United States
Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

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

Commission file number 000-53507

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.

(Name of small business issuer in its charter)

Delaware		26-1466056
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)		Identification No.)
Westpointe Corporate Center One
1550 Coraopolis Heights Rd. 2nd Floor
Moon Township, PA		15108
(Address of principal executive offices)		(zip code)

Issuer’s telephone number, including area code: (412) 262-2830

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

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). Yes þ No o

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,” “non accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer o		Accelerated filer o		Non-accelerated filer o		Smaller reporting company þ

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

 

 

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
(A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP)
INDEX TO QUARTERLY REPORT
ON FORM 10-Q

		PAGE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1: Financial Statements
Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010			3
Statements of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010			4
Statement of Changes in Partners’ Capital for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2011			5
Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010			6
Notes to Financial Statements			7-15
Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			16-19
Item 4: Controls and Procedures			20
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1: Legal Proceedings			20
Item 6: Exhibits			20
SIGNATURES			21
CERTIFICATIONS
EX-31.1
EX-31.2
EX-32.1
EX-32.2
EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
EX-101 DEFINITION LINKBASE DOCUMENT

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.

		September 30,				December 31,
		2011				2010
		(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	993,700			$	1,064,700
Accounts receivable — affiliate			4,608,300				3,650,000
Short-term hedge receivable due from affiliate			—				3,100,700
Total current assets			5,602,000				7,815,400
Oil and gas properties, net			39,843,800				43,169,000
Long-term hedge receivable due from affiliate			—				3,032,100
Long-term receivable-affiliate			1,389,400				—
		$	46,835,200			$	54,016,500
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS’ CAPITAL
Current liabilities:
Accrued liabilities		$	109,400			$	215,500
Short-term hedge liability due to affiliate			—				37,800
Total current liabilities			109,400				253,300
Asset retirement obligation			6,954,600				6,683,100
Long-term hedge liability due to affiliate			—				545,000
Partners’ capital:
Managing general partner			13,902,500				16,908,000
Limited partners (23,644.10 units)			24,208,400				28,451,500
Accumulated other comprehensive income			1,660,300				1,175,600
Total partners’ capital			39,771,200				46,535,100
		$	46,835,200			$	54,016,500

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
REVENUES
Natural gas, oil and liquid gas		$	3,289,500			$	4,229,700			$	10,647,300			$	15,674,500
Interest income			200				400				600				1,100
Total revenues			3,289,700				4,230,100				10,647,900				15,675,600
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Production			1,162,600				1,779,900				3,846,400				5,773,900
Depletion			1,046,100				2,658,700				3,361,400				9,530,400
Accretion of asset retirement obligation			100,300				68,000				300,800				204,100
General and administrative			122,100				112,500				365,800				389,300
Total expenses			2,431,100				4,619,100				7,874,400				15,897,700
Net income (loss)		$	858,600			$	(389,000	)		$	2,773,500			$	(222,100	)
Allocation of net income (loss):
Managing general partner		$	253,700			$	267,900			$	916,500			$	1,358,900
Limited partners		$	604,900			$	(656,900	)		$	1,857,000			$	(1,581,000	)
Net income (loss) per limited partnership unit		$	26			$	(28	)		$	79			$	(67	)

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.

										Accumulated
		Managing								Other
		General				Limited				Comprehensive
		Partner				Partners				Income				Total
Balance at January 1, 2011		$	16,908,000			$	28,451,500			$	1,175,600			$	46,535,100
Participation in revenues and expenses:
Net production revenues			1,852,100				4,948,800				—				6,800,900
Interest income			200				400				—				600
Depletion			(701,300	)			(2,660,100	)			—				(3,361,400	)
Accretion of asset retirement obligation			(105,800	)			(195,000	)			—				(300,800	)
General and administrative expenses			(128,700	)			(237,100	)			—				(365,800	)
Net income			916,500				1,857,000				—				2,773,500
Other comprehensive income			—				—				484,700				484,700
Subordination			(1,170,800	)			1,170,800				—				—
Assets contributed			122,400				—				—				122,400
Distributions to partners			(2,873,600	)			(7,270,900	)			—				(10,144,500	)
Balance at September 30, 2011		$	13,902,500			$	24,208,400			$	1,660,300			$	39,771,200

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.

		Nine Months Ended
		September 30,
		2011				2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)		$	2,773,500			$	(222,100	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depletion			3,361,400				9,530,400
Non-cash loss on hedge instruments			1,536,500				1,486,400
Accretion of asset retirement obligation			300,800				204,100
Decrease in accounts receivable-affiliate			867,500				986,500
Decrease in accrued liabilities			(106,100	)			(160,500	)
Asset retirement obligation settled			(29,300	)			—
Net cash provided by operating activities			8,704,300				11,824,800
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sale of well			86,200				—
Net cash provided by investing activities			86,200				—
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions to partners			(8,861,500	)			(13,670,100	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(8,861,500	)			(13,670,100	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(71,000	)			(1,845,300	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			1,064,700				1,845,500
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	993,700			$	200
Supplemental Schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Assets (returned to) contributed by managing general partner:
Tangible equipment		$	(12,500	)		$	216,600
Intangible drilling costs			134,900				460,200
		$	122,400			$	676,800
Distribution to managing general partner		$	1,283,000			$	—

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.

NOTE 1 — DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Atlas Resources Public 17-2008 (B) L.P. (the “Partnership”) is a Delaware limited partnership and formed on May 7, 2007 with Atlas Resources, LLC serving as its Managing General Partner and operator (“Atlas Resources” or “MGP”). Atlas Resources is an indirect subsidiary of Atlas Energy, L.P., formerly Atlas Pipeline Holdings, L.P. (“Atlas Energy”) (NYSE: ATLS). On February 17, 2011, Atlas Energy, a then-majority owned subsidiary of Atlas Energy, Inc. and parent of the general partner of Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (“APL”) (NYSE: APL), completed an acquisition of assets from Atlas Energy, Inc., which included its investment partnership business; its oil and gas exploration, development and production activities conducted in Tennessee, Indiana, and Colorado, certain shallow wells and leases in New York and Ohio, and certain well interests in Pennsylvania and Michigan; and its ownership and management of investments in Lightfoot Capital Partners, L.P. and related entities (the “Transferred Business”).

Atlas Energy recently announced that it intends to create a newly formed exploration and production master limited partnership named Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (“Atlas Resource Partners”), which will hold substantially all of ATLS’ current natural gas and oil development and production assets and the partnership management business.

Atlas Resources’ focus is on the development and/or production of natural gas and oil in the Appalachian, Michigan, Indiana, and/or Colorado basin regions of the United States of America. Atlas Resources is also a leading sponsor of and manages tax-advantaged direct investment partnerships, in which it co-invests to finance the exploitation and development of its acreage. Atlas Energy Resource Services, Inc. provides Atlas Resources with the personnel necessary to manage its assets and raise capital.

The accompanying financial statements, which are unaudited except that the balance sheet at December 31, 2010, is derived from audited financial statements, are presented in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim reporting. They do not include all disclosures normally made in financial statements contained in the amended Form 10-K/A. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto presented in the Partnership’s Annual Report on the amended Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2010. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 may not necessarily be indicative of the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2011.

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods disclosed have been made.

In addition to matters discussed further in this note, the Partnership’s significant accounting policies are detailed in its audited financial statements and notes thereto in the Partnership’s amended Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Use of Estimates

Preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities that exist at the date of the Partnership’s financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and costs and expenses during the reporting periods. The Partnership’s financial statements are based on a number of significant estimates, including the revenue and expense accruals, depletion, asset impairments, fair value of derivative instruments and the probability of forecasted transactions. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Use of Estimates (Continued)

The natural gas industry principally conducts its business by processing actual transactions as much as 60 days after the month of delivery. Consequently, the most recent two months’ financial results were recorded using estimated volumes and contract market prices. Differences between estimated and actual amounts are recorded in the following months’ financial results. Management believes that the operating results presented represent actual results in all material respects (see “Revenue Recognition” accounting policy for further description).

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Possible Losses

In evaluating the need for an allowance for possible losses, the MGP performs ongoing credit evaluations of the Partnership’s customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and the customer’s current creditworthiness, as determined by review of the Partnership’s customers’ credit information. Credit is extended on an unsecured basis to many of its energy customers. As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the MGP’s credit evaluation indicated that the Partnership had no need for an allowance for possible losses.

Oil and Gas Properties

Oil and gas properties are stated at cost. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements that extend the useful lives of property are capitalized. The Partnership follows the successful efforts method of accounting for oil and gas producing activities. Oil is converted to gas equivalent basis (“Mcfe”) at the rate of one barrel equals six Mcf.

The Partnership’s depletion expense is determined on a field-by-field basis using the units-of-production method. Depletion rates for lease, well and related equipment costs are based on proved developed reserves associated with each field. Depletion rates are determined based on reserve quantity estimates and the capitalized costs of developed producing properties. Upon the sale or retirement of a complete field of a proved property, the Partnership eliminates the cost from the property accounts and the resultant gain or loss is reclassified to the Partnership’s statements of operations. Upon the sale of an individual well, the Partnership credits the proceeds to accumulated depreciation and depletion within its balance sheets. As a result of retirements, the Partnership reclassified $3,551,700 from oil and gas properties to accumulated depletion for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

		September 30,				December 31,
		2011				2010
Proved properties:
Leasehold interests		$	5,310,200			$	5,355,400
Wells and related equipment			300,784,100				304,168,200
			306,094,300				309,523,600
Accumulated depletion			(266,250,500	)			(266,354,600	)
		$	39,843,800			$	43,169,000

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Partnership reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If it is determined that an asset’s estimated future cash flows will not be sufficient to recover its carrying amount, an impairment charge will be recorded to reduce the carrying amount for that asset to its estimated fair value if such carrying amount exceeds the fair value.

The review of the Partnership’s oil and gas properties is done on a field-by-field basis by determining if the historical cost of proved properties, less the applicable accumulated depletion, and abandonment is less than the estimated expected undiscounted future cash flows. The expected future cash flows are estimated based on the Partnership’s plans to continue to produce and develop proved reserves. Expected future cash flow from the sale of production of reserves is calculated based on estimated future prices. The Partnership estimates prices based upon current contracts in place, adjusted for basis differentials and market related information including published futures prices. The estimated future level of production is based on assumptions surrounding future prices and costs, field decline rates, market demand and supply and the economic and regulatory climates. If the carrying value exceeds the expected future cash flows, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the estimated fair market value (as determined by discounted future cash flows) and the carrying value of the assets.

The determination of oil and natural gas reserve estimates is a subjective process and the accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data and the application of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Estimates of economically recoverable reserves and future net cash flows depend on a number of variable factors and assumptions that are difficult to predict and may vary considerably from actual results. In addition, reserve estimates for wells with limited or no production history are less reliable than those based on actual production. Estimated reserves are often subject to future revisions, which could be substantial, based on the availability of additional information which could cause the assumptions to be modified. The Partnership cannot predict what reserve revisions may be required in future periods. There was no impairment charge recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Partnership recognized an impairment charge of $82,311,200, net of an offsetting gain in accumulated other comprehensive income of $2,737,000.

Working Interest

The Partnership Agreement establishes that revenues and expenses will be allocated to the MGP and limited partners based on their ratio of capital contributions to total contributions (“working interest”). The MGP is also provided an additional working interest of 7% as provided in the Partnership Agreement. Due to the time necessary to complete drilling operations and accumulate all drilling costs, estimated working interest percentage ownership rates are utilized to allocate revenues and expenses until the wells are completely drilled and turned on-line into production. Once the wells are completed, the final working interest ownership of the partners is determined and any previously allocated revenues and expenses based on the estimated working interest percentage ownership are adjusted to conform to the final working interest percentage ownership.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 2 — SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)

Revenue Recognition

The Partnership generally sells natural gas and crude oil at prevailing market prices. Revenue is recognized when produced quantities are delivered to a custody transfer point, persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, the rights and responsibility of ownership pass to the purchaser upon delivery, collection of revenue from the sale is reasonably assured and the sales price is fixed or determinable. Revenues from the production of natural gas and crude oil in which the Partnership has an interest with other producers are recognized on the basis of the Partnership’s percentage ownership of working interest. Generally, the Partnership’s sales contracts are based on pricing provisions that are tied to a market index with certain adjustments based on proximity to gathering and transmission lines and the quality of its natural gas.

The Partnership accrues unbilled revenue due to timing differences between the delivery of natural gas and crude oil and the receipt of a delivery statement. These revenues are recorded based upon volumetric data from the Partnership’s records and management estimates of the related commodity sales and transportation fees which are, in turn, based upon applicable product prices (see “Use of Estimates” accounting policy for further description). The Partnership had unbilled revenues at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 of $1,909,000 and $2,616,100, respectively, which are included in accounts receivable — affiliate within the Partnership’s balance sheets.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income. Update 2011-05 amends the FASB Accounting Standards Codification to provide an entity with the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income in either a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. In both choices, an entity is required to present each component of net income along with a total net income, each component of other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. Update 2011-05 eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in partners’ capital. These changes apply to both annual and interim financial statements. Update 2011-05 will be effective for public entities’ fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011. The Partnership will apply the requirements of Update 2011-05 upon its effective date of January 1, 2012, and it does not anticipate it having a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or related disclosures.

NOTE 3 — ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION

The Partnership recognizes an estimated liability for the plugging and abandonment of its oil and gas wells and related facilities. It also recognizes a liability for future asset retirement obligations if a reasonable estimate of the fair value of that liability can be made. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. The Partnership also considers the estimated salvage value in the calculation of depletion.

The estimated liability is based on the MGP’s historical experience in plugging and abandoning wells, estimated remaining lives of those wells based on reserve estimates, external estimates as to the cost to plug and abandon the wells in the future and federal and state regulatory requirements. The liability is discounted using an assumed credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimates of plugging and abandonment costs or remaining lives of the wells or if federal or state regulators enact new plugging and abandonment requirements. The Partnership has no assets legally restricted for purposes of settling asset retirement obligations. Except for its oil and gas properties, the Partnership has determined that there are no other material retirement obligations associated with tangible long-lived assets.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 3 — ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATION (Continued)

A reconciliation of the Partnership’s liability for plugging and abandonment costs for the periods indicated is as follows:

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Asset retirement obligation at beginning of period		$	6,882,300			$	4,672,100			$	6,683,100			$	4,536,000
Accretion expense			100,300				68,000				300,800				204,100
Asset retirement obligation settled			(28,000	)			—				(29,300	)			—
Asset retirement obligation at end of period		$	6,954,600			$	4,740,100			$	6,954,600			$	4,740,100

NOTE 4 — DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

The MGP, on behalf of the Partnership, historically used a number of different derivative instruments, principally swaps and collars, in connection with its commodity price risk management activities. The MGP entered into financial instruments to hedge the Partnership’s forecasted natural gas and crude oil against the variability in expected future cash flows attributable to changes in market prices. Swap instruments are contractual agreements between counterparties to exchange obligations of money as the underlying natural gas and crude oil is sold. Under swap agreements, the Partnership received or paid a fixed price and received or remitted a floating price based on certain indices for the relevant contract period. Commodity-based option instruments are contractual agreements that grant the right, but not obligation, to purchase or sell natural gas and crude oil at a fixed price for the relevant contract period.

Historically, the MGP has entered into natural gas and crude oil future option contracts and collar contracts on behalf of the Partnership to achieve more predictable cash flows by hedging its exposure to changes in natural gas and oil prices. At any point in time, such contracts included regulated New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) futures and options contracts and non-regulated over-the-counter futures contracts with qualified counterparties. NYMEX contracts are generally settled with offsetting positions, but may be settled by the delivery of natural gas. Crude oil contracts are based on a West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) index. These contracts qualified and were designated as cash flow hedges and recorded at their fair values.

The MGP formally documented all relationships between hedging instruments and the items being hedged, including its risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedging transactions. This included matching the commodity derivative contracts to the forecasted transactions. The MGP assessed, both at the inception of the derivative and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative was effective in offsetting changes in the forecasted cash flow of the hedged item. If it determined that a derivative was not effective as a hedge or that it had ceased to be an effective hedge due to the loss of adequate correlation between the hedging instrument and the underlying item being hedged, the MGP discontinued hedge accounting for the derivative and subsequent changes in the derivative fair value, which was determined by the MGP through the utilization of market data, were recognized immediately within gain (loss) on mark-to-market derivatives in the Partnership’s statements of operations. For derivatives qualifying as hedges, the Partnership recognized the effective portion of changes in fair value in partners’ capital as accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified the portion relating to commodity derivatives to gas and oil production revenues for the Partnership’s derivatives within the Partnership’s statements of operations as the underlying transactions were settled. For non-qualifying derivatives and for the ineffective portion of qualifying derivatives, the Partnership recognized changes in fair value within gain (loss) on mark-to-market derivatives in its statements of operations as they occurred.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 4 — DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

Prior to the sale on February 17, 2011 of the Transferred Business, Atlas Energy, Inc. monetized its derivative instruments related to the Transferred Business. The monetized proceeds related to instruments that were originally put into place to hedge future natural gas and oil production of the Transferred Business, including production generated through its drilling partnerships. At September 30, 2011, the Partnership recorded a net receivable from the monetized derivative instruments of $1,825,800 in accounts receivable-affiliate and $1,389,400 in long-term receivable-affiliate with the corresponding net unrealized gains in accumulated other comprehensive income on the Partnership’s balance sheets, which will be allocated to natural gas and oil production revenue generated over the period of the original instruments’ term. As a result of the monetization and the early settlement of natural gas and oil derivative instruments and the unrealized gains recognized in income in prior periods due to natural gas and oil property impairments, the Partnership recorded a net deferred gain on its balance sheets in other comprehensive income of $1,660,300 as of September 30, 2011. Unrealized gains, net of the MGP’s interest, previously recognized into income as a result of prior period impairments included in accumulated other comprehensive income were $930,000 and $624,900 for the year ended December 31, 2010 and prior periods, respectively. The MGP’s portion of the unrealized gains was written-off as part of the terms related to the acquisition of the Transferred Business. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Partnership reclassified $1,283,000 of unrealized gains previously recognized into income from prior period impairments related to the MGP from a hedge receivable due from affiliate to a non-cash distribution to the MGP. As such, $1,283,000 was recorded as a non-cash distribution to partners on the statement of changes in partners’ capital. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, $1,534,700 of monetized proceeds were recorded by the Partnership and allocated only to the limited partners. Of the remaining $1,660,300 of net unrealized gain in accumulated other comprehensive income, the Partnership will reclassify $911,400 of net gains to the Partnership’s statements of operations over the next twelve month period and the remaining $748,900 in later periods.

The following tables summarize the fair value of the Partnership’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2010, as well as the gain or loss recognized in the statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments:

				Fair Value
		Balance Sheet		December 31,
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships		Location		2010
Commodity Contracts		Current assets		$	3,100,700
		Long-term assets			3,032,100
					6,132,800
		Current liabilities			(37,800	)
		Long-term liabilities			(545,000	)
					(582,800	)
		Total		$	5,550,000

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 4 — DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)

Effects of Derivative Instruments on Statements of Operations:

				Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
				2011				2010				2011				2010
Derivative in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships		Gain Recognized in OCI on Derivatives
		Commodity Contracts		$	—			$	3,814,300			$	342,500			$	9,292,200

				Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,				September 30,
				2011				2010				2011				2010
Location of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income		Gain Reclassified from OCI into Net Income
		Gas and Oil Revenue		$	414,900			$	915,400			$	1,688,100			$	3,190,400

NOTE 5 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income includes net income (loss) and all other changes in equity of a business during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources that, under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have not been recognized in the calculation of net income (loss). These changes, other than net income (loss) are referred to as “other comprehensive income (loss)” and, for the Partnership, include changes in the fair value of unsettled derivative contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges, and changes in the estimated amount of future monetized proceeds to be received (See Note 4). The monetized proceeds included in accounts receivable affiliate have been allocated to the Partnership based on estimated future production in relation to all other partnerships’ future production eligible to receive monetized hedge proceeds. As actual production is realized, there may be a corresponding difference in the Partnership’s actual share of monetized hedge proceeds received than what was previously estimated. This component is shown as “Difference in estimated monetized gains receivable.” The following table sets forth the calculation of the Partnership’s comprehensive income.

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Net income (loss)		$	858,600			$	(389,000	)		$	2,773,500			$	(222,100	)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gain on hedging contracts			—				3,814,300				342,500				9,292,200
MGP portion of non-cash loss on hedge instruments			—				—				1,283,000				—
Difference in estimated monetized gains receivable			112,300				—				547,300				—
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income			(414,900	)			(915,400	)			(1,688,100	)			(3,190,400	)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)			(302,600	)			2,898,900				484,700				6,101,800
Comprehensive income		$	556,000			$	2,509,900			$	3,258,200			$	5,879,700

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 6 — FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Partnership has established a hierarchy to measure its financial instruments at fair value which requires it to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The hierarchy defines three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1— Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2— Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset and liability or can be corroborated with observable market data for substantially the entire contractual term of the asset or liability.

Level 3— Unobservable inputs that reflect the entities own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in the pricing of the asset or liability and are consequently not based on market activity, but rather through particular valuation techniques.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The Partnership used a fair value methodology to value the assets and liabilities for its outstanding derivative contracts (see Note 4). The Partnership’s commodity derivative contracts were valued based on observable market data related to the change in price of the underlying commodity and are therefore defined as Level 2 fair value measurements.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

The Partnership estimates the fair value of asset retirement obligations using Level 3 inputs based on discounted cash flow projections using numerous estimates, assumptions and judgments regarding such factors at the date of establishment of an asset retirement obligation such as: amounts and timing of settlements; the credit-adjusted risk-free rate of the Partnership; and estimated inflation rates (see Note 3).

NOTE 7 — TRANSACTIONS WITH ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES

The Partnership has entered into the following significant transactions with the MGP and its affiliates as provided under its Partnership Agreement:

•

Administrative costs which are included in general and administrative expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations are payable at $75 per well per month. Administrative costs incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $93,300 and $281,400, respectively. Administrative costs incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $97,800 and $292,700, respectively.

•

Monthly well supervision fees which are included in production expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations are payable at $392 per well per month in 2011 and 2010 for operating and maintaining the wells. Well supervision fees incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $487,400 and $1,470,500, respectively. Supervision fees incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $641,900 and $1,621,800, respectively.

ATLAS RESOURCES PUBLIC 17-2008 (B) L.P.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
September 30, 2011
(Unaudited)

NOTE 7 — TRANSACTIONS WITH ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC AND ITS AFFILIATES (Continued)

•

Transportation fees which are included in production expenses in the Partnership’s statements of operations are generally payable at 13% of the natural gas sales price. Transportation fees incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 were $432,300 and $1,467,000, respectively. Transportation fees incurred for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $428,100 and $1,954,100, respectively.

•

Net assets contributed from the MGP which are disclosed on the Partnership’s statements of cash flows as a non-cash activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $122,400 and $676,800, respectively.

The MGP and its affiliates perform all administrative and management functions for the Partnership including billing revenues and paying expenses. Accounts receivable-affiliate on the Partnership’s balance sheets represents the net production revenues due from the MGP.

Subordination by Managing General Partner

Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the MGP may be required to subordinate up to 50% of its share of net production revenues of the Partnership to provide a distribution to the limited partners equal to at least 10% of their agreed subscriptions. Subordination is determined on a cumulative basis, in each of the first five years of Partnership operations, commencing with the first distribution of net revenues to the limited partners (February 2009). The MGP subordinated $1,170,800 and $1,744,800 of its net production revenue to the limited partners for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

NOTE 8 — SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has considered for disclosure any material subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.

Formation of Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. On October 17, 2011, Atlas Energy announced that its board of directors has approved a plan to create a newly formed exploration and production master limited partnership named Atlas Resource Partners, L.P. (“Atlas Resource Partners”), which will hold substantially all of Atlas Energy’s current natural gas and oil development, and production assets and the partnership management business, including the MGP. Upon consummation of the transaction, Atlas Energy will retain a 78.4% limited partner interest in Atlas Resource Partners and intends to distribute a 19.6% limited partner interest in Atlas Resource Partners to Atlas Energy unit holders. Atlas Energy will also own the newly created general partner of Atlas Resource Partners, which will own a 2% general partner interest and all of the incentive distribution rights in the newly formed partnership. Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including final approval by the Atlas Energy’s board of directors, as well as the effectiveness of a Form 10 registration statement that Atlas Resource Partners filed with the SEC on October 17, 2011. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2012. The MGP anticipates that this transaction will have no impact on the Partnership’s operations.

ITEM 2.		MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

Forward-Looking Statements

When used in this Form 10-Q, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from the results stated or implied in this document. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements which we may make to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and the Notes to our Financial Statements.

Overview

The following discussion provides information to assist in understanding our financial condition and results of operations. Our operating cash flows are generated from our wells, which produce primarily natural gas, but also some oil. Our produced natural gas and oil is then delivered to market through affiliated or third-party gas gathering systems. Our ongoing operating and maintenance costs have been and are expected to be fulfilled through revenues from the sale of our natural gas and oil production. We pay our managing general partner (“MGP”), as operator, a monthly well supervision fee, which covers all normal and regularly recurring operating expenses for the production and sale of natural gas and oil such as:

	•		well tending, routine maintenance and adjustment;
	•		reading meters, recording production, pumping, maintaining appropriate books and records; and
	•		preparation of reports for us and government agencies.

The well supervision fees, however, do not include costs and expenses related to the purchase of certain equipment, materials and brine disposal. If these expenses are incurred, we pay cost for third-party services, materials, and a competitive charge for services performed directly by our MGP or its affiliates. Also, beginning one year after each of our wells has been placed into production, our MGP, as operator, may retain $200 per month, per well to cover the estimated future plugging and abandonment costs of the well. As of September 30, 2011, our MGP had not withheld any funds for this purpose. Our MGP intends to produce our wells until they are depleted or become uneconomical to produce, at which time they will be plugged and abandoned or sold. No other wells will be drilled and no additional funds will be required for drilling.

Markets and Competition

The availability of a ready market for natural gas and oil produced by us, and the price obtained, depends on numerous factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production, imports of foreign natural gas and oil, political instability or terrorist acts in oil and gas producing countries and regions, market demand, competition from other energy sources, the effect of federal regulation on the sale of natural gas and oil in interstate commerce, other governmental regulation of the production and transportation of natural gas and oil and the proximity, availability and capacity of pipelines and other required facilities. Our MGP is responsible for selling our production. During 2011 and 2010, we experienced no problems in selling our natural gas and oil. Product availability and price are the principal means of competition in selling natural gas and oil production. While it is impossible to accurately determine our comparative position in the industry, we do not consider our operations to be a significant factor in the industry.

We have drilled and currently operate wells located in Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Ohio. We have no employees and rely on our MGP for management, which in turn, relies on its parent company, Atlas Energy Holdings Operating Company, LLC, for administrative services.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth information relating to our production revenues, volumes, sales prices, production costs and depletion during the periods indicated:

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2011				2010				2011				2010
Production revenues (in thousands):
Gas		$	3,041			$	4,045			$	9,885			$	14,921
Oil			246				175				744				725
Liquid			3				9				18				28
Total		$	3,290			$	4,229			$	10,647			$	15,674
Production volumes:
Gas (mcf/day) (1)			6,556				7,375				7,215				8,929
Oil (bbls/day) (1)			33				31				31				41
Liquid (bbl/day) (1)			1				2				1				2
Total (mcfe/day) (1)			6,760				7,573				7,407				9,187
Average sales prices: (2)
Gas (per mcf) (1) (3)		$	5.58			$	6.66			$	5.80			$	6.70
Oil (per bbl) (1) (4)		$	82.09			$	71.12			$	87.92			$	72.54
Liquid (per bbl) (1)		$	67.74			$	42.07			$	57.78			$	45.88
Average production costs:
As a percent of revenues			35	%			42	%			36	%			37	%
Per mcfe (1)		$	1.87			$	2.55			$	1.90			$	2.31
Depletion per mcfe		$	1.68			$	3.81			$	1.66			$	3.81

Natural Gas Revenues. Our natural gas revenues were $3,041,200 and $4,045,100 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $1,003,900 (25%). The $1,003,900 decrease in natural gas revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the prior year period was attributable to a $554,700 decrease in our natural gas sales prices after the effect of financial hedges, which are driven by market conditions and a $449,200 decrease in production volumes. Our production volumes decreased to 6,556 mcf per day for the three months ended September 30, 2011 from 7,375 mcf per day for the three months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of 819 mcf per day (11%). The overall decrease in natural gas production volumes for the three months ended September 30, 2011 resulted primarily from the normal decline inherent in the life of a well.

Our natural gas revenues were $9,884,900 and $14,921,400 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $5,036,500 (34%). The $5,036,500 decrease in natural gas revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the prior year similar period was attributable to a $2,863,100 decrease in production volumes and a $2,173,400 decrease in our natural gas sales prices after the effect of financial hedges, which were driven by market conditions. Our production volumes decreased to 7,215 mcf per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from 8,929 mcf per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of 1,714 mcf per day (19%). The decrease in natural gas production volumes for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 resulted primarily from the normal decline inherent in the life of a well.

Oil Revenues. We drill wells primarily to produce natural gas, rather than oil, but some wells have limited oil production. Our oil revenues were $245,700 and $175,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of $70,500 (40%). The $70,500 increase in oil revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the prior year similar period was attributable to a $62,500 increase in oil prices after the effect of financial hedges and an $8,000 increase in production volumes. Our production volumes increased to 33 bbls per day for the three months ended September 30, 2011 from 31 bbls per day for the three months ended September 30, 2010, an increase of 2 bbls per day (6%).

Our oil revenues were $744,200 and $725,100 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of $19,100 (3%). The $19,100 increase in oil revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the prior year similar period was attributable to a $189,100 increase in oil prices after the effect of financial hedges, partially offset by a $170,000 decrease in production volumes. Our production volumes decreased to 31 bbls per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from 41 bbls per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of 10 bbl per day (24%).

Natural Gas Liquids Revenue. The majority of our wells produce “dry gas,” which is composed primarily of methane and requires no additional processing before being transported and sold to the purchaser. Some wells, however, produce “wet gas,” which contains larger amounts of ethane and other associated hydrocarbons (i.e. “natural gas liquids”) that must be removed prior to transporting the gas. Once removed, these natural gas liquids are sold to various purchasers. Our natural gas liquid revenues were $2,600 and $9,400 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $6,800 (72%). Our production volumes decreased to 1 bbl per day for the three months ended September 30, 2011 from 2 bbls per day for the three months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of 1 bbl per day (50%).

Our natural gas liquids revenues were $18,200 and $28,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $9,800 (35%). The $9,800 decrease in natural gas liquids revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to the prior year similar period was attributable to a $13,500 decrease in production volumes, partially offset by a $3,700 increase in our natural gas liquid prices, which were driven by market conditions. Our production volumes decreased to 1 bbl per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 from 2 bbls per day for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, a decrease of 1 bbl per day (50%).

Costs and Expenses. Production expenses were $1,162,600 and $1,779,900 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $617,300 (35%). Production expenses were $3,846,400 and $5,773,900 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $1,927,500 (33%). These decreases were primarily attributable to a decrease in transportation fees resulting from the decrease in production volumes and a decrease in water hauling costs resulting from a decline in negotiated disposal rates.

Depletion of oil and gas properties as a percentage of oil and gas revenues were 32% and 63% in the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively; and 32% and 61% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These percentage changes were directly attributable to changes in revenues, oil and gas reserve quantities, product prices, production volumes and changes in the depletable cost basis of oil and gas properties.

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 were $122,100 and $112,500, respectively, an increase of $9,600 (9%). For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, these expenses were $365,800 and $389,300, respectively, a decrease of $23,500 (6%). These expenses include third-party costs for services as well as the monthly administrative fees charged by our MGP, and vary from year to year due to the timing and billing of the costs and services provided to us.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities decreased $3,120,500 in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $8,704,300 as compared to $11,824,800 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. This decrease was due to a decrease in net earnings before depletion and accretion of $3,076,700 and a decrease in the change in accounts receivable affiliate that decreased operating cash flows by $119,000, partially offset by an increase in the change in a a net non-cash loss on hedge instruments of $50,100, and an increase in the change in accrued liabilities of $54,400 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Cash provided by investing activities was $86,200 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 resulting from proceeds received for the sale of an entire well and tangible equipment.

Cash used in financing activities decreased $4,808,600 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to $8,861,500 from $13,670,100 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. This decrease was due to a decrease in cash distributions.

Our MGP may withhold funds for future plugging and abandonment costs. Through September 30, 2011, our MGP had not withheld any funds for this purpose. Any additional funds, if required, will be obtained from production revenues or borrowings from our MGP or its affiliates, which are not contractually committed to make loans to us. The amount that we may borrow may not at any time exceed 5% of our total subscriptions, and we will not borrow from third-parties.

The Partnership is generally limited to the amount of funds generated by the cash flows from our operations, which we believe is adequate to fund future operations and distributions to our partners. Historically, there has been no need to borrow funds from our MGP to fund operations.

Subordination by Managing General Partner

Under the terms of the Partnership Agreement, the MGP may be required to subordinate up to 50% of its share of net production revenues of the Partnership to provide a distribution to the limited partners equal to at least 10% of their agreed subscriptions. Subordination is determined on a cumulative basis, in each of the first five years of Partnership operations, commencing with the first distribution of net revenues to the limited partners (February 2009). The MGP subordinated $1,170,800 and $1,744,800 of its net production revenue to the limited partners for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to our asset retirement obligations, depletion and certain accrued receivables and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our significant accounting policies we have adopted and followed in the preparation of our financial statements is included within “Notes to Financial Statements” in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” in this quarterly report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ITEM 4.		CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act of 1934 reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our MGP’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and our management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

Under the supervision of our MGP Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Chief Financial Officer, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, our MGP’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that, at September 30, 2011, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially effect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.		LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Managing General Partner is not aware of any legal proceedings filed against the Partnership.

Affiliates of the MGP and their subsidiaries are party to various routine legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of their collective business. The MGP’s management believes that none of these actions, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the MGP’s financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM 6.		EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.				Description
	4.0			Amended and Restated Certificate and Agreement of Limited Partnership for Public 17-2007 (B) L.P. (1)
	31.1			Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14/15(d)-14
	31.2			Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14/15(d)-14
	32.1			Section 1350 Certification
	32.2			Section 1350 Certification
	101			Interactive Data File

SIGNATURES

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

Atlas Resources Public 17-2008 (B) L.P.

		ATLAS RESOURCES, LLC, Managing General Partner
Date: November 10, 2011		By:		/s/ FREDDIE M. KOTEK   Freddie M. Kotek, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and President

In accordance with the Exchange Act, this report has been signed by the following person on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Date: November 10, 2011		By:		/s/ SEAN P. MCGRATH   Sean P. McGrath, Chief Financial Officer