Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company uses market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. A fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and in non-active markets for identical or similar instruments. Model-derived valuations have inputs that are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable than objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management's best estimate of fair value. At each balance sheet date, the Company performs an analysis of all applicable instruments and includes in Level 3 all of those whose fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Company's Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:

Cash equivalents – The highly liquid cash equivalents are recorded at fair value. Carrying value approximates fair value, which represents a Level 1 input.

Deferred compensation plan – The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which allows certain management employees to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation. The Company maintains assets for the deferred compensation plan in a rabbi trust. The assets of the rabbi trust are invested in publicly traded mutual funds and are recorded in

other current and other long-term assets in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred compensation plan financial assets are reported at fair value based on active market quotes, which represent Level 1 inputs.

Commodity derivatives – The fair value of crude oil, natural gas and NGL swaps and cashless collars are valued based on an income approach using various assumptions, such as quoted forward prices for commodities and time value factors. These assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the contract, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace, and are, therefore, designated as Level 2 inputs. The Company utilizes its counterparties' valuations to assess the reasonableness of its own valuations. The Company currently utilizes an independent third party to perform the valuation.

The commodity derivatives have been adjusted for non-performance risk. For applicable financial assets carried at fair value, the credit standing of the counterparties is analyzed and factored into the fair value measurement of those assets. In addition, the fair value measurement of a liability has been adjusted to reflect the nonperformance risk of the Company.

The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company's non-financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.


	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(in thousands)
As of March 31, 2020
Financial Assets

Deferred compensation plan	$	1,047	$	—	$	—	$	1,047
Commodity derivatives	—		163,461		—		163,461
Financial Liabilities
Commodity derivatives	—		1,275		—		1,275
As of December 31, 2019
Financial Assets

Deferred compensation plan	$	2,033	$	—	$	—	$	2,033
Commodity derivatives	—		8,890		—		8,890
Financial Liabilities
Commodity derivatives	—		10,056		—		10,056

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in the Company's consolidated balance sheets. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:

Oil and gas properties – Proved oil and natural gas properties are evaluated for impairment on a quarterly basis or whenever events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of their carrying value may have occurred. Whenever the Company concludes the carrying value may not be recoverable, the Company estimates the expected undiscounted future net cash flows of its oil and gas properties using proved and risked probable and possible reserves based on its development plans and best estimate of future production, commodity pricing, reserve risking, gathering and transportation deductions, production tax rates, lease operating expenses and future development costs. The Company compares such undiscounted future net cash flows to the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. If the undiscounted future net cash flows exceed the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties, no impairment is taken. If the carrying amount of a property exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flows, the Company will impair the carrying value to fair value. If an impairment is necessary, the fair value is estimated by using either a market approach based on recent sales prices of comparable properties and/or indications from marketing activities or by using the income valuation technique, which involves calculating the present value of future net revenues. The present value, net of estimated operating and development costs, is calculated using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures and various discount rates commensurate with the risk and current market conditions associated with realizing the projected cash flows, predominantly all of which are designated as Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company's proved oil and gas properties with a carrying value of $1.7 billion were reduced to a fair value of $0.5 billion, resulting in an impairment of $1.2 billion which was included in impairment and abandonment expense on the Unaudited Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company contracted with an independent third party to assist with the

Company's determination of fair value associated with its proved oil and gas properties. Through the use of the Company's production and price forecast, the third party used the income valuation technique to assist the Company in the determination of fair value for the PDP and PDN reserves and a market approach utilizing sales prices of comparable properties to assist the Company in the determination of fair value of the PUD reserves. The following table includes quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs, categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, that were used in the fair value measurement.


Level 3 Unobservable Inputs						As of March 31, 2020
Price ⁽¹⁾
Oil (per Bbl)						$29 to $60
Gas (per MMbtu)						$2.03 to $2.52
NGL (percentage of oil price)						24% to 31%
Reserve adjustment factors
PDP						100%
PDN						95%
Discount rate						11%

(1)These prices were adjusted for location and quality differentials.

Unproved oil and gas properties are assessed periodically for impairment based on remaining lease terms, drilling results, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, future plans to develop acreage, recent sales prices of comparable properties and other relevant matters. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, due to substantial commodity price declines, certain unproved oil and gas properties with a carrying value of $256.0 million were reduced to a fair value of $179.7 million, resulting in an impairment of $76.3 million which was included in impairment and abandonment expense on the Unaudited Statement of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company contracted with an independent third party to assist the Company in the Company's determination of fair value of the Company's unproved oil and gas properties. The third party used the market approach utilizing sales prices of comparable properties to determine the fair value of the unproved oil and gas properties.

Additional Fair Value Disclosures

Long-term Debt – Long-term debt is not presented at fair value on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, as it is recorded at carrying value, net of unamortized debt issuance costs. The estimated fair value of the 7.0% Senior Notes was approximately $182.2 million and $335.0 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The estimated fair value of the 8.75% Senior Notes was approximately $132.0 million and $251.2 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. The fair values of the Company's fixed rate Senior Notes are based on active market quotes, which represent Level 1 inputs.

There is no active, public market for the Amended Credit Facility. The recorded value of the Amended Credit Facility is not materially different from its fair value due to its floating rate structure based on the LIBOR spread, secured interest, and the Company's borrowing base utilization. The Amended Credit Facility had a balance of $95.0 million as of March 31, 2020 and $140.0 million as of December 31, 2019. The fair value measurements for the Amended Credit Facility represent Level 2 inputs.