SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A. Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Energen and its subsidiaries, principally Energen Resources, after elimination of intercompany transactions in consolidation. In the opinion of management, our consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods and as of the dates shown. Such adjustments consist of normal recurring items. Certain reclassifications were made to conform prior periods’ financial statements to the current-year presentation.

B. Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The major estimates and assumptions identified by management include, but are not limited to, physical quantities of proved oil and gas reserves, periodic assessments of oil and gas properties for impairment, Energen’s obligations under its employee compensation plans, the valuation of derivative financial instruments, the allowance for doubtful accounts, tax contingency reserves, legal contingency reserves and asset retirement obligations. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported in future periods may differ from the estimates.

C. Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and investments readily convertible into cash, which have original maturities within three months at the date of acquisition. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.

D. Short-term Investments

All highly liquid financial instruments with maturities greater than three months and less than one year at the date of purchase are considered to be short-term investments. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Energen had no short-term investments.

E. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. Energen determines the allowance based on historical experience and in consideration of current market conditions. Account balances are charged against the allowance when it is anticipated the receivable will not be recovered. Energen had an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.6 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

F. Noncurrent Income Tax Receivable

The noncurrent income tax receivable of $70.7 million, net, represents the amount of minimum tax credit which Energen anticipates will be fully refundable over the taxable years 2018 through 2021 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The minimum tax credit was previously classified as a deferred tax asset. Pursuant to the requirements of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, prior year refundable minimum tax credits are subject to sequestration. Therefore, Energen has utilized the 2018 sequestration rate of 6.6 percent to estimate the portion of the refundable credit which will not be received in each of the taxable years 2018-2021 and has recorded the receivable net of this $5.0 million estimate.

G. Inventory

Inventories consist primarily of tubular goods and other oilfield equipment used in our operations and are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable, on a weighted average cost basis. Energen had an inventory valuation allowance of $0.9 million and $0.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

H. Oil and Natural Gas Operations

Operating Revenues: Energen utilizes the sales method of accounting to recognize oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production revenue. Under the sales method, revenues are based on actual sales volumes of commodities sold to purchasers. Over-production liabilities are established only when it is estimated that a property’s over-produced volumes exceed the net share of remaining proved reserves for such property. Energen had no significant production imbalances at December 31, 2017 and 2016.

Property and Related Depletion: Energen follows the successful efforts method of accounting for costs incurred in the exploration and development of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves. Lease acquisition costs are capitalized initially, and unproved properties are reviewed periodically to determine if there has been impairment of the carrying value, with any such impairment charged to exploration expense currently. All development costs are capitalized. Energen capitalizes exploratory drilling costs until a determination is made that the well or project has either found proved reserves or is impaired. After an exploratory well has been drilled and found oil and natural gas reserves, a determination may be pending as to whether the oil and natural gas quantities can be classified as proved. In those circumstances, we continue to capitalize the drilling costs pending the determination of proved status if (i) the well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and (ii) we are making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. Capitalized exploratory drilling costs are presented in proved properties in the balance sheets. If the exploratory well is determined to be a dry well, the costs are charged to exploration expense. Other exploration costs, including geological and geophysical costs, are expensed as incurred. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense is determined on a field-by-field basis using the units-of-production method based on proved reserves. Anticipated abandonment and restoration costs are capitalized and depreciated using the units-of-production method based on proved developed reserves.

Asset Impairments: Oil and natural gas proved properties periodically are assessed for possible impairment on a field-by-field basis using the estimated undiscounted future cash flows. Energen monitors its oil and natural gas properties as well as the market and business environments in which it operates and makes assessments about events that could result in potential impairment. Such potential events may include, but are not limited to, commodity price declines, unanticipated increased operating costs, and lower than expected production performance. If a material event occurs, we make an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows to determine whether the asset is impaired. Impairment losses are recognized when the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the current net book values of the properties in a field. If the asset is impaired, Energen will record an impairment loss for the difference between the net book value of the properties and the fair value of the properties. The fair value of the properties typically is estimated using discounted cash flows and sale agreements and similar support as applicable.

Cash flow and fair value estimates require Energen to make projections and assumptions for pricing, demand, competition, operating costs, legal and regulatory issues, discount rates and other factors for many years into the future. These variables can, and often do, differ from the estimates and can have a positive or negative impact on our need for impairment or on the amount of impairment. In addition, further changes in the economic and business environment can impact Energen’s ongoing impairment assessments.

Energen also may recognize impairments of capitalized costs for unproved properties. These capitalized costs are periodically evaluated as to recoverability, based on changes brought about by exploration activities, changes in economic factors and potential shifts in business strategy employed by management. We consider a combination of geologic and economic factors to evaluate the need for impairment of these costs.

Acquisitions: Energen recognizes all acquisitions at fair value. Energen estimates the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, the date on which Energen obtained control of the properties for all acquisitions that qualify as business combinations. The fair value is 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). Fair value measurements also utilize assumptions of market participants. Energen uses a discounted cash flow model and makes market assumptions as to future commodity prices, projections of estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, expectations for timing and amount of future development and operating costs, projections of future rates of production, expected recovery rates and risk adjusted discount rates. These assumptions represent Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations.

Held for Sale Properties: Energen may, in the ordinary course of business, be involved in the sale of developed or undeveloped properties. All assets held for sale are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair value. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Energen had no assets classified as held for sale.

I. Derivative Commodity Instruments

We periodically enter into derivative commodity instruments to hedge our exposure to price fluctuations on oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production. Such instruments may include over-the-counter (OTC) swaps, options and basis swaps typically executed with investment and commercial banks and energy-trading firms. Derivative transactions are accounted for as mark-to-market transactions with gains and losses reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net. All derivative commodity instruments in a gain position are valued on a discounted basis incorporating an estimate of performance risk specific to each related counterparty. Derivative commodity instruments in a loss position are valued on a discounted basis incorporating an estimate of performance risk specific to Energen. All derivative transactions are included in operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company’s physical contracts qualify as normal purchase and normal sales contracts.

Energen enters into three-way collars which are a combination of three options: a sold call, a purchased put and a sold put. The sold call establishes the maximum price that the Company will receive for the contracted commodity volumes. The purchased put establishes the minimum price, above the sold put, that the Company will receive for the contracted volumes. The Company will receive the market price for the contracted volumes if the market price is between the sold call and the purchased put. If, however, the market price for the commodity falls below the sold put strike price, the minimum price that the Company will receive for the contracted volumes equals the market price plus the excess of the purchased put strike price over the sold put strike price.

The majority of our counterparty agreements include provisions for net settlement of transactions payable on the same date and in the same currency. Most of the agreements include various contractual set-off rights, which may be exercised by the non-defaulting party in the event of an early termination due to a default.

Derivative transactions are pursuant to standing authorizations by the Board of Directors, which do not authorize speculative positions. Energen formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items at the inception of the hedge, as well as its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. This process includes specific identification of the hedging instrument and the nature of the risk being hedged. Our credit facility also limits our ability to enter into commodity hedges based on projected production volumes.

J. Fair Value Measurements

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, accounts receivable (net of allowance), derivative commodity instruments, postretirement plan assets and liabilities and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value. Fair value is 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). In determining fair value, we use various valuation approaches and classify all assets and liabilities based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions other market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. Assessing the significance of a particular input may require judgment considering factors specific to the asset or liability, and may affect the valuation of the asset or liability and its placement within the fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the observability of inputs as follows:


Level 1 -	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;


Level 2 -	Pricing inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included within Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable through correlation with market data as of the reporting date; and


Level 3 -	Pricing that requires inputs that are both significant and unobservable to the calculation of the fair value measure. The fair value measure represents estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best available information and subject to cost-benefit constraints.

The fair value of Energen’s derivative commodity instruments is determined using market transactions and other market evidence whenever possible, including market-based inputs to models and broker or dealer quotations. Our OTC derivative contracts trade in less liquid markets with limited pricing information as compared to markets with actively traded, unadjusted quoted prices; accordingly, the determination of fair value is inherently more difficult. OTC derivatives for which we are able to substantiate fair value through direct or indirect observable market prices are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. These Level 2 fair values consist of swaps and options priced in reference to NYMEX oil and natural gas prices, basin specific gas hedges and gas basis. OTC derivatives valued using unobservable market prices have been classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These Level 3 fair values include oil basis and natural gas liquids swaps. We consider the frequency of pricing and variability in pricing between sources in determining whether a market is considered active. While Energen does not have access to the specific assumptions used in its counterparties’ valuation models, we maintain communications with our counterparties and discuss pricing practices. Further, we corroborate the fair value of our transactions by comparison of market-based price sources.

Postretirement plan assets include cash and mutual funds. Plan assets were classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The determination and classification of fair value requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. Level 1 and Level 2 fair values use market transactions and other market evidence whenever possible and consist primarily of equities, fixed income and mutual funds.

K. Stock-Based Compensation

Energen recognizes all share-based compensation awards in general and administrative expense on the consolidated statement of operations over the requisite vesting period. Equity awards are measured at fair value as of the date of grant. Awards that are settled in cash are classified as liabilities and re-measured at fair value at the end of each reporting period. We recognize all stock-based compensation expense in the period of grant, subject to certain vesting requirements, for retirement eligible employees. Prior to the adoption of Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, on January 1, 2017, forfeitures were estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeitures differ from those estimates and Energen utilized the long-form method of calculating the available pool of windfall tax benefit. Upon adoption of this new guidance, the Company recognizes forfeitures as they occur and all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized as income tax expense or benefit in our consolidated statements of operations as a discrete item in the reporting period in which they occur. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recognized an excess tax benefit of $0.4 million, tax expense of $0.3 million and an excess tax benefit of $1.1 million, respectively, related to our stock-based compensation.

L. Environmental Costs

Environmental compliance costs, including ongoing maintenance, monitoring and similar costs, are expensed as incurred. Environmental remediation costs are accrued when remedial efforts are probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated.

M. Income Taxes

Energen uses the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, a deferred tax asset or liability is recognized for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement basis and the tax basis of assets and liabilities as well as tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period of the change. Energen and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Consolidated federal income taxes are charged to appropriate subsidiaries using the separate return method.

N. Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Energen’s basic earnings per share amounts have been computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share amounts reflect the assumed issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive securities.

O. Employee Benefit Plans

Postretirement Benefit Plans: Energen provides certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for all employees hired prior to January 1, 2010. These postretirement healthcare and life insurance benefits are available upon reaching normal retirement age while working for Energen. The projected unit credit actuarial method was used to determine the normal cost and actuarial liability. For these plans, certain financial assumptions are used in determining Energen’s projected benefit obligation. These assumptions are examined periodically by Energen, and any required changes are reflected in the subsequent determination of projected benefit obligations.

Energen calculates periodic expense for the postretirement benefit plans on an actuarial basis and the net funded status is recognized as an asset or liability in its statement of financial position with changes in the funded status recognized through comprehensive income. The benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation. Energen measures the funded status of its employee benefit plans as of the date of its year-end statement of financial position.

For our postretirement plans, we selected a yield curve comprised of a broad base of Aa bonds with maturities between zero and thirty years. The discount rate was developed as the level equivalent rate that would produce the same present value as that using spot rates aligned with the projected benefit payments.

The assumed rate of return on assets is the weighted average of expected long-term asset assumptions. Energen considered past performance and current expectations for assets held by the plans as well as the expected long-term allocation of plan assets.

Plan Termination: Energen terminated its qualified defined benefit pension plan on January 31, 2015 and distributed benefits in December 2015. In February 2018, Energen received notice that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation had completed its audit of the termination of the pension plan and of the distribution of plan assets noting no exceptions.

Energen’s non-qualified supplemental retirement plans were terminated effective December 31, 2014. Distributions under the plans were partially made in the first quarter of 2015 with the remainder of approximately $14.5 million paid in the first quarter of 2016. The Company expects to make no additional benefit payments with respect to the termination of the non-qualified supplemental retirement plans.