Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SilverBow and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, which are engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition, and operation of oil and gas properties, with a focus on oil and natural gas reserves in the Eagle Ford trend in Texas. Our undivided interests in oil and gas properties are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method, whereby our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses are included in the appropriate classifications in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during each reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from such estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions underlying these financial statements include:


•	the estimated quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves used to compute depletion of oil and natural gas properties, the related present value of estimated future net cash flows there-from, and the ceiling test impairment calculation,


•	estimates related to the collectability of accounts receivable and the credit worthiness of our customers,


•	estimates of the counterparty bank risk related to letters of credit that our customers may have issued on our behalf,


•	estimates of future costs to develop and produce reserves,


•	accruals related to oil and gas sales, capital expenditures and lease operating expenses,


•	estimates in the calculation of share-based compensation expense,


•	estimates of our ownership in properties prior to final division of interest determination,


•	the estimated future cost and timing of asset retirement obligations,


•	estimates made in our income tax calculations,


•	estimates in the calculation of the fair value of commodity derivative assets and liabilities,


•	estimates in the assessment of current litigation claims against the Company, and


•	estimates in amounts due with respect to open state regulatory audits.

While we are not currently aware of any material revisions to any of our estimates, there will likely be future revisions to our estimates resulting from matters such as new accounting pronouncements, changes in ownership interests, payouts, joint venture audits, re-allocations by purchasers or pipelines, or other corrections and adjustments common in the oil and gas industry, many of which relate to prior periods. These types of adjustments cannot be currently estimated and are expected to be recorded in the period during which the adjustments are known.

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims, liabilities and environmental matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. We accrue for losses when such losses are considered probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment. We follow the “full-cost” method of accounting for oil and natural gas property and equipment costs. Under this method of accounting, all productive and nonproductive costs incurred in the exploration, development, and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. Such costs may be incurred both prior to and after the acquisition of a property and include lease acquisitions, geological and geophysical services, drilling, completion, and equipment. Internal costs incurred that are directly identified with exploration, development, and acquisition activities undertaken by us for our own account, and which are not related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities, are also capitalized. For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, such internal costs capitalized totaled $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. For both the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, such internal costs capitalized totaled $3.6 million. Interest costs are also capitalized to unproved oil and natural gas properties (refer to Note 6 of these notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion on capitalized interest costs).

The “Property and Equipment” balances on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are summarized for presentation purposes. The following is a detailed breakout of our “Property and Equipment” balances (in thousands):



	September 30, 2018			December 31, 2017
Property and Equipment
Proved oil and gas properties	$	833,202		$	658,519
Unproved oil and gas properties	54,986			50,377
Furniture, fixtures, and other equipment	3,520			3,270
Less – Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization & impairment	(261,763		)	(216,769		)
Property and Equipment, Net	$	629,945		$	495,397

No gains or losses are recognized upon the sale or disposition of oil and natural gas properties, except in transactions involving a significant amount of reserves or where the proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas properties would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to a cost center. Internal costs associated with selling properties are expensed as incurred.

We compute the provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”) of oil and natural gas properties using the unit-of-production method. Under this method, we compute the provision by multiplying the total unamortized costs of oil and gas properties-including future development costs, gas processing facilities, and both capitalized asset retirement obligations and undiscounted abandonment costs of wells to be drilled, net of salvage values, but excluding costs of unproved properties, by an overall rate determined by dividing the physical units of oil and natural gas produced (which excludes natural gas consumed in operations) during the period by the total estimated units of proved oil and natural gas reserves (which excludes natural gas consumed in operations) at the beginning of the period. Future development costs are estimated on a property-by-property basis based on current economic conditions. The period over which we will amortize these properties is dependent on our production from these properties in future years. Furniture, fixtures, and other equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated by the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the property, which range between two and 20 years. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

Geological and geophysical (“G&G”) costs incurred on developed properties are recorded in “Proved properties” and therefore subject to amortization. G&G costs incurred that are associated with unproved properties are capitalized in “Unproved properties” and evaluated as part of the total capitalized costs associated with a prospect. The cost of unproved properties not being amortized is assessed quarterly, on a property-by-property basis, to determine whether such properties have been impaired. In determining whether such costs should be impaired, we evaluate current drilling results, lease expiration dates, current oil and gas industry conditions, economic conditions, capital availability, and available geological and geophysical information. Any impairment assessed is added to the cost of proved properties being amortized.

Full-Cost Ceiling Test

Full-Cost Ceiling Test. At the end of each quarterly reporting period, the unamortized cost of oil and natural gas properties (including natural gas processing facilities, capitalized asset retirement obligations, net of related salvage values and deferred income taxes) is limited to the sum of the estimated future net revenues from proved properties (excluding cash outflows from recognized asset retirement obligations, including future development and abandonment costs of wells to be drilled, using the preceding 12-months’ average price based on closing prices on the first day of each month, adjusted for price differentials, discounted at 10%, and the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties) adjusted for related income tax effects (“Ceiling Test”).

The quarterly calculations of the Ceiling Test and provision for DD&A are based on estimates of proved reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and in projecting the future rates of production, timing, and plan of development. The accuracy of any reserves estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, testing, and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify revision of such estimates. Accordingly, reserves estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts Receivable, Net. We assess the collectability of accounts receivable, and based on our judgment, we accrue a reserve when we believe a receivable may not be collected. At both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts of less than $0.1 million. The allowance for doubtful accounts has been deducted from the total “Accounts receivable” balance on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Supervision Fees

Supervision Fees. Consistent with industry practice, we charge a supervision fee to the wells we operate, including our wells, in which we own up to a 100% working interest. Supervision fees are recorded as a reduction to “General and administrative, net,” on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. Deferred taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, given the provisions of the enacted tax laws.

Tax positions are evaluated for recognition using a more-likely-than-not threshold, and those tax positions requiring recognition are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Our policy is to record interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At September 30, 2018, we did not have any accrued liability for uncertain tax positions and do not anticipate recognition of any significant liabilities for uncertain tax positions during the next 12 months.

The Company was in a net deferred tax asset position at both September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 for United States federal income taxes. Management has determined that it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize future cash benefits from its remaining federal carryover items and, accordingly, has taken a full valuation allowance to offset its tax assets. Tax expense associated with federal income taxes was fully offset by adjustments to the valuation allowance. We recognized $0.2 million and $0.5 million for deferred state income tax expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. We did not recognize any deferred state income tax expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that includes, among other provisions, a permanent reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and a repeal of the alternative minimum tax regime, both effective January 1, 2018. Because of the Company’s net deferred tax asset and valuation allowance positions, these changes did not impact tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

The provisions of the Act, including its extensive transition rules, are complex and interpretive guidance continues to develop. The Company’s deferred tax balances and offsetting valuation allowance should be considered provisional. The final application of the Act to the Company’s tax computations may result in further adjustments. Changes could arise as regulatory and interpretive action continues to clarify aspects of the Act and as changes are made to estimates that the Company has utilized in calculating the transition impacts. The Company expects to make any adjustments, if necessary, related to the impacts of this legislation by the end of 2018.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities. The “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” balances on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are summarized below (in thousands):



	September 30, 2018		December 31, 2017
Trade accounts payable	$	26,040	$	20,884
Accrued operating expenses	3,062		3,490
Accrued compensation costs	3,860		5,334
Asset retirement obligations – current portion	469		2,109
Accrued non-income based taxes	8,237		3,898
Accrued corporate and legal fees	2,547		2,784
Other payables	3,893		5,938
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	48,108	$	44,437

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid instruments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These amounts do not include cash balances that are contractually restricted.

Long-term Restricted Cash. Long-term restricted cash includes amounts held in escrow accounts to satisfy plugging and abandonment obligations. As of September 30, 2018, there was no long-term restricted cash held while at December 31, 2017 there was $0.2 million. These restricted cash balances are reported in “Other Long-Term Assets” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock. Our treasury stock repurchases are reported at cost and are included in “Treasury stock held, at cost” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, which requires lessees to record most leases on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, lease classification as either a finance lease or an operating lease will determine how lease-related revenue and expense are recognized. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company plans to apply this guidance prospectively upon adoption.

At December 31, 2017, the Company’s total lease commitments were approximately $6.2 million. There have been no material changes to our previously disclosed lease commitment amounts. Of this total, $2.0 million is related to our corporate office sub-lease which had a remaining term of approximately three years. The remaining commitments are generally for equipment and vehicle leases. The Company did not enter into any significant additional lease obligations during the first nine months of 2018 and is in the process of evaluating other contracts that may contain lease components that need to be recognized under this standard. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 in the quarter ending March 31, 2019.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as an acquisition or disposal of an asset or business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set of transferred assets and activities are not a business. The guidance is effective for companies beginning January 1, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance as of January 1, 2018, and will apply it to any subsequent transactions.