Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Matters

The Company is involved in disputes or legal actions in the ordinary course of business. For example, certain of the Karnes County Contributors and the Company have been named as defendants in a lawsuit where the plaintiffs claim to be entitled to a minority working interest in certain Karnes County Assets. The litigation is in the pre-trial stage. The exposure related to this litigation is currently not reasonably estimable. The Karnes County Contributors retained all such liability in connection with the Business Combination. At September 30, 2020, the Company does not believe the outcome of any such disputes or legal actions will have a material effect on its consolidated statements of operations, balance sheet, or cash flows. No amounts were accrued with respect to outstanding litigation at September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019.

Environmental Matters

The Company, as an owner or lessee and operator of oil and natural gas properties, is subject to various federal, state, local laws, and regulations relating to discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. These laws and regulations may, among other things, impose liability on the lessee under an oil and natural gas lease for the cost of pollution clean-up resulting from operations and subject the lessee to liability for pollution damages. In some instances, the Company may be directed to suspend or cease operations in the affected area. The Company maintains insurance coverage, which it believes is customary in the industry, although the Company is not fully insured against all environmental risks.

Risks and Uncertainties 

The Company’s revenue, profitability, and future growth are substantially dependent upon the prevailing and future prices for oil and natural gas, which depend on numerous factors beyond the Company’s control such as overall oil and natural gas production and inventories in relevant markets, economic conditions, the global political environment, regulatory developments, and competition from other energy sources. Oil and natural gas prices historically have been volatile and may be subject to significant fluctuations in the future. 

The coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic and related economic repercussions have created significant volatility, uncertainty, and turmoil in the oil and natural gas industry. Oil demand has significantly deteriorated as a result of the virus outbreak and corresponding preventative measures taken around the world to mitigate the spread of the virus. The implications of the decrease in global demand for oil, coupled with the general oversupply, may have further negative effects on the Company’s business, such as production curtailment and reductions to its operating plans as a result of decreased prices and reduced storage capacity.

Demand and pricing may again decline if there is a resurgence of the outbreak across the U.S. and other locations across the world and the related social distancing guidelines, travel restrictions, and stay-at-home orders. The extent of the additional impact on the Company’s industry and its business cannot be reasonably predicted at this time.