Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2013

 

OR

 

o

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

 

For the transition period from                    to                   

 

Commission file number: 001-36120

 

ANTERO RESOURCES CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

80-0162034

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

1625 17th Street
Denver, Colorado

 

80202

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(303) 357-7310

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

 

 

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

 

The registrant had 262,049,659 shares of common stock outstanding as of November 6, 2013.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

(i)

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

2

Item 1.

Financial Statements

2

Item 2.

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

18

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

33

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

35

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

35

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

35

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

35

Item 6.

Exhibits

36

SIGNATURES

 

36

 



Table of Contents

 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

The information in this report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act.  All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements.  When used in this report, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words.  These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events.  When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current belief, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events.

 

Forward-looking statements may include statements about our:

 

·                  business strategy;

 

·                  reserves;

 

·                  financial strategy, liquidity and capital required for our development program;

 

·                  realized natural gas, natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and oil prices;

 

·                  timing and amount of future production of natural gas, NGLs and oil;

 

·                  hedging strategy and results;

 

·                  future drilling plans;

 

·                  competition and government regulations;

 

·                  pending legal or environmental matters;

 

·                  marketing of natural gas, NGLs and oil;

 

·                  leasehold or business acquisitions;

 

·                  costs of developing our properties and conducting our gathering and other midstream operations;

 

·                  general economic conditions;

 

·                  credit markets;

 

·                  uncertainty regarding our future operating results; and

 

·                  plans, objectives, expectations and intentions contained in this Form 10-Q that are not historical.

 

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production, gathering, and sale of natural gas, NGLs, and oil.  These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, inflation, lack of availability of drilling and production equipment and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating natural gas, NGLs, and oil reserves and in projecting future rates of production, cash flow and access to capital, the timing of development expenditures, and the other risks described under the heading “Item 1A.  Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Form 10-K”) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-164876-06), under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Final Prospectus dated October 9, 2013 (the “IPO Prospectus”) on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (File No. 333-189284), and in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this Form 10-Q.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of natural gas, NGLs, and oil that cannot be measured in an exact way.  The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by reserve engineers.  In addition, the results of drilling, testing, and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously.  If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling.  Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of natural gas, NGLs, and oil that are ultimately recovered.

 

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described in this report occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

 

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.  This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

 

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q.

 

Introductory Note

 

On October 16, 2013, the members of Antero Resources LLC exchanged their membership interests in Antero Resources LLC for identical membership interests in Antero Resources Investment LLC (“Antero Investment”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Antero Resources LLC.  Following the exchange of membership interests, pursuant to the merger agreement by and among Antero Resources LLC, Antero Investment and Antero Resources Corporation (ARC) whereby, (a) Antero Resources LLC merged with and into ARC, with ARC surviving the merger, (b) all of the membership interests of Antero Resources LLC held by Antero Investment converted into all 224,375,000 shares of outstanding common stock of ARC, and (c) the membership interest in Antero Investment held by Antero Resources LLC was cancelled.  On the same date, ARC completed a public offering of its common stock and issued 37,674,659 additional shares of its common stock to the public for proceeds of approximately $1.58 billion, net of commissions and expenses of the offering.

 

The current and historical consolidated financial statements of Antero Resources LLC presented herein are identical with respect to the underlying financial information of ARC, which subsequent to September 30, 2013, became the reporting company with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of the aforementioned merger and initial public offering.

 

Prior to the merger, Antero Resources LLC and Antero Resources Corporation filed separate federal and state income tax returns. Antero Resources LLC was not subject to income taxes because it was a pass-through entity for federal and state tax purposes.  Antero Resources Corporation has provided for income taxes, in its financial statements and its income tax provisions and liabilities did not change as a result of the merger of Antero Resources LLC and Antero Resources Corporation.

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

ANTERO RESOURCES LLC

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

18,989

 

11,584

 

Accounts receivable

 

21,296

 

33,023

 

Notes receivable — current portion

 

4,555

 

3,111

 

Accrued revenue

 

46,669

 

86,122

 

Derivative instruments

 

160,579

 

204,857

 

Other

 

22,518

 

20,816

 

Total current assets

 

274,606

 

359,513

 

Property and equipment:

 

 

 

 

 

Oil and natural gas properties, at cost (successful efforts method):

 

 

 

 

 

Unproved properties

 

1,243,237

 

1,420,719

 

Proved properties

 

1,689,132

 

3,199,830

 

Gathering systems and facilities

 

168,930

 

455,818

 

Other property and equipment

 

9,517

 

12,741

 

 

 

3,110,816

 

5,089,108

 

Less accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

(173,343

)

(331,993

)

Property and equipment, net

 

2,937,473

 

4,757,115

 

Derivative instruments

 

371,436

 

503,666

 

Notes receivable — long-term portion

 

2,667

 

 

Other assets, net

 

32,611

 

51,914

 

Total assets

 

$

3,618,793

 

5,672,208

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

181,478

 

311,092

 

Accrued liabilities and other

 

61,161

 

103,359

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

309

 

Revenue distributions payable

 

46,037

 

68,926

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

Deferred income tax liability

 

62,620

 

78,199

 

Total current liabilities

 

376,296

 

586,885

 

Long-term liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

1,444,058

 

2,970,455

 

Deferred income tax liability

 

91,692

 

202,708

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

33,010

 

34,333

 

Total liabilities

 

1,945,056

 

3,794,381

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Members’ equity

 

1,460,947

 

1,460,947

 

Accumulated earnings

 

212,790

 

416,880

 

Total equity

 

1,673,737

 

1,877,827

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

3,618,793

 

5,672,208

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ANTERO RESOURCES LLC

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Three Months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

66,796

 

182,125

 

Natural gas liquids sales

 

 

31,956

 

Oil sales

 

285

 

8,473

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses)

 

(159,004

)

161,968

 

Loss on sale of assets

 

(115

)

 

Total revenue

 

(92,038

)

384,522

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating

 

1,513

 

2,697

 

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation

 

25,291

 

58,383

 

Production taxes

 

3,621

 

11,851

 

Exploration

 

3,156

 

5,372

 

Impairment of unproved properties

 

2,438

 

3,205

 

Depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

26,858

 

65,697

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

25

 

266

 

General and administrative

 

11,938

 

14,443

 

Total operating expenses

 

74,840

 

161,914

 

Operating income (loss)

 

(166,878

)

222,608

 

Interest expense

 

(22,453

)

(37,444

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

(189,331

)

185,164

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

75,444

 

(67,370

)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(113,887

)

117,794

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from results of operations and sale of discontinued operations

 

(13,791

)

3,100

 

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Antero equity owners

 

$

(127,678

)

120,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings (loss) per share - basic:

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.44

)

$

0.45

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

(0.05

)

$

0.01

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(0.49

)

$

0.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings (loss) per share - diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

(0.44

)

$

0.45

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

(0.05

)

$

0.01

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(0.49

)

$

0.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

262,050

 

262,050

 

Diluted

 

262,050

 

262,050

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ANTERO RESOURCES LLC

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

Nine Months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

156,618

 

476,403

 

Natural gas liquids sales

 

 

59,772

 

Oil sales

 

610

 

11,435

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains

 

52,210

 

285,510

 

Gain on sale of gathering system

 

291,190

 

 

Total revenue

 

500,628

 

833,120

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating

 

4,072

 

5,222

 

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation

 

56,945

 

148,023

 

Production taxes

 

10,734

 

30,578

 

Exploration

 

7,912

 

17,034

 

Impairment of unproved properties

 

4,019

 

9,564

 

Depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

65,289

 

158,650

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

71

 

797

 

General and administrative

 

31,584

 

40,727

 

Total operating expenses

 

180,626

 

410,595

 

Operating income

 

320,002

 

422,525

 

Interest expense

 

(71,046

)

(100,840

)

Income from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

 

248,956

 

321,685

 

Income tax expense

 

(108,525

)

(120,695

)

Income from continuing operations

 

140,431

 

200,990

 

Discontinued operations:

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from results of operations and sale of discontinued operations

 

(418,465

)

3,100

 

Net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Antero equity owners

 

$

(278,034

)

204,090

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings (loss) per share - basic:

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.77

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

(1.60

)

$

0.01

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1.06

)

$

0.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma earnings (loss) per share - diluted:

 

 

 

 

 

Continuing operations

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.77

 

Discontinued operations

 

$

(1.60

)

$

0.01

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(1.06

)

$

0.78

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro forma weighted average number of shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

262,050

 

262,050

 

Diluted

 

262,050

 

262,050

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

ANTERO RESOURCES LLC

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

Nine Months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(278,034

)

204,090

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion

 

65,360

 

159,447

 

Impairment of unproved properties

 

4,019

 

9,564

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains

 

(52,210

)

(285,510

)

Cash receipts for settled derivatives

 

141,506

 

109,311

 

Gain on sale of assets

 

(291,190

)

 

Loss (gain) on sale of discontinued operations

 

427,232

 

(5,000

)

Deferred income tax expense

 

87,695

 

120,695

 

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, accretion, and impairment of unproved properties – discontinued operations

 

78,616

 

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains - discontinued operations

 

(46,358

)

 

Cash receipts for settled derivatives - discontinued operations

 

79,736

 

 

Deferred income tax expense – discontinued operations

 

4,085

 

1,900

 

Other

 

(4,567

)

3,911

 

Changes in current assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(16,811

)

(11,727

)

Accrued revenue

 

17,378

 

(39,453

)

Other current assets

 

(3,112

)

1,702

 

Accounts payable

 

(9,812

)

(4,602

)

Accrued liabilities

 

7,281

 

44,720

 

Revenue distributions payable

 

(414

)

22,889

 

Other

 

15,000

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

225,400

 

331,937

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to proved properties

 

(4,451

)

 

Additions to unproved properties

 

(428,574

)

(342,832

)

Development costs

 

(619,344

)

(1,267,086

)

Additions to gathering systems and facilities

 

(58,748

)

(240,119

)

Additions to other property and equipment

 

(2,786

)

(3,225

)

Proceeds from asset sales

 

816,167

 

 

Changes in other assets

 

2,556

 

(11,622

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(295,180

)

(1,864,884

)

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Issuance of senior notes

 

 

231,750

 

Borrowings on bank credit facility, net

 

82,000

 

1,295,500

 

Payments of deferred financing costs

 

 

(8,334

)

Other

 

992

 

6,626

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

82,992

 

1,525,542

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

13,212

 

(7,405

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

3,343

 

18,989

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

16,555

 

11,584

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for interest

 

$

(61,930

)

(70,221

)

Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in accounts payable for additions to properties, gathering systems, and facilities

 

$

73,430

 

134,525

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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ANTERO RESOURCES LLC

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013

 

(Unaudited)

 

(1)                     Business and Organization

 

Antero Resources LLC, a limited liability company, and its consolidated operating subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company, we, or our) are engaged in the exploration for and the production of natural gas, natural gas liquids (NGLs), and oil onshore in the United States in unconventional reservoirs, which can generally be characterized as fractured shales. Our properties are located in the Appalachian Basin in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. During 2012 we sold our Arkoma Basin and Piceance Basin properties. We have certain midstream gathering and pipeline operations. Our corporate headquarters are in Denver, Colorado.

 

Our consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013 include the accounts of Antero Resources LLC and its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries prior to the merger, as described below. The subsidiaries included in the consolidated financial statements are Antero Resources Corporation (ARC) (formerly Antero Resources Appalachian Corporation) and its wholly owned subsidiaries prior to the merger, Antero Resources Bluestone LLC and Antero Resources Finance Corporation (Antero Finance) (collectively referred to as the Antero Entities).  Antero Resources LLC, the stand alone parent entity, had insignificant independent assets and no operations. In September 2013, we formed Antero Resources Midstream LLC (Antero Midstream). We intend to tranfer our midstream business to Antero Midstream.

 

On October 16, 2013, in connection with a corporate reorganization that was completed immediately prior to the closing of ARC’s initial public offering, the members of Antero Resources LLC exchanged their membership interests in Antero Resources LLC for identical membership interests in Antero Resources Investment LLC (“Antero Investment”), which was a wholly owned subsidiary of Antero Resources LLC.  Following the exchange of membership interests, pursuant to the merger agreement by and among Antero Resources LLC, Antero Investment and ARC, (a) Antero Resources LLC merged with and into ARC, with ARC surviving the merger, (b) all of the membership interests of Antero Resources LLC held by Antero Investment converted into all 224,375,000 shares of outstanding common stock of ARC, and (c) the membership interest in Antero Investment held by Antero Resources LLC was cancelled.  On the same date, ARC completed a public offering of its common stock and issued 37,674,659 additional shares of its common stock to the public for estimated proceeds of approximately $1.58 billion, net of commissions and expenses of the offering.  As a result of this corporate reorganization, we expect to recognize non-cash stock compensation expense in the fourth quarter of 2013 of approximately $297.0 million.  Approximately $217.0 million of additional stock compensation will be recognized over the remaining service period of the underlying equity compensation awards.

 

The current and historical consolidated financial statements of Antero Resources LLC presented herein are identical with respect to the underlying financial information of ARC, which subsequent to September 30, 2013, became the reporting company with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a result of the aforementioned merger and initial public offering.  The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) contain pro forma earnings per share information based upon the 262,049,659 shares outstanding upon the public offering.

 

(2)                     Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

 

(a)                      Basis of Presentation

 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) applicable to interim financial information and should be read in the context of the December 31, 2012 consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for a more complete understanding of the Company’s operations, financial position, and accounting policies. The December 31, 2012 consolidated financial statements have been filed with the SEC in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 and the IPO Prospectus.

 

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The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for interim financial information, and, accordingly, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring accruals) considered necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position as of September 30, 2013, and the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013. We have no items of other comprehensive income or loss; therefore, our net income (loss) is identical to our comprehensive income (loss). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Operating results for the period ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year because of the impact of fluctuations in prices received for natural gas and oil, natural production declines, the uncertainty of exploration and development drilling results, and other factors.

 

The Company’s exploration and production activities are accounted for under the successful efforts method.

 

As of the date these financial statements were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Company completed its evaluation of potential subsequent events for disclosure and no items requiring disclosure were identified, except the public stock offering and a refinancing of the senior notes described in Note 11.  See Note 1 for a description of the merger and public stock offering completed on October 16, 2013.

 

(b)                      Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Changes in facts and circumstances or discovery of new information may result in revised estimates, and actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The Company’s financial statements are based on a number of significant judgments, assumptions, and estimates, including estimates of gas and oil reserve quantities, which are the basis for the calculation of depreciation, depletion, and amortization, present value of future reserves, and impairment of oil and gas properties. Reserve estimates are, by their nature, inherently imprecise.

 

(c)                       Risks and Uncertainties

 

Historically, the market for natural gas has experienced significant price fluctuations. Prices for natural gas, NGLs, and oil are volatile; price fluctuations can result from variations in weather, levels of production in a given region, availability of transportation capacity to other regions of the country, and various other factors. Increases or decreases in prices received could have a significant impact on the Company’s future results of operations.

 

(d)                      Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company considers all liquid investments purchased with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these investments.

 

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(e)                       Derivative Financial Instruments

 

In order to manage its exposure to oil and gas price volatility, the Company enters into derivative transactions from time to time, which may include commodity swap agreements, collar agreements, and other similar agreements relating to oil and natural gas expected to be produced. From time to time, the Company may also enter into derivative contracts to mitigate the effects of interest rate fluctuations. To the extent legal right of offset with a counterparty exists, the Company reports derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis. The Company has exposure to credit risk to the extent the counterparty is unable to satisfy its settlement obligation. The fair value of the Company’s commodity derivative contracts of approximately $708 million at September 30, 2013 includes the following asset values by bank counterparty: Credit Suisse — $174 million; BNP Paribas — $156 million; Wells Fargo — $116 million; JP Morgan — $113 million; Barclays — $112 million; CitiBank - $23 million; Deutsche Bank — $11 million; Toronto Dominion Bank — $2 million; and Union Bank — $1 million.  The credit ratings of certain of these banks have been downgraded because of the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. The estimated fair value of our commodity derivative assets has been risk adjusted using a discount rate based upon the respective published credit default swap rates (if available, or if not available, a discount rate based on the applicable Reuters bond rating) at September, 2013 for each of the European and North American banks. We believe that all of these institutions currently are acceptable credit risks.

 

The Company records derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as either an asset or liability measured at fair value and records changes in the fair value of derivatives in current earnings as they occur. Changes in the fair value of commodity derivatives are classified as revenues.

 

(f)                         Fair Value Measurements

 

Authoritative accounting guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and requires disclosures about fair value measurements. This guidance also relates to all nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed on a recurring basis (e.g., those measured at fair value in a business combination, the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations, and impairments of proved oil and gas properties, and other long-lived assets). The fair value is the price that the Company estimates would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize input to valuation techniques used to estimate fair value. An asset or liability subject to the fair value requirements is categorized within the hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. The highest priority (Level 1) is given to unadjusted quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, and the lowest priority (Level 3) is given to unobservable inputs. Level 2 inputs are data, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Instruments that are valued using Level 2 inputs include nonexchange traded derivatives, such as over-the-counter commodity price swaps, basis swaps, and interest rate swaps. Valuation models used to measure fair value of these instruments consider various Level 2 inputs including (i) quoted forward prices for commodities, (ii) time value, (iii) quoted forward interest rates, (iv) current market prices and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, (v) risk of nonperformance by the Company and the counterparty, and (vi) other relevant economic measures.  To the extent a legal right of offset with a counterparty exists, the derivative assets and liabilities are reported on a net basis.

 

(g)                      Income Taxes

 

Prior to the merger described in Note 1, Antero Resources LLC and its subsidiaries filed separate federal and state income tax returns. Antero Resources LLC was a partnership for income tax purposes and therefore is not subject to federal or state income taxes. The tax on the income of Antero Resources LLC was borne by the individual members through the allocation of taxable income.

 

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Antero Resources Corporation and its subsidiaries recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences resulting from net operating loss carryforwards for income tax purposes and the differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The effect of changes in the tax laws or tax rates is recognized in income in the period such changes are enacted. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance, when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

 

Unrecognized tax benefits represent potential future tax obligations for uncertain tax positions taken on previously filed tax returns that may not ultimately be sustained. The Company recognizes interest expense related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and fines and penalties as income tax expense. The tax years 2009 through 2012 remain open to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The Company files tax returns with various state taxing authorities which remain open to examination for tax years 2008 through 2012.

 

(h)                      Impairment of Unproved Properties

 

Unproved properties are assessed for impairment on a property-by-property basis, and any impairment in value is charged to expense. Impairment is assessed based on remaining lease terms, drilling results, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, and future plans to develop acreage.

 

Impairment of unproved properties during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was $2 million and $3 million, respectively.  Impairment of unproved properties during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 was $5 million and $10 million, respectively.

 

(i)                         Industry Segment and Geographic Information

 

We have evaluated how the Company is organized and managed and have identified one operating segment — the exploration and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids. We consider our gathering, processing, and marketing functions as ancillary to our oil and gas producing activities. All of our assets are located in the United States and all of our revenues are attributable to United States customers.

 

(j)                         Guarantees

 

In November 2009 and January 2010, an indirect wholly owned finance subsidiary of Antero Resources LLC, Antero Finance, issued $375 million and $150 million, respectively, of 9.375% senior notes due December 1, 2017. In August 2011, Antero Finance issued $400 million of 7.25% senior notes due August 1, 2019. In November 2012 and February 2013, Antero Finance issued $300 million and $225 million, respectively, of 6.00% senior notes due December 1, 2020. For purposes of this footnote, we collectively refer to the 2017 senior notes, the 2019 senior notes and the 2020 senior notes as the “senior notes.”

 

Antero Resources LLC, as the parent company (for purposes of this footnote only, the Parent Company), has no independent assets or operations. Antero Finance is a 100% indirectly owned finance subsidiary of Parent Company. The senior notes are each guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Parent Company and all of Parent Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries (other than Antero Finance) and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. The guarantor subsidiaries may be released from those guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including (i) the designation of that subsidiary guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary; (ii) the release or discharge of any guarantee or indebtedness that resulted in the creation of the guarantee of the senior notes by such subsidiary guarantor; or (iii) the sale or other disposition, including the sale of substantially all of the assets, of that subsidiary guarantor. There are no significant restrictions on Antero Finance’s ability to obtain funds from the Parent Company or the subsidiary guarantors by dividend or loan, except those imposed by applicable law. However, the indentures governing the senior notes and the Credit Facility agreement contain significant restrictions on the ability of Antero Finance or the subsidiary guarantors to make distributions to the Parent Company.  Finally, the Parent Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries do not have restricted assets that exceed 25% of net assets as of the most recent fiscal year end that may not be transferred to the Parent Company in the form of loans, advances or cash dividends by the subsidiaries without the consent of a third party.

 

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(3)                     Sale of Piceance and Arkoma Properties — Discontinued Operations

 

On December 21, 2012, the Company completed the sale of its Piceance Basin assets. The $316 million of net proceeds from the sale represented the purchase price of $325 million, adjusted for expenses of the sale and estimated income, expenses, and capital costs related to the Piceance Basin properties from the October 1, 2012 effective date of the sale through December 21, 2012. The agreement to sell the properties is subject to post-closing adjustments for up to a one year period.  The Company believes that post-closing adjustments, if any, will not have a material effect on the financial statements. The Company recognized a loss of $364 million on the sale of the Piceance Basin assets in the fourth quarter of 2012. The purchaser also assumed all of the Company’s Rocky Mountain firm transportation obligations, which totaled approximately $100 million. In connection with the sale of the Piceance Basin assets, the Company also liquidated its hedge positions related to the Piceance Basin and realized additional proceeds of approximately $100 million.

 

On June 29, 2012, the Company completed its sale of its Arkoma Basin assets and associated the commodity hedges. Proceeds from the sale of $427 million represent the purchase price of $445 million adjusted for expenses of the sale and estimated income, expenses, and capital costs from the effective date of the sale through the closing date of June 29, 2012. The agreement to sell the properties is subject to post-closing adjustments for up to a two year period.  The Company believes that post-closing adjustments, if any, will not have a material effect on the financial statements. The Company recognized a loss of $427 million on the sale of the Arkoma Basin assets in the second quarter of 2012.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax income of $5 million, or $3,100 net of taxes, related to operations that were discontinued in 2012 for sales tax refunds received and reductions in estimated expenses related to discontinued operations. Results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2012 for the Piceance Basin and Arkoma Basin assets are shown as discontinued operations on the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) and are comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three months

 

Nine months

 

 

 

Ended

 

ended

 

 

 

September 30, 2012

 

September 30, 2012

 

Sales of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids

 

$

22,690

 

105,096

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses)

 

(18,880

)

46,358

 

Total revenues

 

3,810

 

151,454

 

Lease operating expenses

 

2,430

 

16,395

 

Gathering, compression, and transportation

 

7,685

 

38,210

 

Production taxes

 

1,776

 

4,874

 

Exploration expenses

 

95

 

507

 

Impairment of unproved properties

 

(31

)

962

 

Depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

14,197

 

77,344

 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

91

 

310

 

Loss on sale of discontinued operations

 

 

427,232

 

Total expenses

 

26,243

 

565,834

 

Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes

 

(22,433

)

(414,380

)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

8,642

 

(4,085

)

Net loss from discontinued operations attributable to Antero equity owners

 

$

(13,791

)

(418,465

)

 

(4)                 Long-term Debt

 

Long-term debt consists of the following at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

Bank credit facility (a)

 

$

217,000

 

1,512,500

 

9.375% senior notes due 2017 (b)

 

525,000

 

525,000

 

7.25% senior notes due 2019 (c)

 

400,000

 

400,000

 

6.00% senior notes due 2020 (d)

 

300,000

 

525,000

 

9.00% senior note (d)

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

Net premium

 

2,058

 

7,955

 

 

 

1,469,058

 

2,995,455

 

Less amounts due within one year

 

25,000

 

25,000

 

Total

 

$

1,444,058

 

2,970,455

 

 

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(a)                      Bank Credit Facility

 

The Company has a senior secured revolving bank credit facility (the Credit Facility) with a consortium of bank lenders. The maximum amount of the Credit Facility is $2.5 billion. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to borrowing base limitations based on the collateral value of the Company’s proved properties and commodity hedge positions and are subject to regular semiannual redeterminations. At September 30, 2013, the borrowing base is $2.0 billion and lender commitments were $1.75 billion. Lender commitments can be increased to the full amount of the borrowing base upon approval of the lenders. The next redetermination of the borrowing base is scheduled to occur in April 2014. The maturity date of the Credit Facility is May 12, 2016. Subsequent to September 30, 2013, lender commitments under the Credit Facility were reduced to $1.5 billion.

 

The Credit Facility is secured by mortgages on substantially all of the Company’s properties and guarantees from the Company’s operating subsidiaries. The Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including restrictions on indebtedness and dividends, and requirements with respect to working capital and interest coverage ratios. Interest is payable at a variable rate based on LIBOR or the prime rate based on the Company’s election at the time of borrowing. The Company was in compliance with all of the financial covenants under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013.

 

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had an outstanding balance under the Credit Facility of $1.5 billion, with a weighted average interest rate of 2.3%, and outstanding letters of credit of approximately $32 million. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had an outstanding balance under the Credit Facility of $217 million, with a weighted average interest rate of 1.91%, and outstanding letters of credit of approximately $43 million. Commitment fees on the unused portion of the Credit Facility are due quarterly at rates ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% of the unused facility based on utilization.

 

(b)                      9.375% Senior Notes Due 2017

 

On November 17, 2009 Antero Finance issued $375 million of 9.375% senior notes due December 1, 2017 at a discount of $2.6 million. In January 2010, the Company issued an additional $150 million of the same series of 9.375% senior notes at a premium of $6.0 million. The notes are unsecured and effectively subordinated to the Company’s Credit Facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the Credit Facility. The notes are guaranteed on a full and unconditional basis and joint and severally by the Company, all of its wholly owned subsidiaries (other than Antero Finance), and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries.  Interest on the notes is payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Antero Finance may redeem all or part of the notes at any time on or after December 1, 2013 at redemption prices ranging from 104.688% on or after December 1, 2013 to 100% on or after December 1, 2015. At any time prior to December 1, 2013, Antero Finance may also redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a “make-whole” premium. If the Company undergoes a change of control, Antero Finance may be required to offer to purchase notes from the holders.

 

The 9.375% senior notes due 2017 will be redeemed with the proceeds of the issuance of the 5.375% notes issued subsequent to September 30, 2013. See Note 11.

 

(c)                       7.25% Senior Notes Due 2019

 

On August 1, 2011, Antero Finance issued $400 million of 7.25% senior notes due August 1, 2019 at par. The notes are unsecured and effectively subordinated to the Company’s Credit Facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the Credit Facility. The notes rank pari passu to the existing 9.375% senior notes. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company, all of its wholly owned subsidiaries (other than Antero Finance), and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the notes is payable on August 1 and February 1 of each year. Antero Finance may redeem all or part of the notes at any time on or after August 1, 2014 at redemption prices ranging from 105.438% on or after August 1, 2014 to 100% on or after August 1, 2017. In addition, on or before August 1, 2014, Antero Finance may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, if certain conditions are met, at a redemption price of 107.25% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. At any time prior to August 1, 2014, Antero Finance may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued interest. If the Company undergoes a change of control, the note holders will have the right to require Antero Finance to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest.

 

The Company will redeem 35% of the 7.25% senior notes due 2019 from the proceeds of the initial public offering. See Note 11.

 

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(d)                      6.00% Senior Notes Due 2020

 

On November 19, 2012, Antero Finance issued $300 million of 6.00% senior notes due December 1, 2020 at par. In a subsequent transaction, on February 4, 2013 Antero Finance issued an additional $225 million of the 6.00% notes at 103% of par. The notes are unsecured and effectively subordinated to the Company’s Credit Facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the Credit Facility. The notes rank pari passu to the existing 9.375% and 7.25% senior notes. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company, all of its wholly owned subsidiaries (other than Antero Finance), and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the notes is payable on June 1 and December 1 of each year. Antero Finance may redeem all or part of the notes at any time on or after December 1, 2015 at redemption prices ranging from 104.50% on or after December 1, 2015 to 100% on or after December 1, 2018. In addition, on or before December 1, 2015, Antero Finance may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, if certain conditions are met, at a redemption price of 106.00% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. At any time prior to December 1, 2015, Antero Finance may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued interest. If a change of control (as defined in the bond indenture) occurs at any time prior to January 1, 2014, Antero Finance may, at its option, redeem all, but not less than all, of the notes at a redemption price equal to 110% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. If the Company undergoes a change of control, the note holders will have the right to require Antero Finance to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest.

 

(e)                       9.00% Senior Note

 

The Company assumed a $25 million unsecured note payable in a business acquisition consummated on December 1, 2010. The note bears interest at 9% and is due December 1, 2013.

 

(f)                         Treasury Management Facility

 

The Company has a stand-alone revolving note with a lender under the Credit Facility which provides for up to $25 million of cash management obligations in order to facilitate the Company’s daily treasury management. Borrowings under the revolving note are secured by the collateral for the revolving credit facility. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 1.0%. The note matures on June 1, 2014. At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility.

 

(5)                     Ownership Structure

 

At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, the outstanding units in Antero Resources LLC are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

Units

 

 

 

Authorized

 

 

 

and issued

 

Class I units

 

107,281,058

 

Class A and B units

 

40,007,463

 

Class A and B profits units

 

19,726,873

 

 

 

167,015,394

 

 

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None of the three classes of outstanding units are entitled to current cash distributions or are convertible into indebtedness. The Company has no obligation to repurchase these units at the election of the unitholders.

 

In the event of a distribution from Antero Resources LLC, amounts available for distribution are distributed according to a formula set forth in the Company’s limited liability company agreement that takes into account the relative priority of the various classes of units outstanding. In the event of a distribution due to the disposition of an individual Antero Entity, a portion of the proceeds is allocated to the employees of the Company based on a requisite return financial threshold. In general, distributions are made first to holders of the Class I units until they have received their investment amount and an 8% special allocation and then, as a group, to the holders of all classes of units together. The Class I units participate on a pro rata basis with the other classes of units in funds available for distributions in excess of the Class I unit investment and special allocation amounts.

 

At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, the Class I units had an aggregate liquidation priority, including the special allocation of 8% per annum, of $2.191 billion and $2.325 billion, respectively.

 

(6)                     Financial Instruments

 

The carrying values of trade receivables, trade payables, and the Credit Facility at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 approximated market value. The carrying value of the Credit Facility at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 approximated fair value because the variable interest rates are reflective of current market conditions. Based on Level 2 market data, the fair value of the Company’s senior notes was approximately $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, respectively.

 

(7)                     Asset Retirement Obligations

 

The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligations, included in other long-term liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

 

Asset retirement obligations — beginning of period

 

$

10,552

 

Obligations incurred

 

69

 

Accretion expense

 

797

 

Asset retirement obligations — end of period

 

$

11,418

 

 

(8)                     Derivative Instruments and Risk Management Activities

 

(a)                      Commodity Derivatives

 

The Company periodically enters into natural gas and oil derivative contracts with counterparties to hedge the price risk associated with a portion of its production. These derivatives are not held for trading purposes. To the extent that changes occur in the market prices of natural gas and oil, the Company is exposed to market risk on these open contracts. This market risk exposure is generally offset by the change in market prices of natural gas and oil recognized upon the ultimate sale of the natural gas and oil produced.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, the Company was party to oil and natural gas fixed price swaps. When actual commodity prices exceed the fixed price provided by the swap contracts, the Company pays the excess to the counterparty, and when actual commodity prices are below the contractually provided fixed price, the Company receives the difference from the counterparty. The Company’s natural gas and oil swaps have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes; therefore, all gains and losses were recognized in income currently.

 

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The Company has no collateral from any counterparties. All but one of the Company’s commodity derivative positions are with institutions that are lenders under our Credit Facility and are secured by the collateral pledged on the Credit Facility and cross default provisions between the Credit Facility and the derivative instruments. At September 30, 2013, there were no past due receivables from or payables to any of our counterparties.

 

As of September 30, 2013, the Company’s positions in fixed price natural gas and oil swaps from October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2019 are summarized in the following table:

 

 

 

MMbtu/day

 

Bbls/day

 

Price

 

Three Months ending December 31, 2013:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGTAP-TCO

 

260,000

 

 

 

$

4.56

 

Dominion South

 

190,844

 

 

 

4.89

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

 

4,300

 

103.97

 

2013 Total

 

450,844

 

4,300

 

 

 

Year ending December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGLA

 

10,000

 

 

 

$

3.87

 

CGTAP-TCO

 

210,000

 

 

 

5.11

 

Dominion South

 

160,000

 

 

 

5.15

 

NYMEX

 

120,000

 

 

 

4.00

 

NYMEX-WTI

 

 

3,000

 

96.53

 

2014 Total

 

500,000

 

3,000

 

 

 

Year ending December 31, 2015:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGLA

 

40,000

 

 

 

$

4.00

 

CGTAP-TCO

 

130,000

 

 

 

4.93

 

Dominion South

 

230,000

 

 

 

5.60

 

NYMEX

 

80,000

 

 

 

4.10

 

2015 Total

 

480,000

 

 

 

 

 

Year ending December 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGLA

 

170,000

 

 

 

$

4.09

 

CGTAP-TCO

 

80,000

 

 

 

4.67

 

Dominion South

 

272,500

 

 

 

5.35

 

NYMEX

 

60,000

 

 

 

4.25

 

2016 Total

 

582,500

 

 

 

 

 

Year ending December 31, 2017:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CGLA

 

420,000

 

 

 

$

4.27

 

NYMEX

 

220,000

 

 

 

4.44

 

CCG

 

70,000

 

 

 

4.57

 

CGTAP-TCO

 

20,000

 

 

 

4.02

 

2017 Total

 

730,000

 

 

 

 

 

Year ending December 31, 2018:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX

 

530,000

 

 

 

$

4.73

 

Year ending December 31, 2019:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NYMEX

 

87,500

 

 

 

$

4.75

 

 

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(b)                      Summary

 

The following is a summary of the fair values of our derivative instruments, which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and where such values are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

September 30, 2013

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

 

 

sheet

 

 

 

sheet

 

 

 

 

 

location

 

Fair value

 

location

 

Fair value

 

Asset derivatives not designated as hedges for accounting purposes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Current assets

 

$

160,579

 

Current assets

 

$

204,857

 

Commodity contracts

 

Long-term assets

 

371,436

 

Long-term assets

 

503,666

 

Total asset derivatives

 

 

 

532,015

 

 

 

708,523

 

Liability derivatives not designated as hedges for accounting purposes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Current liabilities

 

 

Current liabilities

 

309

 

Net asset fair value of derivatives

 

 

 

$

532,015

 

 

 

$

708,214

 

 

The following is a summary of realized and unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments and where such values are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Statement of

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

operations

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

location

 

2012

 

2013

 

2012

 

2013

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses)

 

Revenue

 

$

(159,004

)

161,968

 

52,210

 

285,510

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses)

 

Discontinued operations

 

(18,880

)

 

46,358

 

 

Total gains (losses) on commodity contracts

 

 

 

$

(177,884

)

161,968

 

98,568

 

285,510

 

 

The following table summarizes the valuation of investments and financial instruments by the fair value hierarchy described in note 1 at September 30, 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

 

Fair value measurements using

 

 

 

Quoted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in active

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

markets for

 

other

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

identical

 

observable

 

unobservable

 

 

 

 

 

assets

 

inputs

 

inputs

 

 

 

Description

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

(Level 3)

 

Total

 

Net derivatives asset:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fixed price commodity swaps

 

$

 

708,214

 

 

708,214

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following tables present the gross amounts of recognized derivative assets and liabilities, the amounts offset under netting arrangements with counterparties, and the resulting net amounts presented in the condensed consolidated balance sheets for the periods presented, all at fair value (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2012

 

September 30, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net amounts

 

 

 

 

 

of assets

 

 

 

Gross amounts

 

Gross amounts

 

of assets

 

Gross amounts

 

Gross amounts

 

(liabilities)

 

 

 

of recognized

 

offset on

 

on balance

 

of recognized

 

offset on

 

on balance

 

 

 

assets

 

balance sheet

 

sheet

 

assets

 

balance sheet

 

sheet

 

Commodity derivative assets

 

$

597,359

 

(65,344

)

532,015

 

715,960

 

(7,437

)

708,523

 

Commodity derivative liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(309

)

(309

)

 

(9)                     Sale of Appalachian Gathering Assets

 

On March 26, 2012, the Company closed the sale of a portion of its Marcellus Shale gathering system assets along with exclusive rights to gather the Company’s gas for a 20-year period within an area of dedication (AOD) to a joint venture owned by Crestwood Midstream Partners and Crestwood Holdings Partners LLC (together Crestwood) for $375 million (subject to customary purchase price adjustments). The sale included approximately 25 miles of low pressure pipeline systems and gathering rights on 104,000 net acres held by the Company within a 250,000 acre AOD and had an effective date of January 1, 2012. Other third-party producers will also have access to the Crestwood system. During the first seven years of the contract, the Company is committed to deliver minimum volumes into the gathering systems, with certain carryback and carryforward adjustments for overages or deficiencies. The Company can earn up to an additional $40 million of sale proceeds over a period of three years from the date of the sale if it meets certain volume thresholds. Crestwood is obligated to incur all future capital costs to build out the gathering systems and compression facilities within the AOD to connect the Company’s wells as it executes its drilling program and has assumed the various risks and rewards of the system build-out and operations. Because the Company has not retained the substantial risks and rewards of ownership associated with the gathering rights and systems transferred to Crestwood, a gain of approximately $291 million on the sale of the gathering system and rights was recognized during the first quarter of 2012.

 

(10)              Contingencies

 

The Company is party to various legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of its business. The Company believes certain of these matters will be covered by insurance and that the outcome of other matters will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

 

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(11)              Subsequent Events

 

Initial Public Offering

 

On October 16, 2013, we completed our initial public offering of 41,083,750 shares of our common stock, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their options to purchase an additional 3,409,091 shares of common stock from the selling stockholder and an additional 1,949,659 shares of common stock from us. Net proceeds received by us from the sale of 37,674,659 shares of common stock were approximately $1.58 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts. The proceeds from the offering were immediately used to paydown our Credit Facility, and ultimately will be used to redeem a portion of our outstanding senior notes and fund our development and production efforts.  Antero Resources Corporation’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AR”.

 

Issuance of 5.375% Senior Notes

 

On November 5, 2013, Antero Finance issued $1 billion of 5.375% senior notes at par due November 1, 2021.  Proceeds from the notes will be used to (i) finance the redemption of our 9.375% notes due 2017 and the repayment of the 9.0% senior note due December 1, 2013, (ii) repay the outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility and (iii) fund our drilling and development program.  The notes are unsecured and effectively subordinated to the Company’s Credit Facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the Credit Facility. The notes rank pari passu to the existing 7.25% and 6.00% senior notes. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by ARC and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries (other than Antero Finance), and certain of its future restricted subsidiaries. Interest on the notes is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year. Antero Finance may redeem all or part of the notes at any time on or after November 1, 2016 at redemption prices ranging from 104.031% on or after November 1, 2016 to 100% on or after November 1, 2019. In addition, on or before November 1, 2016, Antero Finance may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, if certain conditions are met, at a redemption price of 105.375% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. At any time prior to November 1, 2016, Antero Finance may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued interest. If a change of control (as defined in the bond indenture) occurs at any time prior to May 1, 2015, Antero Finance may, at its option, redeem all, but not less than all, of the notes at a redemption price equal to 110% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest. If ARC undergoes a change of control and there is a subsequent decline in ratings, the note holders will have the right to require Antero Finance to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued interest.

 

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Table of Contents

 

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

 

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.  The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. We caution that assumptions, expectations, projections, intentions, or beliefs about future events may, and often do, vary from actual results and the differences can be material. Some of the key factors that could cause actual results to vary from our expectations include changes in natural gas, NGL and oil prices, the timing of planned capital expenditures, availability of acquisitions, uncertainties in estimating proved reserves and forecasting production results, operational factors affecting the commencement or maintenance of producing wells, the condition of the capital markets generally, as well as our ability to access them, and uncertainties regarding environmental regulations or litigation and other legal or regulatory developments affecting our business, all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may not occur. See “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Also, see the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Item 1A. Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

In this section, references to “Antero,” “Antero Resources,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “operating entities” refer to the subsidiaries that conduct our operations, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. For more information on our organizational structure, see note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in elsewhere in this report..

 

Our Company

 

We are an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the exploitation, development and acquisition of natural gas, NGLs and oil properties located in the Appalachian Basin in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania. We are focused on creating shareholder value through the development of our large portfolio of repeatable, low cost, liquids-rich drilling opportunities in two of the premier North American shale plays. As of September 30, 2013, we hold approximately 330,000 net acres in the southwestern core of the Marcellus Shale and approximately 103,000 net acres in the core of the Utica Shale. In addition, we estimate that approximately 170,000 net acres of our Marcellus Shale leasehold are prospective for the slightly shallower Upper Devonian Shale. Finally, we own the deep rights on 116,000 net acres of our Marcellus Shale acreage in West Virginia that we believe is prospective for the dry gas Utica Shale. As of June 30, 2013 (the date of our most recent audited reserves), our estimated proved, probable and possible reserves were 6.3 Tcfe, 14.0 Tcfe and 7.4 Tcfe, respectively, and our proved reserves were 23% proved developed and 91% natural gas, assuming ethane rejection. As of June 30, 2013, our drilling inventory consisted of 4,576 identified potential horizontal well locations, approximately 64% of which are liquids-rich drilling opportunities. Our corporate headquarters are in Denver, Colorado.

 

The statement of operations data for all periods presented in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” has been recast to present the results of operations from our Arkoma Basin and Piceance operations in discontinued operations.

 

We operate in one industry segment, which is the exploration, development and production of natural gas, NGLs, and oil, and all of our operations are conducted in the United States.  Our gathering assets are dedicated to supporting the natural gas volumes we produce.

 

Recent Events and Highlights

 

Public Offering

 

On October 16, 2013, we completed our initial public offering of 41,083,750 shares of our common stock, including the exercise in full by the underwriters of their options to purchase an additional 3,409,091 shares of common stock from the selling stockholder and an additional 1,949,659 shares of common stock from us. Net proceeds received by us from the sale of 37,674,659 shares of common stock were approximately $1.58 billion, after deducting underwriting discounts. The proceeds from the offering were immediately used to paydown our Credit Facility, and ultimately will be used to redeem a portion of our outstanding senior notes and fund our development and production efforts.  Antero Resources Corporation’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AR”.

 

In connection with a corporate reorganization that was completed immediately prior to the closing of Antero Resources Corporation’s initial public offering, Antero Resources LLC merged with and into Antero Resources Corporation pursuant to a merger agreement by and among Antero Resources LLC, Antero Investment LLC and Antero Resources Corporation whereby, (a) Antero Resources LLC merged with and into Antero Resources Corporation, with Antero Resources Corporation surviving the merger, (b) all of the membership interests of Antero Resources LLC held by Antero Investment LLC converted into 224,375,000 shares of outstanding common stock of Antero Resources Corporation, and (c) the membership interest in Antero Investment LLC held by Antero Resources LLC was cancelled.

 

The Debt Offering

 

On November 5, 2013, Antero Finance closed its private placement of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Senior Notes due 2021 to eligible purchasers. The notes are Antero Finance's senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all of its other senior indebtedness and are senior to any future subordinated indebtedness. The notes are initially fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by ARC and all of its subsidiaries (other than Antero Finance). The guarantees rank equally in right of payment with all of the other senior indebtedness of the guarantors. The notes and guarantees are effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness, including borrowings and guarantees under our credit facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness. In addition, the notes are structurally subordinated to the liabilities (including trade payables) of any non-guarantor subsidiaries. The net proceeds from the Notes Offering were approximately $987.1 million, after deducting the initial purchasers' discounts and estimated expenses. We will use $549.6 million of the net proceeds of the Notes Offering to finance the redemption of our outstanding 9.375% senior notes due 2017. We will use the remaining net proceeds to (i) repay in full our 9.0% senior note due 2013, (ii) repay the outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facility and (iii) fund our drilling and development program. We will also use a portion of the net proceeds from our initial public offering to redeem 35% of our outstanding 7.25% senior notes due 2019.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Financial Results and Production

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, we had net income from continuing operations of $118 million and EBITDAX from continuing operations of $183 million compared to a net loss from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 of $114 million and EBITDAX from continuing operations of $71 million.  Net income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 included $162 million of pre-tax commodity derivative fair value gains, which was net of $47 million of gains from cash settled derivatives; net income from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 included $159 million of commodity derivative fair value losses, which was net of $45 million of gains from cash settled derivatives.  Net income (loss) from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 included deferred income tax (expense) benefit of $(67) million and $75 million, respectively.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we generated cash flow from operations of $332 million,  net income from continuing operations of $201 million, and EBITDAX from continuing operations of $434 million.  For the comparative nine month period ended September 30, 2012, we had cash flow from operations of $225 million, income from continuing operations of $140 million, and EBITDAX from continuing operations of $198 million.  Net income from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 included $286 million of pre-tax commodity derivative fair value gains, which was net of $109 million of gains from cash settled derivatives; net loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 included $52 million of pre-tax commodity derivative fair value gains, which was net of $142 million of gains from cash settled derivatives.  Net income (loss) from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 included deferred income tax expense benefit of $121 million and $109 million, respectively.  The net loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 also included a $291 million gain on the sale of assets and a $427 million loss from discontinued operations.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2013, our production from the Appalachian Basin totaled approximately 52 Bcfe, or 566 MMcfe per day, compared to 23 Bcfe from continuing operations, or 248 MMcfe per day, for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  The average price received for our production for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was $4.27 per Mcfe compared to $2.94 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2012.  Average prices after giving effect to the settlement of commodity hedges were $5.18 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $4.90 for the three months ended September 30, 2012.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our production from the Appalachian Basin totaled approximately 128 Bcfe, or 470 MMcfe per day, compared to 58 Bcfe from continuing operations, or 214 MMcfe per day, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The average price received for our production for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $4.27 per Mcfe before the effects of commodity hedges compared to $2.70 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  Average prices after giving effect to the settlement of commodity hedges were $5.12 per Mcfe for both the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

2013 Capital Budget

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, our capital expenditures for development, leasehold, and gathering systems and facilities were approximately $1.9 billion.  In November 2013, we increased our capital expenditure plan for 2013 by $200 million to $2.65 billion, including $1.55 billion for drilling and completion, $450 million for leasehold acquisitions, and $650 million for the construction of water handling infrastructure and gas gathering pipelines and facilities. The capital plan was increased to provide for increased drilling costs as a result of shorter stage length wells, additional land acquisition opportunities, and acceleration of compressor station expenditures.

 

Credit Facility Amendment

 

As a result of our increased liquidity from the public offering, on October 21, 2013 we entered into a Ninth Amendment to our Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) to decrease the aggregate lender commitments thereunder from from $1.75 billion to $1.5 billion.  The $2.0 billion borrowing base under the Credit Agreement was not modified in connection with the amendment. The borrowing base is redetermined semiannually and is based on the lenders’ judgment of the volume of our proved oil and gas reserves and the estimated future cash flows from these reserves and our hedge positions.  The next scheduled redetermination will occur in April 2014.

 

At September 30, 2013, we had $1.55 billion of borrowings and letters of credit outstanding under the credit facility and $205 million of available borrowing capacity, based on $1.75 billion of lender commitments at that date.  The Credit Facility matures in May 2016.

 

Hedge Position

 

As of September 30, 2013, we had entered into hedging contracts covering a total of approximately 1,131 Bcfe of natural gas and equivalent oil volumes from October 1, 2013 through December 31, 2019 at a weighted average index price of $4.73 per Mcfe.  These hedging contracts include hedging contracts for the three month period ended December 31, 2013 of approximately 44 Bcfe of natural gas and equivalent oil volumes at a weighted average index price of $5.39 per Mcfe.

 

Principal Components of Our Cost Structure

 

·                  Lease operating expenses.  These are the day-to-day operating costs incurred to maintain production of our natural gas, NGLs, and oil. Such costs include water recycling, pumping, maintenance, repairs, and workover expenses. Cost levels for these expenses can vary based on supply and demand for oilfield services.

 

·                  Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation.  These are costs incurred to bring natural gas, NGLs, and oil to the market. Such costs include the costs to operate and maintain our low-pressure and high-pressure gathering and compression systems as well as fees paid to third parties who operate low-pressure and high-pressure gathering systems that transport our gas. They also include costs to process and extract NGLs from our produced gas and to transport our products to market. We often enter into fixed-price long-term contracts that secure transportation and processing capacity that may include minimum volume commitments, the cost for which is included in these expenses.

 

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Table of Contents

 

·                  Production taxes.  Production taxes consist of severance and ad valorem taxes and are paid on produced natural gas, NGLs, and oil based on a percentage of market prices (not hedged prices) or at fixed per unit rates established by federal, state, or local taxing authorities.

 

·                  Exploration expense.  These are geological and geophysical costs and include seismic costs, costs of unsuccessful exploratory dry holes, and unsuccessful leasing efforts.

 

·                  Impairment of unproved and proved properties.  These costs include unproved property impairment and costs associated with lease expirations. We could record impairment charges for proved properties if the carrying value were to exceed estimated future cash flows. Through September 30, 2013, we have not recorded any impairment for proved properties.

 

·                  Depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”).  This includes the systematic expensing of the capitalized costs incurred to acquire, explore and develop natural gas, NGLs, and oil. As a “successful efforts” company, we capitalize all costs associated with our acquisition and development efforts and all successful exploration efforts, and allocate these costs to each unit of production using the units of production method.

 

·                  General and administrative expense.  These costs include overhead, including payroll and benefits for our employees, costs of maintaining our headquarters, costs of managing our production and development operations, franchise taxes, audit and other professional fees, and legal compliance expenses.

 

·                  Interest expense.  We finance a portion of our working capital requirements and acquisitions and development costs with borrowings under our credit facility. As a result, we incur substantial interest expense that is affected by both fluctuations in interest rates and our financing decisions. At September 30, 2013, we also had a fixed interest rate of 9.375% on senior notes having a principal balance of $525 million, a fixed interest rate of 7.25% on senior notes having a principal balance of $400 million, and a fixed interest rate of 6.00% on senior notes having a principal balance of $525 million. We expect to continue to incur significant interest expense as we grow.  As further explained under Recent Events and Highlights, on November 5, 2013 we closed a private placement of $1.0 billion 5.375% senior notes due 2021.  We will use approximately $550 million to finance the redemption of our 9.375% senior notes due 2017 and $25 million to repay our 9.0% senior note due 2013. We will also use approximately $150 million from the proceeds of the public offering to finance the redemption of 35% of our 7.25% senior notes due 2019.

 

·                  Income tax expense.  Through December 31, 2011, each of our operating entities filed separate federal and state income tax returns; therefore, our provision for income taxes through that date consisted of the sum of our income tax provisions for each of the operating entities. In October 2012, we completed a reorganization of our legal structure by contributing all of the outstanding shares owned by Antero Resources LLC in each of the Antero Arkoma, Antero Piceance and Antero Pipeline corporations to Antero Appalachian. Antero Arkoma, Antero Piceance, and Antero Pipeline were first converted to limited liability companies and then liquidated as part of the reorganization. As a result, for income tax purposes, the operations subsequent to the reorganizations and tax attributes of Arkoma, Piceance and Pipeline are now combined with Antero Appalachian for tax reporting purposes. Our subsidiaries are subject to state and federal income taxes but are currently not in a tax paying position for regular federal income taxes, primarily due to the current deductibility of intangible drilling costs and the deferral of unrealized commodity hedge gains for tax purposes until they are realized. We do pay some state income or franchise taxes where state income or franchise taxes are determined on a basis other than income. We have generated net operating loss carryforwards that expire at various dates from 2024 through 2032. We have recognized the value of these net operating losses to the extent of our deferred tax liabilities. We recorded valuation allowances for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012 of approximately $48 million primarily for capital loss and state loss carryforwards for which we do not believe we will realize a benefit. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could change in the near term as we generate taxable income or estimates of future taxable income are reduced.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations. We give financial statement recognition to those tax positions that we believe are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service or state revenue authorities. The financial statements included unrecognized benefits at December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013 of $11 million that, if recognized, would result in a reduction of other long-term liabilities and an increase in noncurrent deferred tax liabilities. No impact to our 2013 or 2012 effective tax rate would result from the recognition of the tax benefits. As of September 30, 2013, we have accrued $0.6 million of interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

The following table sets forth selected operating data (as recast for discontinued operations) for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

Amount of
Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

(Decrease)

 

Percent Change

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per unit and production data)

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

66,796

 

$

182,125

 

$

115,329

 

173

%

NGL sales

 

 

31,956

 

31,956

 

*

 

Oil sales

 

285

 

8,473

 

8,188

 

2,873

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses)

 

(159,004

)

161,968

 

320,972

 

*

 

Loss on sale of assets

 

(115

)

 

115

 

*

 

Total operating revenues

 

(92,038

)

384,522

 

476,560

 

*

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expense

 

1,513

 

2,697

 

1,184

 

78

%

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation

 

25,291

 

58,383

 

33,092

 

131

%

Production taxes

 

3,621

 

11,851

 

8,230

 

227

%

Exploration expenses

 

3,156

 

5,372

 

2,216

 

70

%

Impairment of unproved properties

 

2,438

 

3,205

 

767

 

31

%

Depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

26,858

 

65,697

 

38,839

 

145

%

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

25

 

266

 

241

 

964

%

General and administrative

 

11,938

 

14,443

 

2,505

 

21

%

Total operating expenses

 

74,840

 

161,914

 

87,074

 

116

%

Operating income (loss)

 

(166,878

)

222,608

 

389,486

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(22,453

)

(37,444

)

(14,991

)

67

%

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

(189,331

)

185,164

 

374,495

 

*

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

75,444

 

(67,370

)

(142,814

)

*

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

 

(113,887

)

117,794

 

231,681

 

*

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

(13,791

)

3,100

 

16,891

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Antero members

 

$

(127,678

)

$

120,894

 

$

248,572

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAX from continuing operations (1) 

 

$

70,504

 

$

182,834

 

$

112,330

 

159

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total EBITDAX (1)

 

$

95,165

 

$

182,834

 

$

87,669

 

92

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (Bcf)

 

23

 

48

 

25

 

109

%

NGLs (MBbl)

 

 

637

 

637

 

*

 

Oil (MBbl)

 

4

 

87

 

83

 

2,393

%

Combined (Bcfe)

 

23

 

52

 

29

 

128

%

Daily combined production (MMcfe/d)

 

248

 

566

 

318

 

128

%

Average prices before effects of hedges (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

2.93

 

$

3.82

 

$

0.89

 

30

%

NGLs (per Bbl)

 

$

 

$

50.13

 

$

50.13

 

*

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

81.20

 

$

97.10

 

$

15.90

 

20

%

Combined (per Mcfe)

 

$

2.94

 

$

4.27

 

$

1.33

 

45

%

Average realized prices after effects of hedges (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

4.89

 

$

4.81

 

$

(0.08

)

(2

)%

NGls (per Bbl)

 

$

 

$

50.13

 

$

50.13

 

*

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

81.20

 

$

94.71

 

$

13.51

 

17

%

Combined (per Mcfe)

 

$

4.90

 

$

5.18

 

$

0.28

 

6

%

Average costs (per Mcfe):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating costs

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.05

 

$

(0.02

)

(29

)%

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation

 

$

1.11

 

$

1.12

 

$

0.01

 

1

%

Production taxes

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.07

 

44

%

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion

 

$

1.18

 

$

1.27

 

$

0.09

 

8

%

General and administrative

 

$

0.52

 

$

0.28

 

$

(0.24

)

(46

)%

 

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(1)         See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure” for a definition of EBITDAX (a non-GAAP measure) and a reconciliation of EBITDAX from continuing and discontinued operations to net income (loss) from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to Antero members and to cash flow provided by operating activities.

 

(2)         Average prices shown in the table reflect the sales prices we received before and after giving effect to our realized commodity hedging transactions. Our calculation of such after-effects includes realized gains or losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting because we do not designate them as hedges for accounting purposes. Oil and NGL production was converted at 6 Mcf per Bbl to calculate total Bcfe production and per Mcfe amounts. This ratio is an estimate of the equivalent energy content of the products and does not necessarily reflect their relative economic value.

 

*                 Not meaningful or applicable

 

Natural gas, NGLs, and oil sales.  Revenues from production of natural gas, NGLs, and oil increased from $67 million from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $223 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $156 million, or 233%.  Our production increased by 128% over that same period, from 23 Bcfe from continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to 52 Bcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  Net equivalent prices before the effects of realized hedge gains increased from $2.94 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $4.27 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of 45%.  Increased production volumes accounted for an approximate $86 million increase in year-over-year revenues (calculated as the change in year-to-year volumes times the prior year average price), and commodity price increases accounted for an approximate $70 million increase in year-over-year revenues (calculated as the change in year-to-year average price times current year production volumes).  Production increases resulted from additional producing wells as a result of the ongoing Appalachian Basin drilling program.  Additionally, natural gas prices were significantly higher than the depressed price levels during the previous year’s quarter, increasing from an average of $2.93 during the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $3.82 during the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains (losses).  To achieve more predictable cash flows and to reduce our exposure to downward price fluctuations, we enter into derivative contracts using fixed for variable swap contracts when management believes that favorable future sales prices for our natural gas production can be secured.  Because we do not designate these derivatives as accounting hedges, they do not receive accounting hedge treatment and all mark-to-market gains or losses, as well as cash receipts or payments on settled derivative instruements, are recognized in our results of operations.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, our hedges resulted in derivative fair value gains (losses) of $(159) million and $162 million, respectively.  The derivative fair value gains (losses) included $45 million and $47 million of cash settlements received on derivatives for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  Cash settled derivatives resulted in an increase in realized equivalent prices of $1.96 and $0.91 per Mcfe during the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

Lease operating expenses.  Lease operating expenses increased by 78% from the three months ended September 30, 2012 to the three months ended September 30, 2013 from $1.5 million to $2.7 million due primarily to increased production.  On a per unit basis, lease operating expenses decreased by 29%, from $0.07 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $0.05 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily because, during the early stages of production for Appalachian Basin wells, operating and maintenance expenses are low and initial production rates are higher than for wells that have been producing for longer periods of time.

 

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation expense.  Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation expense increased from $25 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $58 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to an increase in production volumes, increased costs on firm transportation commitments and processing charges incurred in the 2013 period but not in the 2012 period.  On a per unit basis, gathering, compression, processing, and transportation expense increased by $0.01 per Mcfe, or 1%, for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012.  We began processing natural gas in order to extract NGLs in October 2012 and this resulted in an increase in per unit costs.  This increase was offset by a decrease in per unit gathering and transportation costs as a result of increased utilization of firm gathering and transportation capacity. Firm transportation charges increased by $4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the prior year period, but decreased on a per unit basis as total production increased from the prior year period.  We enter into long-term firm transportation agreements for a significant part of our current and expected future production in order to secure guaranteed capacity on major pipelines.

 

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Production taxes.  Total production taxes increased by approximately $8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of increased production and prices.  On a per unit basis, production taxes increased from $0.16 to $0.23 per Mcfe.  Production taxes as a percentage of natural gas, NGL, and oil revenues were 5.4% and 5.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

Exploration expense.  Exploration expense increased from $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to an increase in the cost of unsuccessful lease acquisition efforts as we increased the number of third-party lease brokers contracted in the Appalachian Basin.

 

Impairment of unproved properties.  Impairment of unproved properties was approximately $2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The increase in impairment charges was due to an increase in expiring acreage and ongoing evaluation of our undeveloped Marcellus acreage. We charge impairment expense for expired or soon-to-be-expired leases when we determine they are impaired through lack of drilling activities or based on other factors, such as remaining lease terms, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, expected well economics, or future plans to develop the acreage.

 

DD&A.  DD&A increased from $27 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $66 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily because of increased production.  DD&A per Mcfe increased by 8% from $1.18 per Mcfe during the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $1.27 per Mcfe during the three months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of increased depreciation on gathering systems and facilities and increased proved property costs subject to depletion.

 

We evaluate the impairment of our proved natural gas and oil properties on a field-by-field basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a property’s carrying amount may not be recoverable.  If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we reduce the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to their estimated fair value.  No impairment expenses were recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2012 or 2013 for proved properties.

 

General and administrative expense.  General and administrative expense increased from $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $14 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of increased staffing levels and related salary and benefits expenses and increases in legal and other general corporate expenses, all of which resulted from our growth in production levels and development activities.  On a per unit basis, general and administrative expense decreased by 46%, from $0.52 per Mcfe during the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $0.28 per Mcfe during the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to a 128% increase in production during that time.  We had 143 employees as of September 30, 2012 and 204 employees as of September 30, 2013.

 

As a result of the corporate reorganization and the public stock offering discussed elsewhere in this report, we expect to recognize non-cash stock compensation expense in the fourth quarter of 2013 of approximately $297.0 million.  Approximately $217.0 million of additional stock compensation will be recognized over the remaining service period of the underlying equity compensation awards.

 

Interest expense.  Interest expense increased from $22 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to $37 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to the issuance of a total of $525 million of 6.00% senior notes due 2020 during the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.  Interest expense includes approximately $2 million of non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs for both the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013.

 

Income tax benefit (expense).  Income tax benefit (expense) changed from a deferred tax benefit of $75 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 to a deferred tax expense of $67 million for the three months ended September 30, 2013.  The deferred tax benefit in 2012 resulted primarily from unrealized commodity derivative losses.  The deferred tax expense in 2013 resulted from pre-tax income of $185 million which included $115 million of unrealized commodity derivative gains.

 

At December 31, 2012, we had approximately $1.0 billion of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and approximately $1.3 billion of state NOLs, which expire starting in 2024 through 2032.  From time to time, there has been proposed legislation in the U.S. Congress to eliminate or limit future deductions for intangible drilling costs; such legislation could significantly affect our future taxable position if passed. The impact of any change will be recorded in the period that any such legislation is enacted.

 

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The calculation of our tax liabilities involves uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations. We give financial statement recognition to those tax positions that we believe are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service or state revenue authorities.  Our financial statements included unrecognized benefits at September 30, 2013 of $11 million that, if recognized, would result in a reduction of other long-term liabilities and an increase in noncurrent deferred tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, we had accrued approximately $0.6 million of interest on unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations.  The loss from discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2012 resulted from recasting the revenues and direct operating expenses attributable to the Piceance and Arkoma properties, which were sold during 2012, as discontinued operations.  We did not reclassify any general and administrative expenses or interest expense from continuing operations to discontinued operations.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax income of $5 million related to operations that were discontinued in 2012 for sales tax refunds received and reductions in estimated expenses related to discontinued operations.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

The following table sets forth selected operating data (as recast for discontinued operations) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2013:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

Amount of
Increase

 

 

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

(Decrease)

 

Percent Change

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per unit and production data)

 

Operating revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas sales

 

$

156,618

 

$

476,403

 

$

319,785

 

204

%

NGL sales

 

 

59,772

 

59,772

 

*

 

Oil sales

 

610

 

11,435

 

10,825

 

1,775

%

Commodity derivative fair value gains

 

52,210

 

285,510

 

233,300

 

447

%

Gain on sale of gathering system

 

291,190

 

 

(291,190

)

*

 

Total operating revenues

 

500,628

 

833,120

 

332,492

 

66

%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating expense

 

4,072

 

5,222

 

1,150

 

28

%

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation

 

56,945

 

148,023

 

91,078

 

160

%

Production taxes

 

10,734

 

30,578

 

19,844

 

185

%

Exploration expenses

 

7,912

 

17,034

 

9,122

 

115

%

Impairment of unproved properties

 

4,019

 

9,564

 

5,545

 

138

%

Depletion, depreciation, and amortization

 

65,289

 

158,650

 

93,361

 

143

%

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

 

71

 

797

 

726

 

1,023

%

General and administrative

 

31,584

 

40,727

 

9,143

 

29

%

Total operating expenses

 

180,626

 

410,595

 

229,969

 

127

%

Operating income

 

320,002

 

422,525

 

102,523

 

32

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(71,046

)

(100,840

)

(29,794

)

42

%

Income before income taxes

 

248,956

 

321,685

 

72,729

 

29

%

Income tax expense

 

(108,525

)

(120,695

)

(12,170

)

11

%

Income from continuing operations

 

140,431

 

200,990

 

60,559

 

43

%

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

 

(418,465

)

3,100

 

421,565

 

*

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Antero members

 

$

(278,034

)

$

204,090

 

$

482,124

 

*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDAX from continuing operations (1) 

 

$

198,391

 

$

434,191

 

$

235,800

 

119

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total EBITDAX (1)

 

$

323,744

 

$

434,191

 

$

110,447

 

34

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Production data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (Bcf)

 

58

 

120

 

62

 

106

%

NGLs (MBbl)

 

 

1,197

 

1,197

 

*

 

Oil (MBbl)

 

8

 

122

 

114

 

1506

%

Combined (Bcfe)

 

58

 

128

 

70

 

120

%

Daily combined production (MMcfe/d)

 

214

 

470

 

256

 

120

%

Average prices before effects of hedges (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

2.69

 

$

3.96

 

$

1.27

 

47

%

NGLs (per Bbl)

 

$

 

$

49.95

 

$

49.95

 

*

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

80.58

 

$

93.76

 

$

13.18

 

16

%

Combined (per Mcfe)

 

$

2.70

 

$

4.27

 

$

1.57

 

58

%

Average realized prices after effects of hedges (2):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas (per Mcf)

 

$

5.11

 

$

4.87

 

$

(0.24

)

(5

)%

NGls (per Bbl)

 

$

 

$

49.95

 

$

49.95

 

*

 

Oil (per Bbl)

 

$

80.58

 

$

90.28

 

$

9.70

 

12

%

Combined (per Mcfe)

 

$

5.12

 

$

5.12

 

$

 

%

Average costs (per Mcfe):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease operating costs

 

$

0.07

 

$

0.04

 

$

(0.03

)

(43

)%

Gathering, compression, and transportation

 

$

0.98

 

$

1.15

 

$

0.17

 

17

%

Production taxes

 

$

0.18

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.06

 

33

%

Depletion, depreciation, amortization, and accretion

 

$

1.12

 

$

1.24

 

$

0.12

 

11

%

General and administrative

 

$

0.54

 

$

0.32

 

$

(0.22

)

(41

)%

 

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(1)         See “—Non-GAAP Financial Measure” for a definition of EBITDAX (a non-GAAP measure) and a reconciliation of EBITDAX from continuing and discontinued operations to net income (loss) from continuing and discontinued operations attributable to Antero members and to cash flow provided by operating activities.

 

(2)         Average prices shown in the table reflect the sales prices we received before and after giving effect to our realized commodity hedging transactions. Our calculation of such after-effects includes realized gains or losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which do not qualify for hedge accounting because we do not designate them as hedges for accounting purposes. Oil and NGL production was converted at 6 Mcf per Bbl to calculate total Bcfe production and per Mcfe amounts. This ratio is an estimate of the equivalent energy content of the products and does not necessarily reflect their relative economic value.

 

*                  Not meaningful or applicable

 

Natural gas, NGLs, and oil sales.  Revenues from production of natural gas, NGLs, and oil increased from $157 million from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $548 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of $390 million, or 249%.  Our production increased by 120% over that same period, from 58 Bcfe from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to 128 Bcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  Net equivalent prices before the effects of realized hedge gains increased from $2.70 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $4.27 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, an increase of 58%.  Increased production volumes accounted for an approximate $189 million increase in year-over-year revenues (calculated as the change in year-to-year volumes times the prior year average price), and commodity price increases accounted for an approximate $201 million increase in year-over-year revenues (calculated as the change in year-to-year average price times current year production volumes).  Production increases resulted from additional producing wells as a result of the ongoing Appalachian Basin drilling program.  Additionally, natural gas prices were significantly higher than the depressed price levels during the previous year period, increasing from an average of $2.69 during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $3.96 during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Commodity derivative fair value gains.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, our hedges resulted in derivative fair value gains of $52 million and $286 million, respectively.  The derivative fair value gains included $142 million and $109 million of cash settlements received on derivatives for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  Cash settled derivatives resulted in an increase in realized equivalent prices of $2.42 and $0.85 per Mcfe during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

Lease operating expenses.  Lease operating expenses were approximately $4 million and $5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  On a per unit basis, lease operating expenses decreased by 43%, from $0.07 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $0.04 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily because of a decrease in workover expenses and because, during the early stages of production for Appalachian Basin wells, operating and maintenance expenses are low and initial production rates are higher than for wells that have been producing for longer periods of time.

 

Gathering, compression, processing, and transportation expense.  Gathering, compression, and transportation expense increased from $57 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $148 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to an increase in production volumes, increased costs on firm transportation commitments, and processing charges incurred in the 2013 period but not in the 2012 period.  On a per unit basis, gathering, compression, and transportation expense increased by $0.17 per Mcfe, or 17%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  In October 2012, we began processing gas in order to extract NGLs and the resulting processing charges resulted in an increase in per unit costs, which was partially offset by a decrease in per unit gathering and transportation costs as a result of increased utilization of firm gathering and transportation capacity.  Firm transportation charges increased by $13 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the prior year period, but decreased on a per unit basis from the prior year period.  We enter into long-term firm transportation agreements for a significant part of our current and expected future production in order to secure guaranteed capacity on major pipelines.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Production taxes.  Total production taxes increased by approximately $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, primarily as a result of increased production and prices.  On a per unit basis, production taxes increased from $0.18 to $0.24 per Mcfe.  Production taxes as a percentage of natural gas, NGL, and oil revenues were 6.8% and 5.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  Production taxes declined as a percent of production revenues because of increased production in Ohio, which has a lower production tax rate than West Virginia and higher per unit sales prices during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and the impact of this increase in price on the West Virginia production tax expense..

 

Exploration expense.  Exploration expense increased from $8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $17 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 primarily due to an increase in the cost of unsuccessful lease acquisition efforts as we have increased the number of third-party lease brokers contracted in the Appalachian Basin.

 

Impairment of unproved properties.  Impairment of unproved properties was approximately $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $10 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The increase in impairment charges was due to an increase in expiring acreage and ongoing evaluation of our undeveloped Marcellus acreage. We charge impairment expense for expired or soon-to-be-expired leases when we determine they are impaired through lack of drilling activities or based on other factors, such as remaining lease terms, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, expected well economics, or future plans to develop the acreage.

 

DD&A.  DD&A increased from $65 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $159 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily because of increased production.  DD&A per Mcfe increased by 11% from $1.12 per Mcfe during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $1.24 per Mcfe during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 as a result of increased depreciation on gathering systems and facilities and increased proved property costs subject to depletion.

 

We evaluate the impairment of our proved natural gas and oil properties on a field-by-field basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a property’s carrying amount may not be recoverable.  If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, we reduce the carrying amount of the oil and gas properties to their estimated fair value.  No impairment expenses were recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 or 2013 for proved properties.

 

General and administrative expense.  General and administrative expense increased from $32 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $41 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of increased staffing levels and related salary and benefits expenses and increases in legal and other general corporate expenses, all of which resulted from our growth in production levels and development activities.  On a per unit basis, general and administrative expense decreased by 41%, from $0.54 per Mcfe during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $0.32 per Mcfe during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to a 120% increase in production during that time.  We had 143 employees as of September 30, 2012 and 204 employees as of September 30, 2013.

 

As a result of the corporate reorganization and the public stock offering discussed elsewhere in this report, we expect to recognize non-cash stock compensation expense in the fourth quarter of 2013 of approximately $297.0 million.  Approximately $217.0 million of additional stock compensation will be recognized over the remaining service period of the underlying equity compensation awards.

 

Interest expense.  Interest expense increased from $71 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 to $101 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to the issuance of a total of $525 million of 6.00% senior notes due 2020 during the fourth quarter of 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.  Interest expense includes approximately $5 million of non-cash amortization of deferred financing costs for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

Income tax expense.  Income tax expense of $109 million and $121 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, relates to pre-tax income from continuing operations of $249 million and $322 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  Pre-tax income includes unrealized commodity derivative gains (losses) of $(89) million and $176 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively, and a $291 million gain on the sale of assets in 2012.

 

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Table of Contents

 

At December 31, 2012, we had approximately $1.0 billion of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and approximately $1.3 billion of state NOLs, which expire starting in 2024 through 2032.  From time to time, there has been proposed legislation in the U.S. Congress to eliminate or limit future deductions for intangible drilling costs; such legislation could significantly affect our future taxable position if passed. The impact of any change will be recorded in the period that such legislation might be enacted.

 

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws and regulations. We give financial statement recognition to those tax positions that we believe are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service or state revenue authorities.  Our financial statements included unrecognized benefits at September 30, 2013 of $11 million that, if recognized, would result in a reduction of other long-term liabilities and an increase in noncurrent deferred tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2013, we have accrued approximately $0.6 million of interest on unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations.  The loss from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 resulted from the recasting of the revenues and direct expenses from the Piceance and Arkoma properties, which were sold during 2012, as discontinued operations.  The loss from discontinued operations of $418 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 includes a $427 million loss on the sale of the Arkoma properties.  The agreement to sell the properties is subject to post-closing adjustments for up to a two year period.  The Company believes that post-closing adjustments, if any, will not have a material effect on the financial statements.  We did not reclassify any general and administrative expenses or interest expense from continuing operations to discontinued operations.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company recorded pre-tax income of $5 million related to operations that were discontinued in 2012 for sales tax refunds received and reductions in estimated expenses related to discontinued operations.

 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

 

Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been through issuances of debt securities, borrowings under the Credit Facility, asset sales, and net cash provided by operating activities.  Additionally, in October 2013 we completed a public stock offering with net cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.58 billion after expenses.  The proceeds were used to paydown the Credit Facility.  Our Credit Facility, as amended on October 21, 2013, has a borrowing base of $2.0 billion and lender commitments of $1.5 billion.  Our primary use of cash has been for the exploration, development, and acquisition of natural gas, NGLs, and oil properties.  As we pursue reserve and production growth, we continually monitor what capital resources, including equity and debt financings, are available to meet our future financial obligations, planned capital expenditure activities, and liquidity requirements.  Our future success in growing proved reserves and production will be highly dependent on the capital resources available to us.

 

In November 2013, we increased our capital budget for 2013 by $200 million to $2.65 billion, including $1.55 billion for drilling and completion, $450 million for leasehold acquisitions, and $650 million for the construction of water handling infrastructure and gas gathering pipelines and facilities.  Our capital budget may be adjusted as business conditions warrant.  The amount, timing, and allocation of capital expenditures is largely discretionary and within our control.  If natural gas, NGLs, and oil prices decline to levels below our acceptable levels or costs increase to levels above our acceptable levels, we could choose to defer a significant portion of our budgeted capital expenditures until later periods to achieve the desired balance between sources and uses of liquidity and prioritize capital projects that we believe have the highest expected returns and potential to generate near-term cash flow.  We routinely monitor and adjust our capital expenditures in response to changes in prices, availability of financing, drilling and acquisition costs, industry conditions, the timing of regulatory approvals, the availability of rigs, success or lack of success in drilling activities, contractual obligations, internally generated cash flow, and other factors both within and outside our control.

 

We believe that funds from operating cash flows and available borrowings under our Credit Facility should be sufficient to meet our cash requirements, including normal operating needs, debt service obligations, capital expenditures, and commitments and contingencies for at least the next 12 months.

 

The following table summarizes our cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2013

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

225,400

 

$

331,937

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(295,180

)

(1,864,884

)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

82,992

 

1,525,542

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

13,212

 

$

(7,405

)

 

Cash Flow Provided by Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $225 million and $332 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2013, respectively.  The increase in cash flow from operations from the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was primarily the result of increased production volumes and revenues (including derivative settlements), net of the increase in cash operating costs, interest expense, and changes in working capital levels.

 

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Our operating cash flow is sensitive to many variables, the most significant of which is the volatility of prices for natural gas, NGL, and oil prices.  Prices for these commodities are determined primarily by prevailing market conditions.  Factors including regional and worldwide economic activity, weather, infrastructure, capacity to reach markets and other variables influence market conditions for these products.  These factors are beyond our control and are difficult to predict.  For additional information on the impact of changing prices on our financial position, see “Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” below.

 

Cash Flow Used in Investing Activities

 

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we used cash totaling $1.9 billion in investing activities, including $343 million of undeveloped leasehold acquisitions, $1.3 billion of development costs (including $157 million for water handling infrastructure), and $240 million of expenditures for gathering systems and other facilities.  Additionally, deposits on various equipment orders increased other assets by $12 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we had used cash for investing activities of $295 million as a result of $1.1 billion in land acquisitions, drilling and development, and gathering systems, partially offset by proceeds realized from the sale of certain Marcellus gathering systems and rights and the Arkoma Basin properties totaling $816 million.

 

Cash Flow Provided by Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $1.5 billion resulted from the issuance of $225 million of our 6.00% senior notes for net proceeds of approximately $232 million in February 2013 and $1.3 billion of net additional borrowings under our credit facility.  Net cash provided by financing activities of $83 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012 resulted primarily from credit facility borrowings.

 

Credit Facility.  Our Credit Facility was amended as of October 21, 2013 to decrease the aggregate lender commitments thereunder from $1.75 billion to $1.5 billion. The $2.0 billion borrowing base under the Credit Agreement was not modified in connection with the amendment.  The borrowing base is redetermined semiannually and the borrowing base depends on the amount of our proved oil and gas reserves and estimated cash flows from these reserves and our hedge positions.  The next redetermination is scheduled to occur in April 2014.  At September 30, 2013, we had $1.5 billion of borrowings and $32 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility.  At December 31, 2012, we had $217 million of borrowings and $43 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Facility.  The Credit Facility matures in May 2016.

 

The credit facility is secured by mortgages on substantially all of our properties and guarantees from our subsidiaries.  Interest is payable at a variable rate based on LIBOR or the prime rate based on our election at the time of borrowing.

 

The Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including restrictions on indebtedness, asset sales, investments, liens, dividends, hedging, and certain other transactions without the prior consent of the lenders.  We are required to maintain the following two financial ratios:

 

·                  a current ratio, which is the ratio of our consolidated current assets (includes unused commitment under the Credit Facility and excludes derivative assets) to our consolidated current liabilities of 1.0 to 1.0 at the end of each fiscal quarter; and

 

·                  a minimum interest coverage ratio, which is the ratio of consolidated EBITDAX to consolidated interest expense, of not less than 2.5 to 1.0.

 

We were in compliance with such covenants and ratios as of December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013.

 

Senior Notes.  See Note 4 (b), (c), (d), and (e) to our condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q for a description of the terms of the 9.375% senior notes due 2017 with a principal amount of $525 million, the 7.25% senior notes due 2019 with a principal amount of $400 million, the 6.00% senior notes due 2020 with a principal amount of $525 million, and the 9.00% senior note due 2013 with a principal amount of $25 million. See Note 11 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q for a description of the terms of the 5.375% senior notes due 2021 issued on November 5, 2013.

 

Treasury Management Facility.  We have a stand-alone revolving note with a lender under the Credit Facility, which provides for up to $25 million of cash management obligations in order to facilitate our daily treasury management. Borrowings under the revolving note are secured by the collateral for the Credit Facility. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at the lender’s prime rate plus 1.0%. The note matures on June 1, 2014.  We expect that the treasury management facility will be renewed for an additional one-year period when it expires. At December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2013, there were no outstanding borrowings under this facility.

 

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Non-GAAP Financial Measure

 

“EBITDAX” is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, derivative fair value gains or losses, excluding net cash receipts or payments on derivative instruments, taxes, impairments, depletion, depreciation, amortization, exploration expense, franchise taxes, stock compensation, business acquisition expenses and gain or loss on sale of assets. “EBITDAX,” as used and defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP. EBITDAX should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or loss, cash flows provided by operating, investing and financing activities, or other income or cash flow statement data prepared in accordance with GAAP. EBITDAX provides no information regarding a company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures, and working capital movement or tax position. EBITDAX does not represent funds available for discretionary use because those funds may be required for debt service, capital expenditures, working capital, income taxes, franchise taxes, exploration expenses, and other commitments and obligations. However, our management team believes EBITDAX is useful to an investor in evaluating our financial performance because this measure:

 

·                  is widely used by investors in the oil and natural gas industry to measure a company’s operating performance without regard to items excluded from the calculation of such term, which can vary substantially from company to company depending upon accounting methods and book value of assets, capital structure and the method by which assets were acquired, among other factors;

·                  helps investors to more meaningfully evaluate and compare the results of our operations from period to period by removing the effect of our capital structure from our operating structure; and

·                  is used by our management team for various purposes, including as a measure of operating performance, in presentations to our board of directors, as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting and by our lenders pursuant to covenants under our Credit Facility and the indentures governing our senior notes.

 

There are significant limitations to using EBITDAX as a measure of performance, including the inability to analyze the effect of certain recurring and non-recurring items that materially affect our net income or loss, the lack of comparability of results of operations of different companies and the different methods of calculating EBITDAX reported by different companies. The following table represents a reconciliation of our net income (loss) from continuing operations to EBITDAX from continuing operations, a reconciliation of our net income (loss) from discontinued operations to EBITDAX from discontinued operations, and a reconciliation of our total EBITDAX to net cash provided by operating activities per our consolidated statements of cash flows, in each case for the periods presented: