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DEBT AND FINANCING COSTS
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
DEBT AND FINANCING COSTS DEBT AND FINANCING COSTS
Overview
The debt of Apache is senior unsecured debt and has equal priority with respect to the payment of both principal and interest. All indentures of Apache for the notes and debentures described below place certain restrictions on the Company, including limits on Apache’s ability to incur debt secured by certain liens. Certain of these indentures also restrict the Company’s ability to enter into certain sale and leaseback transactions and give holders the option to require the Company to repurchase outstanding notes and debentures upon certain changes in control. None of the indentures contain prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
During 2023, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $74 million for an aggregate purchase price of $65 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $10 million. The Company recognized a $9 million gain on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by Apache’s borrowing under the US dollar-denominated revolving credit facility of APA Corporation described below.
On October 17, 2022, Apache redeemed the outstanding $123 million outstanding principal amount of 2.625% notes due January 15, 2023, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed in part by Apache’s borrowing under the U.S. dollar-denominated revolving credit facility of APA Corporation described below.
During 2022, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $15 million for an aggregate purchase price of $16 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a premium to par of an aggregate $1 million. The Company recognized a $1 million loss on these repurchases. The repurchases were partially financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
During 2022, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes issued under its indentures, accepting for purchase $1.1 billion aggregate principal amount of notes. Apache paid holders an aggregate $1.2 billion in cash, reflecting principal, premium to par, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $66 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $11 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs in connection with the note purchases. The repurchases were partially financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
On January 18, 2022, Apache redeemed the outstanding $213 million principal amount of 3.25% senior notes due April 15, 2022, at a redemption price equal to 100 percent of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date. The redemption was financed by borrowing under Apache’s former revolving credit facility.
During 2021, Apache closed cash tender offers for certain outstanding notes, accepting for purchase $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of notes covered by the tender offers. Apache paid holders an aggregate cash purchase price of $1.8 billion, reflecting principal, premium to par, and accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recognized a $105 million loss on extinguishment of debt, including $11 million of unamortized debt discount and issuance costs, in connection with the note purchases.
During 2021, Apache purchased in the open market and canceled senior notes issued under its indentures in an aggregate principal amount of $22 million for an aggregate purchase price of $20 million in cash, including accrued interest and broker fees, reflecting a discount to par of an aggregate $2 million. The Company recognized a $1 million net gain on extinguishment of debt as part of these transactions.
Apache intends to reduce debt outstanding under its indentures from time to time.
The Company records gains and losses on extinguishment of debt in “Financing costs, net” in the Company’s statement of consolidated operations.
The following table presents the carrying value of the Company’s debt as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
 December 31,        
 20232022
 (In millions)
4.625% notes due 2025(1)
$51 $51 
7.7% notes due 2026
78 78 
7.95% notes due 2026
132 132 
4.875% due 2027(1)
108 108 
4.375% notes due 2028(1)
325 325 
7.75% notes due 2029(1)(2)
235 235 
4.25% notes due 2030(1)
516 579 
6.0% notes due 2037(1)
443 443 
5.1% notes due 2040(1)
1,333 1,333 
5.25% notes due 2042(1)
399 399 
4.75% notes due 2043(1)
428 428 
4.25% notes due 2044(1)
211 221 
7.375% debentures due 2047
150 150 
5.35% notes due 2049(1)
387 387 
7.625% debentures due 2096
39 39 
Notes and debentures before unamortized discount and debt issuance costs(3)
4,835 4,908 
Finance lease obligations32 34 
Unamortized discount(26)(27)
Debt issuance costs(25)(28)
Total debt4,816 4,887 
Current maturities(2)(2)
Long-term debt$4,814 $4,885 
(1)These notes are redeemable, as a whole or in part, at Apache’s option, subject to a make-whole premium, except that the 7.75% notes due 2029 are only redeemable as whole for principal and accrued interest in the event of certain Canadian tax law changes. The remaining notes and debentures are not redeemable.
(2)Assumed by Apache in August 2017 as permitted by terms of these notes originally issued by a subsidiary and guaranteed by Apache.
(3)The fair values of Apache’s notes and debentures were $4.3 billion and $4.2 billion as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company uses a market approach to determine the fair value of its notes and debentures using estimates provided by an independent investment financial data services firm (a Level 2 fair value measurement).
Maturities for the Company’s notes and debentures excluding discount and debt issuance costs as of December 31, 2023 are as follows:
 (In millions)
2024$— 
202551 
2026210 
2027108 
2028325 
Thereafter4,141 
Notes and debentures, excluding discounts and debt issuance costs$4,835 
Financing Costs, Net
The following table presents the components of the Company’s financing costs, net:
 For the Year Ended December 31,    
 202320222021
 (In millions)
Interest expense$291 $312 $419 
Amortization of debt issuance costs
Capitalized interest— (1)— 
Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt(9)67 104 
Interest income(10)(9)(8)
Interest income from APA Corporation, net(109)(63)(51)
Financing costs, net$165 $313 $472 
Debt issuance costs are charged to financing costs over the life of the related debt issuances. Discount amortization of $1 million, $2 million, and $6 million was recorded as interest expense in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
Uncommitted Lines of Credit
Apache from time to time has and uses uncommitted credit and letter of credit facilities for working capital and credit support purposes. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under these facilities. As of December 31, 2023, there were £296 million and $2 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities. As of December 31, 2022, there were £199 million and $17 million in letters of credit outstanding under these facilities.
Unsecured 2022 Committed Bank Credit Facilities
On April 29, 2022, Apache entered into two unsecured guaranties of obligations under two unsecured syndicated credit agreements then entered into by APA Corporation (APA), of which Apache is a wholly owned subsidiary. APA’s new credit agreements are for general corporate purposes and replaced and refinanced Apache’s 2018 unsecured syndicated credit agreement (the Former Facility).
One credit agreement is denominated in US dollars (the USD Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of US$1.8 billion (including a letter of credit subfacility of up to US$750 million, of which US$150 million currently is committed). APA may increase commitments up to an aggregate US$2.3 billion by adding new lenders or obtaining the consent of any increasing existing lenders. This facility matures in April 2027, subject to APA’s two, one-year extension options.
The second credit agreement is denominated in pounds sterling (the GBP Agreement) and provides for an unsecured five-year revolving credit facility, with aggregate commitments of £1.5 billion for loans and letters of credit. This facility matures in April 2027, subject to APA’s two, one-year extension options.
In connection with APA’s entry into the USD Agreement and the GBP Agreement (each, a 2022 Agreement), Apache terminated US$4.0 billion of commitments under the Former Facility, borrowings then outstanding under the Former Facility were deemed outstanding under APA’s USD Agreement, and letters of credit then outstanding under the Former Facility were deemed outstanding under a 2022 Agreement, depending upon whether denominated in US dollars or pounds sterling. Apache may borrow under APA’s USD Agreement up to an aggregate principal amount of US$300 million outstanding at any given time. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there were no borrowings by Apache outstanding under the USD Agreement. Apache has guaranteed obligations under each 2022 Agreement effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures is less than US$1.0 billion.
As of December 31, 2023, there were $372 million of borrowings under the USD Agreement and an aggregate £348 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. As of December 31, 2023, there were no letters of credit outstanding under the USD Agreement. As of December 31, 2022, there were $566 million of borrowings and a $20 million letter of credit outstanding under the USD Agreement, and an aggregate £652 million in letters of credit outstanding under the GBP Agreement. The letters of credit denominated in pounds were issued to support North Sea decommissioning obligations, the terms of which require such support while Apache’s credit rating by Standard & Poor’s remains below BBB; on March 26, 2020, Standard & Poor’s reduced Apache’s rating from BBB to BB+, which was affirmed in 2023.
All borrowings under the USD Agreement bear interest at one of two per annum rate options selected by the borrower, being either an alternate base rate (as defined), plus a margin ranging from 0.10% to 0.675% (Base Rate Margin), or an adjusted term SOFR rate (as defined), plus a margin varying from 1.10% to 1.675% (Applicable Margin). All borrowings under the GBP Agreement bear interest at an adjusted rate per annum determined by reference to the Sterling Overnight Index Average published by the Bank of England, plus the Applicable Margin. Each 2022 Agreement also requires the borrower to pay quarterly a facility fee on total commitments. Margins and facility fees are at varying rates per annum determined by reference to the senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache (Long-Term Debt Rating). As of December 31, 2023, Apache’s Long-Term Debt Rating applied, and the Base Rate Margin was 0.40%, the Applicable Margin was 1.40%, and the facility fee was 0.225%.
A commission is payable quarterly to lenders under each 2022 Agreement on the face amount of each outstanding letter of credit at a per annum rate equal to the Applicable Margin then in effect. Customary letter of credit fronting fees and other charges are payable to issuing banks.
Borrowers under each 2022 Agreement, which may include certain subsidiaries of APA, may borrow, prepay, and reborrow loans and obtain letters of credit, and APA may obtain letters of credit for the account of its subsidiaries, in each case subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default substantially similar to those in the Former Facility, such as:
A financial covenant requires APA to maintain an adjusted debt-to-capital ratio of not greater than 60 percent at the end of any fiscal quarter. For purposes of this calculation, capital continues to exclude the effects of non-cash write-downs, impairments, and related charges occurring after June 30, 2015. At December 31, 2023, APA’s debt-to-capital ratio as calculated under each 2022 Agreement was 20 percent.
A negative covenant restricts the ability of APA and its subsidiaries to create liens securing debt on their hydrocarbon-related assets, with exceptions for liens typically arising in the oil and gas industry; liens securing debt incurred to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, or capital lease of assets, provided that such debt, when incurred, does not exceed the subject purchase price and costs, as applicable, and related expenses; liens on subsidiary assets located outside of the U. S. and Canada; and liens arising as a matter of law, such as tax and mechanics’ liens. Liens on assets also are permitted if debt secured thereby does not exceed 15 percent of APA’s consolidated net tangible assets or approximately $1.9 billion as of December 31, 2023.
Negative covenants restrict APA’s ability to merge with another entity unless it is the surviving entity, a borrower’s disposition of substantially all of its assets, prohibitions on the ability of certain subsidiaries to make payments to borrowers, and guarantees by APA or certain subsidiaries of debt of non-consolidated entities in excess of the stated threshold.
Lenders may accelerate payment maturity and terminate lending and issuance commitments for nonpayment and other breaches; if a borrower or certain subsidiaries defaults on other indebtedness in excess of the stated threshold, has any unpaid, non-appealable judgment against it for payment of money in excess of the stated threshold, or has specified pension plan liabilities in excess of the stated threshold; or APA undergoes a specified change in control. Such acceleration and termination are automatic upon specified insolvency events of a borrower or certain subsidiaries.
Consistent with the Former Facility, the 2022 Agreements do not require collateral, do not have a borrowing base, do not permit lenders to accelerate maturity or refuse to lend based on unspecified material adverse changes, and do not have borrowing restrictions or prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.
Apache was in compliance with applicable terms of each 2022 Agreement as of December 31, 2023.
Commercial Paper Program
On December 13, 2023, APA established a commercial paper program under which APA may from time to time issue in private placements exempt from registration under the Securities Act short-term unsecured promissory notes (the CP Notes) up to a maximum aggregate face amount of $1.8 billion outstanding at any time.
The Company has unconditionally guaranteed payment of the CP Notes on an unsecured basis, such guarantee effective until the first time that the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under the Company’s existing indentures is less than US$1.0 billion.
The CP Notes will be sold under customary market terms in the U.S. commercial paper market at a discount from par or at par and bear interest at rates determined at the time of issuance. The maturities of the CP Notes may vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issuance.
As of December 31, 2023, APA had not issued any CP Notes.
Subsequent Event
On January 30, 2024, Apache entered into an unsecured guaranty of obligations under an unsecured syndicated credit agreement then entered into by APA under which the lenders have committed an aggregate $2.0 billion for senior unsecured delayed-draw term loans to APA (Credit Agreement). Apache’s guaranty is effective until the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness under senior notes and debentures outstanding under Apache’s existing indentures first is less than $1.0 billion.
Subject to satisfaction of certain limited conditions, APA may borrow under the Credit Agreement to refinance certain indebtedness of Callon Petroleum Company, a Delaware corporation (Callon), upon or after closing of APA’s pending acquisition of Callon pursuant to the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger among APA, Astro Comet Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of APA, and Callon, dated January 3, 2024 (Merger Agreement).
Two tranches of term loans would be available to APA for borrowing only on the date of closing of transactions under the Merger Agreement and satisfaction of certain other conditions under the Credit Agreement (Closing Date); of the aggregate $2.0 billion in commitments, $1.5 billion is for term loans that would mature three years after the Closing Date (3-Year Tranche Loans) and $500 million is for term loans that would mature 364 days after the Closing Date (364-Day Tranche Loans).
Indebtedness of Callon that APA could refinance by borrowing under the Credit Agreement on the Closing Date includes indebtedness outstanding under (i) the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated October 19, 2022, among Callon, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (Callon Credit Agreement), (ii) Callon’s 6.375% Senior Notes due 2026 (Callon’s 2026 Notes), (iii) Callon’s 8.00% Senior Notes due 2028 (Callon’s 2028 Notes), and (iv) Callon’s 7.500% Senior Notes due 2030 (Callon’s 2030 Notes, and together with the Callon Credit Agreement, Callon’s 2026 Notes, and Callon’s 2028 Notes, the Callon Indebtedness).
The Credit Agreement has limited conditions to funding on the Closing Date loans requested by APA in accordance with the Credit Agreement, such as consummation of the transactions under the Merger Agreement, no Company Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Merger Agreement) has occurred, repayment of all indebtedness outstanding under the Callon Credit Agreement and Callon’s 2026 Notes, and Callon having no other material indebtedness for borrowed money except for Callon’s 2028 Notes and Callon’s 2030 Notes or as permitted under the Credit Agreement or the Merger Agreement.
Proceeds of loans made under the Credit Agreement may only be used to refinance the Callon Indebtedness and repay fees and expenses related to transactions under the Credit Agreement and the Merger Agreement. To the extent that borrowings by APA under the Credit Agreement are not so used on or before the date that is 120 days after the Closing Date, APA then must prepay the amount of such unused borrowings.
If $400 million or more in aggregate principal amount of Callon’s 2028 Notes and Callon’s 2030 Notes remains outstanding on the date which is 120 days after the Closing Date, Callon then must guarantee APA’s obligations under the Credit Agreement effective until the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Callon’s 2028 Notes and Callon’s 2030 Notes first is less than $400 million.
APA may at any time prepay loans under the Credit Agreement. APA may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the lenders’ commitments under the Credit Agreement. Unless previously terminated, the lenders’ commitments automatically terminate on the first to occur of: (i) the Closing Date, after giving effect to funding of each lender’s commitments on the Closing Date, (ii) APA’s acquisition of Callon pursuant to the Merger Agreement without loans being made under the Credit Agreement, (iii) termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms, and (iv) the Termination Date (as defined in, and may be extended pursuant to, the Merger Agreement).
All borrowings under the Credit Agreement would be in U.S. Dollars and bear interest at one of the following two rate options, as selected by APA, plus the indicated margin:
One option is a base rate per annum equal to the greatest of (i) the applicable prime rate, (ii) the greater of the applicable federal funds rate and overnight bank funding rate, plus 0.50%, and (iii) an adjusted secured overnight financing rate published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (SOFR) for a one-month interest period plus 1.0%. The margin for this rate option (Term Base Rate Margin) is a rate per annum varying from 0.25% to 1.0% for 364-Day Tranche Loans, 0.375% to 1.125% for 3-Year Tranche Loans until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 0.625% to 1.375% for 3-Year Tranche Loans after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, based on the rating for senior, unsecured, non-credit enhanced, long-term indebtedness for borrowed money of APA, or if such indebtedness is not rated and the Apache guaranty is in effect, of Apache. Apache’s Long-Term Debt Rating currently applies.
The second option is an adjusted SOFR rate, plus a margin at a rate per annum varying from 1.25% to 2.0% for 364-Day Tranche Loans, 1.375% to 2.125% for 3-Year Tranche Loans until the second anniversary of the Closing Date, and 1.625% to 2.375% for 3-Year Tranche Loans after the second anniversary of the Closing Date, in each case, based on the Long-Term Debt Rating (Term Applicable Margin). For SOFR-based interest rates, APA may select an interest period of one, three, or six months.
Currently, the Term Base Rate Margin is 0.625% for 364-Day Tranche Loans and 0.75% for 3-Year Tranche Loans, and the Term Applicable Margin is 1.625% for 364-Day Tranche Loans and 1.75% for 3-Year Tranche Loans.
The Credit Agreement provides for a ticking fee payable by APA at a rate of 0.225% per annum on the daily average undrawn aggregate commitments thereunder; the ticking fee accrues during the period beginning on the date that is 90 days after January 3, 2024 to the earlier of (i) termination or expiration of the commitments or (ii) the Closing Date.
APA is subject to representations and warranties, covenants, and events of default under the Credit Agreement substantially similar to those in APA’s existing 2022 Agreements. The Credit Agreement does not permit lenders to accelerate maturity based on unspecified material adverse changes and does not have prepayment obligations in the event of a decline in credit ratings.