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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SilverBow Resources and its wholly owned subsidiary, SilverBow Resources Operating LLC, (collectively, the “Company”, “SilverBow”, “we”, “our” or “us”) 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 and Austin Chalk 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 consolidated financial statements. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the accompanying consolidated financial statements. We operate in and report our financial results and disclosures as one segment, which is the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas.

Stockholder Rights Agreement. On September 20, 2022, the Board adopted a stockholder rights agreement, dated as of September 20, 2022, by and between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as rights agent (the “Rights Agreement”), and declared a dividend distribution of one right (each, a “Right” and together with all such rights distributed or issued pursuant to the Rights Agreement, the “Rights”) for each outstanding share of Company common stock to holders of record on October 5, 2022. In the event that a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company’s then-outstanding common stock, subject to certain exceptions, each Right would entitle its holder (other than such person or members of such group) to purchase additional shares of Company common stock at a substantial discount to the public market price. In addition, at any time after a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the outstanding common stock, subject to certain exceptions, the Board may direct the Company to exchange the Rights (other than Rights owned by such person or certain related parties, which will have become null and void), in whole or in part, at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock per Right (subject to adjustment). While in effect, the Rights Agreement could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of the Company or a large block of the common stock of the Company without the approval of the Board. The Rights Agreement will expire on the earliest of (a) 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the first business day after the 2023 annual stockholders’ meeting, (b) 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on June 30, 2023, (c) the time at which the Rights are redeemed and (d) the time at which the Rights are exchanged in full.

Subsequent Events. We have evaluated subsequent events requiring potential accrual or disclosure in our consolidated financial statements.

Through February 24, 2022, the Company entered into additional derivative contracts. The following tables summarize the weighted-average prices as well as future production volumes for our future derivative contracts entered into after December 31, 2022:
Natural Gas Basis Derivative Swaps
(East Texas Houston Ship Channel vs. NYMEX Settlements)
Total Volumes
(MMBtu)
Weighted Average Price
Calendar Monthly Roll Differential Swaps
2023 Contracts
1Q231,460,000 $(0.37)
2Q231,820,000 $(0.37)
3Q231,840,000 $(0.27)
4Q23920,000 $(0.38)
2024 Contracts
1Q241,820,000 $(0.14)
2Q241,820,000 $(0.35)
3Q241,840,000 $(0.29)
4Q241,840,000 $(0.51)

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“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 flow therefrom, 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 (“LOE”),
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, including the valuation of our deferred tax assets,
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,
estimates used in the assessment of business combinations and asset purchases,
estimates in amounts due with respect to open state regulatory audits, and
estimates on future lease obligations.

While we are not currently aware of any material revisions to any of our estimates, there may be future revisions to our estimates resulting from matters such as new accounting pronouncements, changes in ownership interests, payouts, joint venture audits, reallocations 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. 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 years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, such internal costs when capitalized totaled $4.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively. There was no capitalized interest on our unproved properties for both the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

The “Property and Equipment” balances on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are summarized for presentation purposes. The following is a detailed breakout of our “Property and Equipment” balances (in thousands):
December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
Property and Equipment  
Proved oil and gas properties$2,506,853 $1,588,978 
Unproved oil and gas properties16,272 17,090 
Furniture, fixtures, and other equipment6,098 5,885 
Less – Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization & impairment(1,004,044)(869,985)
Property and Equipment, Net$1,525,179 $741,968 

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 oil and gas properties” and therefore subject to amortization. G&G costs incurred that are associated with unproved properties are capitalized in “Unproved oil and gas 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.

The Company evaluates each acquisition of oil and gas properties to determine whether each should be accounted for as an acquisition of assets or business in accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01: Business Combinations (Topic 805) Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”). If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the set of transferred assets and activities are not a business combination.

A business combination may result in the recognition of a bargain purchase gain or goodwill based on the measurement of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired at the acquisition date as compared to the fair value of consideration transferred, adjusted for purchase price adjustments. The initial accounting for business combinations may not be complete and adjustments to provisional amounts, or recognition of additional assets acquired or liabilities assumed, may occur as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition dates. Asset acquisitions are recorded at the cost of acquiring the property. The results of operations of the oil and gas properties acquired in the Company’s acquisitions have been included in the consolidated financial statements since the closing dates of the respective acquisitions. See Note 9 for further discussion on recent acquisitions.

Full-Cost Ceiling Test. At the end of the 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. There was no ceiling test write-down for either of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021.

If future capital expenditures outpace future discounted net cash flows in our reserve calculations, if we have significant declines in our oil and natural gas reserves volumes (which also reduces our estimate of discounted future net cash flow from proved oil and natural gas reserves) or if oil or natural gas prices decline, it is possible that non-cash write-downs of our oil and
natural gas properties will occur in the future. We cannot control and cannot predict what future prices for oil and natural gas will be; therefore we cannot estimate the amount of any potential future non-cash write-down of our oil and natural gas properties due to decreases in oil or natural gas prices. However, it is reasonably possible that we will record additional Ceiling Test write-downs in future periods.

Revenue Recognition. Our reported oil and gas sales are comprised of revenues from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) sales. Revenues from each product stream are recognized at the point when control of the product is transferred to the customer and collectability is reasonably assured. Prices for our products are either negotiated on a monthly basis or tied to market indices. The Company has determined that these contracts represent performance obligations which are satisfied when control of the commodity transfers to the customer, typically through the delivery of the specified commodity to a designated delivery point. Natural gas revenues are recognized based on the actual volume of natural gas sold to the purchasers.

The following table provides information regarding our oil and gas sales, by product, reported on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 (in thousands):
Year Ended December 31, 2022Year Ended December 31, 2021
Oil, natural gas and NGLs sales:
Oil$239,247 $98,607 
Natural gas451,863 267,687 
NGLs62,310 40,906 
Total$753,420 $407,200 

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 December 31, 2022 and 2021, 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, net” balance on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

At December 31, 2022, our “Accounts receivable, net” balance included $70.9 million for oil and gas sales, $5.6 million due from joint interest owners, $4.3 million for severance tax credit receivables and $8.9 million for other receivables. At December 31, 2021, our “Accounts receivable, net” balance included $45.3 million for oil and gas sales, $1.9 million for joint interest owners, $1.0 million for severance tax credit receivables and $1.5 million for other receivables.

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 consolidated statements of operations. The amount of supervision fees charged for each of the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 did not exceed our actual costs incurred. The total amount of supervision fees charged to the wells we operated was $8.8 million and $5.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

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 with a greater than 50% 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 December 31, 2022, 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.

In March and April 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused volatility in the market price for crude oil due to the disruption of global supply and demand. In response to these market conditions and given the decline in oil prices and economic outlook for our Company, management determined that it was not more likely than not that the Company would realize future cash benefits from its remaining federal carryover items and other deferred tax assets and, accordingly, recorded a full valuation allowance in the second quarter of 2020 to offset its net deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities. We recorded an income tax provision of $6.4 million which was primarily attributable to deferred federal income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021. We continually monitor all positive and negative evidence related to our determination on the need for a valuation allowance. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company's overall deferred tax position moved from a net deferred
tax asset position into a net deferred tax liability position, exclusive of a valuation allowance. In addition, the Company now believes it has a significant history of earnings over the prior three years and also considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carryback and carryforward periods) and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. As such, during the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company's management determined there was sufficient positive evidence that indicated the Company would more likely that not be able to fully utilize its deferred tax assets and as a result, removed the full valuation allowance. Our effective tax rate for 2022 differs from the statutory rate primarily due to the removal of the full valuation allowance. We recorded an income tax provision of $9.6 million which was primarily attributable to deferred federal and state income tax expense of $75.8 million on income before taxes of $350.0 million, $1.4 million of non-deductible expenses, partially offset by a benefit for the release of the $67.6 million valuation allowance, offset by a benefit for the release of the valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2022. While the Company expects to realize the deferred tax assets, changes in future taxable income or in tax laws may alter this expectation and result in future increases to the valuation allowance.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities. The “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” balances on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets are summarized below (in thousands):
 December 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
Trade accounts payable$23,660 $9,688 
Accrued operating expenses10,572 4,192 
Accrued compensation costs4,814 7,029 
Asset retirement obligations – current portion1,284 524 
Accrued non-income based taxes4,849 3,314 
Accrued corporate and legal fees1,988 1,972 
Other payables(1)
13,033 8,315 
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities$60,200 $35,034 
(1) Included in Other Payables is $6.0 million and $6.4 million in payables for settled derivatives for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid instruments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Credit Risk Due to Certain Concentrations. We extend credit, primarily in the form of uncollateralized oil and gas sales and joint interest owners' receivables, to various companies in the oil and gas industry, which results in a concentration of credit risk. The concentration of credit risk may be affected by changes in economic or other conditions within our industry and may accordingly impact our overall credit risk. However, we believe that the risk of these unsecured receivables is mitigated by the size, reputation, and nature of the companies to which we extend credit. From certain customers we also obtain letters of credit or parent company guarantees, if applicable, to reduce risk of loss.

For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, parties that accounted for 10% or more of our total oil and gas receipts were as follows:
Purchasers greater than 10%Year Ended December 31, 2022Year Ended December 31, 2021
Kinder Morgan22 %26 %
Plains Marketing11 %10 %
Twin Eagle*15 %
Trafigura US14 %16 %
Shell Trading12 %12 %
*Oil and gas receipts less than 10%

Treasury Stock. Our treasury stock repurchases are reported at cost and are included in “Treasury stock held, at cost” on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we purchased 120,350 and 74,586 treasury shares to satisfy withholding tax obligations arising upon the vesting of restricted shares. Additionally, for the year ended December 31, 2022, we received 41,375 shares in conjunction with our post-closing settlement for a previous acquisition.
New Accounting Pronouncements. In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13 , Credit Losses - Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The standard changes how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets, including accounts and notes receivables. The new standard replaces the existing incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable forward-looking information to estimate all expected credit losses. The updated guidance is effective for the Company for annual and quarterly reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting followed by ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“ASU 2021-01”), issued in January 2021. The guidance provides and clarifies optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. The amendments within these ASUs were in effect beginning March 12, 2020, and an entity may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2022, the Company has not elected to use the optional guidance and continues to evaluate the options provided by ASU 2020-04 and ASU 2021-01.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity. The guidance simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. Additionally, the amendment requires the application of the if-converted method to calculate the impact of convertible instruments on diluted earnings per share (EPS). The guidance is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements or disclosures.

ATM Program. On August 13, 2021, the Company entered into an equity distribution agreement pursuant to which the Company may sell, from time to time in the open market, shares of the Company’s common stock, having aggregate proceeds of up to $40.0 million (the “ATM Program”). The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any sales through the ATM Program for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, financing of capital expenditures, repayment or refinancing of outstanding debt, financing acquisitions or investments, financing other business opportunities, and general working capital purposes. During the year ended December 31, 2021 (from August 13, 2021 through December 31, 2021), the Company sold 1,222,209 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $27.0 million after deducting sales agents' commissions and other related expenses. There were no shares of common stock sold under the ATM Program during the year ended December 31, 2022.