ASSET IMPAIRMENT

Impairments recognized by Energen during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are presented below:



Years ended December 31, (in thousands)	2015		2014		2013
Continuing operations
Permian Basin properties
Central Basin Platform	$	484,848	$	—	$	—
Delaware Basin	607,303		90,594		—
Midland Basin	—		25,776		—
San Juan Basin properties	133,055		230,315		—
Permian Basin unproved leasehold properties	29,168		64,361		13,906
San Juan Basin unproved leasehold properties	37,934		5,755		—
Total asset impairments from continuing operations	1,292,308		416,801		13,906
Discontinued operations
North Louisiana/East Texas oil and natural gas properties	—		1,936		29,794
Total asset impairments from discontinued operations	—		1,936		29,794
Total asset impairments	$	1,292,308	$	418,737	$	43,700

Non-cash impairment writedowns are reflected in asset impairment on the consolidated income statement.

Permian Basin: For 2015, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on certain properties in the Permian Basin of $1,092.2 million to adjust the carrying amount of these properties to their fair value. We estimate future discounted cash flows in determining fair value using commodity assumptions, which are based on the commodity price curve for five years and then escalated at 3 percent through our assumed price cap. During the fourth quarter of 2015, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns of $646.1 million due to commodity price declines and the related impact to our drilling plans. Our commodity price assumptions declined over the third quarter by approximately 12 percent for oil and 6 percent for natural gas in comparable periods. During the third quarter of 2015, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns of $390.2 million due to commodity price declines. Our commodity price assumptions declined over the second quarter by approximately 19 percent for oil and 12 percent for natural gas in comparable periods. During the second quarter of 2015, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on certain properties in the Central Basin Platform of $51.5 million. Estimated future cash flows were revised due to the receipt of an unsolicited offer for these properties. During the first quarter of 2015, Energen recognized a non-cash impairment writedown of $4.3 million.

During the third and fourth quarters of 2014, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on certain Permian Basin properties in the Midland Basin of $25.8 million and in the Delaware Basin of $90.6 million, respectively, to adjust the carrying amount of these properties to their fair value based on expected future discounted cash flows.

Energen recognized unproved leasehold writedowns primarily on Permian Basin oil properties in the Delaware Basin of $29.2 million in 2015. During 2014, Energen recognized unproved leasehold writedowns of $64.4 million. These unproved leasehold writedowns include $55.1 million of leasehold expirations.

San Juan Basin: Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on properties in the San Juan Basin of $133.1 million during the fourth quarter of 2015 to adjust the carrying amount of these properties to their fair value based on expected future discounted cash flows. These remaining properties were designated as held for sale as of December 31, 2015. At December 31, 2015, proved reserves associated with Energen’s San Juan Basin held for sale properties totaled 16,930 MBOE.

During the third and fourth quarters of 2014, non-cash impairment writedowns of $142.2 million and $88.1 million, respectively, were recognized by Energen on certain natural gas properties in the San Juan Basin to adjust the carrying amount of these properties to their fair value based on expected future discounted cash flows in the third quarter and based on direct market data in the fourth quarter as these properties were designated as held for sale as of December 31, 2014. At December 31, 2014, proved reserves associated with Energen’s San Juan Basin held for sale properties totaled 69,038 MBOE.

During 2015 and 2014, Energen recognized unproved leasehold writedowns on San Juan Basin properties of $37.9 million and $5.8 million, respectively.

North Louisiana/East Texas: In March 2014, Energen completed the sale of its North Louisiana/East Texas natural gas and oil properties for $30.3 million. The sale had an effective date of December 1, 2013, and the proceeds from the sale were used to repay short-term obligations. During the third quarter of 2013, Energen classified these primarily natural gas properties as held for sale and reflected the associated operating results in discontinued operations. Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on these properties in 2014 of $1.9 million to adjust the carrying amount of these properties to their fair value based on an estimate of the selling price of the properties. These non-cash impairment writedowns are reflected in gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net in the year ended December 31, 2014. Energen also recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on these properties of $29.8 million in 2013. These non-cash impairment writedowns are reflected in gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net in the year ended December 31, 2013. Significant assumptions in valuing the proved reserves included the reserve quantities, anticipated operating costs, anticipated production taxes, future expected natural gas prices and basis differentials, anticipated production declines, and a discount rate of 10 percent commensurate with the risk of the underlying cash flow estimates. The impairment writedowns are classified as Level 3 fair value. At December 31, 2013, proved reserves associated with Energen’s North Louisiana/East Texas properties totaled 23 Bcf of natural gas and 91 MBbl of oil.

Black Warrior Basin: In October 2013, Energen completed the sale of its Black Warrior Basin coalbed methane properties in Alabama for $160 million. Energen recorded a pre-tax gain on the sale of approximately $35 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 which was reflected in gain on disposal of discontinued operations in the year ended December 31, 2013. The sale had an effective date of July 1, 2013, and the proceeds from the sale were used to repay short-term obligations. The property was classified as held for sale and reflected in discontinued operations during the third quarter of 2013. At December 31, 2012, proved reserves associated with Energen’s Black Warrior Basin properties totaled 97 Bcf of natural gas.