ASSET IMPAIRMENT

Impairments recognized by Energen are presented below:



Years ended December 31, (in thousands)	2016		2015		2014
Continuing operations
Permian Basin properties
Central Basin Platform	$	187,043	$	484,848	$	—
Delaware Basin	21,288		607,303		90,594
Midland Basin	—		—		25,776
San Juan Basin properties	7,519		133,055		230,315
Permian Basin unproved leasehold properties	4,762		29,168		64,361
San Juan Basin unproved leasehold properties	40		37,934		5,755
Total asset impairments from continuing operations	220,652		1,292,308		416,801
Discontinued operations
North Louisiana/East Texas oil and natural gas properties	—		—		1,936
Total asset impairments from discontinued operations	—		—		1,936
Total asset impairments	$	220,652	$	1,292,308	$	418,737

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

Permian Basin: During the first quarter of 2016, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns in the Permian Basin of $208.3 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. Our commodity price assumptions declined in the first quarter of 2016 by approximately 5 percent for oil and 4 percent for natural gas in comparable periods.

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.

During 2016, Energen recognized unproved leasehold writedowns primarily on Permian Basin oil properties in the Delaware Basin and the Central Basin Platform of $4.8 million. 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 2014 unproved leasehold writedowns included $55.1 million of expected leasehold expirations.

San Juan Basin: During the first quarter of 2016, Energen recognized non-cash impairment writedowns on held for sale properties in the San Juan Basin of $7.5 million to adjust the carrying amount of these properties to their fair value.

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 2014, non-cash impairment writedowns of $230.3 million 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 and direct market data 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. 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.