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DEBT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT DEBT

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, our long-term debt consisted of the following credit agreements, Second Lien Notes and Senior Notes:
 
Outstanding Principal
 
Interest Rate(a)
 
Maturity
 
Security
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit Agreements
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Revolving Credit Facility
$
518

 
$
540

 
LIBOR plus 3.25%-4.00%
ABR plus 2.25%-3.00%
 
June 30, 2021
 
Shared First-Priority Lien
2017 Credit Agreement
1,300

 
1,300

 
LIBOR plus 4.75%
ABR plus 3.75%
 
December 31, 2022(b)
 
Shared First-Priority Lien
2016 Credit Agreement
1,000

 
1,000

 
LIBOR plus 10.375%
ABR plus 9.375%
 
December 31, 2021
 
First-Priority Lien
Second Lien Notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Second Lien Notes
1,815

 
2,067

 
8%
 
December 15, 2022(c)
 
Second-Priority Lien
Senior Notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5% Senior Notes due 2020
100

 
100

 
5%
 
January 15, 2020
 
Unsecured
5½% Senior Notes due 2021
100

 
100

 
5.5%
 
September 15, 2021
 
Unsecured
6% Senior Notes due 2024
144

 
144

 
6%
 
November 15, 2024
 
Unsecured
Total Debt
$
4,977

 
$
5,251

 
 
 
 
 
 
Less: Current Maturities
(100
)
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-Term Debt
4,877

 
5,251

 
 
 
 
 
 
(a)
London Interbank Offered Rates (LIBOR) will be phased out after 2021 and replaced with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate within the United States for U.S. dollar-based LIBOR. Our credit agreements contemplate a discontinuation of LIBOR and have an alternate borrowing rate. We do not expect the discontinuation of LIBOR to have a significant impact on our interest expense.
(b)
The 2017 Credit Agreement is subject to a springing maturity of 91 days prior to the maturity of our 2016 Credit Agreement if more than $100 million in principal of the 2016 Credit Agreement is outstanding at that time.
(c)
The Second Lien Notes require principal repayments of approximately $287 million in June 2021, $57 million in December 2021 and $59 million in June 2022 and $1,412 million in December 2022.

Credit Agreements

2014 Revolving Credit Facility

In September 2014, we entered into a Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders. This credit agreement currently consists of a $1 billion senior revolving loan facility (2014 Revolving Credit Facility), which we are permitted to increase by up to $50 million if we obtain additional commitments from new or existing lenders.

As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $317 million of available borrowing capacity, before a $150 million month-end minimum liquidity requirement. Our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility also includes a sub-limit of $400 million for the issuance of letters of credit. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had letters of credit of approximately $165 million and $162 million, respectively. These letters of credit were issued to support ordinary course marketing, insurance, regulatory and other matters.

Security – The lenders share a first-priority lien on a substantial majority of our assets with the lenders under of 2017 Credit Agreement, excluding the Elk Hills power plant and midstream assets that are part of the Ares JV.

Interest Rate – We can elect to borrow at either LIBOR or an alternate base rate (ABR), in each case plus an applicable margin. The ABR is equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the administrative agent’s prime rate and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. The applicable margin is adjusted based on the borrowing base utilization percentage under the 2014 Revolving Credit Facility and will vary from (i) in the case of LIBOR loans, 3.25% to 4.00% and (ii) in the case of ABR loans, 2.25% to 3.00%. The unused portion of the facility is subject to a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum. We also pay customary fees and expenses. Interest on ABR loans is payable quarterly in arrears. Interest on LIBOR loans is payable at the end of each LIBOR period, but not less than quarterly.

Maturity Date – Our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility matures on June 30, 2021.

Amortization Payments – The 2014 Revolving Credit Facility does not include any obligation to make amortization payments.

Borrowing Base – The borrowing base is redetermined each May 1 and November 1 and was most recently reaffirmed at $2.3 billion in November 2019. The borrowing base is based upon a number of factors, including commodity prices and reserves, declines in which could cause our borrowing base to be reduced. Increases in our borrowing base require approval of at least 80% of our lenders while decreases or affirmations require a two-thirds approval, in each case as measured by relative commitment amount. We and the lenders (requiring a request from the lenders holding two-thirds of the commitments) each may request a special redetermination once in any period between three consecutive scheduled redeterminations. We will be permitted to have collateral released when both (i) our credit ratings are at least Baa3 from Moody's and BBB- from S&P, in each case with a stable or better outlook, and (ii) certain permitted liens securing other debt are released.

Financial Covenants – As of December 31, 2019, our financial performance covenants included a monthly minimum liquidity requirement of not less than $150 million and the following:
Ratio
 
Components(a)
 
Required Levels
 
Tested
Maximum leverage ratio
 
Ratio of indebtedness under our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility to trailing four-quarter Adjusted EBITDAX
 
Not greater than 1.90 to 1.00 through 2019
Not greater than 1.50 to 1.00 after 2019
 
Quarterly
Minimum interest coverage ratio
 
Ratio of Adjusted EBITDAX to consolidated cash interest charges
 
Not less than 1.20 to 1.00
 
Quarterly
Minimum asset coverage ratio
 
Ratio of PV-10 to first lien indebtedness
 
Not less than 1.20 to 1.00
 
Quarterly
(a)
Refer to the terms of our credit agreements for more detailed descriptions of the components of our financial covenants.

Other Covenants – Our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility includes covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens, make asset sales and investments, repay existing indebtedness, make subsidiary distributions and enter into transactions that would result in fundamental changes. We are also restricted from paying cash dividends on our stock. Generally, these covenants include exceptions that allow us to pursue some of these activities in certain circumstances. In addition to these covenants, we must also apply cash on hand in excess of $150 million daily to repay amounts outstanding. Finally, we are also subject to a cross-default provision that causes a default under this facility if certain defaults occur under any of our other credit agreements or bond indentures.

Except for dispositions to development JVs, we must generally apply all of the proceeds from the sale of assets included in our borrowing base to repay loans outstanding under our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility. With respect to the sale of non-borrowing base assets (other than the Elk Hills power plant), we must apply the net cash proceeds to repay outstanding loans as follows:

25% of such proceeds for all net cash proceeds received up to $500 million
50% of such proceeds for all net cash proceeds received between $500 million and $1 billion
75% of such proceeds for all net cash proceeds received in excess of $1 billion.

We are permitted to use the balance of proceeds from non-borrowing base asset sales for general corporate purposes including acquisitions and to repurchase our Second Lien Notes and Senior Notes subject to certain conditions, including pro-forma compliance with our financial performance covenants and that we have minimum liquidity of $300 million following such repurchase.

Events of Default and Change of Control – Our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility provides for certain events of default, including upon a change of control, that entitle our lenders to declare the outstanding loans immediately due and payable, subject to certain limitations and conditions.

Recent Amendments – Our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility was most recently amended in August 2019 to provide us with flexibility in connection with potential royalty transactions.

2017 Credit Agreement

In November 2017, we entered into a $1.3 billion credit agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain other lenders (2017 Credit Agreement). The net proceeds were used to pay the $559 million remaining balance of our term loan under our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility (2014 Term Loan), resulting in a loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $8 million, reduce the balance of our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility and pay accrued interest. The proceeds received were net of a $26 million original issue discount and $38 million in transaction costs. As of December 31, 2019, we had a $1.3 billion term loan outstanding under our 2017 Credit Agreement.

Security – Our 2017 Credit Agreement is secured by the same shared first-priority lien used to secure our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility.

Maturity Date The loans mature on December 31, 2022, subject to a springing maturity of 91 days prior to the maturity of our 2016 Credit Agreement if more than $100 million is outstanding at that time. Prepayment more than 90 days prior to maturity is subject to a 2% premium.

Financial and Other Covenants – We are required to maintain a first-lien asset coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of any June 30 and December 31. In addition, our 2017 Credit Agreement provides for customary covenants and events of default consistent with, or generally less restrictive than, the covenants in our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility. The covenants include limitations on additional indebtedness, liens, asset dispositions and investments, among others, and are in each case subject to certain limitations and exceptions. We are also restricted from paying cash dividends on our stock.

Events of Default and Change of Control – Our 2017 Credit Agreement provides for certain events of default, including upon a change of control, that entitle our lenders to declare the outstanding loans immediately due and payable, subject to certain limitations and conditions. We are also subject to a cross-default provision that causes a default under this credit agreement if certain defaults occur under any of our other credit agreements or indentures.

2016 Credit Agreement

In August 2016, we entered into a $1 billion credit agreement with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as administrative agent, and certain other lenders (2016 Credit Agreement). The net proceeds from the 2016 Credit Agreement were used to (i) prepay $250 million of our 2014 Term Loan and (ii) reduce our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility by $740 million. The proceeds received were net of a $10 million original issue discount. As of December 31, 2019, we had a $1 billion term loan outstanding under our 2016 Credit Agreement.

Security – Our 2016 Credit Agreement is secured by a first-priority lien on a substantial majority of our assets (excluding the Elk Hills power plant and midstream assets that are part of the Ares JV) but is second in collateral recovery to our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility and 2017 Credit Agreement.

Maturity Date – The loans mature on December 31, 2021. Prepayment is subject to a variable make-whole amount prior to the fourth anniversary. Following the fourth anniversary, we may redeem at par.

Financial and Other Covenants – We are required to maintain a first–lien asset coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1.00 as of any June 30 and December 31. Our 2016 Credit Agreement also includes other covenants that are substantially similar to our 2017 Credit Agreement. We are also restricted from paying cash dividends on our stock.

Events of Default and Change of Control – Our 2016 Credit Agreement provides for certain events of default, including upon a change of control, that entitle our lenders to declare the outstanding loans immediately due and payable, subject to certain limitations and conditions. We are also subject to a cross-default provision that causes a default under this credit agreement if certain defaults occur under any of our other credit agreements or indentures.

Second Lien Notes

In December 2015, we issued $2.25 billion in aggregate principal amount of 8% senior secured second-lien notes due December 15, 2022 (Second Lien Notes). The Second Lien Notes were issued in exchange for $2.8 billion of our then outstanding Senior Notes. We recorded a deferred gain of approximately $560 million on the debt exchange, which is being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of our Second Lien Notes. We pay cash interest semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15.

Security – Our Second Lien Notes are secured on a junior-priority basis to the first-priority liens that secure the loans under our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility, 2017 Credit Agreement and 2016 Credit Agreement.

Repurchases – In 2019, we repurchased $252 million in face value of our Second Lien Notes for $156 million in cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $126 million including the effect of unamortized deferred gain and issuance costs. In 2018, we repurchased $183 million in face value of our Second Lien Notes for $159 million in cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $48 million including the effect of unamortized deferred gain and issuance costs.

Financial and Other Covenants – The indenture includes covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to grant liens securing borrowed money (subject to certain exceptions) and restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to, another entity. The covenants are not, however, directly linked to measures of our financial performance. In addition, if we experience a “change of control triggering event” (as defined in the indenture), we will be required, unless we have exercised our right to redeem our Second Lien Notes, to offer to purchase our Second Lien Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. The indenture also restricts our ability to sell certain assets and to release collateral from liens securing our Second Lien Notes, unless the collateral is also released in compliance with our senior credit facilities. We are also subject to a cross-default provision that causes a default under this indenture if certain defaults occur under any of our other credit agreements or indentures.

Redemption – We may redeem our Second Lien Notes (i) prior to December 15, 2018, in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus a make-whole amount and accrued and unpaid interest, (ii) between December 15, 2018 and 2020, in whole or in part at a fixed redemption price ranging from 104% to 102% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and (iii) thereafter in whole or in part at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Senior Notes

In October 2014, we issued $5 billion in aggregate principal amount of our senior unsecured notes, including $1 billion of 5% notes due January 15, 2020 (2020 Notes), $1.75 billion of 5.5% notes due September 15, 2021 (2021 Notes) and $2.25 billion of 6% notes due November 15, 2024 (2024 Notes and, collectively, Senior Notes). We used the net proceeds from the issuance of our Senior Notes to make a $4.95 billion cash distribution to Occidental in October 2014.

Repurchases – In 2019, we did not repurchase any of our Senior Notes. In 2018, we repurchased $49 million in face value of our 2024 Notes for $40 million in cash, resulting in a pre-tax gain of $9 million including the effect of unamortized deferred issuance costs.

Financial and Other Covenants – The indenture includes covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to grant liens securing borrowed money subject to certain exceptions and restrict our ability to merge or consolidate with, or transfer all or substantially all of our assets to, another entity. The covenants are not, however, directly linked to measures of our financial performance. In addition, if we experience a “change of control triggering event” (as defined in the indenture), we will be required, unless we have exercised our right to redeem our Senior Notes, to offer to purchase our Senior Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We are also subject to a cross-default provision that causes a default under this indenture if certain defaults occur under any of our other credit agreements or indentures.

Redemption – We may redeem our Senior Notes prior to their maturity dates, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest and, generally, a make-whole amount.

Deferred Gain and Issuance Costs

At December 31, 2019 and 2018, net deferred gain and issuance costs consisted of the following:
 
2019
 
2018
 
(in millions)
Deferred gain
$
211

 
$
313

Deferred issuance costs and original issue discounts
(65
)
 
(97
)
Net deferred gain and issuance costs
$
146

 
$
216



Other

At December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all financial and other debt covenants.

All obligations under our 2014 Revolving Credit Facility, 2017 Credit Agreement and 2016 Credit Agreement (collectively, Credit Facilities) as well as our Second Lien Notes and Senior Notes are guaranteed both fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally by all of our material wholly owned subsidiaries.

The terms and conditions of all of our indebtedness are subject to additional qualifications and limitations that are set forth in the relevant governing documents.

Principal maturities of debt outstanding at December 31, 2019 are as follows:
 
As of
December 31, 2019
 
(in millions)
2020
$
100

2021
1,962

2022
2,771

2023

2024
144

Thereafter

Total
$
4,977



We estimate the fair value of fixed-rate debt, which is classified as Level 1, based on prices from known market transactions for our instruments. The estimated fair value of our debt at December 31, 2019 and 2018, including the fair value of the variable-rate portion, was approximately $3.8 billion and $4.5 billion, respectively, compared to a face value of approximately $5.0 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively.