Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

These condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes are presented in accordance with GAAP. Preparation in accordance with GAAP requires us to (i) adopt accounting policies within accounting rules set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") and by the SEC and (ii) make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Our management believes the major estimates and assumptions impacting our condensed consolidated financial statements are the following:


•	estimates of proved reserves of oil and natural gas, which affect the calculations of depletion, depreciation and amortization ("DD&A") and impairment of capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties;


•	estimates of asset retirement obligations;


•	estimates of the fair value of oil and natural gas properties we own, particularly properties that we have not yet explored, or fully explored, by drilling and completing wells;


•	impairment of undeveloped properties and other assets;


•	depreciation of property and equipment; and


•	valuation of commodity derivative instruments.

Actual results may differ from estimates and assumptions of future events and these revisions could be material. Future production may vary materially from estimated oil and natural gas proved reserves. Actual future prices may vary significantly from price assumptions used for determining proved reserves and for financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

Change in Accounting Principles

The Company adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-03, Interest—Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, effective January 1, 2016. This standard requires companies that have historically presented debt issuance costs as an asset to present those costs as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the underlying debt liability. To the extent that there are no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the related deferred loan costs will continue to be classified as an asset. The guidance required retrospective application in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current presentation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In 2014 and 2016, the FASB issued ASU Nos. 2014-09, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-11 and 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which require an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers amongst other things. These ASUs will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when they become effective. The new standard will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2018. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU Nos. 2014-09, 2016-08, 2016-10, 2016-11 and 2016-12 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires entities that value inventory using the first-in, first-out or average cost method to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The amended guidance will be effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and for interim periods within those years. The amended guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is not expected to materially affect the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which modifies lessees’ recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The amended guidance will be effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), which eliminates the requirement that when an investment qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence, an investor must adjust the investment, results of operations, and retained earnings retroactively on a step-by-step basis as if the equity method had been in effect during all previous periods that the investment had been held. The amended guidance will be effective for the Company for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The amendments should be applied prospectively upon their effective date to increases in the level of ownership interest or degree of influence that result in the adoption of the equity method. Early adoption is permitted for any entity in any interim or annual period. The amended guidance is not expected to materially affect the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements or notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.