UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549  

FORM 10-Q
 
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016

OR
 
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from
 
to
 

Commission file number 001-32367

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
80-0000545
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

1099 18th Street, Suite 2300
Denver, Colorado
 
80202
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

(303) 293-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     x   Yes     o   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).     x   Yes     o   No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer
 
o
  
Accelerated filer
 
x
Non-accelerated filer
 
o   (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  
Smaller reporting company
 
o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     o   Yes     x   No

There were 50,315,695 shares of $0.001 par value common stock outstanding on April 22, 2016 .


Table of Contents

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
3

Item 2.
26

Item 3.
39

Item 4.
40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
40

Item 1A.
40

Item 2.
40

Item 3.
41

Item 4.
41

Item 5.
41

Item 6.
41

42


2

Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements.

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
 
(in thousands, except share data)
Assets:
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
105,563

 
$
128,836

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
31,048

 
43,461

Derivative assets
80,374

 
99,809

Assets held for sale, net of amortization and impairment
33,717

 

Prepayments and other current assets
2,661

 
2,211

Total current assets
253,363

 
274,317

Property and equipment - at cost, successful efforts method for oil and gas properties:
 
 
 
Proved oil and gas properties
1,426,985

 
2,000,210

Unproved oil and gas properties, excluded from amortization
121,454

 
79,198

Furniture, equipment and other
26,698

 
26,021

 
1,575,137

 
2,105,429

Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment
(433,508
)
 
(934,745
)
Total property and equipment, net
1,141,629

 
1,170,684

Deferred income taxes
30,849

 
38,219

Derivative assets
14,803

 
19,662

Deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets
3,566

 
3,638

Total
$
1,444,210

 
$
1,506,520

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
59,171

 
$
64,337

Amounts payable to oil and gas property owners
11,621

 
15,657

Production taxes payable
22,714

 
26,578

Deferred income taxes
30,849

 
38,219

Current portion of long-term debt
443

 
440

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale
4,785

 

Total current liabilities
129,583

 
145,231

Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs
794,972

 
794,652

Asset retirement obligations
10,103

 
14,066

Derivatives and other noncurrent liabilities
3,575

 
3,155

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 150,000,000 shares; 50,326,243 and 49,864,512 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, with 1,707,252 and 1,471,508 shares subject to restrictions, respectively
49

 
48

Additional paid-in capital
924,374

 
921,318

Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit)
(418,446
)
 
(371,950
)
Treasury stock, at cost: zero shares at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively

 

Total stockholders' equity
505,977

 
549,416

Total
$
1,444,210

 
$
1,506,520

See notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

Table of Contents

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands, except share and per
share data)
Operating and Other Revenues:
 
 
 
Oil, gas and NGL production
$
29,121

 
$
48,486

Other
313

 
548

Total operating and other revenues
29,434

 
49,034

Operating Expenses:
 
 
 
Lease operating expense
8,827

 
13,791

Gathering, transportation and processing expense
788

 
942

Production tax expense
(315
)
 
2,534

Exploration expense
27

 
33

Impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense
558

 
1,255

(Gain) Loss on divestitures

 
(38
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
42,016

 
52,254

Unused commitments
4,568

 
4,388

General and administrative expense
12,420

 
13,329

Total operating expenses
68,889

 
88,488

Operating Income (Loss)
(39,455
)
 
(39,454
)
Other Income and Expense:
 
 
 
Interest and other income
37

 
275

Interest expense
(15,746
)
 
(16,430
)
Commodity derivative gain (loss)
8,668

 
34,438

Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt

 
2,567

Total other income and expense
(7,041
)
 
20,850

Income (Loss) before Income Taxes
(46,496
)
 
(18,604
)
(Provision for) Benefit from Income Taxes

 
6,873

Net Income (Loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
(11,731
)
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share, Basic
$
(0.96
)
 
$
(0.24
)
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share, Diluted
$
(0.96
)
 
$
(0.24
)
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic
48,499,296

 
48,198,948

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Diluted
48,499,296

 
48,198,948

See notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

Table of Contents

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Net Income (Loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
(11,731
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
(11,731
)
See notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

Table of Contents

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
(11,731
)
Adjustments to reconcile to net cash provided by operations:
 
 
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
42,016

 
52,254

Deferred income tax benefit

 
(6,873
)
Impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense
558

 
1,255

Total commodity derivative (gain) loss
(8,668
)
 
(34,438
)
Gain (Loss) on settlements of commodity derivatives
32,962

 
46,375

Stock compensation and other non-cash charges
3,329

 
2,743

Amortization of deferred financing costs
639

 
1,067

(Gain) Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(2,567
)
(Gain) Loss on sale of properties

 
(38
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
12,413

 
9,064

Prepayments and other assets
(591
)
 
(1,364
)
Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities
12,253

 
(1,661
)
Amounts payable to oil and gas property owners
(4,036
)
 
6,838

Production taxes payable
(3,864
)
 
(7,099
)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
40,515

 
53,825

Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Additions to oil and gas properties, including acquisitions
(61,261
)
 
(111,009
)
Additions of furniture, equipment and other
(782
)
 
(609
)
Proceeds from sale of properties and other investing activities
(1,238
)
 
66,415

Cash paid for short-term investments

 
(114,883
)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(63,281
)
 
(160,086
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Principal payments on debt
(109
)
 
(24,871
)
Deferred financing costs and other
(398
)
 
(1,000
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(507
)
 
(25,871
)
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
(23,273
)
 
(132,132
)
Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents
128,836

 
165,904

Ending Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
105,563

 
$
33,772

See notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

Table of Contents

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
(In thousands)
 
 
Common
Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
48

 
$
913,619

 
$
115,821

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,029,488

Exercise of options, restricted stock activity and shares exchanged for exercise and tax withholding

 

 

 
(1,173
)
 

 
(1,173
)
Stock-based compensation

 
10,468

 

 

 

 
10,468

Retirement of treasury stock

 
(1,173
)
 

 
1,173

 

 

Settlement of convertible notes

 
(1,596
)
 

 

 

 
(1,596
)
Net income (loss)

 

 
(487,771
)
 

 

 
(487,771
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
48

 
921,318

 
(371,950
)
 

 

 
549,416

Exercise of options, restricted stock activity and shares exchanged for exercise and tax withholding
1

 

 

 
(384
)
 

 
(383
)
Stock-based compensation

 
3,440

 

 

 

 
3,440

Retirement of treasury stock

 
(384
)
 

 
384

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 
(46,496
)
 

 

 
(46,496
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
$
49

 
$
924,374

 
$
(418,446
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
505,977

See notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

Table of Contents

BILL BARRETT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

March 31, 2016

1. Organization

Bill Barrett Corporation, a Delaware corporation, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"), is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids ("NGLs"). Since its inception in January 2002, the Company has conducted its activities principally in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States.

2 . Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company. These statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments) necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company's interim results. However, operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K includes certain definitions and a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Except as disclosed herein, there have been no material changes to the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Use of Estimates. In the course of preparing the Company's financial statements in accordance with GAAP, management makes various assumptions, judgments and estimates to determine the reported amount of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and in the disclosure of commitments and contingencies. Changes in these assumptions, judgments and estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events and, accordingly, actual results could differ from amounts initially established.

Areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates relate to volumes of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves used in calculating depreciation, depletion and amortization ("DD&A"), the amount of expected future cash flows used in determining possible impairments of proved oil and gas properties and the amount of future capital costs used in these calculations. Assumptions, judgments and estimates also are required in determining asset retirement obligations, the timing of dry hole costs, impairments of unproved oil and gas properties, valuing deferred tax assets and estimating fair values of derivative instruments and stock-based payment awards.

Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable is comprised of the following:

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(in thousands)
Accrued oil, gas and NGL sales
$
22,775

 
$
33,594

Due from joint interest owners
6,434

 
8,373

Other
1,839

 
1,508

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 
(14
)
Total accounts receivable
$
31,048

 
$
43,461


Oil and Gas Properties. The Company's oil, gas and NGL exploration and production activities are accounted for using the successful efforts method. Under this method, all property acquisition costs and costs of exploratory and development wells are capitalized when incurred, pending determination of whether the well has found proved reserves. If an exploratory well does not find proved reserves, the costs of drilling the well are charged to expense and remain within cash flows from investing activities in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. If an exploratory well does find proved reserves, the costs remain capitalized and are included within additions to oil and gas properties and remain within cash flows from investing activities in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The costs of development wells are capitalized whether

8


proved reserves are added or not. Oil and gas lease acquisition costs are also capitalized. Upon sale or retirement of depreciable or depletable property, the cost and related accumulated DD&A are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is recognized.

Other exploration costs, including certain geological and geophysical expenses and delay rentals for oil and gas leases, are charged to expense as incurred. The sale of a partial interest in a proved property is accounted for as a cost recovery and no gain or loss is recognized as long as this treatment does not significantly affect the unit-of-production amortization rate. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense, and renewals and betterments are capitalized to the appropriate property and equipment accounts.

Unproved oil and gas property costs are transferred to proved oil and gas properties if the properties are subsequently determined to be productive or are assigned proved reserves. Proceeds from sales of partial interests in unproved leases are accounted for as a recovery of cost without recognizing any gain until all costs are recovered. Unproved oil and gas properties are assessed periodically for impairment based on remaining lease terms, drilling results, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, future plans to develop acreage and other relevant matters.

Materials and supplies consist primarily of tubular goods and well equipment to be used in future drilling operations or repair operations and are carried at the lower of cost or market value, on a first-in, first-out basis.

The following table sets forth the net capitalized costs and associated accumulated DD&A and non-cash impairments relating to the Company's oil, natural gas and NGL producing activities:

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(in thousands)
Proved properties
$
300,444

 
$
320,538

Wells and related equipment and facilities
1,064,556

 
1,592,716

Support equipment and facilities
56,149

 
77,785

Materials and supplies
5,836

 
9,171

Total proved oil and gas properties (1)
$
1,426,985

 
$
2,000,210

Unproved properties
31,554

 
33,336

Wells and facilities in progress
89,900

 
45,862

Total unproved oil and gas properties, excluded from amortization  (1)
$
121,454

 
$
79,198

Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment (1)
(416,336
)
 
(918,510
)
Total oil and gas properties, net  (1)
$
1,132,103

 
$
1,160,898


(1)
Excludes oil and gas properties held for sale of $33.7 million , comprised of $572.2 million of proved oil and gas properties and $4.3 million of unproved oil and gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment of $542.8 million . Held for sale balances are included in current assets as assets held for sale, net of amortization and impairment, in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016. See Note 4 for additional information on assets held for sale.

The Company reviews proved oil and gas properties on a field-by-field basis for impairment on a quarterly basis or whenever events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of their carrying value may have occurred. The Company estimates the expected undiscounted future net cash flows of its oil and gas properties based on the Company's best estimate of development plans, future production, commodity pricing, gathering and transportation deductions, production tax rates, lease operating expenses and future development costs. The Company compares such undiscounted future net cash flows to the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. If the undiscounted future net cash flows exceed the carrying amount of the proved oil and gas properties, no impairment is taken. If the carrying value of a property exceeds the undiscounted future net cash flows, the Company will impair the carrying value to fair value based on an analysis of quantitative and qualitative factors existing as of the balance sheet date. The Company does not believe that the undiscounted future net cash flows analysis of its proved property represents the applicable market value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent sales prices of comparable properties, indications from marketing activities, the present value of future revenues, net of estimated operating and development costs using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures and various discount rates commensurate with the risk and current market conditions associated with realizing the projected cash flows.


9


Oil and gas properties are assessed for impairment once they meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale. Assets held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying cost or fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the assets is determined using a market approach, based on an estimated selling price, as evidenced by current marketing activities, if possible. If an estimated selling price is not available, the Company utilizes the income valuation technique which involves calculating the present value of future revenues, as discussed above. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value less costs to sell, an impairment will result to reduce the value of the properties down to fair value less costs to sell.

The Company recognized non-cash impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Non-cash impairment of proved oil and gas properties
$

 
$

Non-cash impairment of unproved oil and gas properties
183


58

Dry hole costs
57

 
15

Abandonment expense and lease expirations
318

 
1,182

Total non-cash impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense
$
558

 
$
1,255


The provision for DD&A of oil and gas properties is calculated on a field-by-field basis using the unit-of-production method. Natural gas and NGLs are converted to an oil equivalent, Boe, at the standard rate of six Mcf to one Boe and forty-two gallons to one Boe, respectively. Estimated future dismantlement, restoration and abandonment costs are taken into consideration by this calculation.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities. Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are comprised of the following:

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
(in thousands)
Accrued drilling, completion and facility costs
$
16,296

 
$
32,895

Accrued lease operating, gathering, transportation and processing expenses
5,031

 
4,930

Accrued general and administrative expenses
5,282

 
10,962

Accrued interest payable
28,545

 
13,918

Trade payables and other
4,017

 
1,632

Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities
$
59,171

 
$
64,337


Environmental Liabilities. Environmental expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to current or future revenue generation are expensed. Environmental liabilities are accrued when environmental assessments and/or clean-ups are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

Revenue Recognition. Oil, gas and NGL revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and collectability of the revenue is reasonably assured. The Company uses the sales method to account for gas and NGL imbalances. Under this method, revenues are recorded on the basis of gas and NGLs actually sold by the Company. In addition, the Company records revenues for its share of gas and NGLs sold by other owners that cannot be volumetrically balanced in the future due to insufficient remaining reserves. The Company also reduces revenues for other owners' volumetric share of gas and NGLs sold by the Company that cannot be volumetrically balanced in the future due to insufficient remaining reserves. The Company's remaining over- and under-produced gas and NGLs balancing positions are taken into account in determining the Company's proved oil, gas and NGL reserves. Imbalances at March 31, 2016 and 2015 were not material.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company periodically uses derivative financial instruments to achieve a more predictable cash flow from its oil, natural gas and NGL sales by reducing its exposure to price fluctuations. Derivative instruments are recorded at fair market value and are included in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities and in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations as commodity derivative gain (loss).


10


Income Taxes. Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently payable plus deferred income taxes related to certain income and expenses recognized in different periods for financial and income tax reporting purposes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the future tax return consequences of those differences, which will either be taxable or deductible when assets are recovered or liabilities are settled. Deferred income taxes also include tax credits and net operating losses that are available to offset future income taxes. Deferred income taxes are measured by applying currently enacted tax rates. Deferred tax assets are regularly reviewed, considering all positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, taxable strategies and results of recent operations. The assumptions about future taxable income require significant judgment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. Only tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are recognized. The Company does not have any uncertain tax positions recorded as of March 31, 2016 .

Earnings/Loss Per Share. Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per common share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and other dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities for the diluted net income per common share calculations consist of nonvested equity shares of common stock, in-the-money outstanding stock options to purchase the Company's common stock and shares into which the Convertible Notes are convertible. No potential common shares are included in the computation of any diluted per share amount when a net loss exists, as was the case for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 .

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income (loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
(11,731
)
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding in period
48,499

 
48,199

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding in period
48,499

 
48,199

Basic net income (loss) per common share
$
(0.96
)
 
$
(0.24
)
Diluted net income (loss) per common share
$
(0.96
)
 
$
(0.24
)

New Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . The objective of this update is to simplify the current guidance for stock compensation. The areas for simplification involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases . The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes . The objective of this update is to require deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. ASU 2015-17 is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. The standard will be adopted retrospectively and will not have a significant impact on the Company's disclosures and financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs . The objective of this update is to require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-15, Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements .

11


This ASU amends ASU 2015-03 which had not addressed the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs incurred in connection with line-of-credit arrangements. Under ASU 2015-15, a Company may defer debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements and present such costs as an asset, subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings. ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015, should be applied retrospectively and represent a change in accounting principle. The Company adopted ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 as of March 31, 2016, and as a result, $8.7 million of debt issuance costs related to the Company’s senior notes and convertible senior notes was reclassified from deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets to long-term debt in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2015. The Company elected to continue presenting the debt issuance costs associated with its credit facility within deferred financing costs and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The objective of this update is to provide guidance in GAAP about management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The standard will be adopted prospectively.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of this update is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard. ASU 2015-14 deferred the effective reporting periods of ASU 2014-09, and it is now effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

3. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Cash paid for interest
$
480

 
$
1,105

Cash paid for income taxes

 
1,050

Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities - oil and gas properties
17,518

 
74,984

Change in asset retirement obligations, net of disposals
(60
)
 
(525
)
Retirement of treasury stock
(384
)
 
(975
)

4 . Assets Held for Sale

Assets are classified as held for sale when the Company commits to a plan to sell the assets and there is reasonable certainty the sale will take place within one year. Upon classification as held for sale, long-lived assets are analyzed for impairment to identify and expense any excess of carrying value over fair value less costs to sell. In addition, the assets are no longer depreciated or depleted.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company committed to a plan to sell certain non-core assets in the Uinta Basin. Therefore, the related assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016. Assets held for sale are recorded at the lesser of their respective carrying value or fair value less estimated costs to sell. The fair value of the net assets held for sale was $28.9 million and was presented as assets held for sale, net of amortization and impairment, of $33.7 million and liabilities associated with assets held for sale of $4.8 million on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016.

5 . Long-Term Debt

The Company's outstanding debt is summarized below:

12


 
 
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Maturity Date
Principal
 
Debt Issuance Costs
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Principal
 
Debt Issuance Costs
 
Carrying
Amount
 
 
(in thousands)
Amended Credit Facility
April 9, 2020
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Convertible Notes (1)(2)
March 15, 2028
579

 

 
579

 
579

 

 
579

7.625% Senior Notes (3)
October 1, 2019
400,000

 
(3,502
)
 
396,498

 
400,000

 
(3,752
)
 
396,248

7.0% Senior Notes (4)
October 15, 2022
400,000

 
(4,771
)
 
395,229

 
400,000

 
(4,953
)
 
395,047

Lease Financing Obligation (5)
August 10, 2020
3,113

 
(4
)
 
3,109

 
3,222

 
(4
)
 
3,218

Total Debt
 
$
803,692

 
$
(8,277
)
 
$
795,415

 
$
803,801

 
$
(8,709
)
 
$
795,092

Less: Current Portion of Long-Term Debt (6)
 
443

 

 
443

 
440

 

 
440

Total Long-Term Debt
 
$
803,249

 
$
(8,277
)
 
$
794,972

 
$
803,361

 
$
(8,709
)
 
$
794,652

 
(1)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes was approximately $0.5 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 based on reported market trades of these instruments.
(2)
The Company has the right at any time, with at least 30 days' notice, to call the remaining Convertible Notes, and the holders have the right to require the Company to purchase the notes on each of March 20, 2018 and March 20, 2023.
(3)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the 7.625% Senior Notes was approximately $270.0 million and $270.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, based on reported market trades of these instruments.
(4)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the 7.0% Senior Notes was approximately $242.0 million and $272.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, based on reported market trades of these instruments.
(5)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the Lease Financing Obligation was approximately $3.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2015 . Because there is no active, public market for the Lease Financing Obligation, the aggregate estimated fair value was based on market-based parameters of comparable term secured financing instruments.
(6)
The current portion of the long-term debt as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 includes the current portion of the Lease Financing Obligation.

Amended Credit Facility

The Amended Credit Facility had commitments and a borrowing base of $375.0 million from 13 lenders as of March 31, 2016 . As of March 31, 2016 , the Company had no amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility. As credit support for future payment under a contractual obligation, a $26.0 million letter of credit was issued under the Amended Credit Facility, which reduced the available borrowing capacity of the Amended Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 to $349.0 million .

Interest rates are LIBOR plus applicable margins of 1.5% to 2.5% or ABR plus 0.5% to 1.5% and the unused commitment fee is between 0.375% and 0.5% based on borrowing base utilization. There have not been any borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility in 2016.

The borrowing base under the Amended Credit Facility is determined at the discretion of the lenders, based on the collateral value of our proved reserves that have been mortgaged to such lenders, and is subject to regular re-determinations on or about April 1 and October 1 of each year, as well as following any property sales. On April 11, 2016, the borrowing base was reduced to $335.0 million based on proved reserves and commodity hedge position in place at December 31, 2015. The Company's re-determined borrowing capacity of $335.0 million is reduced by $26.0 million to $309.0 million due to an outstanding irrevocable letter of credit related to a firm transportation agreement. Future borrowing bases will be computed based on proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, hedge positions and estimated future cash flows from those reserves calculated using future commodity pricing provided by our lenders, as well as any other outstanding debt. Lower commodity prices will impact the amount lenders will provide for a borrowing base.

The Amended Credit Facility also contains certain financial covenants. The Company is currently in compliance with all financial covenants and has complied with all financial covenants since issuance.

If the Company fails to comply with the covenants or other terms of any agreements governing the Company's debt, the Company's lenders and holders of the Company's convertible notes and senior notes may have the right to accelerate the

13


maturity of that debt and foreclose upon the collateral, if any, securing that debt. Realization of any of these factors could adversely affect the Company's financial condition. In September 2015, the Company obtained an amendment to the Amended Credit Facility that replaced the Company's debt-to-EBITDAX covenant in the facility with a secured debt-to-EBITDAX covenant and an EBITDAX-to-interest covenant through March 31, 2018. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain similar amendments, or waivers of covenant breaches, in the future if needed.

5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2028

On March 12, 2008, the Company issued $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. On March 20, 2012, $147.2 million of the outstanding principal amount, or approximately 85% of the outstanding Convertible Notes, were put to the Company and redeemed by the Company at par. On March 20, 2015, $24.8 million of the remaining outstanding principal amount, or approximately 98% of the remaining outstanding Convertible Notes, were put to the Company and redeemed by the Company at par. After the redemption, $0.6 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes were outstanding as of March 31, 2016 . The Convertible Notes mature on March 15, 2028 , unless earlier converted, redeemed or purchased by the Company. The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment to all of the Company's existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, are senior in right of payment to all of the Company's future subordinated indebtedness, and are effectively subordinated to all of the Company's secured indebtedness with respect to the collateral securing such indebtedness. The Convertible Notes are structurally subordinated to all present and future secured and unsecured debt and other obligations of the Company's subsidiaries. The Convertible Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the subsidiaries that guarantee the Company's indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility, the 7.625% Senior Notes and the 7.0% Senior Notes.

The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 5%  per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Holders of the remaining Convertible Notes may require the Company to purchase all or a portion of their Convertible Notes for cash on each of March 20, 2018 and March 20, 2023 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to but excluding the applicable purchase date. The Company has the right with at least 30 days' notice to call the Convertible Notes.

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2019

On September 27, 2011, the Company issued $400.0 million in principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2019 at par. The 7.625% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2019 . Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 7.625% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company and rank equal in right of payment with all of the Company's other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes and 7.0% Senior Notes. The 7.625% Senior Notes are currently redeemable at the Company's option at a specified redemption price. The 7.625% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the subsidiaries that guarantee the Company's indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility, the Convertible Notes and the 7.0% Senior Notes. The 7.625% Senior Notes include certain covenants that limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, make restricted payments, create liens or sell assets and that generally prohibit the Company from paying dividends. The Company is currently in compliance with all financial covenants and has complied with all financial covenants since issuance.

7.0% Senior Notes Due 2022

On March 12, 2012, the Company issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2022 at par. The 7.0% Senior Notes mature on October 15, 2022 . Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 7.0% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of the Company's other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes and 7.625% Senior Notes. The 7.0% Senior Notes are redeemable at the Company's option beginning on October 15, 2017 at an initial redemption price of 103.5% of the principal amount of the notes. The 7.0% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the subsidiaries that guarantee the Company's indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility, the Convertible Notes and the 7.625% Senior Notes. The 7.0% Senior Notes include certain covenants that limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, make restricted payments, create liens or sell assets and that generally prohibit the Company from paying dividends. The Company is currently in compliance with all financial covenants and has complied with all financial covenants since issuance.


14


Lease Financing Obligation Due 2020

The Company has a lease financing obligation with a balance of $3.1 million as of March 31, 2016 resulting from the Company's sale and subsequent lease back of certain compressors and related facilities owned by the Company (the "Lease Financing Obligation"). The Lease Financing Obligation expires on August 10, 2020 , and the Company has the option to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease term for the then current fair market value. The Lease Financing Obligation also contains an early buyout option pursuant to which the Company may purchase the equipment for $1.8 million on February 10, 2019. The lease payments related to the equipment are recognized as principal and interest expense based on a weighted average implicit interest rate of 3.3% . See Note 12 for discussion of aggregate minimum future lease payments.

The following table summarizes, for the periods indicated, the cash or accrued portion of interest expense related to the Amended Credit Facility, the outstanding Convertible Notes, the 7.625% Senior Notes, the 7.0% Senior Notes and the Lease Financing Obligation along with the non-cash portion resulting from the amortization of the debt discount and transaction costs through interest expense:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Amended Credit Facility (1)
 
Cash interest
$
438

 
$
433

Non-cash interest
$
207

 
$
586

Convertible Notes (2)
 
 
 
Cash interest
$
22

 
$
276

Non-cash interest
$

 
$
3

7.625% Senior Notes (3)
 
 
 
Cash interest
$
7,625

 
$
7,625

Non-cash interest
$
250

 
$
273

7.0% Senior Notes (4)
 
 
 
Cash interest
$
7,000

 
$
7,000

Non-cash interest
$
181

 
$
204

Lease Financing Obligation (5)
 
 
 
Cash interest
$
26

 
$
29

Non-cash interest
$

 
$


(1)
Cash interest includes amounts related to interest and commitment fees incurred on the Amended Credit Facility and participation and fronting fees paid on the letter of credit.
(2)
The stated interest rate for the Convertible Notes is 5%  per annum. The effective interest rate of the Convertible Notes includes amortization of the debt discount, which represented the fair value of the equity conversion feature at the time of issue. The stated interest rate of 5% on the Convertible Notes will be the effective interest rate of the $0.6 million remaining principal balance, as the related debt discount was fully amortized as of March 31, 2012.
(3)
The stated interest rate for the 7.625% Senior Notes is 7.625%  per annum with an effective interest rate of 8.0%  per annum.
(4)
The stated interest rate for the 7.0% Senior Notes is 7.0%  per annum with an effective interest rate of 7.2%  per annum.
(5)
The effective interest rate for the Lease Financing Obligation is 3.3%  per annum.

6. Asset Retirement Obligations

A reconciliation of the Company's asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is as follows (in thousands):


15



As of December 31, 2015
$
15,176

Liabilities incurred

Liabilities settled
(8
)
Disposition of properties
(52
)
Accretion expense
274

Revisions to estimate

As of March 31, 2016
$
15,390

Less: liabilities associated with assets held for sale
4,785

Less: current asset retirement obligations
502

Long-term asset retirement obligations
$
10,103


7. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company uses market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. A fair value hierarchy was established that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements).

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and in non-active markets for identical or similar instruments. Model-derived valuations have inputs that are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable than objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management's best estimate of fair value. At each balance sheet date, the Company performs an analysis of all applicable instruments and includes in Level 3 all of those whose fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company's assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents (1)
$
60,095

 
$

 
$

 
$
60,095

Deferred compensation plan (1)
1,208

 

 

 
1,208

Commodity derivatives (1)

 
95,184

 

 
95,184

Assets held for sale (2)

 

 
33,717

 
33,717

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives (1)
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$
7

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale (2)

 

 
4,785

 
4,785


(1)
This represents a financial asset or liability that is measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
(2)
This represents a non-financial asset or liability that is measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

16



 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents (1)
$
60,065

 
$

 
$

 
$
60,065

Deferred compensation plan (1)
1,231

 

 

 
1,231

Commodity derivatives (1)

 
119,471

 

 
119,471

Proved oil and gas properties (2)

 

 
178,221

 
178,221

Unproved oil and gas properties (2)

 

 
5,539

 
5,539


(1)
This represents a financial asset or liability that is measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
(2)
This represents a non-financial asset or liability that is measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Cash equivalents – The highly liquid cash equivalents are recorded at carrying value, which approximates fair value, which represent Level 1 inputs.

Deferred compensation plan – The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan which allows certain management employees to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation. The Company maintains assets for the deferred compensation plan in a rabbi trust. The assets of the rabbi trust are invested in publicly traded mutual funds and are recorded in other current and other long-term assets in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred compensation plan financial assets are reported at fair value based on active market quotes, which represent Level 1 inputs.

Commodity derivatives – The fair value of crude oil, natural gas and NGL forwards and options are estimated using a combined income and market valuation methodology with a mid-market pricing convention based upon forward commodity price and volatility curves. The curves are obtained from independent pricing services reflecting broker market quotes. The Company did not make any adjustments to the obtained curves. The pricing services publish observable market information from multiple brokers and exchanges. No proprietary models are used by the pricing services for the inputs. The Company utilized the counterparties' valuations to assess the reasonableness of the Company's valuations.

The commodity derivatives have been adjusted for non-performance risk. For applicable financial assets carried at fair value, the credit standing of the counterparties is analyzed and factored into the fair value measurement of those assets. In addition, the fair value measurement of a liability has been adjusted to reflect the nonperformance risk of the Company. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities in the table above.

Oil and gas properties Oil and gas property costs are evaluated for impairment and reduced to fair value when there is an indication that the carrying costs may not be recoverable. If an impairment is necessary, the fair value is estimated by using either a market approach based on recent sales prices of comparable properties and/or indications from marketing activities or by using the income valuation technique which involves calculating the present value of future revenues. The present value, net of estimated operating and development costs, is calculated using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures and various discount rates commensurate with the risk and current market conditions associated with realizing the projected cash flows, predominantly all of which are designated as Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy. During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company reduced its Uinta Oil Program assets to a fair value of $183.8 million , resulting in a non-cash impairment charge of $572.4 million .

Properties classified as held for sale are valued using a market approach, based on an estimated selling price, as evidenced by current marketing activities, if possible. If an estimated selling price is not available, the Company utilizes the income valuation technique discussed above. The fair value of net assets classified as held for sale was $28.9 million as of March 31, 2016 . See Note 4 for additional information on assets held for sale.

Long-term Debt – Long-term debt is not presented at fair value on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets, as it is recorded at carrying value, net of unamortized debt issuance costs. The fair values of the Company's fixed rate 7.625% Senior Notes and 7.0% Senior Notes totaled $512.0 million as of March 31, 2016 . The fair values of the Company's fixed rate 7.625% Senior Notes and 7.0% Senior Notes totaled $542.2 million as of December 31, 2015 . The fair values of the Company's fixed rate Senior Notes are based on active market quotes, which represent Level 1 inputs.


17


There is no active, public market for the Amended Credit Facility, Convertible Notes or Lease Financing Obligation. The recorded value of the Amended Credit Facility, approximates its fair value due to its floating rate structure based on the LIBOR spread and the Company's borrowing base utilization. The Amended Credit Facility had a balance of zero as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 . The Convertible Notes had a fair value of $0.5 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and are measured based on market-based parameters of the various components of the Convertible Notes and over the counter trades. The Lease Financing Obligation fair values of $3.0 million and $3.1 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, are measured based on market-based parameters of comparable term secured financing instruments. The fair value measurements for the Amended Credit Facility, Convertible Notes and Lease Financing Obligation represent Level 2 inputs.

8. Derivative Instruments

The Company uses financial derivative instruments as part of its price risk management program to achieve a more predictable cash flow from its production revenues by reducing its exposure to commodity price fluctuations. The Company has entered into financial commodity swap contracts related to the sale of a portion of the Company's production. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

In addition to financial contracts, the Company may at times be party to various physical commodity contracts for the sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs that have varying terms and pricing provisions. These physical commodity contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale exception and, therefore, are not subject to hedge or mark-to-market accounting. The financial impact of physical commodity contracts is included in oil, natural gas and NGL production revenues at the time of settlement.

All derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchase and normal sale exception, as mentioned above, are recorded at fair value and included in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities. The following table summarizes the location, as well as the gross and net fair value amounts of all derivative instruments presented in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates indicated.

  
As of March 31, 2016
Balance Sheet
Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts
Offset in the Balance
Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the
Balance Sheet
 
(in thousands)
Derivative assets (current)
$
80,381

 
$
(7
)
(1)  
$
80,374

Derivative assets (noncurrent)
14,803

 

 
14,803

Total derivative assets
$
95,184

 
$
(7
)
 
$
95,177

 
Gross Amounts of
Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts
Offset in the Balance
Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in
the Balance Sheet
 
(in thousands)
Derivative liabilities
$
(7
)
 
$
7

(1)  
$

Derivatives and other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

Total derivative liabilities
$
(7
)
 
$
7

  
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
As of December 31, 2015
Balance Sheet
Gross Amounts of
Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts
Offset in the Balance
Sheet
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the
Balance Sheet
 
(in thousands)
Derivative assets (current)
$
99,809

 
$

 
$
99,809

Derivative assets (noncurrent)
19,662

 

 
19,662

Total derivative assets
$
119,471

 
$

 
$
119,471

 
(1)
Asset and liability balances with the same counterparty are presented as a net asset or liability on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.


18


As of March 31, 2016 , the Company had financial derivative instruments in place related to the sale of a portion of the Company's production for the following volumes for the periods indicated:

 
April – December 2016
 
For the year 2017
 
Derivative
Volumes
 
Weighted Average Price
 
Derivative Volumes
 
Weighted Average Price
Oil (Bbls)
1,906,300

 
$
78.25

 
683,250

 
$
75.61

Natural Gas (MMbtu)
1,375,000

 
$
4.10

 

 
$


The Company's derivative financial instruments are generally executed with major financial or commodities trading institutions that expose the Company to market and credit risks and may, at times, be concentrated with certain counterparties or groups of counterparties. The Company had derivatives in place with eight different counterparties as of March 31, 2016 . Although notional amounts are used to express the volume of these contracts, the amounts potentially subject to credit risk, in the event of non-performance by the counterparties, are substantially smaller. The creditworthiness of counterparties is subject to continual review by management, and the Company believes all of these institutions currently are acceptable credit risks. Full performance is anticipated, and the Company has no past due receivables from any of these counterparties.

It is the Company's policy to enter into derivative contracts with counterparties that are lenders in the Amended Credit Facility or affiliates of lenders in the Amended Credit Facility. The Company's derivative contracts are documented using an industry standard contract known as a Schedule to the Master Agreement and International Swaps and Derivative Association, Inc. ("ISDA") Master Agreement or other contracts. Typical terms for these contracts include credit support requirements, cross default provisions, termination events and set-off provisions. The Company is not required to provide any credit support to its counterparties other than cross collateralization with the properties securing the Amended Credit Facility. The Company has set-off provisions in its derivative contracts with lenders under its Amended Credit Facility which, in the event of a counterparty default, allow the Company to set-off amounts owed to the defaulting counterparty under the Amended Credit Facility or other obligations against monies owed to the Company under the derivative contracts. Where the counterparty is not a lender under the Company's Amended Credit Facility, it may not be able to set-off amounts owed by the Company under the Amended Credit Facility, even if such counterparty is an affiliate of a lender under such facility. The Company does not have any derivative balances that are offset by cash collateral.

9. Income Taxes

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return in accordance with the FASB’s rules on income taxes. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the Company had no uncertain tax positions.

The Company’s policy is to classify accrued penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in the Company’s income tax provision. The Company did not record any accrued interest or penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 .

Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 differs from the amounts that would be provided by applying the U.S. statutory income tax rates to pretax income or loss principally due to the effect of deferred tax asset valuation allowances, stock based compensation, political lobbying expense, political contributions, nondeductible officer compensation and state income taxes. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the effective tax rate remains at zero as a result of recording a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset balance. The Company considers all available evidence (both positive and negative) to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of the existing deferred tax assets. Such evidence includes the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment, and judgment is required in considering the relative weight of negative and positive evidence. The Company continues to monitor facts and circumstances in the reassessment of the likelihood that operating loss carryforwards, credits and other deferred tax assets will be utilized prior to their expiration.

10. Equity Incentive Compensation Plans and Other Long-term Incentive Programs

The Company maintains various stock-based compensation plans and other employee benefits as discussed below. Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the value of the awards, and the fair value is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (usually the vesting period). Cash-based compensation is measured at fair

19


value at each reporting date and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period (usually the vesting period).

The following table presents the long-term cash and equity incentive compensation related to awards for the periods indicated:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Common stock options (1)
$
69

 
$
242

Nonvested common stock (1)
2,404

 
1,574

Nonvested common stock units  (1)
290

 
261

Nonvested performance-based shares (1)
678

 
430

Nonvested performance cash units (2)
485

 
251

Total
$
3,926

 
$
2,758


(1)
Unrecognized compensation cost as of March 31, 2016 was $9.8 million related to grants of nonvested stock options and nonvested shares of common stock that are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years .
(2)
The nonvested performance-based cash units are liability awards with $0.9 million and $0.4 million in derivatives and other noncurrent liabilities in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively.

Nonvested Equity and Cash Awards. The following table presents the equity and cash awards granted pursuant to the Company's various stock compensation plans:

 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Equity Awards
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Share
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value Per Share
Nonvested common stock
 
686,500

 
$
5.11

 
622,609

 
$
12.30

Nonvested common stock units
 
3,014

 
$
6.22

 
2,259

 
$
8.30

Nonvested performance-based shares
 

 
$

 

 
$

Total granted
 
689,514

 
 
 
624,868

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Cash Awards
 
Number of
Units
 
Fair Value
Per Unit
 
Number of
Units
 
Fair Value
Per Unit
Nonvested performance cash units
 
646,572

 
$
6.22

 
405,836

 
$
12.31


Performance Cash Program

2016 Program. In March 2016, the Compensation Committee approved a performance cash program (the "2016 Program") granting performance cash units that will settle in cash. The performance-based awards contingently vest in February 2019, depending on the level at which the performance goal is achieved. The performance goal, which will be measured over the three year period ending December 31, 2018, will be the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") based on a matrix measurement of the Company's absolute performance and ranking relative to a defined peer group's individual TSRs ("Relative TSR"). The Company's absolute performance is measured against the December 31, 2015 closing share price of $3.93 and if the Company's absolute performance is lower than the $3.93 share price, the payout is zero . If the Company's absolute performance is greater than the $3.93 share price, then the performance cash units will vest depending on the compound annual growth rate of the Company's absolute performance and the Relative TSR up to 200% of the original grant.

11. Equity Distribution Agreement

On June 10, 2015, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the "Agreement") with Goldman, Sachs and Co. (the "Manager"). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company may sell, from time to time through or to the Manager, shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $100.0 million . Sales of the shares, if any,

20


will be made by means of ordinary brokers' transactions through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange, at market prices, in block transactions, to or through a market maker, through an electronic communications network or as otherwise agreed by the Company and the Manager. As of March 31, 2016 , no shares have been sold pursuant to the Agreement.

12 . Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Financing Obligation. The Company has a Lease Financing Obligation with Bank of America Leasing & Capital, LLC as the lead bank as discussed in Note 5 . The aggregate undiscounted minimum future lease payments, including both principal and interest components, are presented below:

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
2016
$
403

2017
537

2018
537

2019
1,825

2020

Thereafter

Total
$
3,302


Transportation Charges . The Company is party to two firm transportation contracts to provide capacity on natural gas pipeline systems. The remaining term on these contracts is five years. The contracts require the Company to pay transportation charges regardless of the amount of pipeline capacity utilized by the Company. These monthly transportation payments are included in unused commitments expense in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of previous divestitures in 2013 and 2014, the Company will likely not utilize the firm capacity on the natural gas pipelines.

The amounts in the table below represent the Company's future minimum transportation charges:
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
2016
$
13,774

2017
18,692

2018
18,692

2019
18,692

2020
18,692

Thereafter
10,902

Total
$
99,444


Lease and Other Commitments. The Company leases office space, vehicles and certain equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Additionally, the Company has entered into various long-term agreements for telecommunication services as well as other drilling and throughput commitments.

Future minimum annual payments under lease and other agreements are as follows:

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
(in thousands)
2016 (1)
$
5,715

2017
2,882

2018
2,591

2019
633

2020

Thereafter

Total
$
11,821


21



(1)
Includes a contractual obligation of $3.2 million related to certain drilling commitments on sold properties.

Litigation. The Company is subject to litigation, claims and governmental and regulatory proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. It is the opinion of the Company's management that current claims and litigation involving the Company are not likely to have a material adverse effect on its Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet, Cash Flows or Statements of Operations.

13. Guarantor Subsidiaries

In addition to the Amended Credit Facility, the 7.625% Senior Notes, 7.0% Senior Notes and Convertible Notes, which have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, are jointly and severally guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis by the Company's 100% owned subsidiaries ("Guarantor Subsidiaries"). Presented below are the Company's condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations, statements of other comprehensive income (loss) and statements of cash flows, as required by Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X.

The following unaudited condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared from the Company's financial information on the same basis of accounting as the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. Investments in the subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method. Accordingly, the entries necessary to consolidate the Company and the Guarantor Subsidiaries are reflected in the intercompany eliminations column.

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

 
As of March 31, 2016
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
253,100

 
$
263

 
$

 
$
253,363

Property and equipment, net
1,135,183

 
6,446

 

 
1,141,629

Intercompany receivable (payable)
21,316

 
(21,316
)
 

 

Investment in subsidiaries
(14,660
)
 

 
14,660

 

Noncurrent assets
49,218

 

 

 
49,218

Total assets
$
1,444,157

 
$
(14,607
)
 
$
14,660

 
$
1,444,210

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
129,530

 
$
53

 
$

 
$
129,583

Long-term debt
794,972

 

 

 
794,972

Other noncurrent liabilities
13,678

 

 

 
13,678

Stockholders' equity
505,977

 
(14,660
)
 
14,660

 
505,977

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,444,157

 
$
(14,607
)
 
$
14,660

 
$
1,444,210

 

22


 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
274,115

 
$
202

 
$

 
$
274,317

Property and equipment, net
1,164,086

 
6,598

 

 
1,170,684

Intercompany receivable (payable)
21,412

 
(21,412
)
 

 

Investment in subsidiaries
(14,664
)
 

 
14,664

 

Noncurrent assets
61,519

 

 

 
61,519

Total assets
$
1,506,468

 
$
(14,612
)
 
$
14,664

 
$
1,506,520

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities
$
145,231

 
$

 
$

 
$
145,231

Long-term debt
794,652

 

 

 
794,652

Other noncurrent liabilities
17,169

 
52

 

 
17,221

Stockholders' equity
549,416

 
(14,664
)
 
14,664

 
549,416

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
1,506,468

 
$
(14,612
)
 
$
14,664

 
$
1,506,520


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations  

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Operating and other revenues
$
29,266

 
$
168

 
$

 
$
29,434

Operating expenses
(56,305
)
 
(164
)
 

 
(56,469
)
General and administrative
(12,420
)
 

 

 
(12,420
)
Interest income and other income (expense)
(7,041
)
 

 

 
(7,041
)
Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries
(46,500
)
 
4

 

 
(46,496
)
(Provision for) Benefit from income taxes

 

 

 

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries
4

 

 
(4
)
 

Net income (loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
4

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(46,496
)

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Operating and other revenues
$
48,896

 
$
138

 
$

 
$
49,034

Operating expenses
(74,998
)
 
(161
)
 

 
(75,159
)
General and administrative
(13,329
)
 

 

 
(13,329
)
Interest and other income (expense)
20,850

 

 

 
20,850

Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries
(18,581
)
 
(23
)
 

 
(18,604
)
(Provision for) Benefit from income taxes
6,873

 

 

 
6,873

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries
(23
)
 

 
23

 

Net income (loss)
$
(11,731
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
23

 
$
(11,731
)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 

23


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
4

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(46,496
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(46,496
)
 
$
4

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(46,496
)

 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
(11,731
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
23

 
$
(11,731
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
(11,731
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
23

 
$
(11,731
)

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
$
40,419

 
$
96

 
$

 
$
40,515

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to oil and gas properties, including acquisitions
(61,261
)
 

 

 
(61,261
)
Additions to furniture, fixtures and other
(782
)
 

 

 
(782
)
Proceeds from sale of properties and other investing activities
(1,238
)
 

 

 
(1,238
)
Intercompany transfers
96

 

 
(96
)
 

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal payments on debt
(109
)
 

 

 
(109
)
Intercompany transfers

 
(96
)
 
96

 

Other financing activities
(398
)
 

 

 
(398
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
(23,273
)
 

 

 
(23,273
)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents
128,836

 

 

 
128,836

Ending cash and cash equivalents
$
105,563

 
$

 
$

 
$
105,563

 

24


 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
Parent
Issuer
 
Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Intercompany
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities
$
53,788

 
$
37

 
$

 
$
53,825

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additions to oil and gas properties, including acquisitions
(112,105
)
 
1,096

 

 
(111,009
)
Additions to furniture, fixtures and other
(609
)
 

 

 
(609
)
Proceeds from sale of properties and other investing activities
66,415

 

 

 
66,415

Cash paid for short-term investments
(114,883
)
 

 

 
(114,883
)
Intercompany transfers
1,133

 

 
(1,133
)
 

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal payments on debt
(24,871
)
 

 

 
(24,871
)
Intercompany transfers

 
(1,133
)
 
1,133

 

Other financing activities
(1,000
)
 

 

 
(1,000
)
Change in cash and cash equivalents
(132,132
)
 

 

 
(132,132
)
Beginning cash and cash equivalents
165,904

 

 

 
165,904

Ending cash and cash equivalents
$
33,772

 
$

 
$

 
$
33,772

  
14. Subsequent Events

On April 28, 2016, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of certain non-core assets in the Uinta Basin. Total gross consideration, prior to customary closing adjustments, was $33.7 million , including cash proceeds of $28.9 million and $4.8 million related to the relief of asset retirement obligations. The transaction is expected to close during the three months ended June 30, 2016. The related assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016.


25


Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements as to future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance of Bill Barrett Corporation (the "Company", "we", "us" or "our"). Forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to:

potential failure to achieve expected production from existing and future exploration or development projects or acquisitions;
volatility of market prices received for oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids ("NGLs"), and the risk of a prolonged period of depressed prices;
derivative and hedging activities;
legislative, judicial or regulatory changes including initiatives related to drilling and completion techniques such as hydraulic fracturing;
solely operating in the Rocky Mountain region;
compliance with environmental and other regulations;
economic and competitive conditions;
occurrence of property divestitures or acquisitions;
possible inability to complete planned dispositions;
costs and availability of third party facilities for gathering, processing, refining and transportation;
future processing volumes and pipeline throughput;
impact of health and safety issues on operations;
operational risks, including industrial accidents and natural disasters;
reductions in the borrowing base under our amended revolving credit facility (the "Amended Credit Facility");
debt, equity market conditions and availability of capital;
ability to receive drilling and other permits, regulatory approvals and required surface access and rights of way;
higher than expected costs and expenses including production, drilling and well equipment costs;
declines in the values of our oil and natural gas properties resulting in impairments;
changes in estimates of proved reserves;
the potential for production decline rates from our wells, or drilling and related costs, to be greater than we expect;
ability to replace natural production declines with acquisitions, new drilling or recompletion activities;
exploration risks such as drilling unsuccessful wells;
capital expenditures and other contractual obligations;
liabilities resulting from litigation concerning alleged damages related to environmental issues, pollution, contamination, personal injury, royalties, marketing, title to properties, validity of leases, or other matters that may not be covered by an effective indemnity or insurance;
changes in tax laws and statutory tax rates; and
other uncertainties, including those factors discussed below and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 under the "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" sections and in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, all of which are difficult to predict.

In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management's views only as of the date hereof. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of changes in internal estimates or expectations, new information, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise.

Overview

We develop oil and natural gas in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. We seek to build stockholder value by delivering profitable growth in cash flow, reserves and production through the development of oil and natural gas assets. In order to deliver profitable growth, we allocate capital to our highest return assets, concentrate expenditures on exploiting our core assets, maintain capital discipline and optimize operations while upholding high-level standards for health, safety and the environment. Substantially all of our revenues are generated through the sale of oil and natural gas production and NGL recovery at market prices.


26

Table of Contents

We were formed in January 2002 and are incorporated in the State of Delaware. In December 2004, we completed our initial public offering of 14,950,000 shares of our common stock at a price to the public of $25.00 per share.

Oil prices declined severely beginning in 2014, and price decreases continued through 2015 and into 2016. Natural gas and NGL prices have experienced decreases of comparable magnitude over the same period. These decreases have increased the volatility and amplitude of the other risks facing us as described in this report and in the Company's 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K, have impacted our average realized unit price and are having an impact on our business and financial condition. Commodity prices are inherently volatile and are influenced by many factors outside of our control. We endeavor to maintain flexibility in our activities and capital budgeting using what we believe to be conservative sales price assumptions and our existing hedge position. If commodity prices continue at current or lower levels, our capital availability, liquidity and profitability are likely to be adversely affected as current hedges are realized in 2016 and 2017.

As we go through 2016, our priority remains ensuring ample liquidity and adjusting our development plans as necessary to this end. Further, we continue to monitor debt, equity and hedging markets for opportunities to strengthen our liquidity position. On April 11, 2016, the borrowing base was reduced to $335.0 million based on proved reserves in place at December 31, 2015. Our re-determined borrowing base of $335.0 million is reduced by $26.0 million to $309.0 million due to an outstanding irrevocable letter of credit related to a firm transportation agreement.

We are committed to developing and producing oil and natural gas in a responsible and safe manner. Our employees work diligently with regulatory agencies, as well as environmental, wildlife and community organizations, to ensure that exploration and development activities meet stakeholders expectations and regulatory requirements.

Future acquisitions or dispositions could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations by increasing or decreasing our reserves, production and revenues as well as expenses and future capital expenditures. We currently anticipate that we would finance any future acquisitions with available borrowings under our Amended Credit Facility, sales of properties, other indebtedness, and/or debt, equity or equity-linked securities. Our prior acquisitions and capital expenditures were financed with a combination of cash on hand, funding from the sale of our equity securities, our Amended Credit Facility, other debt financing and cash flows from operations.

Because of our growth through acquisitions and, more recently, development of our properties and sales of properties in 2015, our historical results of operations and period-to-period comparisons of these results and certain financial data may not be meaningful. In addition, past results are not indicative of future results.

Commodity prices are inherently volatile and are influenced by many factors outside of our control. We currently have hedged 1,906,300 barrels of oil and 1,375,000 MMbtu of natural gas or approximately 46% of our expected 2016 production and 683,250 barrels of oil for our 2017 production at price levels that provide some economic certainty to our cash flows. We focus our efforts on increasing oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves and production while controlling costs at a level that is appropriate for long-term operations. Our future earnings and cash flows are dependent on our ability to manage our revenues and overall cost structure to a level that allows for profitable production.

We operate in one industry segment, which is the development and production of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, and all of our operations are conducted in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Consequently, we currently report a single reportable segment.

On April 28, 2016, the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of certain non-core assets in the Uinta Basin. Total gross consideration, prior to customary closing adjustments, was $33.7 million , including cash proceeds of $28.9 million and $4.8 million related to the relief of asset retirement obligations. The transaction is expected to close during the three months ended June 30, 2016. The related assets and liabilities were classified as held for sale in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2016.


27

Table of Contents

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Compared with Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
2016
 
2015
 
Amount
 
Percent
($ in thousands, except per unit data)
Operating Results:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Other Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil, gas and NGL production
$
29,121

 
$
48,486

 
$
(19,365
)
 
(40
)%
Other
313

 
548

 
(235
)
 
(43
)%
Operating Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expense
8,827

 
13,791

 
(4,964
)
 
(36
)%
Gathering, transportation and processing expense
788

 
942

 
(154
)
 
(16
)%
Production tax expense
(315
)
 
2,534

 
(2,849
)
 
*nm

Exploration expense
27

 
33

 
(6
)
 
(18
)%
Impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense
558

 
1,255

 
(697
)
 
(56
)%
(Gain) Loss on divestitures

 
(38
)
 
38

 
*nm

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
42,016

 
52,254

 
(10,238
)
 
(20
)%
Unused commitments
4,568

 
4,388

 
180

 
4
 %
General and administrative expense (1)
8,494

 
10,279

 
(1,785
)
 
(17
)%
Long-term cash and equity incentive compensation (1)
3,926

 
3,050

 
876

 
29
 %
Total operating expenses
$
68,889

 
$
88,488

 
$
(19,599
)
 
(22
)%
Production Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (MBbls)
886

 
1,125

 
(239
)
 
(21
)%
Natural gas (MMcf)
1,626

 
1,764

 
(138
)
 
(8
)%
NGLs (MBbls)
210

 
162

 
48

 
30
 %
Combined volumes (MBoe)
1,367

 
1,581

 
(214
)
 
(14
)%
Daily combined volumes (Boe/d)
15,022

 
17,567

 
(2,545
)
 
(14
)%
Average Realized Prices Before Hedging:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (per Bbl)
$
27.60

 
$
37.12

 
$
(9.52
)
 
(26
)%
Natural gas (per Mcf)
1.66

 
2.60

 
(0.94
)
 
(36
)%
 NGLs (per Bbl)
9.43

 
13.31

 
(3.88
)
 
(29
)%
 Combined (per Boe)
21.30

 
30.68

 
(9.38
)
 
(31
)%
Average Realized Prices with Hedging:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil (per Bbl)
$
63.69

 
$
76.28

 
$
(12.59
)
 
(17
)%
Natural gas (per Mcf)
2.26

 
3.92

 
(1.66
)
 
(42
)%
NGLs (per Bbl)
9.43

 
13.31

 
(3.88
)
 
(29
)%
Combined (per Boe)
45.42

 
60.01

 
(14.59
)
 
(24
)%
Average Costs (per Boe):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expense
$
6.46

 
$
8.72

 
$
(2.26
)
 
(26
)%
Gathering, transportation and processing expense
0.58

 
0.60

 
(0.02
)
 
(3
)%
Production tax expense
(0.23
)
 
1.60

 
(1.83
)
 
*nm

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
30.74

 
33.05

 
(2.31
)
 
(7
)%
General and administrative expense (2)
6.21

 
6.50

 
(0.29
)
 
(4
)%

*
Not meaningful.
(1)
Long-term cash and equity incentive compensation is presented herein as a separate line item but is combined with general and administrative expense for a total of $12.4 million and $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively, in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. This separate presentation is a non-GAAP measure. Management believes the separate presentation of long-term cash and equity incentive compensation from general and administrative expense allows for a more accurate comparison to our peers, which may have higher or lower expenses associated with cash performance compensation programs and stock-based grants.

28

Table of Contents

(2)
Excludes long-term cash and equity incentive compensation as described in Note 1 above. This presentation is a non-GAAP measure. Average costs per Boe for general and administrative expense, including long-term cash and equity incentive compensation, as presented in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations, were $9.09 and $8.43 for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Production Revenues and Volumes . Production revenues decreased to $29.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $48.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The decrease in production revenues was due to a 31% decrease in average realized prices before hedging and a 14% decrease in production volumes. The decrease in average realized prices before hedging decreased production revenues by approximately $14.8 million, while the decrease in production volumes reduced production revenues by approximately $4.6 million.

Total production volumes of 1.4 MMBoe for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased from 1.6 MMBoe for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The decrease is primarily related to a 41% decrease in production from the Uinta Oil Program due to natural production declines with no significant drilling or recompletion activities to offset these declines. In addition, overall production declined due to non core asset sales in the DJ Basin. Additional information concerning production is in the following table:
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
% Increase (Decrease)
 
Oil
NGL
Natural
Gas
Total
 
Oil
NGL
Natural
Gas
Total
 
Oil
NGL
Natural
Gas
Total
 
(MBbls)
(MBbls)
(MMcf)
(MBoe)
 
(MBbls)
(MBbls)
(MMcf)
(MBoe)
 
(MBbls)
(MBbls)
(MMcf)
(MBoe)
DJ Basin (1)
638

198

1,356

1,062

 
707

136

1,248

1,051

 
(10
)%
46
 %
9
 %
1
 %
Uinta Oil Program
247

12

270

304

 
401

26

504

511

 
(38
)%
(54
)%
(46
)%
(41
)%
Other
1



1

 
17


12

19

 
*nm

*nm

*nm

*nm

Total
886

210

1,626

1,367

 
1,125

162

1,764

1,581

 
(21
)%
30
 %
(8
)%
(14
)%

*
Not meaningful.
(1)
Includes oil, NGL and natural gas volumes of 62 MBbls, 24 MBbls and 292 MMcf, respectively, from the DJ Basin non core asset sales for the three months ended March 31, 2015 .

Lease Operating Expense ("LOE") . LOE decreased to $6.46 per Boe for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $8.72 per Boe for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The decrease per Boe for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2015 is related to operational efficiencies, a decrease in service industry costs, reduced workover activity in the Uinta Basin and our decision to shut-in certain Uinta Basin wells due to the current low commodity price environment.

Production Tax Expense . Total production taxes decreased to a credit of $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The overall decrease in production tax expense is related to the annual true-up of Colorado ad valorem tax based on actual assessments and a true-up of the Colorado severance tax based on the annual severance tax calculation. In addition, production tax expense decreased due to a 31% decrease in average realized prices before hedging. Production taxes are primarily based on the wellhead values of production, which exclude gains and losses associated with hedging activities.

Production tax rates vary across the different areas in which we operate. As the proportion of our production changes from area to area, our average production tax rate will vary depending on the quantities produced from each area and the production tax rates in effect for those areas.

Impairment, Dry Hole Costs and Abandonment Expense. Our impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are summarized below:


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Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Non-cash impairment of proved oil and gas properties
$

 
$

Non-cash impairment of unproved oil and gas properties
183

(1)  
58

Dry hole expense
57

 
15

Abandonment expense
318

 
1,182

Total non-cash impairment, dry hole costs and abandonment expense
$
558

 
$
1,255


(1)
The $0.2 million of non-cash impairment expense relating to unproved oil and gas properties is the result of unfavorable market conditions and no future plans to evaluate the remaining acreage.

We review our proved oil and natural gas properties for impairment on a quarterly basis or whenever events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of their carrying value may have occurred. We estimate the expected future cash flows of our oil and gas properties and compare these undiscounted future cash flows to the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we will adjust the carrying amount of the oil and natural gas properties to fair value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent sales prices of comparable properties, the present value of future cash flows, net of estimated operating and development costs using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures and various discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with realizing the projected cash flows.

Oil and gas properties are assessed for impairment once they meet the criteria to be classified as held for sale. Assets held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying cost or fair value less costs to sell. The fair value of the assets is determined using a market approach, based on an estimated selling price, as evidenced by current marketing activities, if possible. If an estimated selling price is not available, the Company utilizes the income valuation technique which involves calculating the present value of future revenues, as discussed above. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value less costs to sell, an impairment will result to reduce the value of the properties down to fair value less costs to sell.

Unproved oil and gas properties are assessed periodically for impairment on a property-by-property basis based on remaining lease terms, drilling results, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, future plans to develop acreage and other relevant matters. We generally expect impairments of unproved properties to be more likely to occur in periods of low commodity prices because we will be less likely to devote capital to exploration activities. If our attempts to market interests in certain properties to industry partners are unsuccessful, we may record additional leasehold impairments.

Given the decline in current and projected future commodity prices, we will continue to review our acreage position and future drilling plans. In addition, we will assess the carrying value of our properties relative to their estimated future net cash flows. Estimated future net cash flows from our properties are based on our aggregate best estimates of future production, commodity pricing, gathering and transportation deducts, production tax rates, lease operating expenses and future development costs as of the balance sheet date.

Our current recoverability test on our existing proved oil and gas properties as of March 31, 2016 uses commodity pricing based on a combination of assumptions management uses in its budgeting and forecasting process adjusted for geographical location and quality differentials as well as other factors that management believes will impact realized prices. The application of this test as of March 31, 2016 results in a surplus of future estimated net cash flows over carrying value of approximately $372.0 million and $363.0 million for the Uinta Oil Program and DJ Basin, respectively. We estimate that the surplus in the Uinta Oil program would decrease by approximately $15.0 million to $20.0 million and the DJ Basin would decrease by approximately $35.0 million to $40.0 million for every $1.00 decrease in the oil price assumptions management uses in its budgeting and forecasting process. If impairment is necessary, we would reduce the carrying value to fair value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent sales prices of comparable properties, indications from marketing activities, the present value of future revenues, net of estimated operating and development costs using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures and various discount rates used by market participants that are commensurate with the risks inherent in the development and production of the underlying oil and natural gas. If future commodity prices assumed in management's budgeting and forecasting process are not realized, it is likely that we will incur a significant impairment.


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Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization ("DD&A"). DD&A decreased to $42.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with $52.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The decrease of $10.2 million was a result of the 14% decrease in production for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2015 and a decrease in the DD&A rate. The decrease in production accounted for a $7.0 million decrease in DD&A expense, while the overall decrease in the DD&A rate accounted for a $3.2 million decrease in DD&A expense.

Under successful efforts accounting, depletion expense is calculated on a field-by-field basis based on geologic and reservoir delineation using the unit-of-production method. The capital expenditures for proved properties for each field compared to the proved reserves corresponding to each producing field determine a depletion rate for current production. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the relationship of capital expenditures, proved reserves and production from certain producing fields yielded a depletion rate of $30.74 per Boe compared with $33.05 per Boe for the three months ended March 31, 2015 .

Unused Commitments. During March 2010, we entered into two firm natural gas pipeline transportation contracts to provide a guaranteed outlet for production from the West Tavaputs area of the Uinta Basin and the Gibson Gulch area of the Piceance Basin. These transportation contracts were not included in the sales of these assets in December 2013 and September 2014, respectively. Both firm transportation contracts require the pipeline to provide transportation capacity and require us to pay monthly transportation charges of $1.5 million regardless of the amount of pipeline capacity utilized and expire July 31, 2021.

General and Administrative Expense. General and administrative expense, excluding long-term cash and equity incentive compensation, decreased to $8.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $10.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 primarily due to a reduction of employee related costs and benefits. General and administrative expense, excluding long-term cash and equity incentive compensation, is a non-GAAP measure. See Note 2 to the table on page 28 for a reconciliation and explanation.

Long-term cash and equity incentive compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $3.9 million and $3.1 million , respectively. The components of long-term cash and equity incentive compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 are shown in the following table:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Stock options and nonvested shares of common stock
$
3,422

 
$
2,510

Shares issued for 401(k) plan (1)

 
270

Shares issued for directors' fees
19

 
19

Performance cash units
485

 
251

Total
$
3,926

 
$
3,050


(1)
Beginning in the second quarter of 2015, the employer matching contribution to the employees 401(k) account was paid entirely in cash.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $15.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from $16.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was primarily due to our weighted average interest rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreasing to 7.8% compared to 8.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 .

Commodity Derivative Gain (Loss). Commodity derivative gain (loss) was a gain of $8.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared with a gain of $34.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 . The gain or loss on commodity derivatives is related to fluctuations of oil, natural gas and NGL future pricing compared to actual pricing of commodity hedges in place as of March 31, 2016 and 2015 and during the periods then ended.

The table below summarizes our commodity derivative gains and losses that were recognized in the periods presented:


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Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in thousands)
Realized gain (loss) on derivatives (1)
$
32,962

 
$
46,375

Prior year unrealized (gain) loss transferred to realized (gain) loss  (1)
(29,486
)
 
(40,734
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives (1)
5,192

 
28,797

Total commodity derivative gain (loss)
$
8,668

 
$
34,438


(1)
Realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives are presented herein as separate line items but are combined for a total commodity derivative gain (loss) in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations. This separate presentation is a non-GAAP measure. Management believes the separate presentation of the realized and unrealized commodity derivative gains and losses is useful because the realized cash settlement portion provides a better understanding of our hedge position. We also believe that this disclosure allows for a more accurate comparison to our peers.

During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , approximately 75% of our oil volumes and 27% of our natural gas volumes were subject to financial hedges, which resulted in increased oil income of $32.0 million and natural gas income of $1.0 million after settlements for all commodity derivatives. The $33.0 million gain on settlements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was included in commodity derivative gain (loss) in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 , approximately 90% of our oil volumes and 97% of our natural gas volumes were subject to financial hedges, which resulted in increased oil income of $44.0 million and natural gas income of $2.4 million after settlements for all commodity derivatives. The $46.4 million gain on settlements for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was included in commodity derivative gain (loss) in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Income Tax (Expense) Benefit . For three months ended March 31, 2016 , we recorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset balance which reduced our effective tax rate to zero . For the three months ended March 31, 2015 , the income tax benefit was $6.9 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 36.9% . In regard to the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax asset balance, we considered all available evidence in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Such evidence includes the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment, and judgment is required in considering the relative weight of negative and positive evidence. We continue to monitor facts and circumstances in the reassessment of the likelihood that operating loss carryforwards, credits and other deferred tax assets will be utilized prior to their expiration. Additionally for both the 2016 and 2015 periods, our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily as a result of recording permanent differences for stock-based compensation expense, lobbying and political contributions, and officer compensation as well as the effect of state income taxes.

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Our primary sources of liquidity since our formation in January 2002 have been net cash provided by operating activities, sales and other issuances of equity and debt securities, notes and senior notes, bank credit facilities, proceeds from sale-leasebacks, joint exploration agreements and sales of interests in properties. Our primary use of capital has been for the development, exploration and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. As we pursue profitable reserves and production growth, we continually monitor the capital resources, including potential issuances of equity and debt securities, available to us to meet our future financial obligations, planned capital expenditure activities and liquidity. Our future success in growing proved reserves and production will be highly dependent on capital resources available to us and our success in finding or acquiring additional reserves. We believe that we have sufficient liquidity available to us from cash on hand, cash flows from operations and under our Amended Credit Facility for our planned uses of capital for the remainder of 2015. However, we expect to pursue opportunities to further improve our liquidity position through capital markets or other transactions, such as additional property dispositions, if we believe conditions to be favorable.

At March 31, 2016 , we had cash and cash equivalents of $105.6 million and no amounts outstanding under our Amended Credit Facility. At December 31, 2015, we had cash and cash equivalents of $128.8 million and no amounts outstanding under our Amended Credit Facility. Our borrowing base was $375.0 million as of March 31, 2016 . Our remaining borrowing capacity was reduced by $26.0 million to $349.0 million due to an outstanding irrevocable letter of credit related to a firm transportation agreement. The borrowing base is dependent on our proved reserves and hedge position and is calculated using future commodity pricing provided by our lenders, and may be adjusted in the future at the sole discretion of the lenders. On April 11,

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2016, the borrowing base was reduced to $335.0 million based on December 31, 2015 reserves. Our re-determined borrowing capacity of $335.0 million is reduced by $26.0 million to $309.0 million due to the letter of credit related to a firm transportation agreement.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $40.5 million and $53.8 million , respectively. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in production revenues and derivative settlements.

Commodity Hedging Activities

Our operating cash flow is sensitive to many variables, the most significant of which are the prices we receive for the oil, natural gas and NGLs we produce. Prices for these commodities are determined primarily by prevailing market conditions. National and worldwide economic activity and political stability, weather, infrastructure capacity to reach markets, supply levels and other variable factors influence market conditions for these products. These factors are beyond our control and are difficult to predict.

To mitigate some of the potential negative impact on cash flow caused by changes in oil, natural gas and NGL prices, we have entered into financial commodity swap contracts to receive fixed prices for a portion of our production revenues. At March 31, 2016 , we had in place crude oil swaps covering portions of our 2016 and 2017 production and natural gas swaps covering portions of our 2016 production.

In addition to financial contracts, we may at times enter into various physical commodity contracts for the sale of oil and natural gas that cover varying periods of time and have varying pricing provisions. These physical commodity contracts qualify for the normal purchase and normal sales exception and, therefore, are not subject to hedge or mark-to-market accounting. The financial impact of physical commodity contracts is included in oil, gas and NGL production revenues at the time of settlement.

All derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchase and normal sales exception as mentioned above, are recorded at fair market value and are included in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as assets or liabilities. All fair values are adjusted for non-performance risk. All changes in the derivative's fair value are recorded in earnings. These mark-to-market adjustments produce a degree of earnings volatility but have no cash flow impact relative to changes in market prices. Our cash flow is only impacted when the associated derivative instrument contract is settled by making a payment to or receiving a payment from the counterparty.

At March 31, 2016 , the estimated fair value of all of our commodity derivative instruments, summarized in the following table, was a net asset of $95.2 million , comprised of current and noncurrent assets.

Contract
Total
Hedged
Volumes
 
Quantity
Type
 
Weighted
Average
Fixed
Price
 
Index
Price (1)
 
Fair Market
Value
(in thousands)
Swap Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil
1,906,300

 
Bbls
 
$
78.25

 
WTI
 
$
71,515

Natural gas
1,375,000

 
MMBtu
 
$
4.10

 
NWPL
 
2,839

2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil
683,250

 
Bbls
 
$
75.61

 
WTI
 
20,823

Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
95,177


(1)
WTI refers to West Texas Intermediate price as quoted on the New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX"). NWPL refers to the Northwest Pipeline Corporation price as quoted in Platt's Inside FERC on the first business day of each month.

The following table includes all hedges entered into subsequent to March 31, 2016 through April 22, 2016 .

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Table of Contents

Contract
Total
Hedged
Volumes
 
Quantity
Type
 
Weighted
Average
Fixed
Price
 
Index
Price
Swap Contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil
92,000

 
Bbls
 
$
45.00

 
WTI
2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil
113,125

 
Bbls
 
$
45.45

 
WTI

By removing the price volatility from a portion of our oil, natural gas and NGL related revenue, we have mitigated, but not eliminated, the potential effects of changing prices on our operating cash flow for those periods. While mitigating negative effects of falling commodity prices, these derivative contracts also limit the benefits we would receive from increases in commodity prices.

It is our policy to enter into derivative contracts with counterparties that are lenders in the Amended Credit Facility or affiliates of lenders in the Amended Credit Facility. Our derivative contracts are documented using an industry standard contract known as a Schedule to the Master Agreement and International Swaps and Derivative Association, Inc. ("ISDA") Master Agreement or other contracts. Typical terms for these contracts include credit support requirements, cross default provisions, termination events and set-off provisions. We are not required to provide any credit support to our counterparties other than cross collateralization with the properties securing the Amended Credit Facility. We have set-off provisions in our derivative contracts with lenders under our Amended Credit Facility which, in the event of a counterparty default, allow us to set-off amounts owed to the defaulting counterparty under the Amended Credit Facility or other obligations against monies owed to us under the derivative contracts. Where the counterparty is not a lender under the Amended Credit Facility, we may not be able to set-off amounts owed by us under the Amended Credit Facility, even if such counterparty is an affiliate of a lender under such facility.

Capital Expenditures

Our capital expenditures are summarized in the following tables for the periods indicated:

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
Basin/Area
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
DJ
$
44.1

 
$
99.6

Uinta Oil Program
0.7

 
12.9

Other
1.0

 
1.8

Total
$
45.8

 
$
114.3


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
(in millions)
Acquisitions of proved and unproved properties and other real estate
$
0.8

 
$
1.6

Drilling, development, exploration and exploitation of oil and natural gas properties
42.4

 
108.1

Gathering and compression facilities
1.9

 
2.7

Geologic and geophysical costs

 
1.3

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
0.7

 
0.6

Total
$
45.8

 
$
114.3


Our current estimated capital expenditure budget in 2016 is between $90.0 million and $135.0 million, with all drilling activities targeting oil. The budget includes facilities costs and excludes acquisitions. We may adjust capital expenditures throughout the year as business conditions and operating results warrant. The amount, timing and allocation of capital expenditures is generally discretionary and within our control. If oil, natural gas and NGL prices decline to levels below our

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acceptable levels or costs increase to levels above our acceptable levels, we could choose to defer a portion of our budgeted capital expenditures until later periods to achieve the desired balance between sources and uses of liquidity generally by prioritizing capital projects to first focus on those that we believe will have the highest expected financial returns and ability to generate near-term cash flow. The 2016 capital program is designed to closely align capital expenditures with expected cash flows as certain drilling activity may be deferred to protect the Company's liquidity position.

We believe that we have sufficient available liquidity with available cash on hand, cash under the Amended Credit Facility and cash flow from operations to fund our 2016 budgeted capital expenditures. Future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, including our level of oil and natural gas production, commodity prices and operating costs. There can be no assurance that operations and other capital resources will provide sufficient amounts of cash flow to maintain planned levels of capital expenditures.

Financing Activities

Amended Credit Facility

The Amended Credit Facility had commitments and a borrowing base of $375.0 million from 13 lenders as of March 31, 2016 . As of March 31, 2016 , we had no amounts outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility. As credit support for future payment under a contractual obligation, a $26.0 million letter of credit has been issued under the Amended Credit Facility, which reduced the available borrowing capacity of the Amended Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 to $349.0 million .

Interest rates are LIBOR plus applicable margins of 1.5% to 2.5% or ABR plus 0.5% to 1.5% and the unused commitment fee is between 0.375% to 0.5% based on borrowing base utilization. There have not been any borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility in 2016.

The borrowing base under the Amended Credit Facility is determined at the discretion of the lenders, based on the collateral value of our proved reserves that have been mortgaged to such lenders, and is subject to regular re-determinations on or about April 1 and October 1 of each year, as well as following any property sales. On April 11, 2016, the borrowing base was reduced to $335.0 million based on proved reserves in place at December 31, 2015. Our re-determined borrowing capacity of $335.0 million is reduced by $26.0 million to $309.0 million due to the letter of credit related to a firm transportation agreement. Future borrowing bases will be computed based on proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, hedge positions and estimated future cash flows from those reserves calculated using future commodity pricing provided by our lenders, as well as any other outstanding debt. Lower commodity prices will impact the amount lenders will provide for a borrowing base.

The Amended Credit Facility also contains certain financial covenants. We are currently in compliance with all financial covenants and have complied with all financial covenants since issuance. We expect to be in compliance with all financial covenants based on the 2016 budget. However, if commodity prices continue at current levels or lower, EBITDAX will be significantly reduced, which is a critical underpinning of our required financial covenants. If this were to occur, it will make it necessary for us to negotiate an amendment to one or more of these financial covenants.

If we fail to comply with the covenants or other terms of any agreements governing our debt, our lenders and holders of our convertible notes and our senior notes may have the right to accelerate the maturity of that debt and foreclose upon the collateral, if any, securing that debt. Realization of any of these factors could adversely affect our financial condition. In September 2015, we obtained an amendment to the Amended Credit Facility that replaced our debt-to-EBITDAX covenant in the facility with a secured debt-to-EBITDAX covenant and an EBITDAX-to-interest covenant through March 31, 2018. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain similar amendments, or waivers of covenant breaches, in the future if needed.

5% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2028

On March 12, 2008, we issued $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. On March 20, 2012, $147.2 million of the outstanding principal amount, or approximately 85% of the outstanding Convertible Notes, were put to us and redeemed by us at par. On March 20, 2015, $24.8 million of the remaining outstanding principal amount, or approximately 98% of the remaining outstanding Convertible Notes, were put to us and redeemed by us at par. After the redemption, $0.6 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes were outstanding as of March 31, 2016 . The Convertible Notes mature on March 15, 2028, unless earlier converted, redeemed or purchased by us. The Convertible Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment to all of our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, are senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated indebtedness, and are effectively subordinated to all of our secured indebtedness with respect to the collateral securing such indebtedness. The Convertible Notes are structurally subordinated to all present and future secured and unsecured debt and other obligations of our subsidiaries. The Convertible Notes are fully and

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Table of Contents

unconditionally guaranteed by the subsidiaries that guarantee our indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility, the 7.625% Senior Notes and the 7.0% Senior Notes.

The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 5% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. Holders of the remaining Convertible Notes may require us to purchase all or a portion of their Convertible Notes for cash on each of March 20, 2018 and March 20, 2023 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, up to but excluding the applicable purchase date. We have the right with at least 30 days' notice to call the Convertible Notes.

7.625% Senior Notes Due 2019

On September 27, 2011, we issued $400.0 million in principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes due 2019 at par. The 7.625% Senior Notes mature on October 1, 2019. Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year. The 7.625% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of our other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes and 7.0% Senior Notes. The 7.625% Senior Notes are currently redeemable at our option at a specified redemption price. The 7.625% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our subsidiaries that guarantee our indebtedness under the Amended Credit Facility, the Convertible Notes and the 7.0% Senior Notes. The 7.625% Senior Notes include certain covenants that limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make restricted payments, create liens or sell assets and that generally prohibit us from paying dividends. We are currently in compliance with all financial covenants and have complied with all financial covenants since issuance.

7.0% Senior Notes Due 2022

On March 12, 2012, we issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Senior Notes due 2022 at par. The 7.0% Senior Notes mature on October 15, 2022. Interest is payable in arrears semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 7.0% Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of our other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness, including the Convertible Notes and 7.625% Senior Notes. The 7.0% Senior Notes are redeemable at our option beginning on October 15, 2017 at an initial redemption price of 103.5% of the principal amount of the notes. The 7.0% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by our subsidiaries that guarantee the Amended Credit Facility, the Convertible Notes and the 7.625% Senior Notes. The 7.0% Senior Notes include certain covenants that limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make restricted payments, create liens or sell assets and that generally prohibit us from paying dividends. We are currently in compliance with all financial covenants and have complied with all financial covenants since issuance.

Lease Financing Obligation Due 2020

We have a Lease Financing Obligation with a balance of $3.1 million as of March 31, 2016 resulting from our sale and subsequent lease back of certain compressors and related facilities owned by us. The Lease Financing Obligation expires on August 10, 2020, and we have the option to purchase the equipment at the end of the lease term for the then current fair market value. The Lease Financing Obligation also contains an early buyout option pursuant to which we may purchase the equipment for $1.8 million on February 10, 2019. The lease payments related to the equipment are recognized as principal and interest expense based on a weighted average implicit interest rate of 3.3%. See Note 12 to the accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of aggregate minimum future lease payments.

Our outstanding debt is summarized below:


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Table of Contents

 
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
Maturity Date
Principal
 
Unamortized
Discount
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Principal
 
Unamortized
Discount
 
Carrying
Amount
 
 
(in thousands)
Amended Credit Facility
April 9, 2020
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Convertible Notes (1)
March 15, 2028 (2)
579

 

 
579

 
579

 

 
579

7.625% Senior Notes (3)
October 1, 2019
400,000

 
(3,502
)
 
396,498

 
400,000

 
(3,752
)
 
396,248

7.0% Senior Notes (4)
October 15, 2022
400,000

 
(4,771
)
 
395,229

 
400,000

 
(4,953
)
 
395,047

Lease Financing Obligation (5)
August 10, 2020
3,113

 
(4
)
 
3,109

 
3,222

 
(4
)
 
3,218

Total Debt
 
$
803,692

 
$
(8,277
)
 
$
795,415

 
$
803,801

 
$
(8,709
)
 
$
795,092

Less: Current Portion of Long-Term Debt (6)
 
443

 

 
443

 
440

 

 
440

     Total Long-Term Debt
 
$
803,249

 
$
(8,277
)
 
$
794,972

 
$
803,361

 
$
(8,709
)
 
$
794,652


(1)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes was approximately $0.5 million as of both March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 based on reported market trades of these instruments.
(2)
We have the right at any time with at least 30 days' notice to call the Convertible Notes, and the holders have the right to require us to purchase the notes on each of March 20, 2018 and March 20, 2023.
(3)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the 7.625% Senior Notes was approximately $270.0 million and $270.2 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, based on reported market trades of these instruments.
(4)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the 7.0% Senior Notes was approximately $242.0 million and $272.0 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively, based on reported market trades of these instruments.
(5)
The aggregate estimated fair value of the Lease Financing Obligation was approximately $3.0 million and $3.1 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 , respectively. Because there is no active, public market for the Lease Financing Obligation, the aggregate estimated fair value was based on market-based parameters of comparable term secured financing instruments.
(6)
The current portion of the long-term debt as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 includes the current portion of the Lease Financing Obligation.

Credit Ratings. Our credit risk is evaluated by two independent rating agencies based on publicly available information and information obtained during our ongoing discussions with the rating agencies. Moody's Investor Services and Standard & Poor's Rating Services currently rate our 7.625% Senior Notes and 7.0% Senior Notes and have assigned a credit rating. We do not have any provisions that are linked to our credit ratings, nor do we have any credit rating triggers that would accelerate the maturity of amounts due under our Amended Credit Facility, Convertible Notes, 7.625% Senior Notes or 7.0% Senior Notes. However, our ability to raise funds and the costs of any financing activities will be affected by our credit rating at the time any such financing activities are conducted.

Contractual Obligations. A summary of our contractual obligations as of and subsequent to March 31, 2016 is provided in the following table:


37

Table of Contents

 
Payments Due By Year
Year 1
 
Year 2
 
Year 3
 
Year 4
 
Year 5
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2017
 
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2019
 
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2020
 
Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2021
 
After
March 31, 2021
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Notes payable (1)
$
553

 
$
553

 
$
45

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,151

7.625% Senior Notes (2)
30,500

 
30,500

 
30,500

 
430,500

 

 

 
522,000

7.0% Senior Notes (3)  
28,000

 
28,000

 
28,000

 
28,000

 
28,000

 
456,000

 
596,000

Convertible Notes (4)
29

 
607

 

 

 

 

 
636

Lease Financing Obligation (5)
537

 
537

 
2,228

 

 

 

 
3,302

Office and office equipment leases and other (6)(7)
6,440

 
2,822

 
2,559

 

 

 

 
11,821

Firm transportation and processing agreements (8)
18,447

 
18,692

 
18,692

 
18,692

 
18,692

 
6,229

 
99,444

Asset retirement obligations (9)
502

 
58

 
3

 
233

 
66

 
14,528

 
15,390

Total
$
85,008

 
$
81,769

 
$
82,027

 
$
477,425

 
$
46,758

 
$
476,757

 
$
1,249,744


(1)
Included in notes payable is a $26.0 million letter of credit that accrues interest at 2.0% and 0.125% per annum for participation fees and fronting fees, respectively. The expected term of the letter of credit is April 30, 2018. There is currently no balance outstanding under the Amended Credit Facility.
(2)
On September 27, 2011, we issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.625% Senior Notes. We are obligated to make annual interest payments through maturity in 2019 equal to $30.5 million.
(3)
On March 25, 2012, we issued $400.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.0% Senior Notes. We are obligated to make annual interest payments through maturity in 2022 equal to $28.0 million.
(4)
On March 12, 2008, we issued $172.5 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes. On March 20, 2012 approximately 85% of the outstanding Convertible Notes, representing $147.2 million of the then outstanding principal amount, were put to us. On March 20, 2015, approximately 98% of the remaining outstanding Convertible Notes, representing $24.8 million of the then outstanding principal amount, were put to us, leaving $0.6 million principal amount remaining. We are obligated to make semi-annual interest payments on the Convertible Notes until either we call the remaining Convertible Notes or the holders put the Convertible Notes to us, which is expected to occur by 2018.
(5)
The Lease Financing Obligation is calculated based on the aggregate undiscounted minimum future lease payments, which include both an interest and principal component. The Lease Financing Obligation contains an early buyout option pursuant to which the Company may purchase the equipment for $1.8 million on February 10, 2019.
(6)
The lease for our principal office in Denver, Colorado extends through March 2019.
(7)
Includes a contractual obligation of $3.2 million related to certain drilling commitments on sold properties.
(8)
We have entered into contracts that provide firm transportation capacity on pipeline systems. The remaining term on these contracts is five years. The contracts require us to pay transportation demand charges regardless of the amount of gas we deliver to the processing facility or pipeline.
(9)
This balance includes asset retirement obligations of $4.8 million at March 31, 2016 related to assets held for sale. Neither the ultimate settlement amounts nor the timing of our asset retirement obligations can be precisely determined in advance. See "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a more detailed discussion of the nature of the accounting estimates involved in estimating asset retirement obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2016 .

Trends and Uncertainties

We refer you to the corresponding section in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for a discussion of trends and uncertainties that may affect our financial condition or liquidity.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


38



We refer you to the corresponding section in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and the notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of critical accounting policies and estimates.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risks. The term "market risk" refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil, natural gas and NGL prices and interest rates. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of reasonably possible losses. This forward-looking information provides indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures. All of our market risk sensitive instruments were entered into for purposes other than speculative trading.

Commodity Price Risk

Our primary market risk exposure is in the prices we receive for our production. Commodity pricing is primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and spot regional market prices applicable to our U.S. oil and natural gas production. Pricing for oil, natural gas and NGLs has been volatile and unpredictable for several years, and we expect this volatility to continue in the future. The prices we receive for future production depend on many factors outside of our control, including volatility in the differences between product prices at sales points and the applicable index price. Based on our average daily production and our derivative contracts in place for the three months ended March 31, 2016 , our income before income taxes would have decreased by approximately $0.2 million for each $1.00 per barrel decrease in crude oil prices, a de minimis amount for each $0.10 decrease per MMBtu in natural gas prices and $0.2 million for each $1.00 per barrel decrease in NGL prices.

We routinely enter into commodity hedges relating to a portion of our projected production revenue through various financial transactions that hedge future prices received. These transactions may include financial price swaps whereby we will receive a fixed price and pay a variable market price to the contract counterparty. These commodity hedging activities are intended to support oil, natural gas and NGL prices at targeted levels that provide an acceptable rate of return and to manage our exposure to oil, natural gas and NGL price fluctuations.

As of April 22, 2016 , we have financial derivative instruments related to oil and natural gas volumes in place for the following periods indicated. Further detail of these hedges is summarized in the table presented under "Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Capital Resources and Liquidity— Commodity Hedging Activities."

 
April – December 2016
 
For the year 2017
 
Derivative
Volumes
 
Weighted Average Price
 
Derivative Volumes
 
Weighted Average Price
Oil (Bbls)
1,998,300

 
$
76.72

 
796,375

 
$
71.33

Natural Gas (MMbtu)
1,375,000

 
$
4.10

 

 
$


Commodity Price Risk - Carrying Value of Proved Oil and Gas Properties

Our current recoverability test on our existing proved oil and gas properties as of March 31, 2016 uses commodity pricing based on a combination of assumptions management uses in its budgeting and forecasting process adjusted for geographical location and quality differentials as well as other factors that management believes will impact realized prices. The application of this test as of March 31, 2016 results in a surplus of future estimated net cash flows over carrying value of approximately $372.0 million and $363.0 million for the Uinta Oil Program and DJ Basin, respectively. We estimate that the surplus in the Uinta Oil program would decrease by approximately $15.0 million to $20.0 million and the DJ Basin would decrease by approximately $35.0 million to $40.0 million for every $1.00 decrease in the oil price assumptions management uses in its budgeting and forecasting process. If impairment is necessary, we would reduce the carrying value to fair value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, recent sales prices of comparable properties, indications from marketing activities, the present value of future revenues, net of estimated operating and development costs using estimates of reserves, future commodity pricing, future production estimates, anticipated capital expenditures and various discount rates used by market participants that are commensurate with the risks inherent in the development and production of the underlying oil and natural gas. If future commodity prices assumed in management's budgeting and forecasting process are not realized, it is likely that we will incur a significant impairment.

39

Table of Contents



Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of March 31, 2016 , we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of March 31, 2016 .

Changes in Internal Controls. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the first fiscal quarter of 2016 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We are not a party to any material pending legal or governmental proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to our business. While the ultimate outcome and impact of any proceeding cannot be predicted with certainty, our management does not believe that the resolution of any currently pending proceeding will have a material effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

As of the date of this filing, there have been no material changes or updates to the risk factors previously disclosed in the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 . An investment in our securities involves various risks. When considering an investment in our Company, you should carefully consider all of the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and subsequent reports filed with the SEC. These risks and uncertainties are not the only ones facing us, and there may be additional matters that we are unaware of or that we currently consider immaterial. All of these could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows and, thus, the value of an investment in our Company.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Unregistered Sales of Securities

There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the period covered by this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table contains information about our acquisitions of equity securities during the three months ended March 31, 2016 :

Period
Total
Number of
Shares (1)
 
Weighted
Average Price
Paid Per
Share
 
Total Number of 
Shares (or Units) Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs
 
Maximum Number 
(or Approximate 
Dollar Value)
of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
January 1 – 31, 2016
229

 
$
2.83

 

 

February 1 – 29, 2016
117,643

 
2.89

 

 

March 1 – 31, 2016
7,946

 
5.40

 

 

Total
125,818

 
$
3.05

 

 


(1)
Represents shares delivered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations resulting from the vesting of restricted shares of common stock issued pursuant to our employee incentive plans.

40

Table of Contents


Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibits
10.1
 
Deferred Compensation Plan.
 
 
 
10.2
 
Severance Agreement with Robert W. Howard, dated March 14, 2016. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on March 17, 2016.]
 
 
 
10.3
 
Severance Agreement with Larry A. Parnell, dated April 8, 2016. [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 8, 2016.]
 
 
 
31.1
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
31.2
  
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
 
 
 
32.1
  
Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer.
 
 
 
32.2
  
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer.
 
 
 
101.INS
  
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


41

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BILL BARRETT CORPORATION
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2016
By:
 
/s/ R. Scot Woodall
 
 
 
 
R. Scot Woodall
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer and President
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 5, 2016
By:
 
/s/ David R. Macosko
 
 
 
 
David R. Macosko
 
 
 
 
Senior Vice President-Accounting
 
 
 
 
(Principal Accounting Officer)

42

















THE EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLAN
PLAN DOCUMENT















































THE EXECUTIVE NONQUALIFIED EXCESS PLAN

Section 1. Purpose:
    
By execution of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer has adopted the Plan set forth herein, and in the Adoption Agreement, to provide a means by which certain management Employees or Independent Contractors of the Employer may elect to defer receipt of current Compensation from the Employer in order to provide retirement and other benefits on behalf of such Employees or Independent Contractors of the Employer, as selected in the Adoption Agreement. The Plan is intended to be a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that complies with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). The Plan is also intended to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation benefits for a select group of management or highly compensated employees under Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(l) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and independent contractors. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, this Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in a manner consistent with these intentions.

Section 2. Definitions:

As used in the Plan, including this Section 2, references to one gender shall include the other, unless otherwise indicated by the context:

2.1 "Active Participant" means, with respect to any day or date, a Participant who is in Service on such day or date; provided, that a Participant shall cease to be an Active Participant (i) immediately upon a determination by the Committee that the Participant has ceased to be an Employee or Independent Contractor, or (ii) at the end of the Plan Year that the Committee determines the Participant no longer meets the eligibility requirements of the Plan.

2.2 "Adoption Agreement" means the written agreement pursuant to which the Employer adopts the Plan. The Adoption Agreement is a part of the Plan as applied to the Employer.

2.3 "Beneficiary" means the person, persons, entity or entities designated or determined pursuant to the provisions of Section 13 of the Plan.

2.4 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company, if the Company is a corporation. If the Company is not a corporation, "Board" shall mean the Company.

2.5 "Change in Control Event" means an event described in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code (or any successor provision thereto) and the regulations thereunder.

2.6 "Committee" means the persons or entity designated in the Adoption Agreement to administer the Plan. If the Committee designated in the Adoption Agreement is unable to serve, the Employer shall satisfy the duties of the Committee provided for in Section 9.

2.7 "Company" means the company designated in the Adoption Agreement as such.

2.8 "Compensation" shall have the meaning designated in the Adoption Agreement.

2.9 "Crediting Date" means the date designated in the Adoption Agreement for crediting the amount of any Participant Deferral Credits or Employer Credits to the Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant.

2.10 "Deferred Compensation Account" means the account maintained with respect to each Participant under the Plan. The Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited with Participant Deferral Credits and Employer Credits, credited or debited for deemed investment gains or losses, and adjusted for payments in accordance with the rules and elections in effect under Section 8. The Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant shall include any In-Service or Education Account of the Participant, if applicable.

2.11 "Disabled" means Disabled within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder. Generally, this means that the Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, or is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income





replacement benefits for a period of not less than three months under an accident and health plan covering Employees of the Employer.

2.12 "Education Account" is an In-Service Account which will be used by the Participant for educational purposes.

2.13 "Effective Date" shall be the date designated in the Adoption Agreement.

2.14 "Employee" means an individual in the Service of the Employer if the relationship between the individual and the Employer is the legal relationship of employer and employee. An individual shall cease to be an Employee upon the Employee's separation from Service.

2.15 "Employer" means the Company, as identified in the Adoption Agreement, and any Participating Employer which adopts this Plan. An Employer may be a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership or sole proprietorship.

2.16 "Employer Credits" means the amounts credited to the Participant's Deferred Compensation Account by the Employer pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.2.

2.17 "Grandfathered Amounts" means, if applicable, the amounts that were deferred under the Plan and were earned and vested within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and regulations thereunder as of December 31, 2004. Grandfathered Amounts shall be subject to the terms designated in the Adoption Agreement.

2.18 "Independent Contractor" means an individual in the Service of the Employer if the relationship between the individual and the Employer is not the legal relationship of employer and employee. An individual shall cease to be an Independent Contractor upon the termination of the Independent Contractor's Service. An Independent Contractor shall include a director of the Employer who is not an Employee.

2.19 "In-Service Account" means a separate account to be kept for each Participant that has elected to take in-service distributions as described in Section 5.4. The In-Service Account shall be adjusted in the same manner and at the same time as the Deferred Compensation Account under Section 8 and in accordance with the rules and elections in effect under Section 8.

2.20 "Normal Retirement Age" of a Participant means the age designated in the Adoption Agreement.

2.21 "Participant" means with respect to any Plan Year an Employee or Independent Contractor who has been designated by the Committee as a Participant and who has entered the Plan or who has a Deferred Compensation Account under the Plan; provided that if the Participant is an Employee, the individual must be a highly compensated or management employee of the Employer within the meaning of Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1) of ERISA.

2.22 "Participant Deferral Credits" means the amounts credited to the Participant's Deferred Compensation Account by the Employer pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.1.

2.23 "Participating Employer" means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which adopts this Plan with the consent of the Company identified in the Adoption Agreement.

2.24 "Participation Agreement" means a written agreement entered into between a Participant and the Employer pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.1.

2.25 "Performance-Based Compensation" means compensation where the amount of, or entitlement to, the compensation is contingent on the satisfaction of preestablished organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least twelve months. Organizational or individual performance criteria are considered preestablished if established in writing within 90 days after the commencement of the period of service to which the criteria relates, provided that the outcome is substantially uncertain at the time the criteria are established. Performance-based compensation may include payments based upon subjective performance criteria as provided in regulations and administrative guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code.

2.26 "Plan" means The Executive Nonqualified Excess Plan, as herein set out and as set out in the Adoption Agreement, or as duly amended. The name of the Plan as applied to the Employer shall be designated in the Adoption Agreement.






2.27 "Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order" shall mean a judgment, decree, or order (including the approval of a settlement agreement) which is:

2.27.1 Issued pursuant to a State's domestic relations law;
    
2.27.2 Relates to the provision of child support, alimony payments or marital property rights to a Spouse, former Spouse, child or other dependent of the Participant;
    
2.27.3 Creates or recognizes the right of a Spouse, former Spouse, child or other dependent of the Participant to receive all or a portion of the Participant's benefits under the Plan;

2.27.4 Requires payment to such person of their interest in the Participant's benefits in a lump sum payment at a specific time; and

2.27.5 Meets such other requirements established by the Committee.

2.28 "Plan Year" means the twelve-month period ending on the last day of the month designated in the Adoption Agreement; provided that the initial Plan Year may have fewer than twelve months.

2.29 "Qualifying Distribution Event" means (i) the Separation from Service of the Participant, (ii) the date the Participant becomes Disabled, (iii) the death of the Participant, (iv) the time specified by the Participant for an In-Service or Education Distribution, (v) a Change in Control Event, or (vi) an Unforeseeable Emergency, each to the extent provided in Section 5.

2.30 "Seniority Date" shall have the meaning designated in the Adoption Agreement.

2.31 "Separation from Service" or "Separates from Service" means a "separation from service" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

2.32 "Service" means employment by the Employer as an Employee. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship is treated as continuing intact while the Employee is on military leave, sick leave, or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or if longer, so long as the Employee's right to reemployment is provided either by statute or contract. If the Participant is an Independent Contractor, "Service" shall mean the period during which the contractual relationship exists between the Employer and the Participant. The contractual relationship is not terminated if the Participant anticipates a renewal of the contract or becomes an Employee.

2.33 "Service Bonus" means any bonus paid to a Participant by the Employer which is not Performance-Based Compensation.

2.34 "Specified Employee" means an employee who meets the requirements for key employee treatment under Section 416(i)(l)(A)(i), (ii) or (iii) of the Code (applied in accordance with the regulations thereunder and without regard to Section 416(i)(5) of the Code) at any time during the twelve month period ending on December 31 of each year (the "identification date"). Unless binding corporate action is taken to establish different rules for determining Specified Employees for all plans of the Company and its controlled group members that are subject to Section 409A of the Code, the foregoing rules and the other default rules under the regulations of Section 409A of the Code shall apply. If the person is a key employee as of any identification date, the person is treated as a Specified Employee for the twelve-month period beginning on the first day of the fourth month following the identification date.

2.35 "Spouse" or ''Surviving Spouse" means, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, a person who is the legally married spouse or surviving spouse of a Participant.

2.36 "Unforeseeable Emergency" means an "unforeseeable emergency" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

2.37 "Years of Service" means each Plan Year of Service completed by the Participant. For vesting purposes, Years of Service shall be calculated from the date designated in the Adoption Agreement and Service shall be based on service with the Company and all Participating Employers.

    





Section 3. Participation:

The Committee in its discretion shall designate each Employee or Independent Contractor who is eligible to participate in the Plan. A Participant who separates from Service with the Employer and who later returns to Service will not be an Active Participant under the Plan except upon satisfaction of such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish upon the Participant's return to Service, whether or not the Participant shall have a balance remaining in the Deferred Compensation Account under the Plan on the date of the return to Service.

Section 4. Credits to Deferred Compensation Account:

4.1 Participant Deferral Credits. To the extent provided in the Adoption Agreement, each Active Participant may elect, by entering into a Participation Agreement with the Employer, to defer the receipt of Compensation from the Employer by a dollar amount or percentage specified in the Participation Agreement. The amount of Compensation the Participant elects to defer, the Participant Deferral Credit, shall be credited by the Employer to the Deferred Compensation Account maintained for the Participant pursuant to Section 8. The following special provisions shall apply with respect to the Participant Deferral Credits of a Participant:

4.1.1 The Employer shall credit to the Participant's Deferred Compensation Account on each Crediting Date an amount equal to the total Participant Deferral Credit for the period ending on such Crediting Date.

4.1.2 An election pursuant to this Section 4.1 shall be made by the Participant by executing and delivering a Participation Agreement to the Committee. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.1, the Participation Agreement shall become effective with respect to such Participant as of the first day of January following the date such Participation Agreement is received by the Committee. A Participant's election may be changed at any time prior to the last permissible date for making the election as permitted in this Section 4.1, and shall thereafter be irrevocable. The election of a Participant shall continue in effect for subsequent years until modified by the Participant as permitted in this Section 4.1.

4.1.3 A Participant may execute and deliver a Participation Agreement to the Committee within 30 days after the date the Participant first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan to be effective as of the first payroll period next following the date the Participation Agreement is fully executed by the Participant. Whether a Participant is treated as newly eligible for participation under this Section shall be determined in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder, including (i) rules that treat all elective deferral account balance plans as one plan, and (ii) rules that treat a previously eligible employee as newly eligible if his benefits had been previously distributed or if he has been ineligible for 24 months. For Compensation that is earned based upon a specified performance period (for example, an annual bonus), where a deferral election is made under this Section but after the beginning of the performance period, the election will only apply to the portion of the Compensation equal to the total amount of the Compensation for the service period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the election over the total number of days in the performance period.

4.1.4 A Participant may unilaterally modify a Participation Agreement (either to terminate, increase or decrease the portion of his future Compensation which is subject to deferral within the percentage limits set forth in Section 4.1 of the Adoption Agreement) by providing a written modification of the Participation Agreement to the Committee. The modification shall become effective as of the first day of January following the date such written modification is received by the Committee.

4.1.5 If the Participant performed services continuously from the later of the beginning of the performance period or the date upon which the performance criteria are established through the date upon which the Participant makes an initial deferral election, a Participation Agreement relating to the deferral of Performance-Based Compensation may be executed and delivered to the Committee no later than the date which is 6 months prior to the end of the performance period, provided that in no event may an election to defer Performance-Based Compensation be made after such Compensation has become readily ascertainable.

4.1.6 If the Employer has a fiscal year other than the calendar year, Compensation relating to Service in the fiscal year of the Employer (such as a bonus based on the fiscal year of the Employer), of which no amount is paid or payable during the fiscal year, may be deferred at the Participant's election if the election to defer is made not later than the close of the Employer's fiscal year next preceding the first fiscal year in which the Participant performs any services for which such Compensation is payable.






4.1.7 Compensation payable after the last day of the Participant's taxable year solely for services provided during the final payroll period containing the last day of the Participant's taxable year (i.e., December 31) is treated for purposes of this Section 4.1 as Compensation for services performed in the subsequent taxable year.

4.1.8 The Committee may from time to time establish policies or rules consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to govern the manner in which Participant Deferral Credits may be made.

4.1.9 If a Participant becomes Disabled, or applies for and is eligible for a distribution on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency during a Plan Year or as required due to a hardship distribution under Section 1.401(k)-1(d)(3) of the Code, his deferral election for such Plan Year shall be canceled.

4.2 Employer Credits. If designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement, the Employer shall cause the Committee to credit to the Deferred Compensation Account of each Active Participant an Employer Credit as determined in accordance with the Adoption Agreement. A Participant must make distribution elections with respect to any Employer Credits credited to his Deferred Compensation Account by the deadline that would apply under Section 4.1 for distribution elections with respect to Participant Deferral Credits credited at the same time, on a Participation Agreement that is timely executed and delivered to the Committee pursuant to Section 4.1.

4.3 Deferred Compensation Account. All Participant Deferral Credits and Employer Credits shall be credited to the Deferred Compensation Account of the Participant as provided in Section 8.

Section 5. Qualifying Distribution Events:

5.1 Separation from Service. If the Participant Separates from Service with the Employer, the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid to the Participant by the Employer as provided in Section 7. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no distribution shall be made earlier than six months after the date of Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of death) with respect to a Participant who as of the date of Separation from Service is a Specified Employee of a corporation the stock in which is traded on an established securities market or otherwise. Any payments to which such Specified Employee would be entitled during the first six months following the date of Separation from Service shall be accumulated and paid on the first day of the seventh month following the date of Separation from Service.

5.2 Disability. If the Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that distributions are permitted under the Plan when a Participant becomes Disabled, and the Participant becomes Disabled while in Service, the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid to the Participant by the Employer as provided in Section 7.

5.3 Death. If the Participant dies while in Service, the Employer shall pay a benefit to the Participant's Beneficiary in the amount designated in the Adoption Agreement. Payment of such benefit shall be made by the Employer as provided in Section 7.

5.4 In-Service or Education Distributions. If the Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that in-service or education distributions are permitted under the Plan, a Participant may designate in the Participation Agreement to have a specified amount credited to the Participant's In-Service or Education Account for in-service or education distributions at the date specified by the Participant. In no event may an in-service or education distribution of an amount be made before the date that is two years after the first day of the year in which such amount was credited to the In-Service or Education Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant incurs a Qualifying Distribution Event prior to the date on which the entire balance in the In-Service or Education Account has been distributed, then the balance in the In-Service or Education Account on the date of the Qualifying Distribution Event shall be paid as provided under Section 7.1 for payments on such Qualifying Distribution Event.

5.5 Change in Control Event. If the Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that distributions are permitted under the Plan upon the occurrence of a Change in Control Event, the Participant may designate in the Participation Agreement to have the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account paid to the Participant upon a Change in Control Event by the Employer as provided in Section 7.

5.6 Unforeseeable Emergency. If the Employer designates in the Adoption Agreement that distributions are permitted under the Plan upon the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency event, a distribution from the Deferred Compensation Account may be made to a Participant in the event of an Unforeseeable Emergency, subject to the following provisions:






5.6.1 A Participant may, at any time prior to his Separation from Service for any reason, make application to the Committee to receive a distribution in a lump sum of all or a portion of the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account (determined as of the date the distribution, if any, is made under this Section 5.6) because of an Unforeseeable Emergency. A distribution because of an Unforeseeable Emergency shall not exceed the amount required to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of such distribution, after taking into account the extent to which the Unforeseeable Emergency may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise or by liquidation of the Participant's assets (to the extent the liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship) or by stopping current deferrals under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.1.9.

5.6.2 The Participant's request for a distribution on account of Unforeseeable Emergency must be made in writing to the Committee. The request must specify the nature of the financial hardship, the total amount requested to be distributed from the Deferred Compensation Account, and the total amount of the actual expense incurred or to be incurred on account of the Unforeseeable Emergency.

5.6.3 If a distribution under this Section 5.6 is approved by the Committee, such distribution will be made as soon as practicable following the date it is approved. The processing of the request shall be completed as soon as practicable from the date on which the Committee receives the properly completed written request for a distribution on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency. If a Participant's Separation from Service occurs after a request is approved in accordance with this Section 5.6.3, but prior to distribution of the full amount approved, the approval of the request shall be automatically null and void and the benefits which the Participant is entitled to receive under the Plan shall be distributed in accordance with the applicable distribution provisions of the Plan.

5.6.4 The Committee may from time to time adopt additional policies or rules consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to govern the manner in which such distributions may be made so that the Plan may be conveniently administered.

Section 6. Vesting:

A Participant shall be fully vested in the portion of his Deferred Compensation Account attributable to Participant Deferral Credits, and all income, gains and losses attributable thereto. A Participant shall become fully vested in the portion of his Deferred Compensation Account attributable to Employer Credits, and income, gains and losses attributable thereto, in accordance with the vesting schedule and provisions designated by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement. If a Participant's Deferred Compensation Account is not fully vested upon Separation from Service, the portion of the Deferred Compensation Account that is not fully vested shall thereupon be forfeited.

Section 7. Distribution Rules:

7.1 Payment Options. The Employer shall designate in the Adoption Agreement the payment options which may be elected by the Participant (lump sum, annual installments, or a combination of both). Different payment options may be made available for each Qualifying Distribution Event, and different payment options may be available for different types of Separations from Service, all as designated in the Adoption Agreement. The Participant shall elect in the Participation Agreement the method under which the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account will be distributed from among the designated payment options. The Participant may at such time elect a different method of payment for each Qualifying Distribution Event as specified in the Adoption Agreement. If the Participant is permitted by the Employer in the Adoption Agreement to elect different payment options and does not make a valid election, the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account will be distributed as a lump sum.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if certain Qualifying Distribution Events occur prior to the date on which the vested balance of a Participant's Deferred Compensation Account is completely paid pursuant to this Section 7.1 following the occurrence of certain initial Qualifying Distribution Events, the following rules apply:

7.1.1 If the initial Qualifying Distribution Event is a Separation from Service or Disability, and the Participant subsequently dies, the remaining unpaid vested balance of a Participant's Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid as a lump sum.

7.1.2 If the initial Qualifying Distribution Event is a Change in Control Event, and any subsequent Qualifying Distribution Event occurs (except an In-Service or Education Distribution described in Section 2.29(iv)), the remaining unpaid vested balance of a Participant's Deferred Compensation Account shall be paid as provided under Section 7.1 for payments on such subsequent Qualifying Distribution Event.





7.2 Timing of Payments. Payment shall be made in the manner elected by the Participant and shall commence as soon as practicable after (but no later than 60 days after) the distribution date elected for the Qualifying Distribution Event. In the event the Participant fails to make a valid election of the payment method, the distribution will be made in a single lump sum payment as soon as practicable after (but no later than 60 days after) the Qualifying Distribution Event. A payment may be further delayed to the extent permitted in accordance with regulations and guidance under Section 409A of the Code.

7.3 Installment Payments. If the Participant elects to receive installment payments upon a Qualifying Distribution Event, the payment of each annual installment shall be made on the anniversary of the date of the first installment payment, and the amount of the annual installment shall be adjusted on such anniversary for credits or debits to the Participant's account pursuant to Section 8 of the Plan. Such adjustment shall be made by dividing the balance in the Deferred Compensation Account on such date by the number of annual installments remaining to be paid hereunder; provided that the last annual installment due under the Plan shall be the entire amount credited to the Participant's account on the date of payment.

7.4 De Minimis Amounts. Notwithstanding any payment election made by the Participant, if the Employer designates a pre-determined de minimis amount in the Adoption Agreement, the vested balance in the Deferred Compensation Account of the Participant will be distributed in a single lump sum payment if at the time of a permitted Qualifying Distribution Event the vested balance does not exceed such pre-determined de minimis amount; provided, however, that such distribution will be made only where the Qualifying Distribution Event is a Separation from Service, death, Disability (if applicable) or Change in Control Event (if applicable). Such payment shall be made on or before the later of (i) December 31 of the calendar year in which the Qualifying Distribution Event occurs, or (ii) the date that is 2-1/2 months after the Qualifying Distribution Event occurs. In addition, the Employer may distribute a Participant's vested balance at any time if the balance does not exceed the limit in Section 402(g)(1)(B) of the Code and results in the termination of the Participant's entire interest in the Plan as provided under Section 409A of the Code.

7.5 Subsequent Elections. With the consent of the Committee, a Participant may delay or change the method of payment of the Deferred Compensation Account subject to the following requirements:

7.5.1 The new election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which the new election is made.

7.5.2 If the new election relates to a payment for a Qualifying Distribution Event other than the death of the Participant, the Participant becoming Disabled, or an Unforeseeable Emergency, the new election must provide for the deferral of the payment for a period of at least five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been made.

7.5.3 If the new election relates to a payment from the In-Service or Education Account, the new election must be made at least 12 months prior to the date of the first scheduled payment from such account. For purposes of this Section 7.5 and Section 7.6, a payment is each separately identified amount to which the Participant is entitled under the Plan; provided, that entitlement to a series of installment payments is treated as the entitlement to a single payment.

7.6 Acceleration Prohibited. The acceleration of the time or schedule of any payment due under the Plan is prohibited except as expressly provided in regulations and administrative guidance promulgated under Section 409A of the Code (such as accelerations for domestic relations orders and employment taxes). It is not an acceleration of the time or schedule of payment if the Employer waives or accelerates the vesting requirements applicable to a benefit under the Plan.

Section 8. Accounts; Deemed Investment; Adjustments to Account:

8.1 Accounts. The Committee shall establish a book reserve account, entitled the "Deferred Compensation Account," on behalf of each Participant. The Committee shall also establish an In-Service or Education Account as a part of the Deferred Compensation Account of each Participant, if applicable. The amount credited to the Deferred Compensation Account shall be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.3.

8.2 Deemed Investments. The Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant shall be credited with an investment return determined as if the account were invested in one or more investment funds made available by the Committee. The Participant shall elect the investment funds in which his Deferred Compensation Account shall be deemed to be invested. Such election shall be made in the manner prescribed by the Committee and shall take effect upon the entry of the Participant into the Plan. The investment election of the Participant shall remain in effect until a new election is made by the Participant. In the event the Participant fails for any reason to make an effective election of the investment return to be credited to his account, the investment return shall be determined by the Committee.






8.3 Adjustments to Deferred Compensation Account. With respect to each Participant who has a Deferred Compensation Account under the Plan, the amount credited to such account shall be adjusted by the following debits and credits, at the times and in the order stated:

8.3.1 The Deferred Compensation Account shall be debited each business day with the total amount of any payments made from such account since the last preceding business day to him or for his benefit. Unless otherwise specified by the Employer, each deemed investment fund will be debited pro-rata based on the value of the investment funds as of the end of the preceding business day.

8.3.2 The Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited on each Crediting Date with the total amount of any Participant Deferral Credits and Employer Credits to such account since the last preceding Crediting Date.

8.3.3 The Deferred Compensation Account shall be credited or debited on each day securities are traded on a national stock exchange with the amount of deemed investment gain or loss resulting from the performance of the investment funds elected by the Participant in accordance with Section 8.2. The amount of such deemed investment gain or loss shall be determined by the Committee and such determination shall be final and conclusive upon all concerned.

Section 9. Administration by Committee:

9.1 Membership of Committee. If the Committee consists of individuals appointed by the Board, they will serve at the pleasure of the Board. Any member of the Committee may resign, and his successor, if any, shall be appointed by the Board.

9.2 General Administration. The Committee shall be responsible for the operation and administration of the Plan and for carrying out its provisions. The Committee shall have the full authority and discretion to make, amend, interpret, and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Plan and decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations of this Plan, as may arise in connection with this Plan. Any such action taken by the Committee shall be final and conclusive on any party. To the extent the Committee has been granted discretionary authority under the Plan, the Committee's prior exercise of such authority shall not obligate it to exercise its authority in a like fashion thereafter. The Committee shall be entitled to rely conclusively upon all tables, valuations, certificates, opinions and reports furnished by any actuary, accountant, controller, counsel or other person employed or engaged by the Employer with respect to the Plan. The Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to such agents, including employees of the Employer, such administrative or other duties as it sees fit.

9.3 Indemnification. To the extent not covered by insurance, the Employer shall indemnify the Committee, each employee, officer, director, and agent of the Employer, and all persons formerly serving in such capacities, against any and all liabilities or expenses, including all legal fees relating thereto, arising in connection with the exercise of their duties and responsibilities with respect to the Plan, provided however that the Employer shall not indemnify any person for liabilities or expenses due to that person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Section 10. Contractual Liability, Trust:

10.1 Contractual Liability. Unless otherwise elected in the Adoption Agreement, the Company shall be obligated to make all payments hereunder. This obligation shall constitute a contractual liability of the Company to the Participants, and such payments shall be made from the general funds of the Company. The Company shall not be required to establish or maintain any special or separate fund, or otherwise to segregate assets to assure that such payments shall be made, and the Participants shall not have any interest in any particular assets of the Company by reason of its obligations hereunder. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payment from the Company, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured creditor of the Company.

10.2 Trust. The Employer may establish a trust to assist it in meeting its obligations under the Plan. Any such trust shall conform to the requirements of a grantor trust under Revenue Procedures 92-64 and 92-65 and at all times during the continuance of the trust the principal and income of the trust shall be subject to claims of general creditors of the Employer under federal and state law. The establishment of such a trust would not be intended to cause Participants to realize current income on amounts contributed thereto, and the trust would be so interpreted and administered.

Section 11. Allocation of Responsibilities:

The persons responsible for the Plan and the duties and responsibilities allocated to each are as follows:






11.1 Board.

(i)
To amend the Plan;

(ii)
To appoint and remove members of the Committee; and

(iii)
To terminate the Plan as permitted in Section 14.

11.2 Committee.

(i)
To designate Participants;

(ii)
To interpret the provisions of the Plan and to determine the rights of the Participants under the Plan, except to the extent otherwise provided in Section 16 relating to claims procedure;

(iii)
To administer the Plan in accordance with its terms, except to the extent powers to administer the Plan are specifically delegated to another person or persons as provided in the Plan;

(iv)
To account for the amount credited to the Deferred Compensation Account of a Participant;

(v)
To direct the Employer in the payment of benefits;

(vi)
To file such reports as may be required with the United States Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service and any other government agency to which reports may be required to be submitted from time to time; and

(vii)
To administer the claims procedure to the extent provided in Section 16.

Section 12. Benefits Not Assignable; Facility of Payments:

12.1 Benefits Not Assignable. No portion of any benefit credited or paid under the Plan with respect to any Participant shall be subject in any manner to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge, and any attempt so to anticipate, alienate, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void, nor shall any portion of such benefit be in any manner payable to any assignee, receiver or any one trustee, or be liable for his debts, contracts, liabilities, engagements or torts. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that all or any portion of the benefit of a Participant is transferred to the former Spouse of the Participant incident to a divorce, the Committee shall maintain such amount for the benefit of the former Spouse until distributed in the manner required by an order of any court having jurisdiction over the divorce, and the former Spouse shall be entitled to the same rights as the Participant with respect to such benefit.

12.2 Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Orders. The Committee shall establish procedures for determining whether an order directed to the Plan is a Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order. If the Committee determines that an order is a Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order, the Committee shall cause the payment of amounts pursuant to or segregate a separate account as provided by (and to prevent any payment or act which might be inconsistent with) the Plan-Approved Domestic Relations Order.

12.3 Payments to Minors and Others. If any individual entitled to receive a payment under the Plan shall be physically, mentally or legally incapable of receiving or acknowledging receipt of such payment, the Committee, upon the receipt of satisfactory evidence of his incapacity and satisfactory evidence that another person or institution is maintaining him and that no guardian or committee has been appointed for him, may cause any payment otherwise payable to him to be made to such person or institution so maintaining him. Payment to such person or institution shall be in full satisfaction of all claims by or through the Participant to the extent of the amount thereof.

Section 13. Beneficiary:

The Participant's beneficiary shall be the person, persons, entity or entities designated by the Participant on the beneficiary designation form provided by and filed with the Committee or its designee. If the Participant does not designate a beneficiary, the beneficiary shall be his Surviving Spouse. If the Participant does not designate a beneficiary and has no Surviving Spouse, the beneficiary shall be the Participant's estate. The designation of a beneficiary may be changed or revoked





only by filing a new beneficiary designation form with the Committee or its designee. If a beneficiary (the "primary beneficiary") is receiving or is entitled to receive payments under the Plan and dies before receiving all of the payments due him, the balance to which he is entitled shall be paid to the contingent beneficiary, if any, named in the Participant's current beneficiary designation form. If there is no contingent beneficiary, the balance shall be paid to the estate of the primary beneficiary. Any beneficiary may disclaim all or any part of any benefit to which such beneficiary shall be entitled hereunder by filing a written disclaimer with the Committee before payment of such benefit is to be made. Such a disclaimer shall be made in a form satisfactory to the Committee and shall be irrevocable when filed. Any benefit disclaimed shall be payable from the Plan in the same manner as if the beneficiary who filed the disclaimer had predeceased the Participant.

Section 14. Amendment and Termination of Plan:

The Company may amend any provision of the Plan or terminate the Plan at any time; provided, that in no event shall such amendment or termination reduce the balance in any Participant's Deferred Compensation Account as of the date of such amendment or termination, nor shall any such amendment affect the terms of the Plan relating to the payment of such Deferred Compensation Account. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following special provisions shall apply:

14.1 Termination in the Discretion of the Employer. Except as otherwise provided in Sections 14.2, the Company in its discretion may terminate the Plan and distribute benefits to Participants subject to the following requirements and any others specified under Section 409A of the Code:

14.1.1 All arrangements sponsored by the Employer that would be aggregated with the Plan under Section 1.409A-l(c) of the Treasury Regulations are terminated.

14.1.2 No payments other than payments that would be payable under the terms of the Plan if the termination had not occurred are made within 12 months of the termination date.

14.1.3 All benefits under the Plan are paid within 24 months of the termination date.

14.1.4 The Employer does not adopt a new arrangement that would be aggregated with the Plan under Section 1.409A-1(c) of the Treasury Regulations providing for the deferral of compensation at any time within 3 years following the date of termination of the Plan.

14.1.5 The termination does not occur proximate to a downturn in the financial health of the Employer.

14.2 Termination Upon Change in Control Event. If the Company terminates the Plan within thirty days preceding or twelve months following a Change in Control Event, the Deferred Compensation Account of each Participant shall become fully vested and payable to the Participant in a lump sum within twelve months following the date of termination, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

Section 15. Communication to Participants:

The Employer shall make a copy of the Plan available for inspection by Participants and their beneficiaries during reasonable hours at the principal office of the Employer.

Section 16. Claims Procedure:

The following claims procedure shall apply with respect to the Plan:

16.1 Filing of a Claim for Benefits. If a Participant or Beneficiary (the "claimant") believes that he is entitled to benefits under the Plan which are not being paid to him or which are not being accrued for his benefit, he shall file a written claim therefore with the Committee.

16.2 Notification to Claimant of Decision. Within 90 days after receipt of a claim by the Committee (or within 180 days if special circumstances require an extension of time), the Committee shall notify the claimant of the decision with regard to the claim. In the event of such special circumstances requiring an extension of time, there shall be furnished to the claimant prior to expiration of the initial 90-day period written notice of the extension, which notice shall set forth the special circumstances and the date by which the decision shall be furnished. If such claim shall be wholly or partially denied, notice thereof shall be in writing and worded in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and shall set forth: (i) the specific reason or reasons for the denial; (ii) specific reference to pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based;





(iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and (iv) an explanation of the procedure for review of the denial and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the claim relates to a disability determination, the Committee shall notify the claimant of the decision within 45 days (which may be extended for an additional 30 days if required by special circumstances).

16.3 Procedure for Review. Within 60 days following receipt by the claimant of notice denying his claim, in whole or in part, or, if such notice shall not be given, within 60 days following the latest date on which such notice could have been timely given, the claimant may appeal denial of the claim by filing a written application for review with the Committee. Following such request for review, the Committee shall fully and fairly review the decision denying the claim. Prior to the decision of the Committee, the claimant shall be given an opportunity to review pertinent documents and to submit issues and comments in writing.

16.4 Decision on Review. The decision on review of a claim denied in whole or in part by the Committee shall be made in the following manner:

16.4.1 Within 60 days following receipt by the Committee of the request for review (or within 120 days if special circumstances require an extension of time), the Committee shall notify the claimant in writing of its decision with regard to the claim. In the event of such special circumstances requiring an extension of time, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the commencement of the extension. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the claim relates to a disability determination, the Committee shall notify the claimant of the decision within 45 days (which may be extended for an additional 45 days if required by special circumstances).

16.4.2 With respect to a claim that is denied in whole or in part, the decision on review shall set forth specific reasons for the decision, shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant, and shall set forth:

(i)
the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determination;

(ii)
specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on which the adverse determination is based;

(iii)
a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claimant's claim for benefits; and

(iv)
a statement describing any voluntary appeal procedures offered by the Plan and the claimant's right to obtain the information about such procedures, as well as a statement of the claimant's right to bring an action under ERISA section 502(a).

16.4.3 The decision of the Committee shall be final and conclusive.

16.5 Action by Authorized Representative of Claimant. All actions set forth in this Section 16 to be taken by the claimant may likewise be taken by a representative of the claimant duly authorized by him to act in his behalf on such matters. The Committee may require such evidence as either may reasonably deem necessary or advisable of the authority to act of any such representative.

Section 17. Miscellaneous Provisions:

17.1 Set off. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the Employer may reduce the amount of any payment otherwise payable to or on behalf of a Participant hereunder (net of any required withholdings) at the time payment is due by the amount of any loan, cash advance, extension of credit or other obligation of the Participant to the Employer that is then due and payable, and the Participant shall be deemed to have consented to such reduction. In addition, the Employer may at any time offset a Participant's Deferral Compensation Account by an amount up to $5,000 to collect any such amount in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

17.2 Notices. Each Participant who is not in Service and each Beneficiary shall be responsible for furnishing the Committee or its designee with his current address for the mailing of notices and benefit payments. Any notice required or permitted to be given to such Participant or Beneficiary shall be deemed given if directed to such address and mailed by regular United States mail, first class, postage prepaid. If any check mailed to such address is returned as undeliverable to the addressee, mailing of checks will be suspended until the Participant or Beneficiary furnishes the proper address. This provision





shall not be construed as requiring the mailing of any notice or notification otherwise permitted to be given by posting or by other publication.

17.3 Lost Distributees. A benefit shall be deemed forfeited if the Committee is unable to locate the Participant or Beneficiary to whom payment is due on or before the fifth anniversary of the date payment is to be made or commence; provided, that the deemed investment rate of return pursuant to Section 8.2 shall cease to be applied to the Participant's account following the first anniversary of such date; provided further, however, that such benefit shall be reinstated if a valid claim is made by or on behalf of the Participant or Beneficiary for all or part of the forfeited benefit.

17.4 Reliance on Data. The Employer and the Committee shall have the right to rely on any data provided by the Participant or by any Beneficiary. Representations of such data shall be binding upon any party seeking to claim a benefit through a Participant, and the Employer and the Committee shall have no obligation to inquire into the accuracy of any representation made at any time by a Participant or Beneficiary.

17.5 Receipt and Release for Payments. Subject to the provisions of Section 17.1, any payment made from the Plan to or with respect to any Participant or Beneficiary, or pursuant to a disclaimer by a Beneficiary, shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims hereunder against the Plan and the Employer with respect to the Plan. The recipient of any payment from the Plan may be required by the Committee, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release with respect thereto in such form as shall be acceptable to the Committee.

17.6 Headings. The headings and subheadings of the Plan have been inserted for convenience of reference and are to be ignored in any construction of the provisions hereof.

17.7 Continuation of Employment. The establishment of the Plan shall not be construed as conferring any legal or other rights upon any Employee or any persons for continuation of employment, nor shall it interfere with the right of the Employer to discharge any Employee or to deal with him without regard to the effect thereof under the Plan.

17.8 Merger or Consolidation; Assumption of Plan. No Employer shall consolidate or merge into or with another corporation or entity, or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to another corporation, partnership, trust or other entity (a "Successor Entity") unless such Successor Entity shall assume the rights, obligations and liabilities of the Employer under the Plan and upon such assumption, the Successor Entity shall become obligated to perform the terms and conditions of the Plan. Nothing herein shall prohibit the assumption of the obligations and liabilities of the Employer under the Plan by any Successor Entity.

17.9 Construction. The Employer shall designate in the Adoption Agreement the state according to whose laws the provisions of the Plan shall be construed and enforced, except to the extent that such laws are superseded by ERISA and the applicable requirements of the Code.

17.10 Taxes. The Employer or other payor may withhold a benefit payment under the Plan or a Participant's wages, or the Employer may reduce a Participant's Account balance, in order to meet any federal, state, or local or employment tax withholding obligations with respect to Plan benefits, as permitted under Section 409A of the Code. The Employer or other payor shall report Plan payments and other Plan-related information to the appropriate governmental agencies as required under applicable laws.

Section 18. Transition Rules:

This Section 18 does not apply to plans newly established on or after January 1, 2009.

18.1 2005 Election Termination. Notwithstanding Section 4.1.4, at any time during 2005, a Participant may terminate a Participation Agreement, or modify a Participation Agreement to reduce the amount of Compensation subject to the deferral election, so long as the Compensation subject to the terminated or modified Participation Agreement is includible in the income of the Participant in 2005 or, if later, in the taxable year in which the amounts are earned and vested.

18.2 2005 Deferral Election. The requirements of Section 4.1.2 relating to the timing of the Participation Agreement shall not apply to any deferral elections made on or before March 15, 2005, provided that (a) the amounts to which the deferral election relate have not been paid or become payable at the time of the election, (b) the Plan was in existence on or before December 31, 2004, (c) the election to defer compensation is made in accordance with the terms of the Plan as in effect on December 31, 2005 (other than a requirement to make a deferral election after March 15, 2005), and (d) the Plan is otherwise operated in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.






18.3 2005 Termination of Participation; Distribution. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, at any time during 2005, a Participant may terminate his or her participation in the Plan and receive a distribution of his Deferred Compensation Account balance on account of that termination, so long as the full amount of such distribution is includible in the Participant's income in 2005 or, if later, in the taxable year of the Participant in which the amount is earned and vested.

18.4 Payment Elections. Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 7.1 or 7.5 of the Plan, a Participant may elect on or before December 31, 2008, the time or form of payment of amounts subject to Section 409A of the Code provided that such election applies only to amounts that would not otherwise be payable in the year of the election and does not cause an amount to paid in the year of the election that would not otherwise be payable in such year.




Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION
I, R. Scot Woodall, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Bill Barrett Corporation;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 5, 2016
 
 
/s/ R. Scot Woodall
R. Scot Woodall
Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)




Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION
I, William M. Crawford, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Bill Barrett Corporation;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 5, 2016
 
 
/s/ William M. Crawford
William M. Crawford
Senior Vice President-Treasury and Finance
(Principal Financial Officer)




Exhibit 32.1
BILL BARRETT CORPORATION
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION
In connection with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Bill Barrett Corporation for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 , I, R. Scot Woodall, Chief Executive Officer and President of Bill Barrett Corporation, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1.
This Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.
The information contained in this Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Bill Barrett Corporation for the periods presented therein.
 

Date: May 5, 2016
 
 
/s/ R. Scot Woodall
R. Scot Woodall
Chief Executive Officer and President
(Principal Executive Officer)




Exhibit 32.2
BILL BARRETT CORPORATION
SARBANES-OXLEY ACT SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION
In connection with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Bill Barrett Corporation for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 , I, William M. Crawford, Senior Vice President - Treasury and Finance of Bill Barrett Corporation, hereby certify pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1.
This Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.
The information contained in this Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2016 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Bill Barrett Corporation for the periods presented therein.
 

Date: May 5, 2016
 
 
/s/ William M. Crawford
William M. Crawford
Senior Vice President-Treasury and Finance
(Principal Financial Officer)