UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019

or

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 001-33614

 

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Yukon, Canada

N/A

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. employer

identification number)

 

 

116 Inverness Drive East, Suite 400

Englewood, Colorado

80112

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

(303) 708-9740

(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. YES     NO 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). YES     NO 

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

Large accelerated filer

 

 

Accelerated filer

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

 

Smaller reporting company

 

Emerging growth company

 

 

 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). YES     NO 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distributions of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. YES     NO 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of Exchange on Which Registered

Common Shares, without par value

UPL

NASDAQ Global Select Market

The number of shares, without par value, of Ultra Petroleum Corp., outstanding as of April 30, 2019 was 197,383,295.

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

28

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

44

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 3.

 

Defaults upon Senior Securities

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 5.

 

Other Information

 

46

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 6.

 

Exhibits

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

49

 

 

 


PART I – FINANC IAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(In thousands, except share data)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

10,469

 

 

$

17,014

 

Restricted cash

 

 

2,596

 

 

 

2,291

 

Oil and gas revenue receivable

 

 

86,763

 

 

 

133,042

 

Joint interest billing and other receivables, net

 

 

6,701

 

 

 

11,348

 

Derivative assets

 

 

10,985

 

 

 

23,374

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

 

 

 

6,431

 

Inventory

 

 

18,277

 

 

 

18,757

 

Other current assets

 

 

2,840

 

 

 

2,473

 

Total current assets

 

 

138,631

 

 

 

214,730

 

Oil and gas properties, net, using the full cost method of accounting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proven

 

 

1,543,166

 

 

 

1,497,727

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

11,178

 

 

 

11,635

 

Long-term right-of-use assets

 

 

127,861

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

13,532

 

 

 

9,196

 

Total assets

 

$

1,834,368

 

 

$

1,733,288

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

36,314

 

 

$

36,923

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

62,999

 

 

 

58,574

 

Production taxes payable

 

 

84,108

 

 

 

58,365

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

9,750

 

 

 

7,313

 

Interest payable

 

 

28,771

 

 

 

28,672

 

Lease liabilities

 

 

11,261

 

 

 

 

Derivative liabilities

 

 

38,483

 

 

 

62,350

 

Capital cost accrual

 

 

16,966

 

 

 

15,014

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

288,652

 

 

 

267,211

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit facility

 

 

38,000

 

 

 

104,000

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,915,906

 

 

 

1,932,722

 

Add: Premium on exchange transactions

 

 

235,941

 

 

 

228,096

 

Less: Unamortized deferred financing costs and discount

 

 

(54,161

)

 

 

(56,650

)

Total long-term debt, net

 

 

2,135,686

 

 

 

2,208,168

 

Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system

 

 

 

 

 

94,636

 

Long-term lease liabilities

 

 

116,613

 

 

 

 

Other long-term obligations

 

 

207,420

 

 

 

211,895

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,748,371

 

 

 

2,781,910

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock - no par value; authorized - 750,000,000; issued and outstanding - 197,383,295 at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively

 

 

2,138,570

 

 

 

2,137,443

 

Treasury stock

 

 

(49

)

 

 

(49

)

Retained loss

 

 

(3,052,524

)

 

 

(3,186,016

)

Total shareholders' deficit

 

 

(914,003

)

 

 

(1,048,622

)

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 

$

1,834,368

 

 

$

1,733,288

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


 

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

245,989

 

 

$

181,462

 

Oil sales

 

 

23,465

 

 

 

41,284

 

Other revenues

 

 

2,007

 

 

 

2,628

 

Total operating revenues

 

 

271,461

 

 

 

225,374

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

 

17,225

 

 

 

21,764

 

Facility lease expense

 

 

6,645

 

 

 

6,156

 

Production taxes

 

 

30,175

 

 

 

23,270

 

Gathering fees

 

 

19,880

 

 

 

23,055

 

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

 

 

51,653

 

 

 

50,540

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,052

 

 

 

12,688

 

Other expenses

 

 

684

 

 

 

213

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

133,314

 

 

 

137,686

 

Operating income

 

 

138,147

 

 

 

87,688

 

Other income (expense), net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(33,327

)

 

 

(35,837

)

Loss on commodity derivatives

 

 

(64,339

)

 

 

(6,530

)

Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system

 

 

 

 

 

2,638

 

Other income (expense), net

 

 

166

 

 

 

(32

)

Total other (expense) income, net

 

 

(97,500

)

 

 

(39,761

)

Income before income tax (benefit) provision

 

 

40,647

 

 

 

47,927

 

Income tax (benefit) provision

 

 

(27

)

 

 

434

 

Net income

 

$

40,674

 

 

$

47,493

 

Basic earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share - basic

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

0.24

 

Fully diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per common share - fully diluted

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

0.24

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

 

 

197,383

 

 

 

196,550

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - fully diluted

 

 

197,801

 

 

 

196,550

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


 

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

Issued and

Outstanding

 

 

Amount

 

 

Retained (Loss)

Earnings

 

 

Treasury

Stock

 

 

Total

Shareholders'

(Deficit)

Equity

 

Balances at January 1, 2019

 

 

197,383

 

 

$

2,137,443

 

 

$

(3,186,016

)

 

$

(49

)

 

$

(1,048,622

)

Fair value of employee stock plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

1,127

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,127

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,674

 

 

 

 

 

 

40,674

 

Initial adoption of ASC 842

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

92,818

 

 

 

 

 

 

92,818

 

Balances at March 31, 2019

 

 

197,383

 

 

 

2,138,570

 

 

 

(3,052,524

)

 

 

(49

)

 

 

(914,003

)

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

Issued and

Outstanding

 

 

Amount

 

 

Retained (Loss)

Earnings

 

 

Treasury

Stock

 

 

Total

Shareholders'

(Deficit)

Equity

 

Balances at January 1, 2018

 

 

196,347

 

 

$

2,116,018

 

 

$

(3,270,605

)

 

$

(49

)

 

$

(1,154,636

)

Employee stock plan grants

 

 

1,226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net share settlements

 

 

(519

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,061

)

 

 

 

 

 

(2,061

)

Fair value of employee stock plan grants

 

 

 

 

 

10,709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,709

 

Initial adoption of ASC 606

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,761

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,761

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,493

 

 

 

 

 

 

47,493

 

Balances at March 31, 2018

 

 

197,054

 

 

$

2,126,727

 

 

$

(3,223,412

)

 

$

(49

)

 

$

(1,096,734

)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


 

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Operating activities - cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income for the period

 

$

40,674

 

 

$

47,493

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

 

 

51,653

 

 

 

50,540

 

Unrealized loss (gain) on commodity derivatives

 

 

(14,292

)

 

 

7,606

 

Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system

 

 

 

 

 

(2,638

)

Stock compensation

 

 

841

 

 

 

8,810

 

Payable-in-Kind (“PIK”) interest payable

 

 

3,183

 

 

 

 

Amortization of premium on debt exchange

 

 

(9,716

)

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

 

3,123

 

 

 

2,727

 

Other

 

 

582

 

 

 

209

 

Net changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

50,243

 

 

 

12,561

 

Other current assets

 

 

(307

)

 

 

2,485

 

Other non-current assets

 

 

30

 

 

 

30

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(359

)

 

 

(5,263

)

Accrued liabilities

 

 

4,425

 

 

 

(7,486

)

Production taxes payable

 

 

25,743

 

 

 

23,622

 

Interest payable

 

 

99

 

 

 

17,172

 

Other long-term obligations

 

 

(11,663

)

 

 

(12,708

)

Income taxes payable/receivable

 

 

6,431

 

 

 

6,836

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

150,690

 

 

 

151,996

 

Investing Activities - cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and gas property expenditures

 

 

(92,352

)

 

 

(134,500

)

Change in capital cost accrual and accounts payable

 

 

1,702

 

 

 

(8,079

)

Inventory

 

 

419

 

 

 

(5,074

)

Purchase of capital assets

 

 

(211

)

 

 

(1,196

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(90,442

)

 

 

(148,849

)

Financing activities - cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings under Credit Agreement

 

 

232,000

 

 

 

191,000

 

Payments under Credit Agreement

 

 

(298,000

)

 

 

(191,000

)

Deferred financing costs

 

 

(488

)

 

 

 

Repurchased shares/net share settlements

 

 

 

 

 

(2,061

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(66,488

)

 

 

(2,061

)

(Decrease) increase in cash during the period

 

 

(6,240

)

 

 

1,086

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period

 

 

19,305

 

 

 

18,269

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

13,065

 

 

$

19,355

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

6


 

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP .

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

All amounts in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are expressed in thousands of U.S. dollars (except per share data) unless otherwise noted.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS:

Ultra Petroleum Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”, “Ultra”, “our”, “we”, “us”) is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the development, production, operation, exploration and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. Ultra Petroleum Corp. is incorporated under the laws of Yukon, Canada. The Company’s principal business activities are developing its long-life natural gas reserves in the Pinedale and Jonah fields of the Green River Basin of Wyoming.

Debt Exchanges

In December 2018, the Company exchanged (i) approximately $505 million aggregate principal amount, or 72.1%, of the 6.875% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) and (ii) $275 million aggregate principal amount, or 55.0%, of the 7.125% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes” and, together with the 2022 Notes, the “Unsecured Notes”) of Ultra Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Ultra Resources”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ultra Petroleum Corp., for (a) $545.0 million aggregate principal amount of new 9.00% Cash/2.00% PIK Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due July 2024 of Ultra Resources (the “Second Lien Notes”), and (b) an aggregate of 10,919,499 new $0.01 warrants of Ultra Petroleum Corp. entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share of Ultra Petroleum Corp. (each a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”) (such transaction, the “December Exchange Transaction”).

In January and February 2019, certain holders of the 2022 Notes exchanged approximately $44.6 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Notes for approximately $27.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes in a series of follow-on debt exchange transactions (such transactions, the “Follow-on Exchange Transactions” and, together with the December Exchange Transaction, the “Exchange Transactions”).

All Second Lien Notes were issued pursuant to the Second Lien Notes Indenture. Refer to Note 4 for additional details and the accounting treatment on the Exchange Transactions.

1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2019.

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2018, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation: The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash: Restricted cash represents cash received by the Company from production sold where the final division of ownership of the production is unknown or in dispute.

7


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The Company f ollows Accounting Standards Update (“ ASU ”) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash and reports the change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash in total on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows .

Accounts Receivable, net: Accounts receivable are stated at the historical carrying amount net of write-offs and an allowance for uncollectible accounts. As of March 31, 2019, the allowance for uncollectible accounts was $9.0 million.  The carrying amount of the Company’s accounts receivable approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The Company routinely assesses the collectability of all material trade and other receivables.

Property, Plant and Equipment: Capital assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the declining-balance method based on their respective useful life.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties: The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for exploration and development activities as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Release No. 33-8995, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting Requirements (“SEC Release No. 33-8995”) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 932, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas (“FASB ASC 932”). Under this method of accounting, the costs of successful, as well as unsuccessful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as oil and gas properties. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. The carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties also includes estimated asset retirement costs recorded based on the fair value of the asset retirement obligation when incurred. Gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and natural gas properties is not recognized, unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to a country.

The sum of net capitalized costs and estimated future development costs of oil and natural gas properties are amortized using the units-of-production method based on the Company’s proved reserves. Oil and natural gas reserves and production are converted into equivalent units based on relative energy content. Asset retirement costs are included in the base costs for calculating depletion.

Under the full cost method, costs of unevaluated properties and major development projects expected to require significant future costs may be excluded from capitalized costs being amortized. The Company excludes significant costs until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired. The Company reviews its unproved leasehold costs quarterly or when management determines that events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of the unevaluated properties may not be recoverable. The fair values of unproved properties are evaluated utilizing a discounted net cash flows model based on management’s assumptions of future oil and gas production, commodity prices, operating and development costs, as well as appropriate discount rates. The estimated prices used in the cash flow analysis are determined by management based on forward price curves for the related commodities, adjusted for average historical location and quality differentials. Estimates of cash flows related to probable and possible reserves are reduced by additional risk-weighting factors. The amount of any impairment is transferred to the capitalized costs being amortized.

Companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration and development activities are required to perform a ceiling test calculation each quarter. The full cost ceiling test is an impairment test prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10. The ceiling test is performed quarterly, on a country-by-country basis, utilizing the average of prices in effect on the first day of the month for the preceding twelve-month period in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8995. The ceiling limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves discounted at 10%, plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties, less any associated tax effects. If such capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, the Company will record a write-down to the extent of such excess as a non-cash charge to earnings. Any such write-down will reduce earnings in the period of occurrence and results in a lower depletion, depreciation and amortization rate in future periods. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the ceiling. The Company did not incur a ceiling test write-down during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018.

Inventories: Inventory primarily includes $17.2 million in pipe and production equipment that will be utilized during the 2019-2020 drilling programs and $1.1 million in crude oil inventory as of March 31, 2019. Our inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined using either the weighted-average cost, including the cost of transportation and storage, and with net realizable value defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of transportation. Selling expenses and general and administrative expenses are reported as period costs and excluded from inventory cost.

8


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Deferred Financing Costs (“DFC”) : The Company follows ASU No . 2015-03,  Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs  for its borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement (as defined below) , Second Lien Notes and Unsecured Notes and includes the costs for issuing debt including issuance discounts, as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability .

Additionally, the Company follows ASU No. 2015-15,  Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line of Credit Arrangements  for its Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) and includes the costs related to the issuance of the Revolving Credit Facility in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“FASB ASC 815”). The Company records the fair value of its commodity derivatives as an asset or liability in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and records the changes in the fair value of its commodity derivatives in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not offset the value of its derivative arrangements with the same counterparty. See Note 7 for additional details.

Income Taxes: Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded related to deferred tax assets based on the “more likely than not” criteria described in FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. In addition, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit.

Warrants : In December 2018, the Company issued 10,919,499 Warrants. The Warrants are initially exercisable for one common share of Ultra Petroleum Corp., no par value, at an initial exercise price of $0.01 per Warrant (the “Warrant Exercise Price”). No Warrants will be exercisable until the date on which the volume-weighted average price of the common shares is at least $2.50 per common share for 30 consecutive trading days (the “Trading Price Condition”). Subject to the Trading Price Condition, the Warrants are exercisable at the option of the holders thereof until July 14, 2025, at which time all unexercised Warrants will expire and the rights of the holders of such Warrants to purchase common shares will terminate. Under the guidance in FASB ASC 815, the Warrants do not meet the definition of a derivative. The Warrants are classified as equity and recorded at fair value as of the date of issuance on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and no further adjustments to their valuation are made.

Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by adjusting the average number of common shares outstanding for the dilutive effect, if any, of common stock equivalents. The Company uses the treasury stock method to determine the dilutive effect.

Certain share-based payments subject to performance or market conditions are considered contingently issuable shares for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per share. Thus, they are not included in the diluted earnings per share denominator until the performance or market criteria are met. Additionally, the Warrants issued in connection with the Exchange Transaction are not included in the diluted earnings per share denominator using the treasury stock method as the Trading Price Condition on the Warrants exceeded the average market price.   For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company had 19.2 million and 2.8 million, respectively, of contingently issuable shares that are not included in the diluted earnings per share denominator as the performance or market criteria have not been met.

9


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of components of basic and diluted net income per commo n share:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

 

(Share amounts in 000's)

 

Net income

 

$

40,674

 

 

$

47,493

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

 

 

197,383

 

 

 

196,550

 

Effect of dilutive instruments

 

 

418

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

197,801

 

 

 

196,550

 

Net income per common share - basic

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

0.24

 

Net income per common share - fully diluted

 

$

0.21

 

 

$

0.24

 

 

Use of Estimates: Preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Beginning as of January 1, 2019, the Company revised its estimate of administrative costs associated with its operations and classified as Lease operating expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.  During 2018 and 2019, the Company has taken steps to drive efficiencies through its operations which resulted in its overhead costs being less than the inflation adjustment to the overhead rates set by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies (“COPAS”).  Accordingly, the Company reduced the amount of costs categorized as Lease operating expenses, with General and administrative expenses absorbing a larger portion of the total costs.

Accounting for Share-Based Compensation: The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options, based on estimated fair values in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation.

Fair Value Accounting: The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“FASB ASC 820”), which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies under other accounting topics that require or permit fair value measurements. See Note 8 for additional details.

Asset Retirement Obligation: The initial estimated retirement obligation of properties is recognized as a liability with an associated increase in oil and gas properties for the asset retirement cost. Accretion expense is recognized over the estimated productive life of the related assets. If the fair value of the estimated asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the asset retirement cost. Revisions in estimated liabilities can result from revisions of estimated inflation rates, changes in service and equipment costs and changes in the estimated timing of settling asset retirement obligations. As a full cost company, settlements for asset retirement obligations for abandonment are adjusted to the full cost pool. The asset retirement obligation is included within other long-term obligations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Leases: The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases , and all applicable amendments as of January 1, 2019. The Company elected to apply the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. Consequently, historical financial information will not be updated, and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in long-term right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, and long-term lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use of an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when the Company is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option.

10


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.    The ROU asset s are tested for impairment in accordance with ASC 360 .

The Company has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component under the practical expedient provisions of the standard. Additionally, for certain leases, the Company applies a portfolio approach to effectively account for the operating lease ROU assets and liabilities. The portfolio approach was used to assess and determine the incremental borrowing rate with information available at adoption date.

The Company has lease agreements with terms less than one year. For the qualifying short-term leases, the Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption in which the Company will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, including the ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in upon adoption.

Additionally, the Company had existing lease agreements with easements in which the Company elected the practical expedient. All new and modified lease agreements with easements completed after the adoption date will be evaluated under the ASC 842 (as defined below).

Revenue Recognition: The Company generally sells oil and natural gas under both long-term and short-term agreements at prevailing market prices. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard, ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all related amendments.

Other Revenues : Other revenue is comprised of fees paid to us by the operators of the gas processing plants where our gas is processed .

Capital Cost Accrual: The Company accrues for exploration and development costs in the period incurred, while payment may occur in a subsequent period.

Reclassifications: Certain amounts in the financial statements of prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , and has subsequently issued several supplemental and/or clarifying ASUs (collectively known as “ASC 842”). The guidance requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by all leases with terms of more than 12 months. ASC 842 also requires disclosures designed to give financial statement users information on the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information. The Company adopted ASC 842 and applicable amendments on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company elected certain practical expedients and established internal controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information on adoption.

The adoption of the standard had an effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets but did not have an effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated income statements. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. Please refer to Note 9 for additional discussion.

11


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Cumulative E ffect of R ecently A dopted A ccounting P ronouncements :

The following table reflects the cumulative impact of the adoption of ASC 842 using the modified retrospective approach.

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

as reported

 

 

Impact of ASC 842

 

 

January 1, 2019

as adjusted

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Long-term right-of-use assets

 

$

 

 

$

130,649

 

 

$

130,649

 

Total assets

 

 

1,733,288

 

 

 

130,649

 

 

 

1,863,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities (current)

 

 

 

 

 

11,141

 

 

 

11,141

 

Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system

 

 

94,636

 

 

 

(94,636

)

 

 

 

Long-term lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

121,326

 

 

 

121,326

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,781,910

 

 

 

37,831

 

 

 

2,819,741

 

Retained earnings (loss)

 

 

(3,186,016

)

 

 

92,818

 

 

 

(3,093,198

)

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

 

(1,048,622

)

 

 

92,818

 

 

 

(955,804

)

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

 

1,733,288

 

 

 

130,649

 

 

 

1,863,937

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted :

Fair Value Measurements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments. In June 2016, The FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)", Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). This ASU changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact ASU 2016-13 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

2. REVENUE RECOGNITION

 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

 

Sales of oil and natural gas are recognized at the point control of the product is transferred to the customer, collectability is reasonably assured, and the performance obligations are satisfied. Virtually all of our contracts’ pricing provisions are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line, quality of the oil or natural gas, and prevailing supply and demand conditions. As a result, the price of the oil and natural gas fluctuates to remain competitive with other available oil and natural gas supplies.

Natural gas sales

We sell natural gas production at the tailgate of the processing plant or at a delivery point downstream, as specified in the contracts with our customers. The production is sold at set volumes and we collect (i) an agreed upon index price, (ii) a specific index price adjusted for pricing differentials, or (iii) a set price. We recognize revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the tailgate of the processing plant or at the agreed-upon delivery point at the net price received. For these contracts, we have concluded that the Company is the principal for our net revenue interest share of the volumes being sold. Gathering fees are incurred prior to the customer taking control of the product, are not considered to be promised services, and are not included in the transaction price; thus, they are presented as expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

12


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Our working interes t partners are considered the principal for their working interest shares . They have the option to take in kind their volumes . The Company may act as an agent and market the other partners’ share of the natural gas production . If it does so, the Company is considered the agent and revenue is recorded at the Company’s net reven ue interest in the production .

Oil sales

We sell oil production at (a) a lease automatic custody transfer meter, (b) a tank battery, or (c) a delivery point downstream, as specified in the contracts with our customers. The production is sold at set volumes and we collect (i) an agreed upon index price, net of pricing differentials or (ii) a set price. We recognize revenue at the point when the customer takes control of the product. For these contracts, we have concluded that the Company is the principal for its net revenue interest share of the volumes being sold. Gathering fees are performed prior to the customer taking control of the product, are not considered to be promised services, and are not included in the transaction price; thus, they are presented as expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Our working interest partners are considered the principal for their working interest shares. They have the option to take in kind their volumes. The Company may act as an agent and market the other partners’ share of the oil production. If it does so, the Company is considered the agent and revenue is recorded at the Company’s net revenue interest in the production.

Other revenues

Our other revenue is comprised of fees paid to us by the operators of the gas processing plants where our gas is processed. Control is transferred upon completion of the processing service. The Company is considered the principal, and revenue is recognized at the point in time that the control is transferred.

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations

A significant number of our product sales are short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, we have utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 exempting the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.

 

For our product sales that have a contract term greater than one year, we have utilized the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14(a) which states that the Company is not required to disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation. Under these sales contracts, each unit of product generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes are wholly unsatisfied, and disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not required.

Contract balances

Under our product sales contracts, we invoice customers once our performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, our product sales contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under ASC 606.

Prior-period performance obligations

We record revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements for certain natural gas may not be received for 30 to 90 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, we are required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. We record the differences between our estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales in the month that payment is received from the purchaser. We have existing internal controls for our revenue estimation process and related accruals, and any identified differences between our revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material.

13


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

3 . OIL AND GAS PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT:

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Proven Properties:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition, equipment, exploration, drilling and abandonment costs

 

$

11,670,425

 

 

$

11,577,281

 

Less: Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization

 

 

(10,127,259

)

 

 

(10,079,554

)

Oil and gas properties, net

 

$

1,543,166

 

 

$

1,497,727

 

 

4. LONG TERM DEBT:

 

The following tables summarize the Company’s debt instruments as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

 

 

Principal repayment obligation (1)

 

 

Unamortized DFC and discounts (2)

 

 

Unamortized premium

 

 

Carrying value

 

Credit Facility, secured, due January 2022

 

$

38,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

38,000

 

Term Loan, secured, due April 2024

 

 

975,068

 

 

 

(25,807

)

 

 

 

 

 

949,261

 

Second Lien Notes, secured, due July 2024

 

 

575,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

235,941

 

 

 

811,090

 

6.875% Notes, unsecured, due April 2022

 

 

150,439

 

 

 

(14,189

)

 

 

 

 

 

136,250

 

7.125% Notes, unsecured, due April 2025

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

(14,165

)

 

 

 

 

 

210,835

 

Total debt

 

$

1,963,656

 

 

$

(54,161

)

 

$

235,941

 

 

$

2,145,436

 

Less: Current maturities

 

 

(9,750

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9,750

)

Total long-term debt, net

 

$

1,953,906

 

 

$

(54,161

)

 

$

235,941

 

 

$

2,135,686

 

 

(1)

Includes PIK interest on the Term Loan and Second Lien Notes of $0.1 million and $3.1 million, respectively.

(2)

Deferred financing costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility are reported within Other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, rather than as a reduction of the carrying amount of long-term debt.

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Principal repayment obligation

 

 

Unamortized DFC and discounts (1)

 

 

Unamortized premium

 

 

Carrying value

 

Credit Facility, secured, due January 2022

 

$

104,000

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

104,000

 

Term Loan, secured, due April 2024

 

 

975,000

 

 

 

(26,874

)

 

 

 

 

 

948,126

 

Second Lien Notes, secured, due July 2024

 

 

545,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

228,096

 

 

 

773,096

 

6.875% Notes, unsecured, due April 2022

 

 

195,035

 

 

 

(15,168

)

 

 

 

 

 

179,867

 

7.125% Notes, unsecured, due April 2025

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

(14,608

)

 

 

 

 

 

210,392

 

Total debt

 

$

2,044,035

 

 

$

(56,650

)

 

$

228,096

 

 

$

2,215,481

 

Less: Current maturities

 

 

(7,313

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,313

)

Total long-term debt, net

 

$

2,036,722

 

 

$

(56,650

)

 

$

228,096

 

 

$

2,208,168

 

 

 

(1)

Deferred financing costs related to the Revolving Credit Facility are reported within Other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, rather than as a reduction of the carrying amount of long-term debt.

Ultra Resources, Inc.

Credit Agreement. In April 2017, Ultra Resources, as the borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with the Company and UP Energy Corporation, as parent guarantors, with Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “RBL Administrative Agent”), and with the other lenders party thereto from time to time (collectively, the “RBL Lenders”), providing for a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) subject to a borrowing base redetermination, which limits the aggregate amount of first lien debt under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Agreement (as defined below). The semi-annual redetermination in February 2019 resulted in a borrowing base commitment of  $1.3 billion, with $975.0 million allocated to the Company’s Term Loan (as defined below) and $325.0 million allocated to the Revolving Credit Facility.

14


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In December 2018, Ultra Resources and the parent g uarantors entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment to Credit Agreement”) with the RBL Administrative Agent and the RBL Lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, the parties agreed, amo ng other things, to amend the Credit Agreement to permit the issuance of the Second Lien Notes and the December Exchange Transaction and to revise certain covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

increasing collateral coverage from 85% to 95% of total PV-9 of Proven Reserves (as defined in the Credit Agreement);

 

removing the ability to create, invest in and utilize unrestricted subsidiaries;

 

further limiting the Company’s ability to incur unsecured debt, repay junior debt, and make restricted payments and investments as more thoroughly described in the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement; and

 

providing the ability for the Company to exchange unsecured borrowings to third lien debt within a construct as described in the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement.

On February 14, 2019, Ultra Resources entered into a Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement”) with the RBL Administrative Agent and the RBL Lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, the borrowing base was reaffirmed at $1.3 billion. Given the Revolving Credit Agreement was amended in February 2019 and the borrowing base was reaffirmed therein, the next scheduled borrowing base redetermination date is in October 2019.

The Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement also revised certain covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

amending the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio financial covenant as described below. In addition, the consolidated net debt component of the consolidated net leverage ratio may be reduced upon receipt of proceeds from the make-whole litigation as described in Note 10;

 

revising the definition of EBITDAX to (i) provide Ultra Resources with the option of whether to add back certain noncash charges that represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in a future period, (ii) provide for the add back of costs and expenses with respect to senior management changes and office closure, consolidation and relocation, (iii) provide for the add back of costs and expenses with respect to debt restructuring activities (whether consummated or not), (iv) exclude from the deductions certain noncash gains that represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for any anticipated cash charges in any prior period, and (v) provide for a deduction of cash payments with respect to certain noncash charges that Ultra Resources chose to add back (as described in clause (i)); and

 

amending the Current Ratio financial covenant to exclude from the consolidated current liabilities calculated thereunder, the current required amortization payments under the Term Loan Agreement.

At March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources had $38.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, total commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility of $325.0 million.

The Revolving Credit Facility has capacity for Ultra Resources to increase the commitments subject to certain conditions and has $50.0 million of the commitments available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest either at a rate equal to (a) a customary London interbank offered rate plus an applicable margin that varies from 250 to 350 basis points or (b) the base rate plus an applicable margin that varies from 150 to 250 basis points. If borrowings are outstanding during a period that the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio exceeds 4.00 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter as described below, the interest rate on such borrowings shall be at a per annum rate that is 0.25% higher than the rate that would otherwise apply until the Company has provided financial statements indicating that the consolidated net leverage ratio no longer exceeds 4.00 to 1.00. The Revolving Credit Facility loans mature on January 12, 2022.

T he Revolving Credit Facility requires Ultra Resources to maintain (i) a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.50 to 1.00; (ii) a current ratio, including the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, of a minimum of 1.00 to 1.00; and (iii) after the Company has obtained investment grade rating an asset coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00. In addition, as of the last day of (i) each fiscal quarter ending during the period from March 31, 2019 through June 30, 2019, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.75 to 1.00, (ii) each fiscal quarter ending during the period from September 30, 2019 through June 30, 2020, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.90 to 1.0, (iii) the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2020, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.50 to 1.0, and (iv) the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2020 and each other fiscal quarter end thereafter, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.25

15


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

to 1.0 . At March 31, 2019 , Ultra Resources’ consolidated net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio were 4.1 1 to 1.00 and 3 . 26 to 1.00, respectively, and Ultra Resources was in compliance with each of its debt covenants under the Credit Agreement .   

Under the Revolving Credit Facility, t he Company is subject to the following minimum hedging requirements: t hrough September 29, 2019, the Company is required to hedge a minimum of 65% of the quarterly projected volumes of natural gas from its proved developed producing (“PDP”) reserves; and during the period beginning on September 30, 2019 and ending on March 30, 2020, the Company is required to hedge a minimum of 50% of the quarterly projected volumes of natural gas from PDP reserves. Beginning April 1, 2020, the Company will no longer be subject to a minimum hedging requirement.

Ultra Resources is required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, which varies based upon a borrowing base utilization grid. Ultra Resources is also required to pay customary letter of credit and fronting fees.

The Revolving Credit Facility also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, as to compliance with laws (including environmental laws, ERISA and anti-corruption laws), delivery of quarterly and annual financial statements and oil and gas engineering reports, maintenance and operation of property (including oil and gas properties), restrictions on the incurrence of liens, indebtedness, asset dispositions, fundamental changes, restricted payments, hedging requirements and other customary covenants.

The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary events of default and remedies for credit facilities of this nature. If Ultra Resources does not comply with the financial and other covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility, the lenders may, subject to customary cure rights, require immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and any outstanding unfunded commitments may be terminated.

Term Loan. In April 2017 , Ultra Resources, as borrower, entered into a Senior Secured Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with the Company and UP Energy Corporation, as parent guarantors, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent (the “Term Loan Administrative Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto (collectively, the “Term Loan Lenders”). As part of the Term Loan Agreement, Ultra Resources agreed to pay an original issue discount equal to one percent of the principal amount, which is included in the deferred financing costs noted above.

In December 2018, Ultra Resources and the parent guarantors entered into the First Amendment to the Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Amendment”) with the Term Loan Administrative Agent and the Term Loan Lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Term Loan Amendment, the parties agreed, among other things, to amend the Term Loan Agreement to permit the issuance of the Second Lien Notes and the December Exchange Transaction, to increase the interest rate payable by 100 basis points, such increase comprising 75 basis points payable in cash and 25 basis points payable in kind, and to revise certain covenants and other provisions of the Term Loan Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

introducing call protection of 102% until December 21, 2019 and 101% until December 21, 2020;

 

introducing additional restrictions on the Revolving Credit Facility; including amendments and refinancing of the Revolving Credit Facility as more thoroughly described in the Term Loan Amendment;

 

deleting the ability to increase commitments under the Term Loan;

 

increasing collateral coverage from 85% to 95% of total PV-9 of Proven Reserves (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement);

 

removing the ability to create, invest in and utilize unrestricted subsidiaries;

 

further limiting the Company’s ability to incur unsecured debt, repay junior debt, and make restricted payments and investments as more thoroughly described in the Term Loan Amendment; and

 

providing the ability for the Company to exchange unsecured borrowings to third lien debt within a construct as described in the Term Loan Amendment.

 

16


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

At March 31, 2019 , Ultra Resources had $ 975.1 million in outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement , including PIK interest and current maturities .

Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest either at a rate equal to (a) a customary London interbank offered rate plus 400 basis points or (b) the base rate plus 300 basis points, in each case, of which 25 basis points of the applicable margin is payable-in-kind (“PIK”) upon election by Ultra Resources. Beginning in March 2019, the Company has elected the PIK option and management expects to continue this practice into the future. The borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement amortize in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount beginning on June 30, 2019. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement matures on April 12, 2024.

Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement are subject to mandatory prepayments and customary reinvestment rights. The mandatory prepayments include, without limitation, a prepayment requirement with the total net proceeds from certain asset sales and net proceeds on insurance received on account of any loss of Ultra Resources’ property or assets, in each case subject to certain exceptions. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, there is a prepayment requirement if the asset coverage ratio is less than 2.0 to 1.0. To the extent any mandatory prepayments are required, prepayments are applied to prepay the borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement.

The Term Loan Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including as to compliance with laws (including environmental laws, ERISA and anti-corruption laws), delivery of quarterly and annual financial statements and oil and gas engineering reports, maintenance and operation of property (including oil and gas properties), restrictions on the incurrence of liens, indebtedness, asset dispositions, fundamental changes, restricted payments and other customary covenants. At March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources was in compliance with all of its debt covenants under the Term Loan Agreement.

The Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default and remedies for credit facilities of this nature. If Ultra Resources does not comply with the financial and other covenants in the Term Loan Agreement, the lenders may, subject to customary cure rights, require immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Agreement.

Second Lien Notes. On December 21, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the December Exchange Transaction, Ultra Resources issued $545.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes and entered into an Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2018 (the “Second Lien Notes Indenture”), among Ultra Resources, as issuer, the Company and its other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral agent.

During January and February 2019, certain holders of the 2022 Notes exchanged approximately $44.6 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Notes for approximately $27.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes in a series of Follow-on Exchange Transactions. All Second Lien Notes were issued pursuant to the Second Lien Notes Indenture. As of March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources had approximately $575.1 million in outstanding borrowings under the Second Lien Notes Indenture, including PIK interest.

The Second Lien Notes will mature on July 12, 2024. Interest on the Second Lien Notes will accrue at (i) an annual rate of 9.00% payable in cash and (ii) an annual rate of 2.00% PIK. The interest payment dates for the Second Lien Notes are January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2019. The Company has accounted for such PIK interest as an increase to the principal outstanding.

The Second Lien Notes are senior secured obligations of Ultra Resources and rank senior in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior debt, to the extent of the value of the collateral pledged under the Second Lien Notes Indenture and related collateral arrangements, senior in right of payment to all of its future subordinated debt, and junior in right of payment to all of its existing and future secured debt of senior priority, to the extent of the value of the collateral pledged thereby. The Second Lien Notes are secured by second priority security interests in substantially all assets of the Company. Payment by Ultra Resources of all amounts due on or in respect of the Second Lien Notes and the performance of Ultra Resources under the Indenture are initially guaranteed by the Company.

Prior to December 21, 2021, Ultra Resources may, at any time or from time to time, redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Notes in an amount no greater than the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 111.00% of the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including PIK interest), if any, to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the original principal amount of the Second Lien Notes remains outstanding and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing of such equity offering. In addition, before December 21, 2021, Ultra Resources may redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount

17


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including PIK interest), if any, to the redemption date . In addition, on or after December 21, 2021, Ultra Resources may redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 105.50% for the twelve-month period beginning on December 21, 2021, 102.75% for the twelve-month period beginning December 21, 2022, and 100.00% for the twelve-month period beginning December 21, 2023 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including PIK interest), if any, to the applicable redemption date on the Second Lien Notes.

If Ultra Resources experiences certain change of control triggering events set forth in the Second Lien Notes Indenture, each holder of the Second Lien Notes may require the Issuer to repurchase all or a portion of its Second Lien Notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Second Lien Notes, plus any accrued but unpaid interest (including PIK interest) to the date of repurchase.

The Second Lien Notes Indenture contains customary covenants that restrict the ability of Ultra Resources and the guarantors and certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) sell assets and subsidiary equity; (ii) incur or redeem indebtedness; (iii) create or incur certain liens; (iv) enter into affiliate agreements; (v) pay cash dividends, (vi) change the nature of its business or operations, (vii) make certain types of investments, (ix) enter into agreements that restrict distributions from certain restricted subsidiaries and the consummation of mergers and consolidations; (x) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Second Lien Notes Indenture); and (xi) create unrestricted and foreign subsidiaries. The covenants in the Second Lien Notes Indenture are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. Subject to conditions, the Second Lien Notes Indenture provides that the Company and its subsidiaries will no longer be subject to certain covenants when the Second Lien Notes receive investment grade ratings from any two of S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and Fitch Ratings, Inc.

The Second Lien Notes Indenture contains customary events of default. Unless otherwise noted in the Second Lien Notes Indenture, upon a continuing event of default, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Second Lien Notes, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the Second Lien Notes immediately due and payable, except that an event of default resulting from entry into a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, any Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Second Lien Notes Indenture) or group of Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Second Lien Notes Indenture), that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, will automatically cause the Second Lien Notes to become due and payable.

In conjunction with the Exchange Transactions, the portion of the Unsecured Notes which were exchanged for Second Lien Notes was accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring. The Company evaluated the quantitative and qualitative factors in the accounting literature and concluded that concessions were granted as the future undiscounted cash flows of the Second Lien Notes was greater than the net carrying value of the senior Unsecured Notes. No gain is recognized, and an effective interest rate is established based on the carrying value of the Second Lien Notes and revised cash flows. The amount of extinguished debt will be amortized over the remaining life of the Second Lien Notes using the effective interest method and recognized as a reduction to interest expense. As a result, our reported interest expense will be significantly less than the contractual cash interest payments throughout the term of the Second Lien Notes.

The exchanged debt resulted in a calculation of cancellation of debt income for tax purposes. Our current tax attributes are expected to offset any potential cash tax impacts from the Exchange Transactions. For additional details on the Company’s income taxes, refer to Note 6.

Unsecured Notes . In April 2017, Ultra Resources issued $700.0 million of its 2022 Notes and $500.0 million of its 2025 Notes and entered into an Indenture, dated April 12, 2017 (the “Unsecured Notes Indenture”), among Ultra Resources, as issuer, the Company and its other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee. The Unsecured Notes are treated as a single class of securities for most purposes under the Unsecured Notes Indenture.

In December 2018, the Company completed the December Exchange Transaction, pursuant to which the exchanging noteholders exchanged (i) approximately $505 million aggregate principal amount, or 72.1%, of the issued and outstanding 2022 Notes and (ii) $275 million aggregate principal amount, or 55.0%, of the issued and outstanding 2025 Notes for (a) $545.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes and (b) an aggregate of 10,919,499 new warrants of Ultra Petroleum Corp. each entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share of Ultra Petroleum Corp.

18


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In January and February 2019, the Company completed a series of Follow-on Exchange Transactions, pursuant to which the exchanging noteho lders exchanged approximately $ 44.6 million aggregate principal amount of the issued and outstanding 2022 Notes for approximately $ 27.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes.

At March 31, 2019, the aggregate principal amounts outstanding under the Unsecured Notes were approximately $150.4 million with respect to the 2022 Notes and $225.0 million with respect to the 2025 Notes.

The 2022 Notes will mature on April 15, 2022. The interest payment dates for the 2022 Notes are April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2025 Notes will mature on April 15, 2025. The interest payment dates for the 2025 Notes are April 15 and October 15 of each year. Interest will be paid on the Unsecured Notes from the issue date until maturity.

In December 2018, Ultra Resources, the Company and its other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and the Trustee entered into the First Supplemental Indenture to the Unsecured Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”). Pursuant to the Supplemental Indenture, the parties amended the Unsecured Indenture to, among other things, eliminate or amend substantially all of the restrictive covenants contained in the Unsecured Indenture, other than those relating to the payment of principal and interest. The Supplemental Indenture is binding on all Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding.

The Unsecured Notes Indenture contains customary events of default. Unless otherwise noted in the Unsecured Notes Indenture, upon a continuing event of default, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Unsecured Notes, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may, declare the Unsecured Notes immediately due and payable, except that an event of default resulting from entry into a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, any Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Unsecured Notes Indenture) or group of Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Unsecured Notes Indenture), that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, will automatically cause the Unsecured Notes to become due and payable.

5. SHARE BASED COMPENSATION:

Valuation and Expense Information  

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Total cost of share-based payment plans

 

$

1,127

 

 

$

10,910

 

Amounts capitalized in oil and gas properties and equipment

 

$

286

 

 

$

2,100

 

Amounts charged against income, before income tax benefit

 

$

841

 

 

$

8,810

 

Amount of related income tax benefit recognized in income before valuation allowance

 

$

177

 

 

$

1,850

 

 

Performance Share Plans :

2017 Stock Incentive Plan. In April 2017, the Ultra Petroleum Corp. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (“2017 Stock Incentive Plan”) was established by our board of directors (the “Board”) pursuant to which 7.5% of the equity in the Company (on a fully-diluted/fully-distributed basis) is reserved for grants to be made from time to time to the directors, officers, and other employees of the Company (the “Reserve”). During 2017, management incentive plan grants (the “Initial MIP Grants”) were made to members of the Board, officers, and other employees of the Company subject to the conditions and performance requirements provided in the grants, including the limitations that one-third of the Initial MIP Grants will vest, if at all, at such time when the total enterprise value of the Company equals or exceeds $6.0 billion based upon the volume weighted average price of the common stock during a consecutive 30-day period, that one-third of the Initial MIP Grants will vest, if at all, at such time when the total enterprise value of the Company equals or exceeds 110% of $6.0 billion based upon the volume weighted average price of the common stock during a consecutive 30-day period, and, that if any Initial MIP Grants do not vest before April 12, 2023, such Initial MIP Grants shall automatically expire. The balance of the Reserve is available to be granted by the Board from time to time.

19


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

In June 2018, each of the Board and the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) approved an amendment and restatement of the Ultra Petroleum Corp. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (as amended and restat ed, the “A&R Stock Incentive Plan”) . The A&R Stock Incentive Plan amends and restates the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan to, among other things:

provide that consultants, independent contractors and advisors are eligible to participate and receive equity awards in the A&R Stock Incentive Plan;

limit the aggregate incentive awards available to be granted to any outside director during a single calendar year to a maximum of $750,000;

revise the definition of a Change of Control to exclude a change in a majority of the members on the Board;

provide that, with respect to awards granted on or after June 8, 2018, no such awards will vest solely as a result of a Change of Control (as defined in the A&R Stock Incentive Plan) unless expressly provided otherwise in the applicable grant agreement or unless otherwise determined by the Committee; and

make certain other changes related to revisions to the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

In July 2018, the Company modified its incentive plan and recipients of the Initial MIP Grants were offered an opportunity to exchange the unvested portion of their Initial MIP Grants for new equity awards of time-based restricted stock units (the “2018 RSUs”) effective July 31, 2018 on a one-for-one basis. All 2018 RSUs are time-based awards and vest in equal tranches on May 25, 2019, May 25, 2020, and May 25, 2021. Under FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation Cost – Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”), the cancellation of an outstanding award of stock-based compensation followed by the issuance of a replacement award is treated as a modification of the original award. The equity award cancellations and subsequent new grants by the Company were considered Type I, probable-to-probable modification in 2018. This type represents modifications where the award was likely to vest prior to modification and is still likely to vest after modification. For these types of modifications, the fair value of the award is assessed both prior to modification and after modification. If the fair value after modification exceeds the fair value prior to modification, incremental expense is generated and recognized over the remaining vesting period.

In March 2019, additional Initial MIP Grants were exchanged for new equity awards of time-based and performance-based restricted stock units. The Company evaluated the cancellation of an outstanding award of stock-based compensation followed by the issuance of a replacement award under ASC 718. For this modification, the fair value of the award is assessed both prior to modification and after modification. Per ASC 718, if the fair value after modification exceeds the fair value prior to modification, incremental expense is generated and recognized over the remaining vesting period.

Long Term Incentive Awards. In 2018 and March 2019, the Board approved long-term incentive awards under the A&R Stock Incentive Plan in order to further align the interests of key employees with shareholders and to give key employees the opportunity to share in the long-term performance of the Company when specific corporate financial and operational goals are achieved. The awards cover a performance period of three years and includes time-based and performance-based measures established by the Committee at the beginning of the three-year period.

Stock-Based Compensation Cost :

Market-Based Condition Awards. When vesting of an award of stock-based compensation is dependent, at least in part, on the value of a company’s total equity, for purposes of FASB ASC 718, the award is considered to be subject to a “market condition”. Because the Company’s total equity value is a component of its enterprise value, the awards based on enterprise value are considered to be subject to a market condition. Unlike the valuation of an award that is subject to a service condition (i.e., time vested awards) or a performance condition that is not related to stock price, FASB ASC 718 requires the impact of the market condition to be considered when estimating the fair value of the award. As a result, we have used a Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the fair value of the awards that include a market condition.

FASB ASC 718 requires the expense for an award of stock-based compensation that is subject to a market condition that can be attained at any point during the performance period to be recognized over the shorter of (a) the period between the date of grant and the date the market condition is attained, and (b) the award’s derived service period. For purposes of FASB ASC 718, the derived service period represents the duration of the median of the distribution of share price paths on which the market condition is satisfied. That median is the middle share price path (the midpoint of the distribution of paths) on which the market condition is satisfied. The

20


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

duration is the period of time from the service inception date to the expected date of market condition satisfaction . Compensation expense is recognized regardless of whether the market condition is actually satisfied .

Expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized $0.8 million in pre-tax compensation expense, which is included within General and administrative expenses on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized $8.8 million in pre-tax compensation expense, of which $8.6 million related to the Initial MIP Grants.    

6. INCOME TAXES:

The Company’s overall effective tax rate on pre-tax income was different than the statutory rate of 21% due primarily to adjustments to the valuation allowances.

The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2019. Some or all of this valuation allowance may be reversed in future periods against future income.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was enacted into law. As a result of the Tax Act, further clarifications and new regulations to the Tax Act continue to be issued at times. The Company will continue to monitor these new regulations and analyze their applicability and impact on the Company.

7. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

Objectives and Strategy: The Company’s major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to its natural gas and oil production. Realized pricing is currently driven primarily by the prevailing price for the Company’s natural gas production. Historically, prices received for natural gas production have been volatile and unpredictable. Pricing volatility is expected to continue. The prices we receive for our 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.

The Company relies on various types of derivative instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price risk and to provide a level of certainty in the Company’s forward cash flows supporting the Company’s operations and capital investment program. These types of instruments may include fixed price swaps, costless collars, deferred premium puts or basis differential swaps. These contracts are financial instruments, and do not require or allow for physical delivery of the hedged commodity. While mitigating the effects of fluctuating commodity prices, these derivative contracts may limit the benefits we would receive from increases in commodity prices above the fixed hedge prices.

The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility requires the Company to hedge 65% of forecast proved producing natural gas production, based on its most recent reserve report for 18 months from the end of the given quarter. This requirement is in effect through September 29, 2019. After that time, the requirement decreases to 50% of the estimated proved producing forecast for natural gas through March 30, 2020. This means the Company may unwind hedges beginning September 30, 2019 at its discretion providing the Company remains hedged at the 50% level for natural gas. Additionally, the Revolving Credit Facility limits the amount of hedging to 85% of forecast production for all products within a given quarter.

Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives: FASB ASC 815 requires that all derivatives be recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either an asset or liability and be measured at fair value. Changes in the derivative’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to any of its derivative instruments.

Derivative contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are recorded as derivative assets and liabilities at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the associated unrealized gains and losses are recorded as current income or expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrealized gains or losses on commodity derivatives represent the non-cash change in the fair value of these derivative instruments and do not impact operating cash flows on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows .

Commodity Derivative Contracts: At March 31, 2019, the Company had the following open commodity derivative contracts to manage commodity price risks. For the fixed price swaps, the Company receives the fixed price for the contract and pays the variable

21


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

price to the counterparty . For the basis swaps, the Company receives a f ixed price for the difference between two sales points for a specified commodity volume over a specified time period . For the collars, the Company pays the counterparty if the market price is above the ceiling price and the counterparty pays if the market price is below the floor price on a notional quantity. For deferred premium puts, the Company pays the deferred premium in the month of settlement.  To the extent the market price is below the put price, the counterparty owes the Company the difference between the market price and put price in the period of s ettlement.   The reference prices of these commodity derivative contracts are typically referenced to index prices as published by independent third parties . Refer to Note 8 for more information regarding the Company’s derivative instruments.

 

Type/Year

 

Index

 

Total Volumes

 

 

Weighted Average Price per Unit

 

 

Fair Value -

March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset (Liability)

 

Natural gas fixed price swaps

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

($/Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX-Henry Hub

 

 

137.8

 

 

$

2.77

 

 

$

(2,079

)

2020

 

NYMEX-Henry Hub

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

2.78

 

 

 

(5,439

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas basis swaps (1)

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

($/Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NW Rockies Basis Swap

 

 

90.2

 

 

$

0.58

 

 

$

(18,734

)

2020

 

NW Rockies Basis Swap

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

0.15

 

 

 

770

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil fixed price swaps

 

 

 

(Bbl)

 

 

($/Bbl)

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

 

1.0

 

 

$

58.64

 

 

$

(1,680

)

2020

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

60.05

 

 

 

51

 

 

Type/Year

 

Index

 

Total Volumes

 

 

Weighted Average

Floor Price

($/MMBTU)

 

 

Weighted Average Ceiling Price

($/MMBTU)

 

 

Fair Value -

March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset (Liability)

 

Natural gas collars

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX

 

 

2.8

 

 

$

2.85

 

 

$

3.13

 

 

$

264

 

2020

 

NYMEX

 

 

49.4

 

 

$

2.51

 

 

$

2.97

 

 

$

(1,298

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas deferred premium put options

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

NYMEX

 

 

25.1

 

 

$

2.41

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

(394

)

 

(1)

Represents swap contracts that fix the basis differentials for gas sold at or near Opal, Wyoming and the value of natural gas established on the last trading day of the month by the NYMEX for natural gas swaps for the respective period.

 

The following table summarizes the pre-tax realized and unrealized gain (loss) the Company recognized related to its derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

Commodity Derivatives (in thousands):

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives - natural gas (1)

 

$

(81,203

)

 

$

1,446

 

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives - oil (1)

 

 

2,572

 

 

 

(370

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives (1)

 

 

14,292

 

 

 

(7,606

)

Total gain (loss) on commodity derivatives

 

$

(64,339

)

 

$

(6,530

)

 

(1)

Included in Loss on commodity derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

22


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

8 . FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:

As required by FASB ASC 820, the Company defines fair value 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 and establishes a three-level hierarchy for measuring fair value. Fair value measurements are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

 

Level 1 :

Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

 

Level 2 :

Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter forwards and swaps.

 

Level 3 :

Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The valuation assumptions the Company has used to measure the fair value of its commodity derivatives were observable inputs based on market data obtained from independent sources and are considered Level 2 inputs (quoted prices for similar assets, liabilities (adjusted) and market-corroborated inputs).

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current derivative asset

 

$

 

 

$

10,985

 

 

$

 

 

$

10,985

 

Long-term derivative asset (1)

 

 

 

 

 

5,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,715

 

Total derivative instruments

 

$

 

 

$

16,700

 

 

$

 

 

$

16,700

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current derivative liability

 

$

 

 

$

38,483

 

 

$

 

 

$

38,483

 

Long-term derivative liability (2)

 

 

 

 

 

6,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,756

 

Total derivative instruments

 

$

 

 

$

45,239

 

 

$

 

 

$

45,239

 

(1)

Included in Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(2)

Included in Other long-term obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

The Company entered into commodity derivative contracts and as a result, we expose ourselves to counterparty credit risk. Credit risk is the potential failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of a derivative contract. In order to minimize our credit risk in derivative instruments, we (i) enter into derivative contracts with counterparties that our management has deemed credit worthy as competent and competitive market makers and (ii) routinely monitor and review the credit of our counterparties. In addition, each of our current counterparties are lenders under our Revolving Credit Facility. We believe that all of our counterparties are of substantial credit quality. Other than as provided in our Revolving Credit Facility, we are not required to provide credit support or collateral to any of our counterparties under our derivative contracts, nor are they required to provide credit support to us. As of March 31, 2019, we did not have any past-due receivables from, or payables to, any of the counterparties of our derivative contracts. Refer to Note 7 for additional details on our derivative financial instruments.

 

Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Company uses fair value to determine the value of its asset retirement obligations. The inputs used to determine such fair value under the expected present value technique are primarily based upon internal estimates prepared by reservoir engineers for costs of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with the Company’s oil and gas properties and would be classified Level 3 inputs.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of financial instruments is the estimated amount at which the instrument could be exchanged currently between willing parties. The carrying amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents,

23


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments . The carrying amount of floating-rate debt approximates fair value because the interest rates are variable and reflective of market rates.  The Company uses available market data and valuation methodologies to estimate the f air value of its debt and the fair values presented in the tables below reflect original maturity dates for each of the debt instruments . The valuation assumptions utilized to measure the fair value of the Company’s debt are considered Level 2 inputs . This disclosure is presented in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments, and does not impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

 

Principal

 

 

Estimated

 

 

Principal

 

 

Estimated

 

 

 

repayment obligation

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

repayment obligation

 

 

Fair Value

 

Credit Facility, secured, due January 2022

 

$

38,000

 

 

$

38,000

 

 

$

104,000

 

 

$

104,000

 

Term Loan, secured, due April 2024

 

 

975,068

 

 

 

840,996

 

 

 

975,000

 

 

 

858,000

 

Second Lien Notes, secured, due July 2024

 

 

575,149

 

 

 

342,616

 

 

 

545,000

 

 

 

395,125

 

6.875% Notes, unsecured, due April 2022

 

 

150,439

 

 

 

50,021

 

 

 

195,035

 

 

 

68,262

 

7.125% Notes, unsecured, due April 2025

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

49,500

 

 

 

225,000

 

 

 

69,750

 

Total debt

 

$

1,963,656

 

 

$

1,321,133

 

 

$

2,044,035

 

 

$

1,495,137

 

 

9. LEASES

The Company has operating leases for corporate offices, drilling rigs, the Company’s liquids gathering system, and certain equipment. The leases have remaining lease terms of one year to nine years. The Company does not include renewal options in the lease term for calculating the lease liability unless it is reasonably certain that it will exercise the option or the lessor has the sole ability to exercise the option.

The following table summarizes the components of lease cost:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

5,255

 

Variable lease cost (1)

 

$

1,694

 

Short-term lease cost (2)

 

$

9,910

 

Total lease cost (3)

 

$

16,859

 

 

 

(1)

Variable lease payments include additional payments made that were not included in the initial measurement of the ROU asset and corresponding lease liability for agreements with terms longer than 12 months. Variable lease payments relate to the actual volumes transported under certain agreements, and variable utility costs associated with the Company’s leased office space. Fluctuations in variable lease payments are driven by actual volumes under long-term agreements.

 

(2)

Costs associated with short-term lease agreements relate primarily to operational activities where underlying lease terms are less than one year. This amount is significant as it includes drilling activities, most of which are contracted for 12 months or less. It is expected this amount will fluctuate primarily with the number of drilling rigs the Company is operating under short-term agreements.

 

(3)

Lease costs are either expensed on the accompanying statements of operations or capitalized on the accompanying balance sheets depending on the nature and use of the underlying ROU asset.

24


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

The following table provides supplemental balance sheet information related to the Company’s operating leases:

 

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Operating Leases

 

 

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

$

127,861

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

$

11,261

 

Long-term operating lease liabilities

 

 

116,613

 

Total operating lease liabilities

 

$

127,874

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

8.6 years

 

Weighted Average Discount Rate

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

7.91

%

 

The following table provides supplemental cash flow information related to the Company’s operating leases:

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

$

5,242

 

 

The following table summarizes the fixed, future minimum rental payments, excluding variable costs, which are discounted by the Company’s incremental borrowing rates to calculate the lease liabilities for the Company’s operating leases:

 

 

 

Operating Leases

 

For the year ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

2019 (remaining)

 

$

15,646

 

2020

 

 

20,853

 

2021

 

 

20,750

 

2022

 

 

20,327

 

2023

 

 

19,719

 

Thereafter

 

 

78,239

 

Total lease payments

 

$

175,534

 

Less: imputed interest

 

 

(47,660

)

Total

 

$

127,874

 

 

 

10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

Litigation Matters

Pending Claims – Ultra Resources Indebtedness

On April 29, 2016, the Company and its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions under chapter 11 of title 11 of the U.S. Code in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the “Bankruptcy Court”).  Our chapter 11 cases were jointly administered under the caption  In re Ultra Petroleum Corp. , et al, Case No. 16-32202 (MI) (Bankr. S.D. Tex.).  On March 14, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court confirmed our Debtors’ Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) and on April 12, 2017, we emerged from bankruptcy.

The Plan provides for the treatment of claims against our bankruptcy estates, including claims for prepetition liabilities that have not otherwise been satisfied or addressed before we emerged from chapter 11 proceedings. As noted in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the claims resolution process associated with our chapter 11 proceedings is on-going, and we expect it to continue for an indefinite period of time.

25


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

Our chapter 11 filings constituted events of default under Ultra Resources’ prepetition debt agreements . During our bankruptcy proceedings, many holders of this indebtedness filed proofs of claim with the Bankruptcy Court, asserting claims for the outstanding balance of the inde btedness, unpaid prepetition interest dates, unpaid postpetition interest (including interest at the default rates under the prepetition debt agreements), make-whole amounts, and other fees and obligations allegedly arising under the prepetition debt agree ments . As previously disclosed, in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy and in accordance with the Plan, all of our obligations with respect to Ultra Resources prepetition indebtedness and the associated debt agreements were cancelled, except to t he limited extent expressly set forth in the Plan, and the holders of claims related to the indebtedness received payment in full of allowed claims (including with respect to outstanding principal, unpaid prepetition interest, and certain other prepetition fees and obligations arising under the debt agreements). In connection with the confirmation and consummation of the Plan, we entered into a stipulation with the claimants pursuant to which we agreed to establish and fund a $400.0 million reserve account after the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy, pending resolution of make-whole and postpetition interest claims. On April 14, 2017, we funded the account. Following our emergence from bankruptcy, we continued to dispute the claims made by holders of the U ltra Resources’ indebtedness for certain make-whole amounts and postpetition interest at the default rates provided for in the debt agreements .

On September 22, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court denied the Company’s objection to the pending make-whole and postpetition interest claims. On October 6, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order requiring the Company to distribute amounts attributable to the disputed claims to the applicable parties. Pursuant to the order, on October 12, 2017, the Company distributed $399.0 million from a $400.0 million reserve fund set up in connection with our emergence from chapter 11 proceedings to the parties asserting the make-whole and postpetition interest claims and $1.3 million (the balance remaining after distributions to the parties asserting claims) was returned to the Company. The disbursement of $399.0 million was comprised of $223.8 million representing the fees owed under the make-whole claims described above and $175.2 million representing postpetition interest at the default rate. The Company appealed the court order denying its objections to these claims to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (the “Appellate Court”).

During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company entered into settlement agreements (collectively, the “Settlement Agreements”) with holders of certain claims related to Ultra Resources’ prepetition indebtedness (the “Claimants”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to settle the pending disputes between the Claimants and the Company. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreements, the Claimants collectively agreed to pay approximately $16.4 million to the Company.

On January 17, 2019, the Appellate Court issued an opinion vacating the order of the Bankruptcy Court denying the Company’s objection to the asserted make-whole and post-petition interest claims and remanding the matter and those determinations to the Bankruptcy Court for further reconsideration. As of March 31, 2019, there were approximately $260 million of claims subject to the Appellate Court decision.   On January 31, 2019, the holders of these claims filed a petition for rehearing en banc. It is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters at this time.

Royalties

On April 19, 2016, the Company received a preliminary determination notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue (“ONRR”) asserting that the Company’s allocation of certain processing costs and plant fuel use at certain processing plants were impermissibly charged as deductions in the determination of royalties owed under federal oil and gas leases. ONRR also filed a proof of claim in our bankruptcy proceedings asserting approximately $35.1 million in claims related to these matters. We disputed the preliminary determination and the proof of claim. We have notified ONRR of several matters we believe ONRR may not have considered in preparing the preliminary determination notice, and we continue to be in discussions with ONRR related to these matters. This claim and the preliminary determination notice could ultimately result in us being ordered to pay additional royalty to ONRR for prior, current and future periods. The Company is not able to determine the likelihood or range of any additional royalties or, if and when assessed, whether such amounts would be material.

Other Claims

We are also party to various disputes with respect to certain overriding royalty and net profits interests in certain of our operated leases in Pinedale, Wyoming. At this time, no determination of the outcome of these claims can be made, and we cannot reasonably estimate the potential impact of these claims. We are defending these cases vigorously, and we expect these claims to be resolved in our chapter 11 proceedings. In addition, we are currently involved in various routine disputes and allegations incidental to our business operations. While it is not possible to determine the ultimate disposition of these matters, we believe the resolution of all such pending or threatened litigation is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.

 

26


ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)

 

1 1 . SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

The Company has evaluated the period subsequent to March 31, 2019 for material events that did not exist at the balance sheet date but arose after that date and determined that no subsequent events arose that should be disclosed in order to keep the financial statements from being misleading.

 

 

27


 

ITEM 2  — MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of the financial condition and operating results of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. Except as otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) , Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Except for statements of historical facts, all statements included in this document, including without limitation, statements in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations regarding the Company’s financial position, estimated quantities and net present values of reserves, business strategy, plans and objectives of the Company’s management for future operations, covenant compliance and those statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “believe,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “target,” “goal,” “plans,” “objective,” “should,” or similar expressions or variations on such expressions are forward-looking statements. The Company can give no assurances that the assumptions upon which such forward-looking statements are based will prove to be correct nor can the Company assure adequate funding will be available to execute the Company’s planned future capital program.

Other risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to decrease its leverage or fixed costs, increased competition, the timing and extent of changes in prices for oil and gas, particularly in the areas where we own properties, conduct operations, and market our production, as well as the timing and extent of our success in discovering, developing, producing and estimating oil and gas reserves, our ability to successfully monetize the properties we are marketing, weather and government regulation, and the availability of oil field services, personnel and equipment.  See the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 for additional risks related to the Company’s business .

OPERATIONS OVERVIEW:

Production and Revenues

Ultra Petroleum Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively the “Company”, “Ultra”, “our”, “we”, “us”) is an independent exploration and production company focused on developing and producing its long-life natural gas reserves in the Pinedale and Jonah fields of the Green River Basin of southwest Wyoming. The Company operates in one industry segment, natural gas and oil exploration and development, with one geographical segment, the United States.

The Company conducts operations exclusively in the United States. Substantially all of its oil and natural gas activities are conducted jointly with others and, accordingly, amounts presented reflect only the Company’s proportionate interest in such activities. The Company continues to focus on improving its drilling and production results through gaining efficiencies with the use of advanced technologies, detailed technical analysis of its properties and leveraging its experience. Inflation has not had, nor is it expected to have in the foreseeable future, a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or capital investment program.

The Company currently generates its revenue, earnings and cash flow from the production and sales of natural gas and condensate from its properties in southwest Wyoming.

Total production for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 was 59.6 Bcf of natural gas and 436.7 MBbl of crude oil and condensate, for a total of 62.2 Bcfe of production. The quarterly production was derived from producing wells in place as of the beginning of 2019 and the production of new wells turned to sales in the first quarter under the Company’s three-rig operated drilling program. On a per unit basis, the average realized prices for the Company in the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, was $4.33 per Mcfe and $3.08 per Mcfe, respectively.

The prices of oil and natural gas are critical factors to the Company’s business. The prices of oil and natural gas have historically been volatile, and this volatility could be detrimental to the Company’s financial performance. As a result, and from time to time, the Company tries to limit the impact of this volatility on its results by entering into swap agreements, costless collars, and/or deferred premium puts. The Company also enters into short-term fixed price forward physical delivery contracts for natural gas and oil from time-to-time. The Company is currently required under its Revolving Credit Facility to enter into derivative commodity contracts for a minimum of 65% of its forecast proven producing natural gas reserves for the ensuing 18-month period. The Company has also begun to utilize more costless collars and is now utilizing deferred put contracts, with low premium costs, to provide a degree of floor price protection and allow the Company to participate in more upward price exposure.

28


 

The average price realization for the Company’s natural gas during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $2.77 per Mcf, including realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives settled in the period . The average price realization for the Company’s natural gas during the three months ended March 31, 2019 , excluding realized gains and lo sses on commodity derivatives, was $4.13 per Mcf. The realized natural gas prices were strong in the first quarter of 2019, as compared to the preceding 12-month average based on weather - related demand and tightness in the transportation markets in the western United States. The Company benefited from this upward pricing on its unhedged production volumes.

The average price realization for the Company’s crude oil and condensate during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $59.58 per barrel, including realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives. The average price realization for the Company’s crude oil and condensate during the three months ended March 31, 2019, excluding realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, was $53.70 per barrel.

Capital Investments

The Company has operated three rigs in the Pinedale field with a primary focus of planned activities on vertical wells. The Company has also participated in wells drilled by another operator in the Pinedale field during this period. The total capital investment in oil and gas properties was $92.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, there were 27 gross (26.1 net) vertical wells and 1 gross (0.9 net) horizontal well turned to sales, together with 6 gross (2.0 net) vertical wells operated by others.

The vertical well costs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 averaged $3.15 million, which included approximately $0.1 million to advance certain technical initiatives designed to help accelerate the next step-change reduction in vertical well costs. This stabilization of capital cost from the higher well cost levels in the early part of 2018 was a reflection of more concentrated vertical well operations. This resulted in efficiencies from development on larger drill pads resulting in less rig movement and a higher utilization rate of equipment.

Liquidity and Working Capital

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had $10.5 million of cash and $38.0 million outstanding under its Revolving Credit Facility. The Revolving Credit Facility has an established borrowing base of $325.0 million based on the borrowing base redetermination completed in February 2019.

29


 

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:

Beginning as of January 1, 2019, the Company revised its estimate administrative costs associated with its operations and classified as Lease operating expenses on the consolidated statement of operations.  During 2018 and 2019, the Company has taken steps to drive efficiencies through its operations which resulted its overhead costs being less than the inflation adjustment to the overhead rates set by the Council of Petroleum Accountants Societies (“COPAS”).  Accordingly, the Company reduced the amount of costs categorized as Lease operating expenses, with General and administrative expenses absorbing a larger portion of the total costs.

The following table summarizes our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

For the Quarter Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

 

%

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Variance

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per unit data)

 

Production, Commodity Prices and Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (Mcf)

 

 

59,574

 

 

 

68,233

 

 

 

(13

)%

Crude oil and condensate (Bbl)

 

 

437

 

 

 

678

 

 

 

(36

)%

Total production (Mcfe)

 

 

62,196

 

 

 

72,301

 

 

 

(14

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity Prices:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas ($/Mcf, excluding hedges)

 

$

4.13

 

 

$

2.66

 

 

 

55

%

Natural gas ($/Mcf, including realized hedges)

 

$

2.77

 

 

$

2.68

 

 

 

3

%

Oil and condensate ($/Bbl, excluding hedges)

 

$

53.70

 

 

$

60.90

 

 

 

(12

)%

Oil and condensate ($/Bbl, including realized hedges)

 

$

59.58

 

 

$

60.36

 

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

245,989

 

 

$

181,462

 

 

 

36

%

Oil sales

 

 

23,465

 

 

 

41,284

 

 

 

(43

)%

Other revenues

 

 

2,007

 

 

 

2,628

 

 

 

(24

)%

Total operating revenues

 

$

271,461

 

 

$

225,374

 

 

 

20

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives

 

$

(78,631

)

 

$

1,076

 

 

 

(7408

)%

Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives

 

 

14,292

 

 

 

(7,606

)

 

 

288

%

Total Loss on commodity derivatives

 

$

(64,339

)

 

$

(6,530

)

 

 

885

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Costs and Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

$

17,225

 

 

$

21,764

 

 

 

(21

)%

Facility lease expense

 

$

6,645

 

 

$

6,156

 

 

 

8

%

Production taxes

 

$

30,175

 

 

$

23,270

 

 

 

30

%

Gathering fees

 

$

19,880

 

 

$

23,055

 

 

 

(14

)%

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

 

$

51,653

 

 

$

50,540

 

 

 

2

%

General and administrative expenses

 

$

7,052

 

 

$

12,688

 

 

 

(44

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per Unit Costs and Expenses ($/Mcfe):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expenses

 

$

0.28

 

 

$

0.30

 

 

 

(7

)%

Facility lease expense

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

0.09

 

 

 

22

%

Production taxes

 

$

0.49

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

 

53

%

Gathering fees

 

$

0.32

 

 

$

0.32

 

 

 

 

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

 

$

0.83

 

 

$

0.70

 

 

 

19

%

General and administrative expenses

 

$

0.11

 

 

$

0.18

 

 

 

(39

)%

 

30


 

Quarter Ended March 31, 2019 vs . Quarter Ended March 31, 2018

Production, Commodity Prices and Revenues:

Production. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, total production decreased on a gas equivalent basis to 62.2 Bcfe compared to 72.3 Bcfe for the same period in 2018. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease in capital investment which occurred over the second half of 2018 compared to the end of 2017 and early 2018 and resulted in lower production in the current period. Additionally, the sale of the non-core assets in Utah during the third quarter of 2018 resulted in a relative decrease in production on a comparative basis.

Commodity Prices – Natural Gas. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company’s average price for oil, excluding realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, was $53.70 per barrel as compared to $60.36 per barrel for the same period in 2018.  The significant increase in the unhedged price of natural gas in the first quarter of 2019 was a result of weather-related demand in regions supplied by Rockies natural gas as well as supply constraints into western markets, thereby driving an increase in regional natural gas realizations. This market situation was limited to the period of November 2018 through March 2019, and projected natural gas prices have returned to levels seen in recent periods. This improved natural gas price on unhedged volumes was realized on the Company’s unhedged volumes and certain volumes sold on a daily spot basis during the quarter ended March 31, 2019.

Realized natural gas prices, including realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, increased 3% to $2.77 per Mcf during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $2.68 per Mcf for the same period in 2018. The Company has entered into various natural gas price commodity derivative contracts with contract periods extending through the third quarter of 2020. See Note 7 for additional details relating to these derivative contracts. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company’s average price for natural gas, excluding realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, was $4.13 per Mcf as compared to $2.66 per Mcf for the same period in 2018.

Commodity Prices – Oil. Realized oil prices, including realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, decreased to $59.58 per barrel during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as compared to $60.90 per barrel for the same period in 2018. The Company has entered into various oil price commodity derivative contracts with contract periods extending through 2020. See Note 7 for additional details relating to these derivative contracts. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company’s average price for oil, excluding realized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, was $53.70 per barrel as compared to $60.36 per barrel for the same period in 2018.

Revenues. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, revenues increased to $271.5 million as compared to $225.4 million for the same period in 2018. This increase is primarily attributable to the increase in average natural gas prices, excluding gains and losses on commodity derivatives, partially offset by the decrease in total production and decrease in average oil prices.

Operating Costs and Expenses:

Lease Operating Expense. Lease operating expense (“LOE”) decreased to $17.2 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared to $21.8 million during the same period in 2018 is driven by the exclusion of the Utah production and related expenses in 2019 which approximated $2.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The sale of the Utah assets was completed in September 2018. Additionally, the Company adjusted the estimate used to determine the overhead rate used for the Company administrative expenses as previously discussed.  The decrease in the overhead charged to the LOE was approximately $2.8 million. On a unit of production basis, LOE costs decreased to $0.28 per Mcfe during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared with $0.30 per Mcfe during the same period in 2018.

Facility Lease Expense. In 2012, the Company sold a system of liquids gathering pipelines and central gathering facilities (the “LGS”) and certain associated real property rights in the Pinedale Anticline in Wyoming. The Company entered into a long-term, triple net lease agreement with the buyer relating to the use of the LGS (the “Lease Agreement”). The Lease Agreement provides for an initial term of 15 years, and annual base rent of $20.0 million during the initial term (as adjusted annually for changes based on the consumer price index), which base rent may increase if certain volume thresholds are exceeded. For the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized expense associated with the Lease Agreement of $6.6 million, or $0.11 per Mcfe, as compared to $6.2 million, or $0.09 per Mcfe for the same period in 2018.

Production Taxes. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, production taxes increased to $30.2 million compared to $23.3 million during the same period in 2018, or $0.49 per Mcfe compared to $0.32 per Mcfe, respectively. Production taxes in Wyoming are primarily calculated based on a percentage of revenue from the physical production and realized revenues, excluding derivative hedge settlements, after certain deductions and were 11.1% of revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 and 10.3% of revenues for the same period in 2018. The increase in per unit taxes was attributable to increased natural gas prices during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018, as well as the fact that production from Utah in 2018 was taxed at a lower rate.

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Gathering Fees . During the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , gathering fees decreased   to $ 19.9  million compared to $ 23.1  million during the same period in 2018 , related to de creased production volumes . On a per unit basis, gathering fees remained flat at $ 0.32 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 .

Depletion, Depreciation and Amortization. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, depletion, depreciation and amortization (“DD&A”) expense increased to $51.7 million compared to $50.5 million for the same period in 2018. The increase is primarily attributable to a higher depletion rate due to a higher depletable base from the recognition of proved undeveloped properties, as well as overall higher finding and development costs in recent periods than the historical depletion rate per Mcfe, offset slightly by decreased production volumes during the three months ended March 31, 2019. On a unit of production basis, the DD&A rate increased to $0.83 per Mcfe for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to $0.70 per Mcfe for the same period in 2018.

General and Administrative Expenses. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, general and administrative expenses decreased to $7.1 million as compared to $12.7 million for the same period in 2018. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of stock compensation expense from $8.8 million to $0.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2018 and 2019, respectively, as well as severance costs incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.  This was partially offset by legal fees related to the Follow-on Debt Exchange Transactions (as defined below) incurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as well as higher level of general and administrative expense resulting from the change in estimate of the overhead costs transferred to LOE. On a per unit basis, general and administrative expenses decreased to $0.11 per Mcfe for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 compared to $0.18 per Mcfe for the same period in 2018.

Other Inco me and Expenses:

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $33.3 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared to $35.8 million during the same period in 2018. Interest expense is comprised of four primary elements: (i) cash interest expense; (ii) PIK interest expense; (iii) amortization of deferred premium; and (iv) amortization of deferred financing costs. The table below reflects the comparative amounts in each period presented (in thousands):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended

March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash interest expense

 

$

36,737

 

 

$

33,110

 

PIK interest expense

 

 

3,183

 

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred premium

 

 

(9,716

)

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount

 

 

3,123

 

 

 

2,727

 

Total interest expense

 

$

33,327

 

 

$

35,837

 

Deferred Gain on Sale of Liquids Gathering System (“LGS”). During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company recognized $2.6 million in deferred gain on the 2012 sale of the LGS and certain associated real property rights. On January 1, 2019, the Company recognized the remaining deferred gain as an opening balance sheet adjustment to Retained loss upon adoption of ASC 842.

Commodity Derivat ives:

Gain (Loss) on Commodity Derivatives. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized a loss of $64.3 million, as compared to a loss of $6.5 million related to commodity derivatives for the same period in 2018. Of this total, the Company recognized $78.6 million related to a realized loss on commodity derivatives that were settled during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as compared with $1.1 million related to a realized gain on commodity derivatives during the same period in 2018. The realized gain or loss on commodity derivatives relates to actual amounts received or paid under the Company’s derivative contracts. This amount also includes an unrealized gain of $14.3 million on commodity derivatives during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, as compared to an unrealized loss of $7.6 million during the same period in 2018. The unrealized gain or loss on commodity derivatives represents the non-cash charge attributable to the change in the fair value of these derivative instruments over the remaining term of the contract.

Income from Operations:

Pretax Income. During the quarter ended March 31, 2019, the Company recognized income before income taxes of $40.6 million compared to $47.9 million for the same period in 2018. The operating income and operating expense elements together with the loss on commodity derivatives, offset by the decreased net interest expense were the primary elements for the decrease in net income during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018.

Income Taxes. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance against all deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2019. Some or all of this valuation allowance may be reversed in future periods against future income.

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Net Income . During the quarter ended March 31, 2019 , the Company recognized net income of $ 40.7  million, or $ 0.21 per diluted share, as compared to $ 47.5  million, or $ 0.24 per diluted share, for the same period in 2018 . The operating income and operating expense elements together with the loss on commodity derivatives, offset by the decreased interest expense were the primary elements for the decrease in net income during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 as compared to th e same period in 2018 .

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Overview. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we funded our operations primarily through cash flows from operating activities and periodic borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (defined below). At March 31, 2019, the Company reported a cash position of $10.5 million. At March 31, 2019, the Company had $38.0 million outstanding borrowings. The borrowing base provides for a total of $325.0 million of availability as determined in February 2019. In addition to the borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company had $1.9 billion of other indebtedness outstanding in the form of term loans, secured notes and unsecured notes with maturities commencing in 2022. Availability under the borrowing base may be limited based on compliance with financial covenants; however, the Company expects to have adequate liquidity to fund its operations into the foreseeable future.

Given the current level of volatility in the market and the unpredictability of certain costs that could potentially arise in our operations, the Company’s liquidity needs could be significantly higher than the Company currently anticipates. The Company’s ability to maintain adequate liquidity depends on the prevailing market prices for oil and natural gas, the successful operation of the business, and appropriate management of operating expenses and capital spending. The Company’s anticipated liquidity needs are highly sensitive to changes in each of these and other factors.

Capital Expenditures. For the quarter ended March 31, 2019, total capital expenditures were $92.4 million. During this period, the Company participated in 27 gross (26.1 net) vertical wells which were drilled and cased in the Pinedale field.

Debt Exchanges. In December 2018, the Company exchanged (i) approximately $505 million aggregate principal amount, or 72.1%, of the 6.875% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) and (ii) $275 million aggregate principal amount, or 55.0%, of the 7.125% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes” and, together with the 2022 Notes, the “Unsecured Notes”) of Ultra Resources, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Ultra Resources”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Ultra Petroleum Corp., for (a) $545.0 million aggregate principal amount of new 9.00% Cash/2.00% PIK Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due July 2024 of Ultra Resources (the “Second Lien Notes”), and (b) an aggregate of 10,919,499 new $0.01 warrants of Ultra Petroleum Corp. entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share of Ultra Petroleum Corp. (each a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”) (such transaction, the “December Exchange Transaction”).

In January and February 2019, certain holders of the 2022 Notes exchanged approximately $44.6 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Notes for approximately $27.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes in a series of follow-on debt exchange transactions (such transactions, the “Follow-on Exchange Transactions” and, together with the December Exchange Transaction, the “Exchange Transactions”). All Second Lien Notes were issued pursuant to the Second Lien Notes Indenture.

2019 Capital Investment Plan. For 2019, our capital expenditures are expected to be $320 million to $350 million, including capitalized general and administrative costs. Our capital investment for the first quarter of 2019 totaled $92.4 million and includes a greater percentage allocation for the year due to the Company having a higher working interest in the wells scheduled early in the year. We expect to fund these capital expenditures through cash flows from operations, borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, and cash on hand. We expect to allocate all of the budget to development activities in our Pinedale field.  The Company has the ability to adjust the capital investment plan depending on the projected natural gas price.  Additionally, this amount may vary depending on whether partners elect to participate in their working interest share of proposed wells and, similarly, the Company may elect not to participate in wells drilled by other operators.

Ultra Resources, Inc.

Credit Agreement. In April 2017, Ultra Resources, as the borrower, entered into a Credit Agreement (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with the Company and UP Energy Corporation, as parent guarantors, with Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent (the “RBL Administrative Agent”), and with the other lenders party thereto from time to time (collectively, the “RBL Lenders”), providing for a revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) subject to a borrowing base redetermination, which limits the aggregate amount of first lien debt under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Agreement (as defined below). The semi-annual redetermination in February 2019 resulted in a borrowing base commitment of 1.3 billion, with $975.0 million allocated to the Company’s Term Loan (as defined below) and $325.0 million allocated to the Revolving Credit Facility.

In December 2018, Ultra Resources and the parent guarantors entered into the Third Amendment to the Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment to Credit Agreement”) with the RBL Administrative Agent and the RBL Lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement, the parties agreed, among other things, to amend the Credit Agreement to permit the issuance

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of the Second Lien Notes and the December Exchange Transaction and to revise certain covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

increasing collateral coverage from 85% to 95% of total PV-9 of Proven Reserves (as defined in the Credit Agreement);

 

removing the ability to create, invest in and utilize unrestricted subsidiaries;

 

further limiting the Company’s ability to incur unsecured debt, repay junior debt, and make restricted payments and investments as more thoroughly described in the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement; and

 

providing the ability for the Company to exchange unsecured borrowings to third lien debt within a construct as described in the Third Amendment to Credit Agreement.

On February 14, 2019, Ultra Resources entered into a Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement”) with the RBL Administrative Agent and the RBL Lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, the borrowing base was affirmed at $1.3 billion. Given the Revolving Credit Agreement was amended in February 2019 and the borrowing base was reaffirmed therein, the next scheduled borrowing base redetermination date is in October 2019.

The Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement also revised certain covenants and other provisions of the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

amending the Consolidated Net Leverage Ratio financial covenant as described below. In addition, the consolidated net debt component of the consolidated net leverage ratio may be reduced upon receipt of proceeds from the make-whole litigation as described in Note 10;

 

revising the definition of EBITDAX to (i) provide Ultra Resources with the option of whether to add back certain noncash charges that represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in a future period, (ii) provide for the add back of costs and expenses with respect to senior management changes and office closure, consolidation and relocation, (iii) provide for the add back of costs and expenses with respect to debt restructuring activities (whether consummated or not), (iv) exclude from the deductions certain noncash gains that represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for any anticipated cash charges in any prior period, and (v) provide for a deduction of cash payments with respect to certain noncash charges that Ultra Resources chose to add back (as described in clause (i)); and

 

amending the Current Ratio financial covenant to exclude from the consolidated current liabilities calculated thereunder, current required amortization payments under the Term Loan Agreement.

At March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources had $38.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility, total commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility of $325.0 million.

The Revolving Credit Facility has capacity for Ultra Resources to increase the commitments subject to certain conditions, and has $50.0 million of the commitments available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Revolving Credit Facility bears interest either at a rate equal to (a) a customary London interbank offered rate plus an applicable margin that varies from 250 to 350 basis points or (b) the base rate plus an applicable margin that varies from 150 to 250 basis points. If borrowings are outstanding during a period that the Company’s consolidated net leverage ratio exceeds 4.00 to 1.00 at the end of any fiscal quarter as described below, the interest rate on such borrowings shall be at a per annum rate that is 0.25% higher than the rate that would otherwise apply until the Company has provided financial statements indicating that the consolidated net leverage ratio no longer exceeds 4.00 to 1.00. The Revolving Credit Facility loans mature on January 12, 2022.

The Revolving Credit Facility requires Ultra Resources to maintain (i) a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.50 to 1.00; (ii) a current ratio, including the unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, of a minimum of 1.00 to 1.00; and (iii) after the Company has obtained investment grade rating an asset coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00. In addition, as of the last day of (i) each fiscal quarter ending during the period from March 31, 2019 through June 30, 2019, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.75 to 1.00, (ii) each fiscal quarter ending during the period from September 30, 2019 through June 30, 2020, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.90 to 1.0, (iii) the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2020, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.50 to 1.0, and (iv) the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2020 and each other fiscal quarter end thereafter, Ultra Resources will not permit the consolidated net leverage ratio to exceed 4.25 to 1.0. At March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources’ consolidated net leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio were 4.11 to 1.00 and 3.26 to 1.00, respectively, and Ultra Resources was in compliance with each of its debt covenants under the Credit Agreement.

Under the Revolving Credit Facility, t he Company is subject to the following minimum hedging requirements: t hrough September 29, 2019, the Company is required to hedge a minimum of 65% of the quarterly projected volumes of natural gas from its proved developed producing (“PDP”) reserves; and during the period beginning on September 30, 2019 and ending on March 30, 2020, the Company is required to hedge a minimum of 50% of the quarterly projected volumes of natural gas from PDP reserves. Beginning April 1, 2020, the Company will no longer be subject to a minimum hedging requirement. The Company expects to be in compliance with these requirements while the requirements remain effective.

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Ultra Resources is required to pay a commitment fee on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Facility, which varies based upon a borrowing base utilization grid . Ultra Resources is also required to pay customary letter of credit and fronting fees.

The Revolving Credit Facility also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, as to compliance with laws (including environmental laws, ERISA and anti-corruption laws), delivery of quarterly and annual financial statements and oil and gas engineering reports, maintenance and operation of property (including oil and gas properties), restrictions on the incurrence of liens, indebtedness, asset dispositions, fundamental changes, restricted payments, hedging requirements and other customary covenants.

The Revolving Credit Facility contains customary events of default and remedies for credit facilities of this nature. If Ultra Resources does not comply with the financial and other covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility, the lenders may, subject to customary cure rights, require immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility and any outstanding unfunded commitments may be terminated.

Term Loan. In April 2017 , Ultra Resources, as borrower, entered into a Senior Secured Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Agreement”) with the Company and UP Energy Corporation, as parent guarantors, Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent (the “Term Loan Administrative Agent”), and the other lenders party thereto (collectively, the “Term Loan Lenders”). As part of the Term Loan Agreement, Ultra Resources agreed to pay an original issue discount equal to one percent of the principal amount, which is included in deferred financing costs.

In December 2018, Ultra Resources and the parent guarantors entered into the First Amendment to the Term Loan Agreement (the “Term Loan Amendment”) with the Term Loan Administrative Agent and the Term Loan Lenders party thereto. Pursuant to the Term Loan Amendment, the parties agreed, among other things, to amend the Term Loan Agreement to permit the issuance of the Second Lien Notes and the December Exchange Transaction, to increase the interest rate payable by 100 basis points, such increase comprising 75 basis points payable in cash and 25 basis points payable in kind, and to revise certain covenants and other provisions of the Term Loan Agreement, including, but not limited to:

 

introducing call protection of 102% until December 21, 2019 and 101% until December 21, 2020;

 

introducing additional restrictions on the Revolving Credit Facility; including amendments and refinancing of the Revolving Credit Facility as more thoroughly described in the Term Loan Amendment;

 

deleting the ability to increase commitments under the Term Loan;

 

increasing collateral coverage from 85% to 95% of total PV-9 of Proven Reserves (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement);

 

removing the ability to create, invest in and utilize unrestricted subsidiaries;

 

further limiting the Company’s ability to incur unsecured debt, repay junior debt, and make restricted payments and investments as more thoroughly described in the Term Loan Amendment; and

 

providing the ability for the Company to exchange unsecured borrowings to third lien debt within a construct as described in the Term Loan Amendment.

At March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources had $975.1 million in outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement, including PIK interest and current maturities.

Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement bear interest either at a rate equal to (a) a customary London interbank offered rate plus 400 basis points or (b) the base rate plus 300 basis points, in each case, of which 25 basis points of the applicable margin is payable-in-kind upon election by Ultra Resources. Beginning in March 2019, the Company has affirmatively elected the PIK option and management expects to continue this practice into the future. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement amortize in equal quarterly installments in aggregate annual amounts equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount beginning on June 30, 2019. Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement mature on April 12, 2024.

Borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement are subject to mandatory prepayments and customary reinvestment rights. The mandatory prepayments include, without limitation, a prepayment requirement with the total net proceeds from certain asset sales and net proceeds on insurance received on account of any loss of Ultra Resources’ property or assets, in each case subject to certain exceptions. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, there is a prepayment requirement if the asset coverage ratio is less than 2.0 to 1.0. To the extent any mandatory prepayments are required, prepayments are applied to prepay the borrowings under the Term Loan Agreement.

The Term Loan Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including as to compliance with laws (including environmental laws, ERISA and anti-corruption laws), delivery of quarterly and annual financial statements and oil and gas engineering reports, maintenance and operation of property (including oil and gas properties), restrictions on the incurrence of liens,

35


 

indebtedness, asset dispositions, fundamental changes, restricted payments and other customary covenants . At March 31, 2019 , Ultra Resources was in compliance with all o f its debt covenants under the Term Loan Agreement .

The Term Loan Agreement contains customary events of default and remedies for credit facilities of this nature. If Ultra Resources does not comply with the financial and other covenants in the Term Loan Agreement, the lenders may, subject to customary cure rights, require immediate payment of all amounts outstanding under the Term Loan Amendment.

Second Lien Notes. On December 21, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the December Exchange Transaction, Ultra Resources issued $545.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes and entered into an Indenture, dated as of December 21, 2018 (the “Second Lien Notes Indenture”), among Ultra Resources, as issuer, the Company and its other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) and collateral agent.

During January and February 2019, certain holders of the 2022 Notes exchanged approximately $44.6 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Notes for approximately $27.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes in a series of Follow-on Exchange Transactions. All Second Lien Notes were issued pursuant to the Second Lien Notes Indenture. As of March 31, 2019, Ultra Resources had approximately $575.1 million in outstanding borrowings under the Second Lien Notes Indenture, including PIK interest on the Second Lien Notes.

The Second Lien Notes will mature on July 12, 2024. Interest on the Second Lien Notes will accrue at (i) an annual rate of 9.00% payable in cash and (ii) an annual rate of 2.00% PIK. The interest payment dates for the Second Lien Notes are January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing on July 15, 2019. The Company has accounted for such PIK interest as an increase to the principal outstanding.

The Second Lien Notes are senior secured obligations of Ultra Resources and rank senior in right of payment to all of its existing and future unsecured senior debt, to the extent of the value of the collateral pledged under the Second Lien Notes Indenture and related collateral arrangements, senior in right of payment to all of its future subordinated debt, and junior in right of payment to all of its existing and future secured debt of senior priority, to the extent of the value of the collateral pledged thereby. The Second Lien Notes are secured by second priority security interests in substantially all assets of the Company. Payment by Ultra Resources of all amounts due on or in respect of the Second Lien Notes and the performance of Ultra Resources under the Second Lien Notes Indenture are initially guaranteed by the Company.

Prior to December 21, 2021, Ultra Resources may, at any time or from time to time, redeem in the aggregate up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Second Lien Notes in an amount no greater than the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 111.000% of the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including PIK interest), if any, to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the original principal amount of the Second Lien Notes remains outstanding and the redemption occurs within 180 days of the closing of such equity offering. In addition, before December 21, 2021, Ultra Resources may redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including PIK interest), if any, to the redemption date. In addition, on or after December 21, 2021, Ultra Resources may redeem all or a part of the Second Lien Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 105.500% for the twelve-month period beginning on December 21, 2021, 102.750% for the twelve-month period beginning December 21, 2022, and 100.000% for the twelve-month period beginning December 21, 2023 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including PIK interest), if any, to the applicable redemption date on the Second Lien Notes.

If Ultra Resources experiences certain change of control triggering events set forth in the Second Lien Notes Indenture, each holder of the Second Lien Notes may require the Issuer to repurchase all or a portion of its Second Lien Notes for cash at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Second Lien Notes, plus any accrued but unpaid interest (including PIK interest) to the date of repurchase.

The Second Lien Notes Indenture contains customary covenants that restrict the ability of Ultra Resources and the guarantors and certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) sell assets and subsidiary equity; (ii) incur or redeem indebtedness; (iii) create or incur certain liens; (iv) enter into affiliate agreements; (v) pay cash dividends, (vi) change the nature of its business or operations, (vii) make certain types of investments, (ix) enter into agreements that restrict distributions from certain restricted subsidiaries and the consummation of mergers and consolidations; (x) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (as defined in the Second Lien Notes Indenture); and (xi) create unrestricted and foreign subsidiaries. The covenants in the Second Lien Notes Indenture are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. Subject to conditions, the Second Lien Notes Indenture provides that the Company and its subsidiaries will no longer be subject to certain covenants when the Second Lien Notes receive investment grade ratings from any two of S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and Fitch Ratings, Inc.

The Second Lien Notes Indenture contains customary events of default. Unless otherwise noted in the Second Lien Notes Indenture, upon a continuing event of default, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Second Lien Notes, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the Second Lien Notes

36


 

immediately due and payable, except that an event of default resulting from entry into a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, any Significant Subsidi ary (as defined in the Second Lien Notes Indenture) or group of Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Second Lien Notes Indenture), that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, will automatically cause the Second Lien Notes to become due and payable.

In conjunction with the Exchange Transactions, the portion of the Unsecured Notes which were exchanged for Second Lien Notes was accounted for as a troubled debt restructuring. The Company evaluated the quantitative and qualitative factors in the accounting literature and concluded that concessions were granted as the future undiscounted cash flows of the Second Lien Notes was greater than the net carrying value of the senior Unsecured Notes. No gain is recognized, and an effective interest rate is established based on the carrying value of the Second Lien Notes and revised cash flows. The amount of extinguished debt will be amortized over the remaining life of the Second Lien Notes using the effective interest method and recognized as a reduction to interest expense. As a result, our reported interest expense will be significantly less than the contractual cash interest payments throughout the term of the Second Lien Notes.

The exchanged debt resulted in a calculation of cancellation of debt income for tax purposes. Our current tax attributes are expected to offset any potential cash tax impacts from the Exchange Transactions. For additional details on the Company’s income taxes, refer to Note 6.

Unsecured Notes . In April 2017, the Company issued $700.0 million of its 2022 Notes and $500.0 million of its 2025 Notes and entered into an Indenture, dated April 12, 2017 (the “Unsecured Notes Indenture”), among Ultra Resources, as issuer, the Company and its other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee. The Unsecured Notes are treated as a single class of securities for most purposes under the Unsecured Notes Indenture.

In December 2018, the Company completed the December Exchange Transaction, pursuant to which the exchanging noteholders exchanged (i) approximately $505 million aggregate principal amount, or 72.1%, of the issued and outstanding 2022 Notes and (ii) $275 million aggregate principal amount, or 55.0%, of the issued and outstanding 2025 Notes for (a) $545.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes and (b) an aggregate of 10,919,499 new warrants of Ultra Petroleum Corp. each entitling the holder thereof to purchase one common share of Ultra Petroleum Corp.

In January and February 2019, the Company completed a series of Follow-on Exchange Transactions, pursuant to which the exchanging noteholders exchanged approximately $44.6 million aggregate principal amount of the issued and outstanding 2022 Notes for approximately $27.0 million aggregate principal amount of Second Lien Notes.

At March 31, 2019, the aggregate principal amounts outstanding under the Unsecured Notes were approximately $150.4 million with respect to the 2022 Notes and $225.0 million with respect to the 2025 Notes.

The 2022 Notes will mature on April 15, 2022. The interest payment dates for the 2022 Notes are April 15 and October 15 of each year. The 2025 Notes will mature on April 15, 2025. The interest payment dates for the 2025 Notes are April 15 and October 15 of each year. Interest will be paid on the Unsecured Notes from the issue date until maturity.

In December 2018, Ultra Resources, the Company and its other subsidiaries, as guarantors, and the Trustee entered into the First Supplemental Indenture to the Unsecured Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”). Pursuant to the Supplemental Indenture, the parties amended the Unsecured Indenture to, among other things, eliminate or amend substantially all of the restrictive covenants contained in the Unsecured Indenture, other than those relating to the payment of principal and interest. The Supplemental Indenture is binding on all Unsecured Notes that remain outstanding.

The Unsecured Notes Indenture contains customary events of default. Unless otherwise noted in the Unsecured Notes Indenture, upon a continuing event of default, the Trustee, by notice to the Company, or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Unsecured Notes, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may, declare the Unsecured Notes immediately due and payable, except that an event of default resulting from entry into a bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company, any Significant Subsidiary (as defined in the Unsecured Notes Indenture) or group of Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Unsecured Notes Indenture), that taken together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, will automatically cause the Unsecured Notes to become due and payable.

Cash flows provided by (used in):

Operating Activities. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net cash provided by operating activities was $150.7 million compared to $152.0 million for the same period in 2018. The slight decrease in net cash provided by operating activities is attributable to a decrease in net income offset by an increase in working capital.

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Investing Activities . During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , net cash used in investing activities was $ 90.4  million as compared to $ 148.8  million for the same period in 2018 . The decrease in net cash used in investing activities is largely related to de creased capital investments associated with the Company’s drilling activities , as the Company was operating a three-drilling rig program during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to a seven-drilling rig program in the same period of 2018 .

Financing Activities. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, net cash used in financing activities was $66.5 million as compared to $2.1 million for the same period in 2018. The increase in net cash used in financing activities is attributable to the payments on the Revolving Credit Facility from operating cash flows in excess of the borrowings for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Critical Accounting Policies

The discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations is based upon consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). In addition, application of GAAP requires the use of estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements as well as the revenues and expenses reported during the period. Changes in these estimates related to judgments and assumptions will occur as a result of future events, and, accordingly, actual results could differ from amounts estimated. Set forth below is a discussion of the critical accounting policies used in the preparation of our financial statements which we believe involve the most complex or subjective decisions or assessments.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. The Company follows Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“FASB ASC 815”). The Company records the fair value of its commodity derivatives as an asset or liability on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and records the changes in the fair value of its commodity derivatives in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not offset the value of its derivative arrangements with the same counterparty. See Note 7 for additional details.

Fair Value Measurements. The Company follows FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“FASB ASC 820”). Under FASB ASC 820, 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 measurement date and establishes a three-level hierarchy for measuring fair value.

 

 

 

Level 1

 

 

Level 2

 

 

Level 3

 

 

Total

 

Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current derivative asset

 

$

 

 

$

10,985

 

 

$

 

 

$

10,985

 

Long-term derivative asset (1)

 

 

 

 

 

5,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,715

 

Total derivative instruments

 

$

 

 

$

16,700

 

 

$

 

 

$

16,700

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current derivative liability

 

$

 

 

$

38,483

 

 

$

 

 

$

38,483

 

Long-term derivative liability (2)

 

 

 

 

 

6,756

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,756

 

Total derivative instruments

 

$

 

 

$

45,239

 

 

$

 

 

$

45,239

 

 

(1)

Included in Other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

(2)

Included in Other long-term obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

Asset Retirement Obligation. The Company’s asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) consist primarily of estimated costs of dismantlement, removal, site reclamation and similar activities associated with its oil and natural gas properties. FASB ASC Topic 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations (“FASB ASC 410”) requires that the fair value of a liability for an ARO be recognized in the period in which it is incurred with the associated asset retirement cost capitalized as part of the carrying cost of the oil and natural gas asset. The recognition of an ARO requires that management make numerous estimates, assumptions and judgments regarding such factors as the existence of a legal obligation for an ARO, amounts and timing of settlements, the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate to be used, inflation rates, and future advances in technology. In periods subsequent to initial measurement of the ARO, the Company must recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate of undiscounted cash flows. Increases in the ARO liability due to the passage of time impact net income as accretion expense. The related capitalized costs, including revisions thereto, are charged to expense through DD&A. As a full cost company, settlements for asset retirement obligations for abandonment are adjusted to the full cost pool. The asset retirement obligation is included within other long-term obligations in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Share-Based Payment Arrangements. The Company applies FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“FASB ASC 718”), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all share-based payment awards

38


 

made to employees and directors, including employee stock options, based on estimated fair values. Share-based compensation expense recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was $ 0.8  million and $ 8.8  million, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment. Capital assets are recorded at cost and depreciated using the declining-balance method based on their respective useful life.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties. The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas exploration and development activities as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Release No. 33-8995, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting Requirements (“SEC Release No. 33-8995”) and FASB ASC Topic 932, Extractive Activities – Oil and Gas (“FASB ASC 932”). Under this method of accounting, the costs of unsuccessful, as well as successful, exploration and development activities are capitalized as oil and gas properties. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. The carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties also includes estimated asset retirement costs recorded on the fair value of the asset retirement obligation when incurred. Gain or loss or other disposition of oil and natural gas properties is not recognized, unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to a country.

The sum of net capitalized costs and estimated future development costs of oil and natural gas properties are amortized using the units-of-production method based on the Company’s proved reserves. Oil and natural gas reserves and production are converted into equivalent units based on relative energy content. Asset retirement costs are included in the base costs for calculating depletion.

Under the full cost method, costs of unevaluated properties and major development projects expected to require significant future costs may be excluded from capitalized costs being amortized. The Company excludes significant costs until proved reserves are found or until it is determined that the costs are impaired. The Company reviews its unproved leasehold costs quarterly or when management determines that events or circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of the unevaluated properties may not be recoverable. The fair values of unproved properties are evaluated utilizing a discounted net cash flows model based on management’s assumptions of future oil and gas production, commodity prices, operating and development costs, as well as appropriate discount rates. The estimated prices used in the cash flow analysis are determined by management based on forward price curves for the related commodities, adjusted for average historical location and quality differentials. Estimates of cash flows related to probable and possible reserves are reduced by additional risk-weighting factors. The amount of any impairment is transferred to the capitalized costs being amortized.

Companies that use the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas exploration and development activities are required to perform a ceiling test calculation each quarter. The full cost ceiling test is an impairment test prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10. The ceiling test is performed quarterly, on a country-by-country basis, utilizing the average of prices in effect on the first day of the month for the preceding twelve-month period in accordance with SEC Release No. 33-8995. The ceiling limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves discounted at 10% plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties less any associated tax effects. If such capitalized costs exceed the ceiling, the Company will record a write-down to the extent of such excess as a non-cash charge to earnings. Any such write-down will reduce earnings in the period of occurrence and results in a lower DD&A rate in future periods. A write-down may not be reversed in future periods even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the ceiling.  The Company did not have any write-downs related to the full cost ceiling limitation during the three months ended March 31, 2019 or 2018.

Leases. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases , and all applicable amendments as of January 1, 2019. The Company elected to apply the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application. Consequently, historical financial information will not be updated, and the disclosures required under the new standard will not be provided for dates and periods prior to January 1, 2019.

The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in long-term right-of-use (“ROU”) assets, and long-term lease liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use of an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. The Company’s lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  The ROU assets are tested for impairment in accordance with ASC 360.

39


 

The Company h as lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component under the practical expedient provisions of the standard . Additionally, for certain leases, we apply a portfolio approach to effectively account for the operating lease ROU assets and liabilit ies. T he portfolio approach was used to assess and determine the incremental borrowing rate with information available at adoption date.

The Company has lease agreements with terms less than one year. For the qualifying short-term leases, the Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption in which the Company will not recognize ROU assets or lease liabilities, including the ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in upon adoption.

Additionally, the Company had existing lease agreements with easements in which the Company elected the practical expedient. All new and modified lease agreements with easements completed after the adoption date will be evaluated under the ASC 842 (as defined below).

Revenue Recognition. The Company generally sells oil and natural gas under both long-term and short-term agreements at prevailing market prices. On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted the new accounting standard, ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers and all related amendments. See Note 2 for additional details and disclosures related to the Company’s revenue recognition policy.

Valuation of Deferred Tax Assets. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are recorded related to deferred tax assets based on the “more likely than not” criteria described in FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. In addition, the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit.

Warrants . In December 2018, the Company issued 10,919,499 new Warrants. The Warrants are initially exercisable for one common share of Ultra Petroleum Corp., no par value, at an initial exercise price of $0.01 per Warrant (the “Warrant Exercise Price”). No Warrants will be exercisable until the date on which the volume-weighted average price of the common shares is at least $2.50 per common share for 30 consecutive trading days (the “Trading Price Condition”). Subject to the Trading Price Condition, the Warrants are exercisable at the option of the holders thereof until July 14, 2025, at which time all unexercised Warrants will expire and the rights of the holders of such Warrants to purchase common shares will terminate. Under the guidance in FASB ASC 815, the Warrants do not meet the definition of a derivative. The Warrants are classified as equity and recorded at fair value as of the date of issuance on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets and no further adjustments to their valuation are made.

Deferred Financing Costs. The Company follows ASU No. 2015-03,  Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs  for its Term Loan, Second Lien Notes and Unsecured Notes, and includes the costs for issuing debt, including issuance discounts, as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.

Additionally, the Company follows ASU No. 2015-15,  Interest – Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line of Credit Arrangements  for its Revolving Credit Facility and includes the costs related to the issuance of the Revolving Credit Facility in Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Conversion of Barrels of Oil to Mcfe of Gas . The Company converts barrels of oil and other liquid hydrocarbons to Mcfe at a ratio of one barrel of oil or liquids to six Mcfe. This conversion ratio, which is typically used in the oil and gas industry, represents the approximate energy equivalent of a barrel of oil or other liquids to an Mcf of natural gas. The sales price of one barrel of oil or liquids has been much higher than the sales price of six Mcf of natural gas over the last several years, so a six-to-one conversion ratio does not represent the economic equivalency of six Mcf of natural gas to a barrel of oil or other liquids.

Recently adopted accounting pronouncements:

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) , and has subsequently issued several supplemental and/or clarifying ASUs (collectively known as “ASC 842”). The guidance requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by all leases with terms of more than 12 months. ASC 842 also requires disclosures designed to give financial statement users information on the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative information. The Company adopted ASC 842 and applicable amendments on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach. The Company elected certain practical

40


 

expedients and established interna l controls and key system functionality to enable the preparation of financial information on adoption.

The adoption of the standard had an effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets but did not have an effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated income statements. The most significant impact was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. Please refer to Note 9 for additional discussion.

Cumulative Effect of Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements:

The following table reflects the cumulative impact of the adoption of ASC 842 using the modified retrospective approach.

 

 

 

December 31, 2018

as reported

 

 

Impact of ASC 842

 

 

January 1, 2019

as adjusted

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands)

 

Long-term right-of-use assets

 

$

 

 

$

130,649

 

 

$

130,649

 

Total assets

 

 

1,733,288

 

 

 

130,649

 

 

 

1,863,937

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities (current)

 

 

 

 

 

11,141

 

 

 

11,141

 

Deferred gain on sale of liquids gathering system

 

 

94,636

 

 

 

(94,636

)

 

 

 

Long-term lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

121,326

 

 

 

121,326

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,781,910

 

 

 

37,831

 

 

 

2,819,741

 

Retained earnings (loss)

 

 

(3,186,016

)

 

 

92,818

 

 

 

(3,093,198

)

Total stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

 

(1,048,622

)

 

 

92,818

 

 

 

(955,804

)

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit)

 

 

1,733,288

 

 

 

130,649

 

 

 

1,863,937

 

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted:

Fair Value Measurements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework — Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in this update modify the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The ASU is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments. In June 2016, The FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326)", Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments ("ASU 2016-13"). This ASU changes the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact ASU 2016-13 will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

OFF BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of March 31, 2019.

ITEM 3 — QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Commodity Price Risk

Objectives and Strategy: The Company is exposed to commodity price risk. The following quantitative and qualitative information is provided about financial instruments to which we were a party at March 31, 2019, and from which we may incur future gains or losses from changes in commodity prices. We do not enter into derivative or other financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

The Company’s major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to its natural gas and oil production. Realized pricing is currently driven primarily by the prevailing price for the Company’s natural gas production. Historically, prices received for natural gas production have been volatile and unpredictable. Pricing volatility is expected to continue. The prices we receive for our

41


 

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 .

The Company relies on various types of derivative instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price risk and to provide a level of certainty in the Company’s forward cash flows supporting the Company’s capital investment program. These types of instruments may include fixed price swaps, costless collars, deferred premium puts or basis differential swaps. These contracts are financial instruments, and do not require or allow for physical delivery of the hedged commodity. While mitigating the effects of fluctuating commodity prices, these derivative contracts may limit the benefits we would receive from increases in commodity prices above the fixed hedge prices.

Under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Company is subject to the following minimum hedging requirements: through September 29, 2019, the Company is required to hedge a minimum of 65% of the quarterly projected volumes of natural gas from its PDP reserves; and during the period beginning on September 30, 2019 and ending on March 30, 2020, the Company is required to hedge a minimum of 50% of the quarterly projected volumes of natural gas from PDP reserves. Beginning April 1, 2020, the Company will no longer be subject to a minimum hedging requirement.

Fair Value of Commodity Derivatives: FASB ASC 815 requires that all derivatives be recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as either an asset or liability and be measured at fair value. Changes in the derivative’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company does not apply hedge accounting to any of its derivative instruments.

Derivative contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment are recorded as derivative assets and liabilities at fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the associated unrealized gains and losses are recorded as current expense or income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrealized gains or losses on commodity derivatives represent the non-cash change in the fair value of these derivative instruments and do not impact operating cash flows on the cash flow statement. See Note 8 for details regarding the fair value of the derivative contracts described below.

Commodity Derivative Contracts: At March 31, 2019, the Company had the following open commodity derivative contracts to manage commodity price risk. For the fixed price swaps, the Company receives the fixed price for the contract and pays the variable price to the counterparty. For the basis swaps, the Company receives a fixed price for the difference between two sales points for a specified commodity volume over a specified time period. The reference prices of these commodity derivative contracts are typically referenced to index prices as published by independent third parties .

 

Type/Year

 

Index

 

Total Volumes

 

 

Weighted Average Price per Unit

 

 

Fair Value -

March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Asset (Liability)

 

Natural gas fixed price swaps

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

($/Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX-Henry Hub

 

137.8

 

 

$

2.77

 

 

$

(2,079

)

2020

 

NYMEX-Henry Hub

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

2.78

 

 

 

(5,439

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas basis swaps (1)

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

($/Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NW Rockies Basis Swap

 

 

90.2

 

 

$

0.58

 

 

$

(18,734

)

2020

 

NW Rockies Basis Swap

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

0.15

 

 

 

770.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crude oil fixed price swaps

 

 

 

(Bbl)

 

 

($/Bbl)

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

 

1.0

 

 

$

58.64

 

 

$

(1,680

)

2020

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

60.05

 

 

 

51.00

 

 

42


 

Type/Year

 

Index

 

Total Volumes

 

 

Weighted Average

Floor Price

($/MMBTU)

 

 

Weighted Average Ceiling Price

($/MMBTU)

 

 

Fair Value -

March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas collars

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX

 

 

2.8

 

 

$

2.85

 

 

$

3.13

 

 

$

264

 

2020

 

NYMEX

 

 

49.4

 

 

$

2.51

 

 

$

2.97

 

 

$

(1,298

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas deferred premium put options

 

 

 

(Mmbtu)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

NYMEX

 

 

25.1

 

 

$

2.41

 

 

N/A

 

 

$

(394

)

 

(1)

Represents swap contracts that fix the basis differentials for gas sold at or near Opal, Wyoming and the value of natural gas established on the last trading day of the month by the NYMEX for natural gas swaps for the respective period.

 

 

Subsequent to March 31, 2019 and through April 30, 2019, the Company entered into the following open commodity derivative contracts to manage commodity price risk.

 

Type/Year

 

Index

 

Total Volumes

 

Weighted Average Price per Unit

 

Crude oil fixed price swaps

 

 

 

(Bbl, in millions)

 

($/Bbl)

 

2019 (April through December)

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

0.05

 

$

63.00

 

2020

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

0.37

 

$

60.37

 

 

The following table summarizes the pre-tax realized and unrealized gain (loss) the Company recognized related to its derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018: 

 

 

 

For the Three Months

 

 

 

Ended March 31,

 

Commodity Derivatives (in thousands):

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives - natural gas (1)

 

$

(81,203

)

 

$

1,446

 

Realized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives - oil (1)

 

 

2,572

 

 

 

(370

)

Unrealized gain (loss) on commodity derivatives (1)

 

 

14,292

 

 

 

(7,606

)

Total gain (loss) on commodity derivatives

 

$

(64,339

)

 

$

(6,530

)

 

(1)

Included in Loss on commodity derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

The realized gain or loss on commodity derivatives relates to actual amounts received or paid or to be received or paid under the Company’s derivative contracts and the unrealized gain or loss on commodity derivatives represents the change in the fair value of these derivative instruments over the remaining term of the contract.

43


 

Interest Rate Risk

We are also exposed to market risk related to adverse changes in interest rates, primarily related to fluctuations in short-term rates that are based on the London interbank offered rate.  Such fluctuations may result in reductions of earnings or cash flows due to increases in the interest rates we pay on outstanding borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Agreement. At March 31, 2019, the weighted average interest rate on our variable rate debt was 6.43% per year. If the balance of our variable interest rate at March 31, 2019 were to remain constant, a 10% change in the variable market interest rates would impact our cash flows by approximately $2.7 million per year.

Credit Risk

We monitor our risk of loss due to non-performance by counterparties of their contractual obligations. Our principal exposure to credit risk is through the sale of our natural gas and oil production, which we market to diverse group of companies, including major energy companies, natural gas utilities, oil refiners, pipeline companies, local distribution companies, financial institutions and end-users in various industries. We monitor our exposure to these counterparties primarily by reviewing credit ratings, financial statements and payment history. We extend credit terms based on our evaluation of each counterparty’s creditworthiness.

To a lesser extent, we are also exposed to credit risk through our derivative counterparties. We have entered into International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreements (“ISDA Agreements”) with each of our derivative counterparties. The terms of the ISDA Agreements provide us and the counterparties with rights of set-off upon the occurrence of defined acts of default by either us or a counterparty to a derivative, whereby the party not in default may set off all derivative liabilities owed to the defaulting party against all derivative asset receivables from the defaulting party. See Note 7 for additional information regarding our derivative activities.  

ITEM 4  — CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The Company has performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are the controls and other procedures that it has designed to ensure that it records, processes, accumulates and communicates information to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures and submissions within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those determined to be effective can provide only a reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Based on the evaluation, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

44


 

PART II — OTH ER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

See Note 10 for discussion of on-going claims and disputes that arose during our chapter 11 proceedings, certain of which may be material. The Company is also currently involved in various routine disputes and allegations incidental to its business operations. While it is not possible to determine or predict the ultimate disposition of these matters, the Company believes that the resolution of all such pending or threatened litigation is not likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, or results of operations.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Our business has many risks. Any of the risks discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in our other SEC filings, could have a material impact on our business, financial position, or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risks described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. This information should be considered carefully, together with other information in this report and other reports and materials we file with the SEC.

Compliance with environmental and occupational safety and health laws and other government regulations could be costly and could negatively impact our production.

Our operations are subject to numerous and complex laws and regulations relating to environmental and occupational protection. These laws and regulations, which are continuously being reviewed for amendment and/or expansion, may:

 

require that we acquire permits before developing our properties;

 

restrict the substances that can be released into the environment in connection with drilling, completion and production activities;

 

limit or prohibit drilling activities on protected areas such as wetlands or wilderness areas; and

 

require remedial measures to mitigate pollution from former operations, including plugging previously abandoned wells.

Under these laws and regulations or under the common law, we could be liable for personal injury and clean-up costs and other environmental, natural resource and property damages, as well as administrative, civil and criminal penalties or injunctions. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations could also result in the occurrence of delays or restrictions in permitting or performance of projects, or the issuance of orders and injunctions limiting or preventing operations relating to our properties in some areas. Under certain environmental laws and regulations, an owner or operator of our properties could be subject to strict, joint and several strict liability for the investigation, removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination, regardless of whether the owner or operator was responsible for the release or contamination or whether the operations were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time the release or contamination occurred. Private parties, including the owners of properties upon which wells are drilled or facilities where petroleum hydrocarbons or wastes are taken for reclamation or disposal may also have the right to pursue legal actions to enforce compliance, to seek damages for contamination or for personal injury or property damage. We maintain limited insurance coverage for sudden and accidental environmental damages, but do not maintain insurance coverage for the full potential liability that could be caused by accidental environmental damages. Accordingly, we may be subject to liability in excess of our insurance coverage or may be required to cease production from properties in the event of material environmental damages.

We could also be affected by more stringent laws and regulations adopted in the future, including any related to climate change, engine and other equipment emissions, greenhouse gases and hydraulic fracturing. Changes in environmental laws and regulations, or their interpretation, can occur frequently, and any changes that result in delays or restrictions in permitting, development or operations of projects, including any temporary curtailments of operations by regulators, or more stringent or costly construction, drilling, water management, or completion activities or waste handling, storage, transport, remediation or disposal, emission or discharge requirements could require significant expenditures by Ultra or other operators of the properties to attain and maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on the results of operations, competitive position or financial condition of Ultra or such other operators. Increased scrutiny of the oil and natural gas industry may occur as a result of the EPA’s FY 2017-2019 National Enforcement Initiatives, through which the EPA will purportedly address incidences of noncompliance from natural gas extraction and production activities that may cause or contribute to significant harm to public health and/or the environment. In addition, government disruptions, such as an extended federal government shutdown resulting from the failure to pass budget appropriations, adopt continuing funding resolutions or raise the debt ceiling, could delay or halt the granting and renewal of such permits, approvals, and certificates required to conduct our operations.

45


 

A significant percentage of our operations are conducte d on federal and state lands. These operations are subject to a wide variety of regulations as well as other permits and authorizations which must be obtained from and issued by state and federal agencies. To conduct these operations, we may be required to file applications for permits, seek agency authorizations and comply with various other statutory and regulatory requirements. Complying with any of these requirements may adversely affect our ability to complete our drilling programs at the costs and in the time periods anticipated.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

46


 

ITEM 6 . EXHIBITS

(a) Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number

 

Description

  2.1

 

Debtors’ Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of the Order Confirming Debtors’ Second Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization, filed as Exhibit 99.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on March 16, 2017 ).

 

 

  3.1

 

Articles of Reorganization of Ultra Petroleum Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on April 12, 2017).

 

 

 

  3.2

 

Second Amended and Restated Bylaw No. 1 of Ultra Petroleum Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on March 12, 2018).

 

 

 

  4.1

 

Specimen Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on April 18, 2017).

 

 

 

  4.2

 

Indenture dated as of April 12, 2017 among Ultra Resources, Inc., Ultra Petroleum Corp., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on April 18, 2017).

 

 

  4.3

 

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, to Indenture dated as of April 12, 2017, among Ultra Resources, Inc., Ultra Petroleum Corp., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on December 26, 2018).

 

 

  4.4

 

Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, among Ultra Resources, Inc., Ultra Petroleum Corp., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on December 26, 2018).

 

 

  4.5

 

First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 22, 2019, to Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, among Ultra Petroleum Corp., Ultra Resources, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on January 25, 2019).

 

 

  4.6

 

Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 23, 2019, to Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, among Ultra Petroleum Corp., Ultra Resources, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on January 25, 2019).

 

 

  4.7

 

Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 4, 2019, to Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, among Ultra Petroleum Corp., Ultra Resources, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on March 7, 2019).

 

 

  4.8

 

Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2019, to Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, among Ultra Petroleum Corp., Ultra Resources, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on March 7, 2019).

 

 

  4.9

 

Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 15, 2019, to Indenture dated as of December 21, 2018, among Ultra Petroleum Corp., Ultra Resources, Inc., the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on March 7, 2019).

 

 

10.1

 

Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of February 14, 2019, among Ultra Resources, Inc. as borrower, Bank of Montreal, as administrative agent, and each of the lenders and other parties party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Ultra Petroleum Corp. on February 19, 2019) .

*#10.2

 

Employment Agreement of Brad Johnson dated as of March 11, 2019.

*#10.3

 

Employment Agreement of Kent Rogers dated as of March 11, 2019.

*#10.4

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

47


 

*#10.5

 

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

*31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

*31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

**32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

**32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

**101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document.

 

 

 

**101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

 

 

**101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

**101.LAB

 

XBRL Label Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

**101.PRE

 

XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

**101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition.

 

*

Filed herewith

**

Furnished herewith  

#

Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(b)

48


 

SIGNA TURES

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.

 

 

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brad Johnson

 

 

Name:

Brad Johnson

 

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Date: May 9, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ David W. Honeyfield

 

 

Name:

David W. Honeyfield

 

 

Title:

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date: May 9, 2019

 

 

 

 

49

Exhibit 10.2

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by and between ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP., a Yukon corporation (“ Ultra ”), and BRAD JOHNSON (“ Executive ”).

WHEREAS, Ultra and Executive are party to that certain Employment Agreement dated November 6, 2017 by and between Ultra and Executive (the “ Former Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Ultra desires to continue to employ Executive and to embody herein the terms of such employment, which shall supersede the Former Agreement, and considers it to be in its best interests and in the best interests of its stockholders to employ Executive during the Employment Period (as defined in Section 1 below); and

WHEREAS, Executive is willing to accept such employment with Ultra upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.

Effective Date; Employment Period .

 

(a)

This Agreement is effective as of March 1, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

(b)

The employment period under this Agreement begins on the Effective Date and shall continue until the termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “ Employment Period ”).

2.

Positions and Duties . While this Agreement is in effect:

 

(a)

Executive shall serve as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ultra and shall have the normal authority, responsibilities and duties of an executive in such position and such other reasonably related duties and responsibilities, in each case, that are assigned by Ultra. Executive shall report to the board of directors (the “ Board ”) of Ultra.

 

(b)

The Board shall take such action as may be necessary to appoint or elect the Executive as a member of the Board as of the Effective Date.  Thereafter, the Board shall nominate the Executive for re-election as a member of the Board at the

 


 

 

expiration of the then current term, provided that the foregoing shall not be required to the extent prohibited by legal or regulatory requirements.

 

(c)

Executive agrees to devote his full business time and attention to the business and affairs of Ultra; provided, however, that Executive may also (i) serve on the board of directors of Western Energy Alliance, (ii) serve on the boards of directors of non-profit organizations and, with the prior written approval of the Board, other for profit companies; (iii) manage his personal, financial, and legal affairs; and (iv) engage in other passive professional, charitable or community activities so long as such other activities do not conflict with Ultra’s interests, interfere with Executive’s duties and responsibilities to Ultra or the Subsidiaries, or violate any of Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder.

 

(d)

Executive agrees to comply with and, where applicable, enforce the policies of Ultra and of the Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, such policies with respect to legal compliance, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, professional conduct and business ethics as are from time to time in effect. Executive shall cooperate with any investigation or inquiry authorized by the Board or conducted by a governmental authority related to the business of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries or Executive’s performance under this Agreement.

3.

Compensation and Reimbursements . While this Agreement is in effect:

 

(a)

Base Salary .

 

(i)

Beginning on the Effective Date and continuing during the Employment Period, Ultra agrees to pay Executive a base salary (the “ Base Salary ”) at the annual rate of $650,000, payable in regular installments in accordance with Ultra’s usual payroll practices.

 

(ii)

Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) and may be increased, but not decreased, in its sole discretion.

 

(b)

Incentive Compensation (Cash) .

 

(i)

Executive shall be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation (any such compensation, a “ Cash Incentive ”) pursuant to the short-term incentive program for Ultra established by the Compensation Committee for senior executives of Ultra (such program, the “ AIP ”). Executive’s target Cash Incentive amount shall be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s Base Salary (the “ Target AIP Amount ”).

 

(ii)

Executive’s Target AIP Amount will be reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee and may be adjusted in its sole discretion.

 

(iii)

During the first quarter after the end of the performance period applicable to an AIP, the Compensation Committee will evaluate Ultra’s performance

Page 2 of 14

 


 

 

compared to the performance targets and goals in the then-applicable AIP and determine the aggregate amount that has been earned by participants under the AIP. Thereafter, the Compensation Committee shall determine, taking into account Executive’s performance, the amount of any AIP payout to Executive, which may be between 0% and 200% of Executive’s Target AIP Amount, and cause Ultra to pay the applicable Cash Incentive, if any, to Executive by no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period.

 

(iv)

Executive must be employed by Ultra on the date a Cash Incentive is to be paid in order to receive the payment.

 

(c)

Incentive Compensation (Equity) . Executive shall be eligible to participate in Ultra’s Stock Incentive Plan (defined below), and may receive periodic equity or equity-based grants, which Ultra expects will be awarded annually, pursuant to that Plan at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The terms and conditions of any such grants shall be specified at the time of grant in award agreements specific to each such grant.

 

(d)

Employee Benefits and Insurance .

 

(i)

Executive is entitled to participate in and receive full rights and benefits available under all of the following, to the extent existing on the Effective Date or enacted or implemented after the Effective Date: life insurance; disability insurance; directors and officers liability insurance; health and accident plans, including medical, dental and vision plans; 401(k) plan; and any other welfare, fringe or employee benefits plans or programs implemented by Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(ii)

Ultra is not required to have or maintain any employee benefit programs or insurance, and Ultra may modify any employee benefit programs or insurance applicable to Executive.

 

(e)

Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation equal to 5 weeks, such vacation to be taken in accordance with Ultra’s vacation policy; provided, however, Executive’s vacations shall be taken at times that are consistent with Ultra’s reasonable business needs; and, provided, further, that Executive agrees not to take vacation for more than ten (10) consecutive business days at any given time without prior consent from Executive’s Supervisor.

 

(f)

Business Expenses; Reimbursement . Ultra shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred during the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder to the extent consistent with its written policies in effect from time to time, including with respect to the reporting and documentation of such expenses.

4.

Termination of Employment . While this Agreement is in effect:

Page 3 of 14

 


 

 

(a)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment at any time and for whatever reason, and Executive may resign Executive’s employment at any time and for whatever reason upon no less than 30 days’ notice. The remaining clauses of this Section 4(a) set forth and shall determine the respective rights and obligations of Ultra and Executive arising upon and resulting from any such termination or resignation. The definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this Section 4 are set forth in Section 4(b).

 

(i)

Termination by Ultra: For “Cause.”

 

(A)

If Cause exists, then Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause; provided that if Ultra elects to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, then Ultra shall provide written notice to Executive specifying that Ultra is terminating Executive’s employment for Cause, providing a reasonable description of the basis therefor, and specifying the effective date of such termination, which may be immediate.

 

(B)

If Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, then Ultra shall pay Executive any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date but shall have no other obligation to pay or provide Executive any severance or benefits, and Executive shall have no right to any other payments, severance or other benefits.

 

(C)

In addition, if Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, Executive will forfeit all outstanding Equity Incentives and any other outstanding equity awards of Ultra, whether vested or unvested, and will remain bound by any Ultra clawback policy in effect as of the date of termination.

 

(ii)

Termination by Ultra: Without “Cause.”

 

(A)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause; provided that if Ultra elects to terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, then Ultra shall provide written notice to Executive specifying that Ultra is terminating Executive’s employment without Cause and specifying the effective date of such termination, which may be immediate.

 

(B)

If Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause, then Ultra shall pay or provide to Executive: (i) any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date, (ii) the Severance Cash Incentive, (iii) the Severance Payment; and (iv) the Severance Benefits. Ultra will have no other obligation to pay Executive any other severance or termination benefits.

 

(iii)

Resignation by Executive: Without “Good Reason.”

Page 4 of 14

 


 

 

(A)

Executive may resign Executive’s employment for any reason; provided that if Executive elects to resign, then Executive shall provide written notice to Ultra specifying that Executive is resigning and specifying the effective date thereof, which shall be no less than 30 days after delivery of such notice.

 

(B)

If Executive resigns Executive’s employment, then Ultra shall pay Executive any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date but shall have no other obligation to pay or provide Executive any severance or benefits, and Executive shall have no right to any other payments, severance or other benefits.

 

(iv)

Resignation by Executive: With “Good Reason.”

 

(A)

Executive may resign Executive’s employment with Ultra with Good Reason; provided that Executive shall provide written notice to Ultra specifying that Executive is resigning with Good Reason within 30 days following the initial occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason, Ultra fails to remedy such condition, if curable, within 30 days following the receipt of such notice, and Executive resigns Executive’s employment with Ultra within 30 days of the expiration of such 30 day cure period.

 

(B)

If Executive’s resigns Executive’s employment with Good Reason, then Ultra shall pay or provide to Executive: (i) any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date, (ii) the Severance Cash Incentive, (iii) the Severance Payment; and (iv) the Severance Benefits. Ultra will have no other obligation to pay Executive any other severance or termination benefits.

 

(v)

Executive’s “Disability.”

 

(A)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment and officer and director positions upon a determination that Executive has suffered a Disability; provided, however, that if Ultra elects to terminate Executive’s employment because Executive has suffered a Disability, Ultra must provide written notice to Executive specifying that Ultra is terminating Executive’s employment as a result of a Disability and specifying the effective date thereof, which may be immediate.

 

(B)

Upon a termination of Executive’s employment due to Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive, and Ultra shall pay to Executive, as promptly as possible, any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date and the Severance Cash Incentive.

 

(vi)

Executive’s Death .

Page 5 of 14

 


 

 

(A)

Executive’s employment and officer and director positions shall terminate upon Executive’s death. In the event of Executive’s death, the Termination Date shall be deemed to be the date of Executive’s death.

 

(B)

Upon Executive’s death, Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive, and Ultra shall pay to Executive’s estate, as promptly as possible, any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date and the Severance Cash Incentive.

 

(vii)

Change in Control .

 

(A)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause and Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason following, upon, or in anticipation of a Change in Control (as defined in the Stock Incentive Plan); provided that Ultra or the Executive provides notice as required by Section 4(a)(ii) and Section 4(a)(iv), respectively.

 

(B)

If Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason following, upon, or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then Ultra shall pay or provide to Executive: (i) any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date, (ii) the Severance Cash Incentive, (iii) the Severance Payment; and (iv) the Severance Benefits. Ultra will have no other obligation to pay Executive any other severance or termination benefits.

 

(viii)

Timing of Payments and Benefits . The payments and benefits contemplated in this Section 4(a) shall be provided to Executive at the times and in the manner specified below:

 

(A)

The Accrued Obligations shall be paid pursuant to Ultra’s standard payroll and other practices and at the time and in the manner required by applicable law but in no event later than thirty days after the Termination Date; provided, however, the Accrued Obligations described in clause (C) of the definition of Accrued Obligations shall be paid or provided at the time and pursuant to the terms of the applicable plans or programs at the Termination Date.

 

(B)

The Severance Cash Incentive shall be paid as soon as is administratively feasible after the end of the performance period for the applicable Cash Incentive, but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year to which such Cash Incentive relates.

 

(C)

The Severance Benefits shall be paid or provided at the time and pursuant to the terms of the applicable plans or programs at the Termination Date.

Page 6 of 14

 


 

 

(D)

The Severance Payment shall be paid in cash and in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following Executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of the release of claims in favor of Ultra as described in Section 4(e).

 

(b)

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(i)

Accrued Obligations ” means, collectively: (A) any accrued and unpaid Base Salary through Termination Date; (B) any unreimbursed Business Expenses incurred and paid by Executive up to and including the Termination Date; and (C) any other vested compensation or benefits payable to Executive based on the express terms of Ultra’s compensation or benefit plans or programs and Executive’s participation therein.

 

(ii)

Cause ” means the occurrence of one or more of the following as determined by the Board:

 

(A)

Executive’s willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of Executive’s duties to Ultra; or

 

(B)

Executive’s repeated failure to perform Executive’s duties to Ultra or to follow the lawful directives of the Board or other applicable supervisor (other than as a result of death or physical or mental incapacity); or

 

(C)

Executive’s commission of, indictment for, conviction of, or pleading of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(D)

Executive’s performance of any act of theft, embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance, dishonesty or misappropriation of Ultra’s or any of its customer’s, supplier’s or distributor’s property; or

 

(E)

Executive’s use of illegal drugs or Executive’s abuse of alcohol that materially impairs Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties to Ultra; or

 

(F)

Executive’s material breach of any fiduciary duty owed to Ultra (including, without limitation, the duty of care and the duty of loyalty); or

 

(G)

Executive’s material breach of any agreement with Ultra, or a material violation of Ultra’s code of conduct or other written policy.

 

(H)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Executive’s resignation after an event that would be grounds for a termination for Cause shall be treated as a termination for Cause.

Page 7 of 14

 


 

 

(iii)

Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and functions of Executive’s positions as a result of a physical illness or impairment, a mental illness or impairment, or another physical, mental or legal incapacity, during a period of twelve consecutive weeks or a cumulative period of ninety days during any twelve-month period.

 

(iv)

Good Reason ” means the occurrence of one or more of the following as determined by the Board:

 

(A)

Any material reduction of Executive’s then-existing annual Base Salary or Target AIP Amount;

 

(B)

Any material diminution of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or authority set forth in Section 2, unless Executive consents in writing to any such diminution;

 

(C)

A relocation of Executive’s principal workplace to a work site that would increase the Executive’s one-way commute distance by more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s then existing workplace, unless Executive consents in writing to such relocation; or

 

(D)

A material breach by Ultra of this Agreement.

 

(v)

Severance Benefits ” means the benefits described in Section 3(d)(i) hereof, which Ultra shall make available to Executive, at Ultra’s cost and expense, for a period beginning on the Termination Date and continuing for 12 months or, if earlier occurring, such time as Executive obtains other employment that provides Executive with benefits at least as favorable to Executive as the benefits described in Section 3(d)(i) hereof.

 

(vi)

Severance Cash Incentive ”   means the Cash Incentive which Executive would have earned pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof for the calendar year during which the Termination Date occurred, as determined based on Executive’s Target AIP Amount and Ultra’s performance relative to the performance targets and goals specified in the applicable AIP and paid without proration.

 

(vii)

Severance Payment ” means an amount, payable in U.S. dollars, equal to the sum of: (x) one hundred fifty percent (150%) of Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the Termination Date and (y) any Cash Incentive earned, but not yet paid, for the year prior to the year of termination.

 

(viii)

Stock Incentive Plan ” means the Ultra Petroleum Corp. 2017 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, dated and effective as of June 8, 2018.

 

(ix)

Termination Date ” means the effective date of a termination or resignation, as applicable, as specified or provided for under Section 4(a) above.

Page 8 of 14

 


 

 

(c)

Resignations . Upon any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason:

 

(i)

Executive agrees to resign from all officer, director, and other positions Executive may then hold with Ultra and each of the Subsidiaries and any other affiliates of Ultra or any Subsidiary existing at such time; and

 

(ii)

Executive agrees to execute and deliver any reasonable documentation requested by Ultra or any Subsidiary reflecting such resignations.

 

(iii)

Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, any termination of Executive’s employment shall constitute and be deemed to signify an automatic resignation of Executive, as of the Termination Date, from all positions he then holds as an employee, officer, director, manager or other service provider to Ultra and each Subsidiary.

 

(d)

Exclusive Compensation and Benefits; Time Periods . The compensation and benefits described in this Section 4, along with the associated terms for payment, constitute all of Ultra’s obligations to Executive and all of Executive rights with respect to Ultra in connection with any termination of Executive’s employment; provided, however, that nothing herein, is intended to limit any rights Executive may have to continue or convert insurance coverage under certain employee benefit plans in accordance with the terms of those plans and applicable law and further provided that nothing herein is intended to limit any rights Executive has pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan. Time periods applicable to the determination of a Severance Payment amount shall include periods prior to the Effective Date, as applicable.

 

(e)

Conditions, Release of Claims . Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Obligations shall only be payable if Executive delivers to Ultra and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of Ultra in Ultra’s then customary form. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by a subsequent employer. Subject to the provisions of Schedule 1 hereof and the limitations of applicable wage laws, Ultra’s obligation to pay Executive amounts hereunder shall be subject to set-off, counterclaim or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to Ultra or any of its affiliates.

5.

Tax Matters . The provisions of Schedule 1 attached hereto setting out the parties intent with respect to certain tax matters and addressing the applicability of certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations and guidance promulgated

Page 9 of 14

 


 

thereunder apply to the matters addressed herein as though set forth in full herein and are deemed incorporated into this Agreement for all purposes.

6.

Confidential Information .

 

(a)

Executive agrees to maintain all Confidential Information in confidence in a fiduciary capacity for the exclusive benefit of Ultra and the Subsidiaries and further agrees not to disclose, directly or indirectly, any of the Confidential Information except as and to the extent required for the performance of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or functions under this Agreement.

 

(b)

Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 6 by Executive, and Executive agrees that Ultra or any affected Subsidiary may enforce the provisions of this Section 6 by obtaining an order for specific performance and/or injunctive relief as remedies for any such breach or threatened breach. Such remedies are not the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Section 6, but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity to Ultra.

 

(c)

As used herein, “ Confidential Information ” means all information and material which is confidential or proprietary to Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries, including any non-public operational, financial or other business information and any trade secrets, whether or not any such information is reduced to writing or other tangible form, whether or not any such information is marked as “confidential ” or “proprietary,” and whether or not any such information is prepared by or for Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(d)

At the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, Executive shall deliver to Ultra all Confidential Information then in Executive’s possession or control and shall not retain or use any copies or summaries thereof.

 

(e)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Ultra may transfer or assign the benefits of this provision to a party that acquires all or substantially all of Ultra’s assets or all or substantially all of the oil and gas assets owned by the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

7.

Inventions .

 

(a)

Executive shall hold any Inventions (as defined below) in trust for the benefit of Ultra, Executive shall disclose any Inventions promptly and fully to Ultra in writing, and Executive hereby assigns any Inventions, and binds his heirs, executors, and administrators to assign any Inventions, to Ultra or its designee.

 

(b)

Any and all Inventions shall be and are Ultra’s sole and exclusive property, whether patentable, copyrightable, or neither, and Executive shall assist and fully cooperate in every way, at Ultra’s expense, in securing, maintaining, and enforcing, for the benefit of Ultra or its designee, patents, copyrights or other types of proprietary or intellectual property protection for such Developments in any and all countries.

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Further, all works of authorship created by Executive, solely or jointly with others, shall be considered works made for hire under the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, and shall be owned entirely by Ultra.

 

(c)

As used herein, “ Inventions ” means any and all inventions, discoveries, ideas, concepts, improvements, works of authorship (including copyrightable works), and other developments that are conceived, made, discovered or developed by Executive, solely or jointly with others, during the term of his employment by Ultra, whether during or outside of usual working hours and whether on Ultra’s premises or not, to the extent any of the foregoing relate in any manner to the past, present or anticipated business of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(d)

18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) provides: “An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.” Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b). Accordingly, the parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

8.

Cooperation and Assistance . During a three-year period following a Termination Date, at Ultra’s request Executive will reasonably cooperate in connection with any litigation or other fact-finding or adjudicative proceedings involving Ultra or any Subsidiary, provided Executive is not required to travel beyond the city or town where Executive then lives or to provide assistance that unreasonably interferes with Executive’s employment or other activities or endeavors and Executive is not required to provide over 50 hours assistance during any 12-month period. Ultra will pay Executive a reasonable hourly rate for Executive’s assistance, reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in connection with rendering such assistance, and provide Executive counsel reasonably suitable to Executive to represent Executive in connection with providing such assistance if Executive reasonably requests.

9.

Protected Disclosures and Actions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede Executive (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Executive does not need the prior authorization of Ultra to make any such reports or

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disclosures and Executive shall not be required to notify Ultra that such reports or disclosures have been made.

10.

Non-Competition. Executive expressly covenants and agrees that, without the prior written consent of Ultra, during a one-year period beginning on the Termination Date (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof) and ending on the first anniversary of such Termination Date, Executive shall not participate or engage in, directly or indirectly (as an owner, partner, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, consultant, advisor or in any other capacity calling for the rendition of services, advice, or acts of management, operation or control) any business for a Competitor (as defined below) anywhere within (i) Sublette County, Wyoming or (ii) twenty miles of any properties owned by Ultra in the United States on the Termination Date. The term “Competitor” means any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity engaged in oil and gas exploration and production.

11.

Non-Solicitation . Executive expressly covenants and agrees that, without the prior written consent of Ultra, during a one-year period beginning on the Termination Date (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof) and ending on the first anniversary of such Termination Date, Executive will not directly or indirectly: (i) solicit the employment or engagement as a consultant of any person who is or was an employee of or a consultant to Ultra or any Subsidiary at any time during the last twelve months of Executive’s employment with Ultra; or (ii) hire or engage any such person.

12.

Non-Disparagement .

 

(a)

As used herein, the term “ Disparaging Remarks ” means any statement, whether written or oral, that has the intention or tendency to degrade or diminish or harm the reputation, competence, professionalism, integrity, good character, or standing of an individual or entity in the estimation of a community, including by deterring or having a tendency to deter others from associating, employing, or otherwise dealing with them.

 

(b)

Executive agrees not to make or publish any Disparaging Remarks to any other person about: (i) Ultra or any Subsidiary; (ii) any business conducted by Ultra or any Subsidiary; or (iii) any past or present member of Ultra’s management or Board in their capacity as such, except as follows: Executive’s counsel, immediate family, any party when such disclosure is required by a subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as required by law or court order.  

 

(c)

Ultra agrees to direct all of its executive officers as of the Effective Date and through the Termination Date (each, a “ Designated Individual ”), not to make or publish any Disparaging Remarks to any third party about Executive, except as follows: Ultra’s counsel, each Designated Individual’s counsel, each Designated Individuals’ immediate family members, any party when such disclosure is required by a subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as required by law or court order.  

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(d)

Nothing in this Section 12 shall be read to prohibit regular and commercially reasonable, acceptable competitive business speech by either Party.

13.

Reasonableness of Covenants. In signing this Agreement, Executive gives Ultra assurance that Executive has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under Section 6 though Section 12. Executive agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of Ultra and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect of subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent Executive from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which Executive is bound by the restraints. Executive acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to Ultra and its affiliates and that Executive has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. Executive further covenants that Executive will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants and that the Executive will reimburse Ultra and its affiliates for all costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with any action to enforce any of the provisions of Sections 6 through Section 12 if either Ultra and/or its affiliates prevails on any material issue involved in such dispute or if Executive challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the provisions of Section 6 through Section 12. It is also agreed that each of Ultra’s affiliates will have the right to enforce all of Executive’s obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to Section 6 through Section 12. Upon Executive’s material breach of the provisions of Section 6 through Section 12, Executive will be required to repay the Severance Payment to Ultra.

14.

Reformation. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in Section 6 through Section 12 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.

15.

Tolling. In the event of any violation of the provisions of Section 6 through Section 12, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 6 through Section 12 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.

16.

Survival of Provisions. The obligations contained in Section 6 through Section 12 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Period and Executive’s employment with Ultra and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

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17.

General Provisions .

 

(a)

Amendments and Waiver; Prior Agreements .

 

(i)

The terms and provisions of this Agreement may not be modified or amended, nor may any of the provisions hereof be waived, temporarily or permanently, unless such modification or amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive, on the one hand, and by a duly authorized person on behalf of Ultra, on the other hand.

 

(ii)

Any failure of any party hereto to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, and, further, a waiver by a party on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other type of breach on a future occasion.

 

(iii)

Except to the extent set forth in the plan or program documents related to the employee benefits plans or programs of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries, this Agreement supersedes and replaces any other employment agreement between Ultra and Executive. Any such other employment agreement shall no longer be in force and effect.

 

(b)

Binding Agreement; Permitted Successors and Assigns .

 

(i)

This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and personal representatives and estates, as the case may be, and this Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any other person or legal entity.

 

(ii)

Neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation hereunder of any party may be assigned or delegated without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, Executive may direct distribution of any benefits or compensation that, upon Executive’s death, accrue hereunder.

 

(iii)

Executive shall not have any right to pledge, hypothecate, anticipate, or in any way create a lien upon any payments or other benefits provided under this Agreement; and no benefits payable under this Agreement shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or involuntary acts, or by operation of law, except by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(c)

Survival . The termination of Executive’s employment shall not impair the rights or obligations of any party that have accrued prior to such termination or which by their nature or terms survive termination of the Term, including without limitation the parties’ respective obligations under Sections 4 through 12 hereof.

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(d)

Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(e)

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Jury-Trial Waiver; Fees and Expenses .

 

(i)

This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with Colorado law, excluding its choice-of-law principles, except where federal law may preempt the application of state law.

 

(ii)

The parties hereto: (A) submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, including removal jurisdiction, of the state and federal courts located in Denver, CO for any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or Executive’s employment; (B) waive any objection to such venue; (C) agree that any judgment in any such action or proceeding may be enforced in other jurisdictions; and (D) irrevocably waive the right to trial by jury and agree not to ask for a jury in any such proceeding.

 

(f)

No Obligation to Pay . With regard to any payment due to Executive under this Agreement, it shall not be a breach of any provision of this Agreement for Ultra to fail to make such payment to Executive if, by doing so, Ultra would violate any applicable law.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Employment Agreement intending it to be made effective as of the Effective Date.

ULTRA:

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.,
a Yukon corporation

 

By: /s/ David W. Honeyfield

 

Name:

David W. Honeyfield

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

EXECUTIVE:

 

/s/ Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson

NOTICE PROVISION:

For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when received, if delivered personally or by courier, (ii) on the date receipt is acknowledged, if delivered by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iii) one day after transmission, if sent by facsimile transmission with confirmation of transmission, as follows:

If to Executive, at:

At the most recent address in Ultra’s records.

If to Ultra, at:

Ultra Petroleum Corp.
116 Inverness Drive East, Suite 400
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention:  Scott D. Price, P.C.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 


 

SCHEDULE 1

TAX MATTERS

I.

General Provisions.

 

(A)

All compensation paid or awarded to Executive hereunder shall be subject to applicable withholding, payroll and other taxes. Accordingly, with respect to any payment to be made to Executive, Ultra shall deduct, where applicable, any amounts authorized by Executive, and shall withhold and report all amounts required to be withheld and reported by applicable law.

 

(B)

Capitalized terms used in this Schedule 1 but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement to which this Schedule 1 is attached and into which it is incorporated.

 

(C)

The term “ Code, ” as used herein, means the Title 26 of the United States Code, commonly referred to as the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

II.

Regarding Excise Taxes.

 

(A)

If Executive is a “disqualified individual ” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which Executive has the right to receive from Ultra or any Subsidiary, would constitute a “parachute payment ” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by Executive from Ultra and its affiliates will be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Executive shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).

 

(B)

The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.

 

(C)

The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by Ultra in good faith. If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from Ultra (or its affiliates) used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Executive’s base amount, then Executive shall immediately repay such excess to Ultra upon notification that an overpayment has been made.

 

 


 

 

(D)

Nothing in this Agreement, including the foregoing paragraphs (A) through (C), shall require Ultra to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Executive’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code, if any.

REGARDING CODE SECTION 409A

III.

Statement of Intent. The provisions of this Schedule 1 shall apply solely to the extent that a payment under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”). The intent of the parties to this Agreement is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A including, but not limited to, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5), and 1.409A-(b)(9) and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. The commencement of payment or provision of any payment or benefit under this Agreement shall be deferred to the minimum extent necessary to prevent the imposition of any excise taxes on Ultra or Executive.

IV.

Notification; Reformation. If Executive receives advice, from an attorney with demonstrable tax expertise, that any provision of this Agreement would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A (with specificity as to the reason therefor), and notifies Ultra thereof, or if Ultra independently makes such determination, then Ultra may, to the extent possible and after consulting with Executive, reform such provision to try to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and Ultra of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

V.

Annual Cash Incentive Payments. Any Cash Incentive that Executive is awarded or becomes entitled to receive pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Agreement will be paid during the calendar year immediately following the calendar year to which such Cash Incentive relates and will be paid to Executive as soon as administratively feasible following preparation of Ultra’s unaudited financial statements for the applicable calendar year.

VI.

Separation from Service.

 

(A)

If any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to Executive under this Agreement in connection with a “ separation from service ” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i)) is determined, in whole or in part, to constitute “ nonqualified deferred compensation ” (within the meaning of Section 409A) and Executive is a “ specified employee ” (as defined in Section 409A(2)(B)(i)) at the time of the separation from service, then notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, no part of any such payments shall be paid to Executive before the earlier of (i) the day that is six (6) months plus one (1) day after the date of the separation from service (the “ New Payment Date ”), (ii) the date of Executive’s death, or (iii) any date that otherwise complies with Section 409A.

 

(B)

The aggregate of any payments and benefits that otherwise would have been paid and/or provided to Executive during the period between the date of the separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum on the date Ultra’s first regular payroll is made following the New Payment Date, and no interest will be paid

 


 

 

by Ultra with respect to any such payments and benefits. Thereafter, any payments and/or benefits that remain outstanding as of the day immediately following the New Payment Date shall be paid without delay over the time period originally scheduled, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(C)

For purposes of Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be and shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., payment shall be made within thirty (30) days), the actual date of payment within such period shall be within the sole discretion of Ultra.

 

(D)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that the foregoing delay applies to the provision of any ongoing welfare benefits, Executive shall pay the full cost of premiums for such welfare benefits due and payable prior to the New Payment Date, and Ultra shall pay Executive an amount equal to the amount of such premiums which otherwise would have been paid by Ultra during such period on the date Ultra’s first regular payroll is made following the New Payment Date.

 

(E)

A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “ separation from service ” (within the meaning of Section 409A), and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references in the Agreement to a “ resignation, ” “ termination, ” “ resign, ” “ terminate, ” “ resignation of employment, ” “ termination of employment ” or other like terms shall mean “ separation from service ” (within the meaning of Section 409A).

 

(F)

If in connection with a termination or resignation of Executive’s employment under the Agreement, Executive is required to execute a release to receive any payments from Ultra that constitute “ nonqualified deferred compensation ” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then payments of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following such termination or resignation. Any payments suspended during such 60 day period shall be paid on the date Ultra’s first regular payroll is made after the end of such period.

VII.

Expenses and Reimbursements.

 

(A)

This Section VII shall apply to payments of any amounts under this Agreement that are treated as “ reimbursement payments ” under Section 409A.

 

(B)

All expenses or other reimbursements as provided herein shall be payable in accordance with Ultra’s policies in effect from time to time, but in any event shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive to the extent any such payments are subject to Section 409A. Ultra shall have no obligation to reimburse Executive for any expenses submitted after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive.

 

(C)

With regard to any provision of the Agreement that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A: (i) the right to

 


 

 

reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year (other than an arrangement providing for the reimbursement of medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code).

VIII.

No Representations or Warranties.

 

(A)

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute any representation or warranty by Ultra or Executive regarding compliance with Section 409A.

 

(B)

Ultra has no obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax under Section 409A on any person, and neither Ultra nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any employee or other representative of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries shall have any liability to Executive with respect to any such assessment.

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is entered into by and between ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP., a Yukon corporation (“ Ultra ”), and A. KENT ROGERS (“ Executive ”).

WHEREAS, Ultra and Executive are party to that certain Employment Agreement dated November 6, 2017 by and between Ultra and Executive (the “ Former Agreement ”);

WHEREAS, Ultra desires to continue to employ Executive and to embody herein the terms of such employment, which shall supersede the Former Agreement, and considers it to be in its best interests and in the best interests of its stockholders to employ Executive during the Employment Period (as defined in Section 1 below); and

WHEREAS, Executive is willing to accept such employment with Ultra upon the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.

Effective Date; Employment Period .

 

(a)

This Agreement is effective as of March 1, 2019 (the “ Effective Date ”).

 

(b)

The employment period under this Agreement begins on the Effective Date and shall continue until the termination of Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “ Employment Period ”).

2.

Positions and Duties . While this Agreement is in effect:

 

(a)

Executive shall serve as the Vice President, Drilling and Completions of Ultra and shall have the normal authority, responsibilities and duties of an executive in such position and such other reasonably related duties and responsibilities, in each case, that are assigned by Ultra.

 

(b)

Executive shall report to the Chief Operating Officer of Ultra.

 

(c)

Executive agrees to devote his full business time and attention to the business and affairs of Ultra; provided, however, that Executive may also manage his personal, financial, and legal affairs and engage in other passive professional, charitable or

 


 

 

community activities so long as such other activities do not conflict with Ultra’s interests, interfere with Executive’s duties and responsibilities to Ultra or the Subsidiaries, or violate any of Executive’s duties and obligations hereunder.

 

(d)

Executive agrees to comply with and, where applicable, enforce the policies of Ultra and of the Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, such policies with respect to legal compliance, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, professional conduct and business ethics as are from time to time in effect. Executive shall cooperate with any investigation or inquiry authorized by the Board or conducted by a governmental authority related to the business of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries or Executive’s performance under this Agreement.

3.

Compensation and Reimbursements . While this Agreement is in effect:

 

(a)

Base Salary .

 

(i)

Beginning on the Effective Date and continuing during the Employment Period, Ultra agrees to pay Executive a base salary (the “ Base Salary ”) at the annual rate of $385,000, payable in regular installments in accordance with Ultra’s usual payroll practices.

 

(ii)

Executive’s Base Salary will be reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “ Compensation Committee ”) and may be adjusted in its sole discretion.

 

(b)

Incentive Compensation (Cash) .

 

(i)

Executive shall be eligible to receive cash incentive compensation (any such compensation, a “ Cash Incentive ”) pursuant to the short-term incentive program for Ultra established by the Compensation Committee for senior executives of Ultra (such program, the “ AIP ”). Executive’s target Cash Incentive amount shall be equal to seventy-five percent (75%) of Executive’s Base Salary (the “ Target AIP Amount ”).

 

(ii)

Executive’s Target AIP Amount will be reviewed at least annually by the Compensation Committee and may be adjusted in its sole discretion.

 

(iii)

During the first quarter after the end of the performance period applicable to an AIP, the Compensation Committee will evaluate Ultra’s performance compared to the performance targets and goals in the then-applicable AIP and determine the aggregate amount that has been earned by participants under the AIP. Thereafter, the Compensation Committee shall determine, taking into account Executive’s performance, the amount of any AIP payout to Executive, which may be between 0% and 200% of Executive’s Target AIP Amount, and cause Ultra to pay the applicable Cash Incentive, if any, to Executive by no later than March 15th of the calendar year following the end of the performance period.

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(iv)

Executive must be employed by Ultra on the date a Cash Incentive is to be paid in order to receive the payment.

 

(c)

Incentive Compensation (Equity) . Executive shall be eligible to participate in Ultra’s Stock Incentive Plan (defined below), and may receive periodic equity or equity-based grants, which Ultra expects will be awarded annually, pursuant to that Plan at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The terms and conditions of any such grants shall be specified at the time of grant in award agreements specific to each such grant.

 

(d)

Employee Benefits and Insurance .

 

(i)

Executive is entitled to participate in and receive full rights and benefits available under all of the following, to the extent existing on the Effective Date or enacted or implemented after the Effective Date: life insurance; disability insurance; directors and officers liability insurance; health and accident plans, including medical, dental and vision plans; 401(k) plan; and any other welfare, fringe or employee benefits plans or programs implemented by Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(ii)

Ultra is not required to have or maintain any employee benefit programs or insurance, and Ultra may modify any employee benefit programs or insurance applicable to Executive.

 

(e)

Vacation . Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation equal to 5 weeks, such vacation to be taken in accordance with Ultra’s vacation policy; provided, however, Executive’s vacations shall be taken at times that are consistent with Ultra’s reasonable business needs; and, provided, further, that Executive agrees not to take vacation for more than ten (10) consecutive business days at any given time without prior consent from Executive’s Supervisor.

 

(f)

Business Expenses; Reimbursement . Ultra shall reimburse Executive for all reasonable business expenses incurred during the performance of Executive’s duties hereunder to the extent consistent with its written policies in effect from time to time, including with respect to the reporting and documentation of such expenses.

4.

Termination of Employment . While this Agreement is in effect:

 

(a)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment at any time and for whatever reason, and Executive may resign Executive’s employment at any time and for whatever reason upon no less than 30 days’ notice. The remaining clauses of this Section 4(a) set forth and shall determine the respective rights and obligations of Ultra and Executive arising upon and resulting from any such termination or resignation. The definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this Section 4 are set forth in Section 4(b).

 

(i)

Termination by Ultra: For “Cause.”

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(A)

If Cause exists, then Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment for Cause; provided that if Ultra elects to terminate Executive’s employment for Cause, then Ultra shall provide written notice to Executive specifying that Ultra is terminating Executive’s employment for Cause, providing a reasonable description of the basis therefor, and specifying the effective date of such termination, which may be immediate.

 

(B)

If Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, then Ultra shall pay Executive any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date but shall have no other obligation to pay or provide Executive any severance or benefits, and Executive shall have no right to any other payments, severance or other benefits.

 

(C)

In addition, if Executive’s employment is terminated for Cause, Executive will forfeit all outstanding Equity Incentives and any other outstanding equity awards of Ultra, whether vested or unvested, and will remain bound by any Ultra clawback policy in effect as of the date of termination.

 

(ii)

Termination by Ultra: Without “Cause.”

 

(A)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause; provided that if Ultra elects to terminate Executive’s employment without Cause, then Ultra shall provide written notice to Executive specifying that Ultra is terminating Executive’s employment without Cause and specifying the effective date of such termination, which may be immediate.

 

(B)

If Executive’s employment is terminated without Cause, then Ultra shall pay or provide to Executive: (i) any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date, (ii) the Severance Cash Incentive, (iii) the Severance Payment; and (iv) the Severance Benefits. Ultra will have no other obligation to pay Executive any other severance or termination benefits.

 

(iii)

Resignation by Executive: Without “Good Reason.”

 

(A)

Executive may resign Executive’s employment for any reason; provided that if Executive elects to resign, then Executive shall provide written notice to Ultra specifying that Executive is resigning and specifying the effective date thereof, which shall be no less than 30 days after delivery of such notice.

 

(B)

If Executive resigns Executive’s employment, then Ultra shall pay Executive any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date but shall have no other obligation to pay or provide Executive any

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severance or benefits, and Executive shall have no right to any other payments, severance or other benefits.

 

(iv)

Resignation by Executive: With “Good Reason.”

 

(A)

Executive may resign Executive’s employment with Ultra with Good Reason; provided that Executive shall provide written notice to Ultra specifying that Executive is resigning with Good Reason within 30 days following the initial occurrence of the event constituting Good Reason, Ultra fails to remedy such condition, if curable, within 30 days following the receipt of such notice, and Executive resigns Executive’s employment with Ultra within 30 days of the expiration of such 30 day cure period.

 

(B)

If Executive’s resigns Executive’s employment with Good Reason, then Ultra shall pay or provide to Executive: (i) any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date, (ii) the Severance Cash Incentive, (iii) the Severance Payment; and (iv) the Severance Benefits. Ultra will have no other obligation to pay Executive any other severance or termination benefits.

 

(v)

Executive’s “Disability.”

 

(A)

Ultra may terminate Executive’s employment and officer and director positions upon a determination that Executive has suffered a Disability; provided, however, that if Ultra elects to terminate Executive’s employment because Executive has suffered a Disability, Ultra must provide written notice to Executive specifying that Ultra is terminating Executive’s employment as a result of a Disability and specifying the effective date thereof, which may be immediate.

 

(B)

Upon a termination of Executive’s employment due to Disability, Executive shall be entitled to receive, and Ultra shall pay to Executive, as promptly as possible, any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date and the Severance Cash Incentive.

 

(vi)

Executive’s Death .

 

(A)

Executive’s employment and officer and director positions shall terminate upon Executive’s death. In the event of Executive’s death, the Termination Date shall be deemed to be the date of Executive’s death.

 

(B)

Upon Executive’s death, Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive, and Ultra shall pay to Executive’s estate, as promptly as possible, any Accrued Obligations as of the Termination Date and the Severance Cash Incentive.

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(vii)

Timing of Payments and Benefits . The payments and benefits contemplated in this Section 4(a) shall be provided to Executive at the times and in the manner specified below:

 

(A)

The Accrued Obligations shall be paid pursuant to Ultra’s standard payroll and other practices and at the time and in the manner required by applicable law but in no event later than thirty days after the Termination Date; provided, however, the Accrued Obligations described in clause (C) of the definition of Accrued Obligations shall be paid or provided at the time and pursuant to the terms of the applicable plans or programs at the Termination Date.

 

(B)

The Severance Cash Incentive shall be paid as soon as is administratively feasible after the end of the performance period for the applicable Cash Incentive, but in no event later than March 15 of the calendar year following the calendar year to which such Cash Incentive relates.

 

(C)

The Severance Benefits shall be paid or provided at the time and pursuant to the terms of the applicable plans or programs at the Termination Date.

 

(D)

The Severance Payment shall be paid in cash and in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following Executive’s timely execution and non-revocation of the release of claims in favor of Ultra as described in Section 4(e).

 

(b)

As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

 

(i)

Accrued Obligations ” means, collectively: (A) any accrued and unpaid Base Salary through Termination Date; (B) any unreimbursed Business Expenses incurred and paid by Executive up to and including the Termination Date; and (C) any other vested compensation or benefits payable to Executive based on the express terms of Ultra’s compensation or benefit plans or programs and Executive’s participation therein.

 

(ii)

Cause ” means the occurrence of one or more of the following as determined by the Board:

 

(A)

Executive’s willful misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of Executive’s duties to Ultra; or

 

(B)

Executive’s repeated failure to perform Executive’s duties to Ultra or to follow the lawful directives of the Board or other applicable supervisor (other than as a result of death or physical or mental incapacity); or

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(C)

Executive’s commission of, indictment for, conviction of, or pleading of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; or

 

(D)

Executive’s performance of any act of theft, embezzlement, fraud, malfeasance, dishonesty or misappropriation of Ultra’s or any of its customer’s, supplier’s or distributor’s property; or

 

(E)

Executive’s use of illegal drugs or Executive’s abuse of alcohol that materially impairs Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties to Ultra; or

 

(F)

Executive’s material breach of any fiduciary duty owed to Ultra (including, without limitation, the duty of care and the duty of loyalty); or

 

(G)

Executive’s material breach of any agreement with Ultra, or a material violation of Ultra’s code of conduct or other written policy.

 

(H)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Executive’s resignation after an event that would be grounds for a termination for Cause shall be treated as a termination for Cause.

 

(iii)

Disability ” means Executive’s inability to perform the essential duties, responsibilities and functions of Executive’s positions as a result of a physical illness or impairment, a mental illness or impairment, or another physical, mental or legal incapacity, during a period of twelve consecutive weeks or a cumulative period of ninety days during any twelve-month period.

 

(iv)

Good Reason ” means the occurrence of one or more of the following as determined by the Board:

 

(A)

Any material reduction of Executive’s then-existing annual Base Salary or Target AIP Amount;

 

(B)

Any material diminution of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or authority set forth in Section 2, unless Executive consents in writing to any such diminution; or

 

(C)

A relocation of Executive’s principal workplace to a work site that would increase Executive’s one-way commute distance by more than fifty (50) miles from Executive’s then existing workplace, unless Executive consents in writing to such relocation.

 

(v)

Severance Benefits ” means the benefits described in Section 3(d)(i) hereof, which Ultra shall make available to Executive, at Ultra’s cost and expense, for a period beginning on the Termination Date and continuing for 12

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months or, if earlier occurring, such time as Executive obtains other employment that provides Executive with benefits at least as favorable to Executive as the benefits described in Section 3(d)(i) hereof.

 

(vi)

Severance Cash Incentive ” means the Cash Incentive which Executive would have earned pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof for the calendar year during which the Termination Date occurred, as determined based on Executive’s Target AIP Amount and Ultra’s performance relative to the performance targets and goals specified in the applicable AIP and paid without proration.

 

(vii)

Severance Payment ” means an amount, payable in U.S. dollars, equal to the sum of: (x) one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s Base Salary in effect on the Termination Date and (y) any Cash Incentive earned, but not yet paid, for the year prior to the year of termination.

 

(viii)

Stock Incentive Plan ” means the Ultra Petroleum Corp. 2017 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, dated and effective as of June 8, 2018.

 

(ix)

Termination Date ” means the effective date of a termination or resignation, as applicable, as specified or provided for under Section 4(a) above.

 

(c)

Resignations . Upon any termination of Executive’s employment hereunder for any reason:

 

(i)

Executive agrees to resign from all officer, director, and other positions Executive may then hold with Ultra and each of the Subsidiaries and any other affiliates of Ultra or any Subsidiary existing at such time; and

 

(ii)

Executive agrees to execute and deliver any reasonable documentation requested by Ultra or any Subsidiary reflecting such resignations.

 

(iii)

Notwithstanding the foregoing and for the avoidance of doubt, any termination of Executive’s employment shall constitute and be deemed to signify an automatic resignation of Executive, as of the Termination Date, from all positions he then holds as an employee, officer, director, manager or other service provider to Ultra and each Subsidiary.

 

(d)

Exclusive Compensation and Benefits; Time Periods . The compensation and benefits described in this Section 4, along with the associated terms for payment, constitute all of Ultra’s obligations to Executive and all of Executive rights with respect to Ultra in connection with any termination of Executive’s employment; provided, however, that nothing herein, is intended to limit any rights Executive may have to continue or convert insurance coverage under certain employee benefit plans in accordance with the terms of those plans and applicable law and further provided that nothing herein is intended to limit any rights Executive has pursuant to the Stock Incentive Plan. Time periods applicable to the determination of a

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Severance Payment amount shall include periods prior to the Effective Date, as applicable.

 

(e)

Conditions, Release of Claims . Any and all amounts payable and benefits or additional rights provided pursuant to this Agreement beyond the Accrued Obligations shall only be payable if Executive delivers to Ultra and does not revoke a general release of claims in favor of Ultra in Ultra’s then customary form. Such release shall be executed and delivered (and no longer subject to revocation, if applicable) within sixty (60) days following termination. In no event shall Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by Executive as a result of employment by a subsequent employer. Subject to the provisions of Schedule 1 hereof and the limitations of applicable wage laws, Ultra’s obligation to pay Executive amounts hereunder shall be subject to set-off, counterclaim or recoupment of amounts owed by Executive to Ultra or any of its affiliates.

5.

Tax Matters . The provisions of Schedule 1 attached hereto setting out the parties intent with respect to certain tax matters and addressing the applicability of certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder apply to the matters addressed herein as though set forth in full herein and are deemed incorporated into this Agreement for all purposes.

6.

Confidential Information .

 

(a)

Executive agrees to maintain all Confidential Information in confidence in a fiduciary capacity for the exclusive benefit of Ultra and the Subsidiaries and further agrees not to disclose, directly or indirectly, any of the Confidential Information except as and to the extent required for the performance of Executive’s duties, responsibilities or functions under this Agreement.

 

(b)

Executive acknowledges that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy for any breach of this Section 6 by Executive, and Executive agrees that Ultra or any affected Subsidiary may enforce the provisions of this Section 6 by obtaining an order for specific performance and/or injunctive relief as remedies for any such breach or threatened breach. Such remedies are not the exclusive remedies for a breach of this Section 6, but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity to Ultra.

 

(c)

As used herein, “ Confidential Information ” means all information and material which is confidential or proprietary to Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries, including any non-public operational, financial or other business information and any trade secrets, whether or not any such information is reduced to writing or other tangible form, whether or not any such information is marked as “confidential ” or “proprietary,” and whether or not any such information is prepared by or for Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries.

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(d)

At the termination of Executive’s employment hereunder, Executive shall deliver to Ultra all Confidential Information then in Executive’s possession or control and shall not retain or use any copies or summaries thereof.

 

(e)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Ultra may transfer or assign the benefits of this provision to a party that acquires all or substantially all of Ultra’s assets or all or substantially all of the oil and gas assets owned by the Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

7.

Inventions .

 

(a)

Executive shall hold any Inventions (as defined below) in trust for the benefit of Ultra, Executive shall disclose any Inventions promptly and fully to Ultra in writing, and Executive hereby assigns any Inventions, and binds his heirs, executors, and administrators to assign any Inventions, to Ultra or its designee.

 

(b)

Any and all Inventions shall be and are Ultra’s sole and exclusive property, whether patentable, copyrightable, or neither, and Executive shall assist and fully cooperate in every way, at Ultra’s expense, in securing, maintaining, and enforcing, for the benefit of Ultra or its designee, patents, copyrights or other types of proprietary or intellectual property protection for such Developments in any and all countries. Further, all works of authorship created by Executive, solely or jointly with others, shall be considered works made for hire under the Copyright Act of 1976, as amended, and shall be owned entirely by Ultra.

 

(c)

As used herein, “ Inventions ” means any and all inventions, discoveries, ideas, concepts, improvements, works of authorship (including copyrightable works), and other developments that are conceived, made, discovered or developed by Executive, solely or jointly with others, during the term of his employment by Ultra, whether during or outside of usual working hours and whether on Ultra’s premises or not, to the extent any of the foregoing relate in any manner to the past, present or anticipated business of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries.

 

(d)

18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) provides: “An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that (A) is made (x) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (y) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.” Nothing in this Agreement is intended to conflict with 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b) or create liability for disclosures of trade secrets that are expressly allowed by 18 U.S.C. § 1833(b). Accordingly, the parties to this Agreement have the right to disclose in confidence trade secrets to federal, state, and local government officials, or to an attorney, for the sole purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law. The parties also have the right to disclose trade secrets in a document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, but only if the filing is made under seal and protected from public disclosure.

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8.

Cooperation and Assistance . During a three-year period following a Termination Date, at Ultra’s request Executive will reasonably cooperate in connection with any litigation or other fact-finding or adjudicative proceedings involving Ultra or any Subsidiary, provided Executive is not required to travel beyond the city or town where Executive then lives or to provide assistance that unreasonably interferes with Executive’s employment or other activities or endeavors and Executive is not required to provide over 50 hours assistance during any 12-month period. Ultra will pay Executive a reasonable hourly rate for Executive’s assistance, reimburse Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Executive in connection with rendering such assistance, and provide Executive counsel reasonably suitable to Executive to represent Executive in connection with providing such assistance if Executive reasonably requests.

9.

Protected Disclosures and Actions . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, no provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted so as to impede Executive (or any other individual) from reporting possible violations of federal law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or making other disclosures under the whistleblower provisions of federal law or regulation. Executive does not need the prior authorization of Ultra to make any such reports or disclosures and Executive shall not be required to notify Ultra that such reports or disclosures have been made.

10.

Non-Competition. Executive expressly covenants and agrees that, without the prior written consent of Ultra, during a one-year period beginning on the Termination Date (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof) and ending on the first anniversary of such Termination Date, Executive shall not participate or engage in, directly or indirectly (as an owner, partner, employee, officer, director, independent contractor, consultant, advisor or in any other capacity calling for the rendition of services, advice, or acts of management, operation or control) any business for a Competitor (as defined below) anywhere within (i) Sublette County, Wyoming or (ii) twenty miles of any properties owned by Ultra in the United States on the Termination Date. The term “Competitor” means any business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity engaged in oil and gas exploration and production.

11.

Non-Solicitation . Executive expressly covenants and agrees that, without the prior written consent of Ultra, during a one-year period beginning on the Termination Date (as determined pursuant to the terms hereof) and ending on the first anniversary of such Termination Date, Executive will not directly or indirectly: (i) solicit the employment or engagement as a consultant of any person who is or was an employee of or a consultant to Ultra or any Subsidiary at any time during the last twelve months of Executive’s employment with Ultra; or (ii) hire or engage any such person.

12.

Non-Disparagement .

 

(a)

As used herein, the term “ Disparaging Remarks ” means any statement, whether written or oral, that has the intention or tendency to degrade or diminish or harm the reputation, competence, professionalism, integrity, good character, or standing

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of an individual or entity in the estimation of a community, including by deterring or having a tendency to deter others from associating, employing, or otherwise dealing with them.

 

(b)

Executive agrees not to make or publish any Disparaging Remarks to any other person about: (i) Ultra or any Subsidiary; (ii) any business conducted by Ultra or any Subsidiary; or (iii) any past or present member of Ultra’s management or Board in their capacity as such, except as follows: Executive’s counsel, immediate family, any party when such disclosure is required by a subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as required by law or court order.  

 

(c)

Ultra agrees to direct all of its executive officers as of the Effective Date and through the Termination Date (each, a “ Designated Individual ”), not to make or publish any Disparaging Remarks to any third party about Executive, except as follows: Ultra’s counsel, each Designated Individual’s counsel, each Designated Individuals’ immediate family members, any party when such disclosure is required by a subpoena issued by a court of competent jurisdiction, or as required by law or court order.  

 

(d)

Nothing in this Section 12 shall be read to prohibit regular and commercially reasonable, acceptable competitive business speech by either Party.

13.

Reasonableness of Covenants. In signing this Agreement, Executive gives Ultra assurance that Executive has carefully read and considered all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including the restraints imposed under Section 6 though Section 12. Executive agrees that these restraints are necessary for the reasonable and proper protection of Ultra and its affiliates and their Confidential Information and that each and every one of the restraints is reasonable in respect of subject matter, length of time and geographic area, and that these restraints, individually or in the aggregate, will not prevent Executive from obtaining other suitable employment during the period in which Executive is bound by the restraints. Executive acknowledges that each of these covenants has a unique, very substantial and immeasurable value to Ultra and its affiliates and that Executive has sufficient assets and skills to provide a livelihood while such covenants remain in force. Executive further covenants that Executive will not challenge the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the covenants and that Executive will reimburse Ultra and its affiliates for all costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with any action to enforce any of the provisions of Sections 6 through Section 12 if Executive challenges the reasonableness or enforceability of any of the provisions of Section 6 through Section 12. It is also agreed that each of Ultra’s affiliates will have the right to enforce all of Executive’s obligations to that affiliate under this Agreement, including without limitation pursuant to Section 6 through Section 12. Upon Executive’s material breach of the provisions of Section 6 through Section 12, Executive will be required to repay the Severance Payment to Ultra.

14.

Reformation. If it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in any state that any restriction in Section 6 through Section 12 is excessive in duration or scope or is unreasonable or unenforceable under applicable law, it is the intention of the parties that

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such restriction may be modified or amended by the court to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by the laws of that state.

15.

Tolling. In the event of any violation of the provisions of Section 6 through Section 12, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the post-termination restrictions contained in this Section 6 through Section 12 shall be extended by a period of time equal to the period of such violation, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the running of the applicable post-termination restriction period shall be tolled during any period of such violation.

16.

Survival of Provisions. The obligations contained in Section 6 through Section 12 hereof shall survive the termination or expiration of the Employment Period and Executive’s employment with Ultra and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

17.

General Provisions .

 

(a)

Amendments and Waiver; Prior Agreements .

 

(i)

The terms and provisions of this Agreement may not be modified or amended, nor may any of the provisions hereof be waived, temporarily or permanently, unless such modification or amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive, on the one hand, and by a duly authorized person on behalf of Ultra, on the other hand.

 

(ii)

Any failure of any party hereto to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed as a waiver of such provisions and shall not affect the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with its terms, and, further, a waiver by a party on one occasion shall not be deemed to be a waiver of the same or any other type of breach on a future occasion.

 

(iii)

Except to the extent set forth in the plan or program documents related to the employee benefits plans or programs of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries, this Agreement supersedes and replaces any other employment agreement between Ultra and Executive. Any such other employment agreement shall no longer be in force and effect.

 

(b)

Binding Agreement; Permitted Successors and Assigns .

 

(i)

This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties hereto and their respective successors, permitted assigns, heirs and personal representatives and estates, as the case may be, and this Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any other person or legal entity.

 

(ii)

Neither this Agreement nor any right or obligation hereunder of any party may be assigned or delegated without the prior written consent of the other party; provided, Executive may direct distribution of any benefits or compensation that, upon Executive’s death, accrue hereunder.

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(iii)

Executive shall not have any right to pledge, hypothecate, anticipate, or in any way create a lien upon any payments or other benefits provided under this Agreement; and no benefits payable under this Agreement shall be assignable in anticipation of payment either by voluntary or involuntary acts, or by operation of law, except by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution.

 

(c)

Survival . The termination of Executive’s employment shall not impair the rights or obligations of any party that have accrued prior to such termination or which by their nature or terms survive termination of the Term, including without limitation the parties’ respective obligations under Sections 4 through 12 hereof.

 

(d)

Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(e)

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Venue; Jury-Trial Waiver; Fees and Expenses .

 

(i)

This Agreement is governed by and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with Colorado law, excluding its choice-of-law principles, except where federal law may preempt the application of state law.

 

(ii)

The parties hereto: (A) submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction, including removal jurisdiction, of the state and federal courts located in Denver, CO for any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or Executive’s employment; (B) waive any objection to such venue; (C) agree that any judgment in any such action or proceeding may be enforced in other jurisdictions; and (D) irrevocably waive the right to trial by jury and agree not to ask for a jury in any such proceeding.

 

(f)

No Obligation to Pay . With regard to any payment due to Executive under this Agreement, it shall not be a breach of any provision of this Agreement for Ultra to fail to make such payment to Executive if, by doing so, Ultra would violate any applicable law.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed and delivered this Employment Agreement intending it to be made effective as of the Effective Date.

ULTRA:

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.,
a Yukon corporation

 

By: /s/ Brad Johnson

 

Name:

Brad Johnson

 

Title:

President and Chief Executive Officer

EXECUTIVE:

 

/s/ A. Kent Rogers

A. Kent Rogers

NOTICE PROVISION:

For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when received, if delivered personally or by courier, (ii) on the date receipt is acknowledged, if delivered by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or (iii) one day after transmission, if sent by facsimile transmission with confirmation of transmission, as follows:

If to Executive, at:

At the most recent address in Ultra’s records.

If to Ultra, at:

Ultra Petroleum Corp.
116 Inverness Drive East, Suite 400
Englewood, Colorado 80112
Attention: Chief Financial Officer

With a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP
601 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Attention:  Scott D. Price, P.C.

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

 


 

SCHEDULE 1

TAX MATTERS

I.

General Provisions.

 

(A)

All compensation paid or awarded to Executive hereunder shall be subject to applicable withholding, payroll and other taxes. Accordingly, with respect to any payment to be made to Executive, Ultra shall deduct, where applicable, any amounts authorized by Executive, and shall withhold and report all amounts required to be withheld and reported by applicable law.

 

(B)

Capitalized terms used in this Schedule 1 but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement to which this Schedule 1 is attached and into which it is incorporated.

 

(C)

The term “ Code, ” as used herein, means the Title 26 of the United States Code, commonly referred to as the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

II.

Regarding Excise Taxes.

 

(A)

If Executive is a “disqualified individual ” (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code), and the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement, together with any other payments and benefits which Executive has the right to receive from Ultra or any Subsidiary, would constitute a “parachute payment ” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), then notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the payments and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be either (a) reduced (but not below zero) so that the present value of such total amounts and benefits received by Executive from Ultra and its affiliates will be one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Executive’s “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) and so that no portion of such amounts and benefits received by Executive shall be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or (b) paid in full, whichever produces the better net after-tax position to Executive (taking into account any applicable excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code and any other applicable taxes).

 

(B)

The reduction of payments and benefits hereunder, if applicable, shall be made by reducing, first, payments or benefits to be paid in cash hereunder in the order in which such payment or benefit would be paid or provided (beginning with such payment or benefit that would be made last in time and continuing, to the extent necessary, through to such payment or benefit that would be made first in time) and, then, reducing any benefit to be provided in-kind hereunder in a similar order.

 

(C)

The determination as to whether any such reduction in the amount of the payments and benefits provided hereunder is necessary shall be made by Ultra in good faith. If a reduced payment or benefit is made or provided and through error or otherwise that payment or benefit, when aggregated with other payments and benefits from Ultra (or its affiliates) used in determining if a “parachute payment” exists, exceeds one dollar ($1.00) less than three times Executive’s base amount, then Executive shall immediately repay such excess to Ultra upon notification that an overpayment has been made.

 

 


 

 

(D)

Nothing in this Agreement, including the foregoing paragraphs (A) through (C), shall require Ultra to be responsible for, or have any liability or obligation with respect to, Executive’s excise tax liabilities under Section 4999 of the Code, if any.

REGARDING CODE SECTION 409A

III.

Statement of Intent. The provisions of this Schedule 1 shall apply solely to the extent that a payment under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively, “ Section 409A ”). The intent of the parties to this Agreement is that the payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with or be exempt from Section 409A including, but not limited to, the exemptions from the application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(5), and 1.409A-(b)(9) and this Agreement will be construed to the greatest extent possible as consistent with those provisions. The commencement of payment or provision of any payment or benefit under this Agreement shall be deferred to the minimum extent necessary to prevent the imposition of any excise taxes on Ultra or Executive.

IV.

Notification; Reformation. If Executive receives advice, from an attorney with demonstrable tax expertise, that any provision of this Agreement would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A (with specificity as to the reason therefor), and notifies Ultra thereof, or if Ultra independently makes such determination, then Ultra may, to the extent possible and after consulting with Executive, reform such provision to try to comply with Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Section 409A. To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with or be exempt from Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to Executive and Ultra of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A.

V.

Annual Cash Incentive Payments. Any Cash Incentive that Executive is awarded or becomes entitled to receive pursuant to Section 3(b) of the Agreement will be paid during the calendar year immediately following the calendar year to which such Cash Incentive relates and will be paid to Executive as soon as administratively feasible following preparation of Ultra’s unaudited financial statements for the applicable calendar year.

VI.

Separation from Service.

 

(A)

If any payment, compensation or other benefit provided to Executive under this Agreement in connection with a “ separation from service ” (within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i)) is determined, in whole or in part, to constitute “ nonqualified deferred compensation ” (within the meaning of Section 409A) and Executive is a “ specified employee ” (as defined in Section 409A(2)(B)(i)) at the time of the separation from service, then notwithstanding anything in the Agreement to the contrary, no part of any such payments shall be paid to Executive before the earlier of (i) the day that is six (6) months plus one (1) day after the date of the separation from service (the “ New Payment Date ”), (ii) the date of Executive’s death, or (iii) any date that otherwise complies with Section 409A.

 

(B)

The aggregate of any payments and benefits that otherwise would have been paid and/or provided to Executive during the period between the date of the separation from service and the New Payment Date shall be paid to Executive in a lump sum on the date Ultra’s first regular payroll is made following the New Payment Date, and no interest will be paid

 

 


 

 

by Ultra with respect to any such payments and benefits. Thereafter, any payments and/or benefits that remain outstanding as of the day immediately following the New Payment Date shall be paid without delay over the time period originally scheduled, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

(C)

For purposes of Section 409A, Executive’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be deemed to be and shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments. Whenever a payment under this Agreement specifies a payment period with reference to a number of days (e.g., payment shall be made within thirty (30) days), the actual date of payment within such period shall be within the sole discretion of Ultra.

 

(D)

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, to the extent that the foregoing delay applies to the provision of any ongoing welfare benefits, Executive shall pay the full cost of premiums for such welfare benefits due and payable prior to the New Payment Date, and Ultra shall pay Executive an amount equal to the amount of such premiums which otherwise would have been paid by Ultra during such period on the date Ultra’s first regular payroll is made following the New Payment Date.

 

(E)

A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination is also a “ separation from service ” (within the meaning of Section 409A), and for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references in the Agreement to a “ resignation, ” “ termination, ” “ resign, ” “ terminate, ” “ resignation of employment, ” “ termination of employment ” or other like terms shall mean “ separation from service ” (within the meaning of Section 409A).

 

(F)

If in connection with a termination or resignation of Executive’s employment under the Agreement, Executive is required to execute a release to receive any payments from Ultra that constitute “ nonqualified deferred compensation ” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then payments of such amounts shall not be made or commence until the sixtieth (60th) day following such termination or resignation. Any payments suspended during such 60 day period shall be paid on the date Ultra’s first regular payroll is made after the end of such period.

VII.

Expenses and Reimbursements.

 

(A)

This Section VII shall apply to payments of any amounts under this Agreement that are treated as “ reimbursement payments ” under Section 409A.

 

(B)

All expenses or other reimbursements as provided herein shall be payable in accordance with Ultra’s policies in effect from time to time, but in any event shall be made on or prior to the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive to the extent any such payments are subject to Section 409A. Ultra shall have no obligation to reimburse Executive for any expenses submitted after the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such expenses were incurred by Executive.

 

(C)

With regard to any provision of the Agreement that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A: (i) the right to

 

 


 

 

reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit; and (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursements or in-kind benefits provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided in any other taxable year (other than an arrangement providing for the reimbursement of medical expenses referred to in Section 105(b) of the Code).

VIII.

No Representations or Warranties.

 

(A)

Nothing contained in this Agreement shall constitute any representation or warranty by Ultra or Executive regarding compliance with Section 409A.

 

(B)

Ultra has no obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax under Section 409A on any person, and neither Ultra nor any of the Subsidiaries nor any employee or other representative of Ultra or any of the Subsidiaries shall have any liability to Executive with respect to any such assessment.

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(“AGREEMENT”)

PURSUANT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ULTRA PETROLEUM 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Name of Participant:

[                   ] (“ Participant ”)

Date of Grant of RSUs:

[             ], 201[  ] (“ Grant Date ”)

Restricted Stock Units Granted:

[             ] (“ Target Number ”)

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Ultra Petroleum Corp., a Yukon corporation (the “ Company ”) has approved an award of restricted stock units (“ RSUs ”) to you, an employee of Ultra Resources, Inc. (“ Employer ”), and the Company does hereby grant to you, as of the Grant Date specified above, the number of RSUs specified above. The RSUs will only vest to the extent provided in and subject to the conditions described in the attached Schedule 1 .

The grant of the RSUs hereunder by the Company is conditioned on your forfeiture, without additional consideration, of any and all outstanding unvested RSUs currently held by you pursuant to that certain Restricted Stock Unit Agreement by and between you and the Company dated April 12, 2017 pursuant to the Ultra Petroleum 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “ Emergence Agreement ”). By signing this Agreement below and accepting the grant of RSUs pursuant to this Agreement, you are consenting to the cancellation and forfeiture of all unvested RSUs granted pursuant to the Emergence Agreement and you shall have no further rights in any such unvested RSUs. For the avoidance of doubt, you will retain any RSUs granted pursuant to the Emergence Agreement that have vested as of the date hereof.

Please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing below, and then returning the original to the Company.

You should keep a copy of this Agreement for your records.

ULTRA RESOURCES, INC.

 

By:

 

[                   ]

 

[                   ]

 

 

 

1


 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

Participant:

[                   ]

Signature:

Date:

 


 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE 1

This award described in the cover letter to which this Schedule 1 is attached (the “ Letter ”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. Definitions of certain terms used herein are in the last section hereof.

 

1.

Incorporation By Reference; Plan Document . Except as provided herein, this Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly intended not to apply to the Award provided hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth herein. Except as provided otherwise herein, any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto in the Plan. Participant acknowledges the Plan has been made available to Participant and Participant has read or could have read and understood the Plan.

2.

Grant of Award . The Company hereby grants to Participant, as of the Grant Date specified in the Letter, the number of RSUs specified in the Letter. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, Participant understands and agrees that nothing contained in this Agreement provides, or is intended to provide, Participant with any protection against potential future dilution of Participant’s interest in the Company for any reason, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

3.

Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

3.1

One-third (1/3) of the Target Number of RSUs will be subject to time-vesting conditions (the “ TSU s”) and will vest in equal installments on each of May 25, 2019, May 25, 2020, and May 25, 2021 (each, a “ Vesting Date ”) subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company through the applicable Vesting Date.

 

3.2

In the event of Participant’s termination due to death, disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant for “good reason” (if the

 

Participant may terminate employment for “good reason” pursuant to any employment agreement or severance arrangement between the Employer and the Participant), subject to executing and not revoking a customary release of claims provided by the Company no later than the 60th day following the Participant’s termination of employment, the Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of the TSUs that otherwise would have vested on the Vesting Date immediately following the date of the Participant’s termination of employment will vest. The “ Pro Rata Portion ” means the percentage equal to the number of days that have elapsed since the later of the Grant Date or most recent Vesting Date to the Participant’s date of termination, divided by 365. All RSUs that have time vested in accordance with Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 hereof, a “ Vested TSU ”.

 

3.3

Two-thirds (2/3) of the Target Number of RSUs will be subject to both time-based and performance-based vesting (the “ PSUs ”). The PSUs will performance-vest based on the extent to which the Performance Criterion outlined in Exhibit A are satisfied on or before the third anniversary of the Grant Date (such three-year period, the “ Performance Period ”).

 

3.4

All PSUs that have not performance vested prior to the conclusion of the Performance Period will automatically be forfeited for no consideration at the conclusion of the Performance Period.

 

3.5

Any PSUs that performance vest during the Performance Period in accordance with the Performance Criterion will be subject to time-based vesting in accordance with the following schedule:

(i) one-third (1/3) of any Base PSUs (as defined below) and one-fourth (1/4) of any Supplemental PSUs (as defined below) that have performance vested will time-vest on the date on which such PSUs performance vest, subject to the Participant’s continued

 


 

employment or service with the Company through such date; and

(ii) one-third (1/3) of any Base PSUs and one-fourth (1/4) of any Supplemental PSUs that have previously performance vested will time-vest on each of the first two (in the case of Base PSUs) or three (in the case of Supplemental PSUs) anniversaries of the date on which such PSUs performance vest, subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company through such date. For this purpose, “ Base PSUs ” means the number of PSUs that performance vest up to 100% of the Target Number of PSUs granted hereby, and “ Supplemental PSUs ” means the number of PSUs that performance vest in excess of 100% of the Target Number of PSUs granted hereby.

 

3.6

Any PSU that have both performance vested and time vested (including time vesting pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof) shall be referred to herein as a “ Vested PSU ”.

 

3.7

In the event of a Change in Control during the Performance Period, the Committee may, in addition to any of the alternatives provided in Section 7.6(f) of the Plan, terminate the Performance Period as of the date of the Change in Control and assess the Fair Market Value of the consideration received by shareholders of the Company in such Change in Control in order to determine the extent to which the Performance Criterion are achieved hereunder as of the closing of the Change in Control.

 

3.8

One-hundred percent (100%) of any Base PSUs and Supplemental PSUs that have previously performance vested will immediately vest in the event of Participant’s termination due to death, disability, termination by the Company without Cause, [resignation by the employee with Good Reason,] 1 subject to the Participant executing and not revoking a customary release of claims provided by the Company no later than the 60th day following the Participant’s termination of employment. Any PSUs that have not

 

performance-vested in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof will automatically expire and terminate for no consideration as of the date of Participant’s termination of employment.

4.

Payment; Withholding .

 

4.1

Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Plan, the Company will deliver to Participant an amount of shares of its common stock equal to the number of Vested TSUs awarded to Participant herein no later than thirty (30) days following each applicable Vesting Date.

 

4.2

Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Plan, the Company will deliver to Participant an amount of shares of its common stock equal to the number of Vested PSUs awarded to Participant herein no later than the conclusion of the fiscal quarter in which such PSU first became a Vested PSU.

 

4.3

Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Company has the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which the Company, in its good faith discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the RSUs, and if the withholding requirement cannot be satisfied, the Company may otherwise refuse to issue or transfer any shares of common stock otherwise required to be issued pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Participant agrees that the Company may withhold shares of common stock otherwise deliverable to Participant hereunder with a Fair Market Value equal to Participant’s total income and employment taxes imposed as a result of the vesting and/or settlement of the RSUs to the extent provided in the Plan.

 

1      

Note: Included with respect to Brad Johnson.

 


 

5.

Non-Transferability .

 

5.1

No portion of or interest in the RSUs may be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, hypothecated or pledged by Participant, other than to the Company as a result of forfeiture of the RSUs as provided herein.

 

5.2

The Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any shares of Common Stock acquired upon settlement of the RSUs granted hereunder, unless in each such instance the Participant (or estate or legal representative) shall have first made an irrevocable offer to the Company for the Common Stock proposed to be Transferred. The right of first refusal must be exercised by the Company by delivering to the Participant (or the estate or legal representative) written notice of such exercise within ten (10) business days following the Company's receipt of written notification of the irrevocable offer. Upon the exercise of a right of first refusal, the Common Stock offered to the Company shall be purchased by the Company at the closing price per share on the day offered to the Company. The notice of exercise of the right of first refusal shall specify the date and location for the closing of such purchase, which closing shall take place no later than four (4) business days following the expiration of the ten (10) business day offer period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not, without Committee consent, directly or indirectly Transfer more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to this RSU in any fiscal quarter.

6.

Dividends; Rights as Stockholder . Cash dividends on the number of shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of Participant with respect to each RSU granted to Participant, provided that such cash dividends shall not be deemed to be reinvested in shares of Common Stock and shall be held uninvested and without interest and paid in cash at the same time that the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof. Stock or property dividends on shares of Common Stock shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of Participant with respect to each RSU granted to Participant, provided that such stock or

property dividends shall be paid in (i) shares of Common Stock, (ii) in the case of a spin-off, shares of stock of the entity that is spun-off from the Company, or (iii) other property, as applicable and in each case, at the same time that the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof. Except as otherwise provided herein, Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by any RSU unless and until Participant has become the holder of record of such shares.

7.

Additional Provisions .

 

7.1

All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.

 

7.2

The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates, if any, representing shares of common stock issued pursuant to this Agreement. Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the Company any and all certificates, if any, representing shares of common stock acquired pursuant to this Agreement in the possession of Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.

 

7.3

No waiver or non-action by either party hereto with respect to any breach by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of such provision, or as a waiver of the provision itself.

 

7.4

This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter. The Compensation Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or amend this Agreement from time to time in accordance with and as provided in the Plan. This Agreement may also be modified or

 


 

 

amended by a writing signed by both the Company and Participant. The Company shall give written notice to Participant of any such modification or amendment of this Agreement as soon as practicable after the adoption thereof.

 

7.5

Any notice hereunder by Participant shall be given to the Company in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Any notice by the Company shall be given to Participant in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at such address as Participant may have on file with the Company.

 

7.6

Any questions as to whether and when there has been a termination and the cause of such termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates to terminate Participant’s employment or service at any time, for any reason and with or without Cause.

 

7.7

Participant unambiguously authorizes, agrees and consents to transmission by the Company (or any Subsidiary) of any personal data information related to the RSUs awarded under this Agreement for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan). This consent and authorization is freely given.

 

7.8

The grant of RSUs and the issuance of shares of common stock hereunder shall be subject to, and shall comply with, any applicable requirements of any foreign and U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and in each case any respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and any other applicable law, rule, regulation or exchange requirement. The Company shall not be obligated to issue RSUs or shares of common stock pursuant to this Agreement if any such issuance would violate any such requirements. As a condition to settlement of the RSUs, the Company may require

 

Participant to satisfy any qualifications necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation.

 

7.9

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns. Participant shall not assign any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Company.

 

7.10

The titles and headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

7.11

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.12

Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes hereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Plan; provided that no such additional documents shall contain terms or conditions inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

7.13

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

7.14

Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Company may terminate or amend the Plan at any time; (b) the award of RSUs made under this Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made at the sole discretion of the Company; (c) no past grants or awards (including, without limitation, the RSUs

 


 

 

awarded hereunder) give Participant any right to any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (d) any benefits granted under this Agreement are not part of Participant’s ordinary salary, and shall not be considered as part of such salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation.

8.

Definitions . Certain terms used herein are defined in the Plan. Certain other terms are defined below:

 

8.1

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

8.2

Employer ” means Ultra Resources, Inc.

 

8.3

Participant ” is defined in the Letter.

 

8.4

Plan ” means the Ultra Petroleum Corp. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan as Amended and Restated, June 8, 2018.

 

 


EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE CRITERION

During the Performance Period, all PSUs subject to this Agreement will performance vest based on the “ 60-Day VWAP ” (as defined below) as follows:

 

15% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $5.75;

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $8.00 (for an aggregate of 40% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 20% of Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $12.00 (for an aggregate of 60% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 40% of the Target Number of PSUs granted will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $16.00 (for an aggregate of 100% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $20.00 (for an aggregate of 125% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $24.00 (for an aggregate of 150% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $28.00 (for an aggregate of 175% of the Target Number of PSUs); and

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $32.00 (for an aggregate of 200% of the Target Number of PSUs).

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS :

1.

As used herein, the term “ 60-Day VWAP ” means, as of any date, the volume-weighted average price per share of the common stock of Ultra Petroleum Corp. measured from 9:30 am eastern time on the trading day that is sixty (60) trading days preceding such date to 4:00 pm eastern time on the trading day immediately preceding such date.

2.

For the sake of clarity, the PSUs that performance vest pursuant to the first four bullets above are Base PSUs and the PSUs that performance vest pursuant to the last four bullets above are Supplemental PSUs (as those terms are used in Schedule 1 to the RSU Agreement).

 

Exhibit 10.5

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(“AGREEMENT”)

PURSUANT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED ULTRA PETROLEUM 2017 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Name of Participant:

[                   ] (“ Participant ”)

Date of Grant of RSUs:

[             ], 201[  ] (“ Grant Date ”)

Restricted Stock Units Granted:

[            ] (“ Target Number ”)

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of Ultra Petroleum Corp., a Yukon corporation (the “ Company ”) has approved an award of restricted stock units (“ RSUs ”) to you, an employee of Ultra Resources, Inc. (“ Employer ”), and the Company does hereby grant to you, as of the Grant Date specified above, the number of RSUs specified above. The RSUs will only vest to the extent provided in, and subject to the conditions described in, the attached Schedule 1 .

Please indicate your acceptance of this Agreement by signing below, and then returning the original to the Company.

You should keep a copy of this Agreement for your records.

ULTRA RESOURCES, INC.

 

By:

 

[                   ]

 

[                   ]

 

AGREED AND ACCEPTED:

Participant:

[                   ]

Signature:

Date:

 

1

 


 

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

SCHEDULE 1

This award described in the cover letter to which this Schedule 1 is attached (the “ Letter ”) is subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan. Definitions of certain terms used herein are in the last section hereof.

 

1.

Incorporation By Reference; Plan Document . Except as provided herein, this Agreement is subject in all respects to the terms and provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, any amendments thereto adopted at any time and from time to time unless such amendments are expressly intended not to apply to the Award provided hereunder), all of which terms and provisions are made a part of and incorporated in this Agreement as if they were each expressly set forth herein. Except as provided otherwise herein, any capitalized term not defined in this Agreement shall have the same meaning as is ascribed thereto in the Plan. Participant acknowledges the Plan has been made available to Participant and Participant has read or could have read and understood the Plan.

2.

Grant of Award . The Company hereby grants to Participant, as of the Grant Date specified in the Letter, the number of RSUs specified in the Letter. Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, Participant understands and agrees that nothing contained in this Agreement provides, or is intended to provide, Participant with any protection against potential future dilution of Participant’s interest in the Company for any reason, and no adjustments shall be made for dividends in cash or other property, distributions or other rights in respect of the shares of common stock underlying the RSUs, except as otherwise specifically provided for in the Plan or this Agreement.

3.

Vesting; Forfeiture .

 

3.1

One-third (1/3) of the Target Number of RSUs granted hereby will be subject to time-vesting conditions (the “ TSUs ”) and will vest in equal installments on each of the first three anniversaries of the Grant Date specified in the Letter, (each, a “ Vesting Date ”).

 

3.2

In the event of Participant’s termination due to death, disability, termination by the Company without Cause or termination by the Participant for “good reason” (if the Participant may terminate employment for “good reason” pursuant to any employment

 

agreement or severance arrangement between the Employer and the Participant), subject to executing and not revoking a customary release of claims provided by the Company no later than the 60th day following the Participant’s termination of employment, the Pro Rata Portion (as defined below) of the TSUs that otherwise would have vested on the Vesting Date immediately following the date of the Participant’s termination of employment will vest. The “ Pro Rata Portion ” means the percentage equal to the number of days that have elapsed since the later of the Grant Date or most recent Vesting Date to the Participant’s date of termination, divided by 365. All RSUs that have time vested in accordance with Section 3.1 or Section 3.2 hereof, a “ Vested TSU ”.

 

3.3

Two-thirds (2/3) of the Target Number of RSUs will be subject to both time-based and performance-based vesting (the “ PSUs ”). The PSUs will performance-vest based on the extent to which the Performance Criterion outlined in Exhibit A are satisfied on or before the third anniversary of the Grant Date (such three-year period, the “ Performance Period ”).

 

3.4

All PSUs that have not performance vested prior to the conclusion of the Performance Period will automatically be forfeited for no consideration at the conclusion of the Performance Period.

 

3.5

Any PSUs that performance vest during the Performance Period in accordance with the Performance Criterion will be subject to time-based vesting in accordance with the following schedule:

(i) one-third (1/3) of any PSUs that have performance vested will time-vest on the date on which such PSUs performance vest; and

(ii) one-third (1/3) of any PSUs that have previously performance vested will time-vest on each of the first two anniversaries of

 


 

the date on which such PSUs performance vest.

 

3.6

Any PSU that have both performance vested and time vested (including time vesting pursuant to Section 3.7 hereof) shall be referred to herein as a “ Vested PSU ”.

 

3.7

In the event of a Change in Control during the Performance Period, the Committee may, in addition to any of the alternatives provided in Section 7.6(f) of the Plan, terminate the Performance Period as of the date of the Change in Control and assess the Fair Market Value of the consideration received by shareholders of the Company in such Change in Control in order to determine the extent to which the Performance Criterion are achieved hereunder as of the closing of the Change in Control.

 

3.8

One-hundred percent (100%) of any PSUs that have previously performance vested will immediately vest in the event of Participant’s termination due to death, disability, termination by the Company without Cause, subject to the Participant executing and not revoking a customary release of claims provided by the Company no later than the 60th day following the Participant’s termination of employment. Any PSUs that have not performance-vested in accordance with Section 3.3 hereof will automatically expire and terminate for no consideration as of the date of the Participant’s termination of employment.

4.

Payment; Withholding .

 

4.1

Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Plan, the Company will deliver to Participant an amount of shares of its common stock equal to the number of Vested TSUs awarded to Participant herein no later than thirty (30) days following each applicable Vesting Date.

 

4.2

Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Plan, the Company will deliver to Participant an amount of shares of its common stock  equal to the number of Vested PSUs awarded to Participant herein no later than the conclusion of the fiscal quarter in which such PSU first became a Vested PSU.

 

4.3

Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Company has the power and right to deduct or withhold, or require Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any federal, state, local and foreign taxes of any kind (including, but not limited to, Participant’s FICA and SDI obligations) which the Company, in its good faith discretion, deems necessary to be withheld or remitted to comply with the Code and/or any other applicable law, rule or regulation with respect to the RSUs, and if the withholding requirement cannot be satisfied, the Company may otherwise refuse to issue or transfer any shares of common stock otherwise required to be issued pursuant to this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Participant agrees that the Company may withhold shares of common stock otherwise deliverable to Participant hereunder with a Fair Market Value equal to Participant’s total income and employment taxes imposed as a result of the vesting and/or settlement of the RSUs to the extent provided in the Plan.

5.

Non-Transferability .

 

5.1

No portion of or interest in the RSUs may be sold, assigned, transferred, encumbered, hypothecated or pledged by Participant, other than to the Company as a result of forfeiture of the RSUs as provided herein.

 

5.2

The Participant shall not, directly or indirectly, Transfer any shares of Common Stock acquired upon settlement of the RSUs granted hereunder, unless in each such instance the Participant (or estate or legal representative) shall have first made an irrevocable offer to the Company for the Common Stock proposed to be Transferred. The right of first refusal must be exercised by the Company by delivering to the Participant (or the estate or legal representative) written notice of such exercise within ten (10) business days following the Company's receipt of written notification of the irrevocable offer. Upon the exercise of a right of first refusal, the Common Stock offered to the Company shall be purchased by the Company at the closing price per share on the day offered to the Company. The notice of exercise of the right of first refusal shall specify the date and location for the closing of such

 


 

 

purchase, which closing shall take place no later than four (4) business days following the expiration of the ten (10) business day offer period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Participant shall not, without Committee consent, directly or indirectly Transfer more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the aggregate shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to this RSU in any fiscal quarter.

6.

Dividends; Rights as Stockholder . Cash dividends on the number of shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of Participant with respect to each RSU granted to Participant, provided that such cash dividends shall not be deemed to be reinvested in shares of Common Stock and shall be held uninvested and without interest and paid in cash at the same time that the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof. Stock or property dividends on shares of Common Stock shall be credited to a dividend book entry account on behalf of Participant with respect to each RSU granted to Participant, provided that such stock or property dividends shall be paid in (i) shares of Common Stock, (ii) in the case of a spin-off, shares of stock of the entity that is spun-off from the Company, or (iii) other property, as applicable and in each case, at the same time that the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are delivered to Participant in accordance with the provisions hereof. Except as otherwise provided herein, Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Common Stock covered by any RSU unless and until Participant has become the holder of record of such shares.

7.

Additional Provisions .

 

7.1

All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to the choice of law principles thereof.

 

7.2

The Company may at any time place legends referencing any applicable federal, state or foreign securities law restrictions on all certificates, if any, representing shares of common stock issued pursuant to this Agreement. Participant shall, at the request of the Company, promptly present to the

 

Company any and all certificates, if any, representing shares of common stock acquired pursuant to this Agreement in the possession of Participant in order to carry out the provisions of this paragraph.

 

7.3

No waiver or non-action by either party hereto with respect to any breach by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed or construed to be a waiver of any succeeding breach of such provision, or as a waiver of the provision itself.

 

7.4

This Agreement, together with the Plan, contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes all prior agreements or prior understandings, whether written or oral, between the parties relating to such subject matter. The Compensation Committee shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to modify or amend this Agreement from time to time in accordance with and as provided in the Plan. This Agreement may also be modified or amended by a writing signed by both the Company and Participant. The Company shall give written notice to Participant of any such modification or amendment of this Agreement as soon as practicable after the adoption thereof.

 

7.5

Any notice hereunder by Participant shall be given to the Company in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof by the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Any notice by the Company shall be given to Participant in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof at such address as Participant may have on file with the Company.

 

7.6

Any questions as to whether and when there has been a termination and the cause of such termination shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates to terminate Participant’s employment or service at any time, for any reason and with or without Cause.

 


 

 

7.7

Participant unambiguously authorizes, agrees and consents to transmission by the Company (or any Subsidiary) of any personal data information related to the RSUs awarded under this Agreement for legitimate business purposes (including, without limitation, the administration of the Plan). This consent and authorization is freely given.

 

7.8

The grant of RSUs and the issuance of shares of common stock hereunder shall be subject to, and shall comply with, any applicable requirements of any foreign and U.S. federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and in each case any respective rules and regulations promulgated thereunder) and any other applicable law, rule, regulation or exchange requirement. The Company shall not be obligated to issue RSUs or shares of common stock pursuant to this Agreement if any such issuance would violate any such requirements. As a condition to settlement of the RSUs, the Company may require Participant to satisfy any qualifications necessary or appropriate to evidence compliance with any applicable law or regulation.

 

7.9

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, be binding upon, and be enforceable by the Company and its successors and assigns. Participant shall not assign any part of this Agreement without the prior express written consent of the Company.

 

7.10

The titles and headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement.

 

7.11

This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

 

7.12

Each party hereto shall do and perform (or shall cause to be done and performed) all such further acts and shall execute and deliver all such other agreements, certificates, instruments and documents as

 

either party hereto reasonably may request in order to carry out the intent and accomplish the purposes hereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Plan; provided that no such additional documents shall contain terms or conditions inconsistent with the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

7.13

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Agreement in any jurisdiction shall not affect the validity, legality or enforceability of the remainder of this Agreement in such jurisdiction or the validity, legality or enforceability of any provision of this Agreement in any other jurisdiction, it being intended that all rights and obligations of the parties hereunder shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 

7.14

Participant acknowledges and agrees that: (a) the Company may terminate or amend the Plan at any time; (b) the award of RSUs made under this Agreement is completely independent of any other award or grant and is made at the sole discretion of the Company; (c) no past grants or awards (including, without limitation, the RSUs awarded hereunder) give Participant any right to any grants or awards in the future whatsoever; and (d) any benefits granted under this Agreement are not part of Participant’s ordinary salary, and shall not be considered as part of such salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation.

8.

Definitions . Certain terms used herein are defined in the Plan. Certain other terms are defined below:

 

8.1

Code ” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

8.2

Employer ” means Ultra Resources, Inc.

 

8.3

Participant ” is defined in the Letter.

 

8.4

Plan ” means the Ultra Petroleum Corp. 2017 Stock Incentive Plan as Amended and Restated, June 8, 2018.

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A

PERFORMANCE CRITERION

During the Performance Period, all PSUs subject to this Agreement will performance vest based on the “ 60-Day VWAP ” (as defined below) as follows:

 

25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $1.15;

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $1.40 (for an aggregate of 50% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 25% of Target Number of PSUs will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $1.75 (for an aggregate of 75% of the Target Number of PSUs);

 

an additional 25% of the Target Number of PSUs granted will performance-vest if the 60-Day VWAP is above $2.00 (for an aggregate of 100% of the Target Number of PSUs);

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS :

1.

As used herein, the term “ 60-Day VWAP ” means, as of any date, the volume-weighted average price per share of the common stock of Ultra Petroleum Corp. measured from 9:30 am eastern time on the trading day that is sixty (60) trading days preceding such date to 4:00 pm eastern time on the trading day immediately preceding such date.

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Brad Johnson, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ultra Petroleum Corp.;

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 controls over financial reporting.

 

 

 

/s/ Brad Johnson

 

 

Brad Johnson,

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: May 9, 2019

 

 

 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, David W. Honeyfield, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ultra Petroleum Corp.;

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 controls over financial reporting.

 

 

 

/s/ David W. Honeyfield

 

 

David W. Honeyfield,

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: May 9, 2019

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.1

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ultra Petroleum Corp. (the “Company” ) on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report” ), I, Brad Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

/s/ Brad Johnson

 

 

Brad Johnson,

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Dated: May 9, 2019

This certification is being furnished as an exhibit to the Report pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code) and, accordingly, will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This certification will not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.

 

 

 

Exhibit 32.2

SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER

ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP.

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Ultra Petroleum Corp. (the “Company” ) on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report” ), I, David W. Honeyfield, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

 

/s/ David W. Honeyfield

 

 

David W. Honeyfield,

 

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Dated: May 9, 2019

This certification is being furnished as an exhibit to the Report pursuant to Item 601(b)(32) of Regulation S-K and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (subsections (a) and (b) of Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code) and, accordingly, will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. This certification will not be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference.