Long-Term Debt

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Note 4 — Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following at:


	September 30,		December 31,
	2011			2010
	(in millions)
6³/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014	$	200.0	$	200.0
8⁵/8% Senior Notes due 2017		375.0		375.0
Bank debt		—		—

Total long-term debt	$	575.0	$	575.0

On September 30, 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings under our bank credit facility and letters of credit totaling $61.1 million had been issued pursuant to the facility. On April 26, 2011, we entered into an amended and restated revolving credit facility totaling $700 million through a syndicated bank group, replacing our previous $700 million facility. The new credit facility matures on September 15, 2014. However, if the notes issued under our 2004 indenture are retired on or before April 15, 2014, the new credit facility then matures on April 26, 2015. Our initial borrowing base under the new credit facility was set at $400 million. On October 31, 2011, the bank group reaffirmed the existing borrowing base at $400 million. As of November 2, 2011, we had no outstanding borrowings under our bank credit facility and letters of credit totaling $61.1 million had been issued pursuant to the facility, leaving $338.9 million of availability under the facility. Our bank credit facility is guaranteed by our only material subsidiary, Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C. (“Stone Offshore”).

The borrowing base under our bank credit facility is redetermined by the lenders semi-annually, typically on May 1 and November 1, taking into consideration the estimated value of our oil and gas properties and those of our direct and indirect material subsidiaries in accordance with the lenders’ customary practices for oil and gas loans. In addition, we and the lenders each have discretion at any time, but not more than two additional times in any calendar year, to have the borrowing base redetermined. Our bank credit facility is collateralized by substantially all of Stone’s and Stone Offshore’s assets. Stone and Stone Offshore are required to mortgage, and grant a security interest in, their oil and gas reserves representing at least 80% of the discounted present value of the future net cash flows from their oil and gas reserves reviewed in determining the borrowing base. At our option, loans under our bank credit facility will bear interest at a rate based on the adjusted Libor Rate plus an applicable margin, or a rate based on the prime rate or Federal funds rate plus an applicable margin. Our bank credit facility provides for optional and mandatory prepayments, affirmative and negative covenants, and interest coverage ratio and leverage ratio maintenance covenants. We were in compliance with all covenants as of September 30, 2011.