The following acquisitions by our predecessor:

·                  the Potato Hills acquisition for a purchase price of approximately $104.0 million in February 2010;

·                  the acquisition of interests in 30 producing oil and natural gas wells located in Texas for a purchase price of approximately $7.5 million in August 2010;

·                  the acquisition of additional interests in producing oil and natural gas wells located in New Mexico for a purchase price of approximately $1.8 million in October 2010; and

·                  the acquisition of additional interests in producing oil and natural gas wells located in Texas for a purchase price of approximately $6.1 million in December 2009.

 

·                  The following divestiture by our predecessor:

·                  the divestiture of interests in 17 producing oil and natural gas wells located in New Mexico for approximately $14.3 million in September 2010.

 

·                  The 2011 comparison only includes the period up to November 15, 2011 (the date prior to the IPO)

 

As a result of the factors listed above, historical results of operations and period-to-period comparisons of these results and certain financial data may not be comparable or indicative of future results.

 

Period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2010

 

Our predecessor recorded net income of approximately $35.7 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This increase in net income was primarily driven by an increase in gains on derivative instruments.

 

Sales Revenues.  Revenues from oil, NGLs and natural gas sales for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 were $110.0 million compared to $115.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The decrease in revenues was primarily due to a decline in natural gas sales to $35.9 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 from $48.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This decline was primarily driven by lower natural gas prices in the 2011 period. Oil sales increased to $59.6 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 from $52.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to increased oil prices during the period. Natural gas sales were relatively flat between periods.

 

Our predecessor’s production volumes for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 included 926 MBbls of oil and NGLs and 8,606 MMcf of natural gas, or 2,903 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs and 26,978 Mcf/d of natural gas. On an equivalent net basis, production for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 was 2,360 MBoe, or 7,398 Boe/d. In comparison, our predecessor’s production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2010 included 1,074 MBbls of oil and NGLs and 11,287 MMcf of natural gas, or 2,942 Bbl/d of oil

 



 

and NGLs and 30,923 Mcf/d of natural gas. On an equivalent net basis, production for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 2,955 MBoe, or 8,096 Boe/d.

 

Our predecessor’s average sales price per Bbl for oil and NGLs, excluding the effect of commodity derivative contracts, for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 was $90.72 and $53.90, respectively, compared with $75.46 and $39.22, for the year ended December 31, 2010, respectively. Similarly, our predecessor’s average sales price per Mcf of natural gas, excluding the effect of commodity derivative contracts, for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 was $4.17 compared with $4.26 for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Effects of Commodity Derivative Contracts.  Due to changes in oil and natural gas prices, our predecessor recorded a gain from its commodity hedging program for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 of approximately $22.1 million, which is comprised of a realized gain of approximately $9.4 million and an unrealized gain of approximately $12.7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our predecessor recorded a net gain of approximately $24.0 million, which is comprised of a realized gain of approximately $48.0 million, partially offset by an unrealized loss of approximately $24.0 million.

 

Lease Operating Expenses.  Our predecessor’s lease operating expenses were approximately $21.4 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to approximately $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. On a per Boe basis, our predecessor’s unit lease operating expenses increased to $9.06 per Boe for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to $8.06 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to new wells coming online at the Red Lake field and increased saltwater disposal costs at the Red Lake and Coral Canyon fields. During the third quarter of 2011, our predecessor invested capital to help reduce saltwater disposal costs.

 

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes.  Production and ad valorem taxes were approximately $7.8 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to approximately $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The variance is primarily due to changes in the estimates of the appraisals on which our predecessor’s property taxes were calculated. On a per Boe basis, production and ad valorem taxes were $3.29 per Boe for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to $3.15 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Depletion and Depreciation Expenses.  Our predecessor’s depletion and depreciation expenses were approximately $37.2 million, or $15.76 per Boe, for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to approximately $55.8 million, or $18.89 per Boe, for the year ended December 31, 2010. The overall decrease was primarily a result of the 2010 impairment described below and the decline in commodity prices in the first quarter of 2010.

 

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties.  Our predecessor recorded an impairment of approximately $16.8 million in the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 due to a decline in natural gas prices during the period. An impairment of $11.7 million was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2010 due to a decline in commodity prices in the first quarter of 2010.

 

Management Fees.  Our predecessor incurs a management fee paid to Lime Rock Management in addition to the direct general and administrative expenses it incurs. The management fee is determined by a formula based on the predecessor’s limited partners’ invested capital or the equity capital commitment in Fund I. The predecessor’s management fees were approximately $5.4 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to approximately $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  Our predecessor’s general and administrative expenses were approximately $5.1 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to approximately $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The 2010 amount included a $2.5 million finder’s fee incurred in connection with the Potato Hills acquisition in 2010 which was offset by transactions costs associated with our IPO. General and administrative expenses, on a per Boe basis, were $2.18 per Boe for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 compared to $1.79 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 



 

Interest Expense.  Our predecessor’s interest expense is comprised of interest on its credit facility, debt issuance and financing costs, and realized gains (losses) on its interest rate derivative instruments. Interest expense for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 was approximately $1.5 million compared to approximately $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. This decrease was primarily due the refinancing of the credit facility in 2010.

 

Year Ended December 31, 2010 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Our predecessor recorded net income of approximately $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to a net loss of $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase in net income was primarily driven by an increase in revenues as described below, including an increase in gains on derivative instruments partially offset by an increase in operating costs, reflecting the change in size of operations during the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Sales Revenues.  Revenues from oil, NGLs and natural gas sales for the year ended December 31, 2010 were $115.5 million as compared to $79.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in revenues was due to an increase in the sale of oil, NGLs and natural gas of $52.7 million, $14.7 million and $48.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $34.6 million, $10.6 million and $33.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The overall increase in revenues was primarily driven by increases in commodity sales prices and our predecessor’s production volumes, including the impact of the Potato Hills acquisition, which closed in February 2010 and resulted in increases in revenues of $15.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Our predecessor’s production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2010 included 1,074 MBbls of oil and NGLs and 11,287 MMcf of natural gas, or 2,942 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs and 30,923 Mcf/d of natural gas. On an equivalent net basis, production for the year ended December 31, 2010 was 2,955 MBoe, or 8,096 Boe/d. In comparison, our predecessor’s production volumes for the year ended December 31, 2009 included 965 MBbls of oil and NGLs and 9,076 MMcf of natural gas, or 2,643 Bbl/d of oil and NGLs and 24,866 Mcf/d of natural gas. On an equivalent net basis, production for the year ended December 31, 2009 was 2,478 MBoe, or 6,788 Boe/d. The primary driver behind the increase in overall production volumes was the Potato Hills acquisition completed in February 2010.

 

Our predecessor’s average sales price per Bbl for oil and NGLs, excluding the effect of commodity derivative contracts, for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $75.46 and $39.22, respectively, compared with $57.48 and $29.25, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2009. Similarly, our predecessor’s average sales price per Mcf of natural gas, excluding the effect of commodity derivative contracts, for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $4.26 compared with $3.72 per Mcf for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Effects of Commodity Derivative Contracts.  Due to changes in oil and natural gas prices, our predecessor recorded a net gain from its commodity hedging program for the year ended December 31, 2010 of approximately $24.0 million, which is composed of a realized gain of approximately $48.0 million, partially offset by an unrealized loss of approximately $24.0 million. For the year ended December 31, 2009, our predecessor recorded a net gain from its commodity hedging program of approximately $8.5 million, consisting of a realized gain of approximately $70.9 million, partially offset by an unrealized loss of approximately $62.4 million.

 

Lease Operating Expenses.  Our predecessor’s lease operating expenses were approximately $23.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $19.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase in lease operating expenses was primarily a result of our predecessor’s increased production volumes described above and $3.4 million in additional lease operating expenses as a result of the properties acquired in the Potato Hills acquisition. On a per Boe basis, our predecessor’s unit lease operating expenses increased to $8.06 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2010 from approximately $7.70 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increased expenses were partially offset by the increased production volumes.

 

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes.  Production and ad valorem taxes increased to approximately $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to approximately $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 primarily due to an increase in revenues discussed above. On a per Boe basis, production and ad valorem taxes

 



 

increased to $3.15 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $2.72 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Depletion and Depreciation Expenses.  Our predecessor’s depletion and depreciation expenses were approximately $55.8 million, or $18.89 per Boe, for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $56.3 million or $22.74 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2009. The overall decrease was primarily a result of the 2010 impairment described below and the decline in commodity prices in the first quarter of 2010.

 

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties.  An impairment of $11.7 million was required during the year ended December 31, 2010 due to a decline in commodity prices in the first quarter of 2010. No impairment was required in 2009.

 

Management Fees.  Our predecessor incurs a management fee paid to Lime Rock Management in addition to the direct general and administrative expenses it incurs. The management fee is determined by a formula based on the predecessor’s limited partners’ invested capital or the equity capital commitment in Fund I. The predecessor’s management fees were approximately $6.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to approximately $8.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The overall decrease of $2.4 million was primarily a result of changing the formula based on equity capital commitments to invested capital due to meeting certain requirements as outlined in the predecessor’s partnership agreements with its limited partners.

 

General and Administrative Expenses.  Our predecessor’s general and administrative expenses were approximately $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $2.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. The increase was primarily driven by a $2.5 million finder’s fee incurred in connection with the Potato Hills acquisition in 2010. General and administrative expenses, on a per Boe basis, increased in 2010 for the reasons just discussed, but were partially decreased as a function of the higher production volumes. The general and administrative expenses per Boe were $1.79 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $0.97 per Boe for the year ended December 31, 2009.

 

Interest Expense.  Our predecessor’s interest expense is comprised of interest on its credit facility, debt issuance and financing costs, and realized gains (losses) on its interest rate derivative instruments. The interest expense was $3.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 as compared to $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2009. This increase was primarily due to increased borrowings of $3.1 million and the refinancing of the credit facility.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our ability to finance our operations, including funding capital expenditures and acquisitions, to meet our indebtedness obligations, to refinance our indebtedness or to meet our collateral requirements will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is subject to a number of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including weather, commodity prices, particularly for oil and natural gas and our ongoing efforts to manage operating costs and maintenance capital expenditures, as well as general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors.

 

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows generated by operating activities and borrowings under our credit facility. We may issue additional equity and debt as needed.

 

We enter into hedging arrangements to reduce the impact of commodity price volatility on our cash flow from operations. Under this strategy, we enter into commodity derivative contracts at times and on terms desired to maintain a portfolio of commodity derivative contracts covering approximately 65% to 85% of our estimated production from total proved developed producing reserves over a three-to-five year period at a given point in time, although we may from time to time hedge more or less than this approximate range.

 

Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash (as defined in the partnership agreement) to our unitholders and our general partner. In making cash distributions, our general partner attempts to avoid large variations in the amount we distribute from quarter to quarter. In order to facilitate this, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to establish cash reserves to be used to pay distributions for any one or more

 



 

of the next four quarters. In addition, our partnership agreement allows our general partner to borrow funds to make distributions.

 

We may borrow to make distributions to our unitholders, for example, in circumstances where we believe that the distribution level is sustainable over the long-term, but short-term factors have caused available cash from operations to be insufficient to sustain our level of distributions. In addition, a significant portion of our production is hedged. We are generally required to settle our commodity hedge derivatives within five days of the end of the month. As is typical in the oil and gas industry, we generally do not receive the proceeds from the sale of our hedged production until 45 to 60 days following the end of the month. As a result, when commodity prices increase above the fixed price in the derivative contracts, we are required to pay the derivative counterparty the difference between the fixed price in the derivative contract and the market price before we receive the proceeds from the sale of the hedged production. If this occurs, we may make working capital borrowings to fund our distributions. Because we distribute all of our available cash, we will not have those amounts available to reinvest in our business to increase our proved reserves and production and as a result, we may not grow as quickly as other oil and gas entities or at all.

 

We plan to reinvest a sufficient amount of our cash flow to fund our exploitation and development capital expenditures in order to maintain our production, and we plan to use primarily external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity interests, rather than cash reserves established by our general partner, to make acquisitions to further increase our production and proved reserves. Because our proved reserves and production decline continually over time and because we do not own any undeveloped properties or leasehold acreage, we will need to make acquisitions to sustain our level of distributions to unitholders over time.

 

If cash flow from operations does not meet our expectations, we may reduce our expected level of capital expenditures, reduce distributions to unitholders, and/or fund a portion of our capital expenditures using borrowings under our credit facility, issuances of debt and equity securities or from other sources, such as asset sales. Our ability to raise funds through the incurrence of additional indebtedness could be limited by the covenants in our credit facility. If we are unable to obtain funds when needed or on acceptable terms, we may not be able to complete acquisitions that may be favorable to us or finance the capital expenditures necessary to maintain our production or proved reserves.

 

As of December 31, 2011, we had borrowing capacity of $94.2 million under our $500 million revolving credit facility ($250 million borrowing base less $155.8 million of outstanding borrowings). Based upon current oil and natural gas price expectations and our commodity derivatives positions for the year ending December 31, 2012, which cover 84% of our estimated production from total proved developed producing reserves, we anticipate that our cash on hand, cash flow from operations and available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility will provide us sufficient working capital to meet our total planned 2012 capital expenditures of approximately $21.2 million, of which approximately $18.0 million is maintenance capital and planned 2012 annualized cash distributions of approximately $42.6 million. Our board of directors determines our distribution each quarter and there is no guarantee that the board will maintain or increase our current quarterly distribution of $0.4750 per unit.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Maintenance capital expenditures represent our estimate of the amount of capital required on average per year to maintain our production over the long term. The primary purpose of maintenance capital is to maintain our production at a steady level over the long term to maintain our distributions per unit. We have estimated our maintenance capital expenditures to be approximately $18.0 million in 2012.

 

Growth capital expenditures are capital expenditures that we expect to increase our production and the size of our asset base. The primary purpose of growth capital expenditures is to acquire producing assets that will increase our distributions per unit and secondarily increase the rate of development and production of our existing properties in a manner that is expected to be accretive to our unitholders. Growth capital expenditures may include projects on our existing asset base. Although we may make acquisitions during 2012, including potential acquisitions of producing properties from Lime Rock Resources, we have not estimated any growth capital expenditures related to potential opportunistic acquisitions because we cannot be certain that we will be able to identify attractive properties or, if identified, that we will be able to negotiate acceptable purchase contracts.

 



 

The amount and timing of our capital expenditures is largely discretionary and within our general partner’s control, with the exception of certain projects managed by other operators. If oil and natural gas prices decline below levels we deem acceptable, our general partner may defer a portion of our planned capital expenditures until later periods. Accordingly, we routinely monitor and adjust our capital expenditures in response to changes in oil and natural gas prices, drilling and acquisition costs, industry conditions and internally generated cash flow. Matters outside of our control that could affect the timing of our capital expenditures include obtaining required permits and approvals in a timely manner and the availability of rigs and labor crews. Based on our current oil and natural gas price expectations, we anticipate that our cash flow from operations and available borrowing capacity under our credit facility will exceed our planned capital expenditures and other cash requirements for 2012. However, future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, including the level of our oil and natural gas production and the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production. There can be no assurance that our operations and other capital resources will provide cash in amounts that are sufficient to maintain our planned levels of capital expenditures.

 

Credit Facility

 

In connection with our IPO, we, as guarantor and our wholly owned subsidiary, LRE Operating, LLC, as borrower, entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility. The credit facility is a five-year, $500 million revolving credit facility with a current borrowing base of $250 million.

 

Our credit facility is reserve-based, and we are permitted to borrow under our credit facility in an amount up to the borrowing base, which is primarily based on the estimated value of our oil, NGL and natural gas properties and our commodity derivative contracts as determined semi-annually by our lenders in their sole discretion. Our borrowing base is subject to redetermination on a semi-annual basis based on an engineering report with respect to our estimated oil, NGL and natural gas reserves, which will take into account the prevailing oil, NGL and natural gas prices at such time, as adjusted for the impact of our commodity derivative contracts. Unanimous approval by the lenders is required for any increase to the borrowing base. In the future, we may be unable to access sufficient capital under our new credit facility as a result of (i)  a subsequent borrowing base redetermination or (ii) an unwillingness or inability on the part of our lenders to meet their funding obligations.

 

A future decline in commodity prices could result in a redetermination that lowers our borrowing base in the future and, in such case, we could be required to repay any indebtedness in excess of the borrowing base, or we could be required to pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral. We do not anticipate having any substantial unpledged properties, and we may not have the financial resources in the future to make any mandatory principal prepayments required under our credit facility. Additionally, we will not be able to pay distributions to our unitholders in any such quarter in the event there exists a borrowing base deficiency or an event of default either before or after giving effect to such distribution or we are not in pro forma compliance with the credit facility after giving effect to such distribution.

 

Borrowings under the credit facility are secured by liens on substantially all of our properties, but in any event, not less than 80% of the PV-10 value of our oil and natural gas properties, and all of our equity interests in LRE Operating, LLC and any future guarantor subsidiaries and all of our other assets including personal property. Additionally, borrowings under the credit facility will bear interest, at our option, at either (i) the greater of the prime rate as determined by the administrative agent, the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, and the 30-day adjusted LIBOR plus 1.0%, all of which would be subject to a margin that varies from 0.75% to 1.75% per annum according to the borrowing base usage (which is the ratio of outstanding borrowings and letters of credit to the borrowing base then in effect), or (ii) the applicable LIBOR plus a margin that varies from 1.75% to 2.75% per annum according to the borrowing base usage. The unused portion of the borrowing base is subject to a commitment fee that varies from 0.375% to 0.50% per annum according to the borrowing base usage.

 

Our credit facility requires maintenance of a ratio of Total Debt (as such term is defined in the credit facility) to EBITDAX, which we refer to as the leverage ratio, of not more than 4.0 to 1.0x, and a ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities, which we refer to as the current ratio, of not less than 1.0 to 1.0x. Our credit facility defines EBITDAX as consolidated net income plus the sum of interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, accretion, impairment charges, exploration expenses and other noncash charges, plus

 



 

reasonable one-time fees, charges and expenses related to our IPO, our acquisition of the Partnership Properties and the closing of the credit facility or other start up activities, minus all noncash income.

 

Additionally, the credit facility contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which limit our ability to incur additional debt, guarantees or liens; consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; make certain investments, acquisitions or other restricted payments; modify certain material agreements; engage in certain types of transactions with affiliates; dispose of assets; incur commodity hedges exceeding a certain percentage of our production; and prepay certain indebtedness.

 

Events of default under the credit facility include, but are not limited to, failure to make payments when due; any material inaccuracy in the representations and warranties of LRE Operating; the breach of any covenants continuing beyond the cure period; a matured payment default under, or other event permitting acceleration of any other material debt; a change in management or change of control; a bankruptcy or other insolvency event; and certain material adverse effects on our business.

 

If we fail to perform our obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitments could be terminated and any outstanding indebtedness under the credit facility, together with accrued interest, could be declared immediately due and payable. As of December 31, 2011, we are in compliance with our covenants.

 

At December 31, 2011, we had approximately $155.8 million of outstanding borrowings under our credit facility and available borrowing capacity of approximately $94.2 million.

 

Commodity Derivative Contracts

 

The following table summarizes, for the periods presented, the weighted average price and notional volumes of our oil, NGL and natural gas swaps and collars in place as of December 31, 2011. The weighted average price is based on the swap price for oil, NGL and natural gas swaps and the floor price of oil and natural gas collars. We use swaps and collars as a mechanism for managing commodity price risks whereby we pay the counterparty floating prices and receive fixed prices from the counterparty. By entering into the hedge agreements, we mitigate the effect on our cash flows of changes in the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production. These transactions are settled based upon the NYMEX-WTI price of oil and NYMEX-Henry Hub price of natural gas on the average of the three final trading days of the month, with settlement occurring on the fifth day of the production month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural Gas

 

 

 

Oil (NYMEX-WTI)

 

NGL (NYMEX-WTI)

 

(NYMEX-Henry Hub)

 

 

 

Weighted Average

 

Weighted Average

 

Weighted Average

 

Term

 

$/Bbl

 

Bbls/d

 

$/Bbl

 

Bbls/d

 

$/Mmbtu

 

Mmbtu/d

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

$

102.20

 

688

 

$

49.92

 

450

 

$

5.56

 

18,047

 

2013

 

$

101.30

 

793

 

$

 

 

$

5.59

 

15,774

 

2014

 

$

100.01

 

680

 

$

 

 

$

5.76

 

13,992

 

2015

 

$

98.90

 

602

 

$

 

 

$

5.96

 

12,592

 

 

We did not have any oil and natural gas basis swaps in place as of December 31, 2011; however, subsequent to December 31, 2011, we entered into basis swaps that are designed to effectively fix a price differential between NYMEX-Henry Hub price and the index price at which the physical natural gas is sold. For further discussion of those swaps entered into subsequent to December 31, 2011, please see Note 14 to the consolidated/combined financial statements.

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash flows provided (used) by type of activity were as follow for the periods indicated (in thousands):

 



 

 

 

Partnership

 

 

Predecessor

 

 

 

November 16

 

 

January 1 to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to December 31,

 

 

November 15,

 

Year ended December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2009

 

Net cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

4,191

 

 

$

84,027

 

$

121,269

 

$

108,148

 

Investing activities

 

(755

)

 

(44,891

)

(125,846

)

(25,129

)

Financing activities

 

(1,923

)

 

(38,000

)

1,505

 

(118,151

)

 

Operating Activities.

 

Partnership.  Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $4.2 million, which reflected our activity from November 16 to December 31, 2011.

 

Predecessor.  Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $84.0 million, $121.3 million and $108.1 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 and the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Revenues fluctuated during the periods presented primarily due to the volatility of commodity prices, and therefore our predecessor’s net cash provided by operating activities fluctuated during those periods. Cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the prices received for oil and natural gas sales and levels of production volumes.

 

Our working capital totaled $23.1 million at December 31, 2011. Our predecessor’s working capital totaled $33.2 million at December 31, 2010. Our collection of receivables has historically been timely, and losses associated with uncollectible receivables have historically not been significant. Our cash balances totaled $1.5 million at December 31, 2011 and our predecessor’s cash balances totaled $12.5 million at December 31, 2010.

 

Investing Activities.

 

Partnership.  Net cash used in investing activities was approximately $0.8 million, which primarily represented additions to our property and equipment balances during the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011.

 

Predecessor.  Net cash used in investing activities by our predecessor was approximately $44.9 million, $125.8 million and $25.1 million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 and the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The increased amount of cash used in investing activities in the year ended December 31, 2010 was principally due to the acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties, which included the Potato Hills acquisition in February 2010.

 

Financing Activities.

 

Partnership.  Net cash used in financing activities was $1.9 million for the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011 primarily relates to our IPO. We received $188.5 million of net proceeds from our IPO, $155.8 million from borrowings under our revolving credit facility and $0.4 million from our general partner. We distributed $311.2 million to Fund I as consideration for the Partnership Properties, paid $27.3 million of the debt assumed from LRR A and contributed $2.0 million to Fund I. We also paid IPO transaction costs of $4.7 million and deferred financing costs of $1.4 million.

 

Predecessor.  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities by our predecessor was approximately $(38.0) million, $1.5 million and $(118.2) million for the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011 and the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. In 2011, the cash used in financing activities consisted of distributions of approximately $43.4 million offset by capital contributions of $5.4 million. For 2010, the cash provided by financing activities primarily related to $129.0 million of capital contributions for acquisitions, debt borrowings of $8.6 million offset by distributions of $120.9 million, return of capital of $9.3 million and debt repayments of $5.5 million. For 2009, the cash used in financing activities primarily related to $124.0 million of distributions, $3.8 million of return of capital, debt repayments of $9.0 million offset by capital contributions of $17.8 million.

 



 

We expect to spend approximately $21.2 million in total capital expenditures in 2012, of which approximately $18.0 million represents maintenance capital expenditures on the development of our oil and natural gas properties in 2012.

 

We intend to make cash distributions to our unitholders and our general partner at least at the minimum quarterly distribution rate of $0.4750 per unit per quarter ($1.90 per unit on an annualized basis). Based on the number of common units, subordinated units and general partner units outstanding as of March 16, 2012, distributions to all of our unitholders at the minimum quarterly distribution rate for 2012 would total approximately $10.7 million.

 

We intend to pursue acquisitions of long-lived, low-risk producing oil and natural gas properties with reserve exploitation potential. We would expect to finance any significant acquisition of oil and natural gas properties in 2012 though external financing sources, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility and the issuance of debt and equity securities.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

A summary of our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2011 is provided in the following table (in thousands).

 

 

 

Obligations Due in Period

 

Contractual Obligation

 

2012

 

2013

 

2014

 

2015

 

2016

 

Thereafter

 

Total

 

Long-term debt (1)

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

$

155,800

 

$

 

$

155,800

 

Interest on long-term debt(2)

 

4,927

 

4,927

 

4,927

 

4,927

 

2,463

 

 

22,171

 

Total

 

$

4,927

 

$

4,927

 

$

4,927

 

$

4,927

 

$

158,263

 

$

 

$

177,971

 

 


(1)         Represents amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility as of December 31, 2011. The total balance of our revolving credit facility will mature in July 2016.

(2)         Based upon the weighted average interest rate of approximately 2.86 % under the credit facility at December 31, 2011 and an unused commitment fee of 0.50% on $94.2 million.

 

The table above excludes amounts associated with our oil and natural gas property asset retirement obligations. As of December 31, 2011, approximately $23.1 million of such obligations were recorded as liabilities, $0.4 million of which was reflected as current liabilities.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon the consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is a reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. Estimates and assumptions are evaluated on a regular basis. We based our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of the financial statements. Changes in these estimates and assumptions could materially affect our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if:

 

·                  it requires assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and

·                  changes in the estimate or different estimates that could have been selected could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 



 

Below is a discussion of the more significant accounting policies, estimates and judgments. See “Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in this report for a discussion of additional accounting policies and estimates made by management.

 

Transactions Between Entities Under Common Control

 

Master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) enter into transactions whereby the MLP receives a transfer of certain assets from its sponsor or predecessor for consideration of either cash, units, assumption of debt, or any combination thereof. We account for the net assets received using the carryover book value of the predecessor as these are transactions between entities under common control. Our historical financial statements have been revised to include the results attributable to the assets contributed from Fund I as if we owned such assets for all periods presented by us.  The following financial statement items were impacted:

 

Oil and Natural Gas Properties Received.  The book value and related activity of oil and natural gas properties received from our predecessor is determined using the carrying value of the specific assets contributed.

 

Asset Retirement Obligations Received.  The book value and related activity of asset retirement obligations received from our predecessor was determined by using the carrying value of the specific liabilities attributable to the assets contributed.

 

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Revenues and Expenses.  Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues and expenses related to the Transferred Properties are based on the actual results of the Transferred Properties. Historical lease operating statements by individual asset were used as the basis for revenues and direct operating expenses.

 

General and Administrative Expense.  The general and administrative expense attributable to the Transferred Properties was determined by the ratio of production for the Transferred Properties to our total predecessor’s production for the period presented.

 

Oil, NGL and Natural Gas Reserve Quantities

 

Our estimates of proved reserves are based on the quantities of oil and natural gas that engineering and geological analyses demonstrate, with reasonable certainty, to be recoverable from established reservoirs in the future under current operating and economic parameters. Miller and Lents, Ltd. and Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., our independent reserve engineering firms, prepare a fully-engineered reserve and economic evaluation of all our properties on a lease, unit or well-by-well basis, depending on the availability of well-level production data. The estimates of the proved reserves as of December 31, 2011 included in this report are based on reserve reports prepared by Miller and Lents, Ltd. and Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.

 

We prepare our reserve estimates, and the projected cash flows derived from these reserve estimates, in accordance with SEC guidelines. Our independent engineering firm adheres to the same guidelines when preparing their reserve reports. The accuracy of our reserve estimates is a function of many factors, including the quality and quantity of available data, the interpretation of that data, the accuracy of various economic assumptions, and the judgments of the individuals preparing the estimates.

 

Our proved reserve estimates are also a function of many assumptions, all of which could deviate significantly from actual results. For example, when the price of oil and natural gas increases, the economic life of our properties is extended, thus increasing estimated proved reserve quantities and making certain projects economically viable. Likewise, if oil and natural gas prices decrease, the properties economic life is reduced and certain projects may become uneconomic, reducing estimated proved reserved quantities. Oil and natural gas price volatility adds to the uncertainty of our reserve quantity estimates. As such, reserve estimates may materially vary from the ultimate quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids eventually recovered.

 



 

Successful Efforts Method of Accounting

 

We account for oil and natural gas properties in accordance with the successful efforts method. In accordance with this method, all leasehold and development costs of proved properties are capitalized and amortized on a unit-of-production basis over the remaining life of the proved reserves and proved developed reserves, respectively.

 

We evaluate the impairment of our proved oil and natural gas properties on a field-by-field basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying values of proved properties are reduced to fair value when the expected undiscounted future cash flows are less than net book value. The fair values of proved properties are measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, converting future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs used to determine the fair values of proved properties include estimates of: (i) reserves; (ii) future operating and development costs; (iii) future commodity prices; and (iv) a market-based weighted average cost of capital rate. The underlying commodity prices embedded in our estimated cash flows are the product of a process that begins with New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) forward curve pricing, adjusted for estimated location and quality differentials, as well as other factors that management believes will impact realizable prices. Costs of retired, sold or abandoned properties that constitute a part of an amortization base are charged or credited, net of proceeds, to accumulated depletion and depreciation unless doing so significantly affects the unit-of-production amortization rate, in which case a gain or loss is recognized currently. Gains or losses from the disposal of other properties are recognized currently. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs necessary to maintain properties in operating condition are expensed as incurred. Estimated dismantlement and abandonment costs are capitalized, net of salvage, at their estimated net present value and amortized on a unit-of-production basis over the remaining life of the related proved developed reserves.

 

Unproved Properties

 

Costs related to unproved properties include costs incurred to acquire unproved reserves. Because these reserves do not meet the definition of proved reserves, the related costs are not classified as proved properties. Unproved leasehold costs are capitalized and amortized on a composite basis if individually insignificant, based on past success, experience and average lease-term lives. Individually significant leases are reclassified to proved properties if successful and expensed on a lease by lease basis if unsuccessful or the lease term expires. Unamortized leasehold costs related to successful exploratory drilling are reclassified to proved properties and depleted on a unit-of-production basis. We assess unproved properties for impairment quarterly on the basis of our experience in similar situations and other factors such as the primary lease terms of the properties, the average holding period of unproved properties, and the relative proportion of such properties on which proved reserves have been found in the past. The fair values of unproved properties are measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, converting future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs used to determine the fair values of unproved properties include estimates of: (i) reserves; (ii) future operating and development costs; (iii) future commodity prices; and (iv) a market-based weighted average cost of capital rate. The market-based weighted average cost of capital rate is subjected to additional project-specific risking factors.

 

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

 

For the period from January 1 to November 15, 2011, our predecessor recorded a non cash impairment charge of approximately $16.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2010, our predecessor recorded a non cash impairment charge of approximately $11.7 million primarily associated with proved oil and natural gas properties related to unfavorable market conditions. The carrying values of the impaired proved properties were reduced to fair value, estimated using inputs characteristic of a Level 3 fair-value measurement. The charges are included in impairment of oil and natural gas properties in our condensed/combined statements of operations. Our predecessor recorded no impairment charge of proved oil and natural gas properties for the year ended December 31, 2009. We recorded no impairment charge of proved oil and natural gas properties for the period from November 16 to December 31, 2011. If expected future oil and natural gas prices decline during 2012, the estimated undiscounted cash flows for the proved oil and natural gas properties may not exceed the net capitalized costs for our recently acquired properties and a non-cash impairment charge may be required to be recognized in future periods. As of March 26, 2012, the NYMEX-WTI oil spot price was $107.03 per Bbl and the NYMEX-Henry Hub natural gas spot price was $2.13 per MMBtu.

 



 

Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The initial estimated asset retirement obligation associated with oil and natural gas properties is recognized as a liability, with a corresponding increase in the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties. Amortization expense is recognized over the estimated productive life of the related assets. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, escalating retirement costs and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations.

 

Revenue Recognition and Natural Gas Balancing

 

Oil and natural gas revenues are recorded when title passes to the customer, net of royalties, discounts and allowances, as applicable. We account for oil and natural gas production imbalances using the sales method, whereby we recognize revenue on all natural gas and oil sold to our customers notwithstanding the fact that its ownership may be less than 100% of the oil and natural gas sold. Liabilities are recorded for imbalances greater than our respective proportionate share of remaining estimated and oil natural gas reserves.

 

Derivative Contracts and Hedging Activities

 

Current accounting rules require that all derivative contracts, other than those that meet specific exclusions, be recorded at fair value. Quoted market prices are the best evidence of fair value. If quotations are not available, management’s best estimate of fair value is based on the quoted market price of derivatives with similar characteristics or on other valuation techniques.

 

Our derivative contracts are either exchange-traded or transacted in an over-the-counter market. Valuation is determined by reference to readily available public data.

 

We recognize all of our derivative contracts as either assets or liabilities at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative contract depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging relationship, and further, on the type of hedging relationship. For those derivative contracts that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, we designate the hedging instrument, based on the exposure being hedged, as either a fair value hedge or a cash flow hedge. For derivative contracts not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. None of our derivatives was designated as a hedging instrument during 2011, 2010 or 2009.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.”  The amendments in this update require enhanced disclosures around financial instruments and derivative instruments that are either (1) offset in accordance with either ASC 210-20-45 or ASC 815-10-45 or (2) subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement, irrespective of whether they are offset in accordance with either ASC 210-20-45 or ASC 815-10-45.  An entity should provide the disclosures required by those amendments retrospectively for all comparative periods presented.  The amendments are effective during interim and annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013.  We do not expect this guidance to have any impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Inflation

 

Inflation in the United States has been relatively low in recent years and did not have a material impact on our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009. Although the impact of inflation has been insignificant in recent years, it is still a factor in the U.S. economy, and we tend to experience inflationary pressure on the cost of oilfield services and equipment, as increasing oil and natural gas prices increase drilling activity in our areas of operations.

 



 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

Currently, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Supplemental Disclosures Regarding LRR Energy, L.P. Prior to IPO

 

As noted above, the results of our predecessor discussed above include combined results for both the properties conveyed to us in connection with our IPO and properties retained by our predecessor. The following table provides selected results for only the properties conveyed to us in connection with our IPO and for those properties acquired from our predecessor in June 2012. The following information is for informational purposes only and should not be considered indicative of future results.

 

 

 

Period from

 

 

 

 

 

January 1 to

 

Year Ended

 

 

 

November 15,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil (MBbls)

 

542

 

522

 

Natural gas (MMcf)

 

8,056

 

10,662

 

NGLs (MBbls)

 

234

 

337

 

Total (MBoe)

 

2,119

 

2,636

 

Average net production (Boe/d)

 

6,642

 

7,222

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Oil

 

$

48,473

 

$

39,175

 

Natural gas

 

33,293

 

44,985

 

NGLs

 

12,871

 

13,328

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses (in thousands)

 

$

18,411

 

$

20,512

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production and ad valorem taxes (in thousands)

 

$

6,808

 

$

8,655

 

 

With the exception of natural gas, our production from the Partnership Properties was consistent with 2010 after adjusting 2011 for a full year.  Natural gas production declined from 2010 primarily due to the Pecos Slope curtailment discussed above.

 

Despite lower production, revenues increased in 2011 when adjusted for a full year primarily due to higher oil prices in 2011.  Our 2011 lease operating expense was consistent with 2010 when adjusted for a full year.  Our 2011 production and ad valorem taxes were slightly lower than 2010 primarily due to changes in the estimates of the appraisals on which our property taxes are calculated.