Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy

Share-Based Compensation

Emergence from Voluntary Reorganization

Upon the Company's emergence from bankruptcy on April 22, 2016, as discussed in Note 1A, the Company’s common stock was canceled and new common stock was issued. The Company's previous share-based compensation awards were either vested or canceled upon the Company's emergence from bankruptcy.

Share-Based Compensation Plans

Upon the Company's emergence from bankruptcy on April 22, 2016, as discussed in Note 1A, the Company's previous share-based compensation plans were canceled and the new Swift Energy Company 2016 Equity Incentive Plan was approved in accordance with the joint plan of reorganization. Under the previous share-based compensation plan the outstanding restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards for most employees vested under on an accelerated basis while awards issued to certain officers of the Company and the Board of Directors were canceled.

For awards granted after emergence from bankruptcy, the Company does not estimate the forfeiture rate during the initial calculation of compensation cost but rather has elected to account for forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur. For the predecessor periods the Company had estimated the forfeiture rate for share-based compensation during the initial calculation of compensation cost.

The Company computes a deferred tax benefit for restricted stock awards, unit awards and stock options expected to generate future tax deductions by applying its effective tax rate to the expense recorded. For restricted stock units the Company's actual tax deduction is based on the value of the units at the time of vesting.