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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Laredo Petroleum, Inc.a1q17ex321.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Laredo Petroleum, Inc.a1q17ex312.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Laredo Petroleum, Inc.a1q17ex311.htm
EX-10.1 - EXHIBIT 10.1 - Laredo Petroleum, Inc.a1q17ex101.htm

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
 ý      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
 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: 001-35380
 Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
45-3007926
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
15 W. Sixth Street, Suite 900
 
 
Tulsa, Oklahoma
 
74119
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
(918) 513-4570
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý  No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, 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 ý  No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 
Large accelerated filer ý
 
Accelerated filer o
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company o
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o  No ý 
Number of shares of registrant's common stock outstanding as of May 1, 2017: 242,487,612




LAREDO PETROLEUM, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

ii


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Various statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this "Quarterly Report") are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). These forward-looking statements include statements, projections and estimates concerning our operations, performance, business strategy, oil and natural gas reserves, drilling program capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, the timing and success of specific projects, outcomes and effects of litigation, claims and disputes, derivative activities and potential financing. Forward-looking statements are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "potential," "could," "may," "will," "foresee," "plan," "goal," "should," "intend," "pursue," "target," "continue," "suggest" or the negative thereof or other variations thereof or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Among the factors that significantly impact our business and could impact our business in the future are:
the volatility of, and substantial decline in, oil, natural gas liquids ("NGL") and natural gas prices, which remain at low levels;
revisions to our reserve estimates as a result of changes in commodity prices and other uncertainties;
impacts to our financial statements as a result of impairment write-downs;
our ability to discover, estimate, develop and replace oil, NGL and natural gas reserves;
changes in domestic and global production, supply and demand for oil, NGL and natural gas;
the ongoing instability and uncertainty in the United States and international financial and consumer markets that could adversely affect the liquidity available to us and our customers and the demand for commodities, including oil, NGL and natural gas;
capital requirements for our operations and projects;
our ability to maintain the borrowing capacity under our Senior Secured Credit Facility (as defined below) or access other means of obtaining capital and liquidity, especially during periods of sustained low commodity prices;
restrictions contained in our debt agreements, including our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes, as well as debt that could be incurred in the future;
our ability to generate sufficient cash to service our indebtedness, fund our capital requirements and generate future profits;
our ability to hedge and regulations that affect our ability to hedge;
the potentially insufficient refining capacity in the United States Gulf Coast to refine all of the light sweet crude oil being produced in the United States, which could result in widening price discounts to world crude prices and potential shut-in of production due to lack of sufficient markets;
regulations that prohibit or restrict our ability to apply hydraulic fracturing to our oil and natural gas wells and to access and dispose of water used in these operations;
legislation or regulations that prohibit or restrict our ability to drill new allocation wells;
our ability to execute our strategies;
competition in the oil and natural gas industry;
changes in the regulatory environment and changes in United States or international legal, political, administrative or economic conditions;
drilling and operating risks, including risks related to hydraulic fracturing activities;
risks related to the geographic concentration of our assets;
the availability and costs of drilling and production equipment, labor and oil and natural gas processing and other services;
the availability of sufficient pipeline and transportation facilities and gathering and processing capacity;

iii


the ability to successfully identify and consummate strategic acquisitions at purchase prices that are accretive to our financial results and to successfully integrate acquired businesses, assets and properties;
our ability to comply with federal, state and local regulatory requirements; and
our ability to recruit and retain the qualified personnel necessary to operate our business.
These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various factors, including those set forth under "Part I, Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, under "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 (the "2016 Annual Report"), and those set forth from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). These documents are available through our website or through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering and Analysis Retrieval system at http://www.sec.gov. In light of such risks and uncertainties, we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, or if earlier, as of the date they were made. We do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements unless required by securities law.

iv


Part I

Item 1.    Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Consolidated balance sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31, 2017

December 31, 2016
Assets
 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
30,352

 
$
32,672

Accounts receivable, net
 
78,871

 
86,867

Derivatives
 
27,575

 
20,947

Other current assets
 
15,831

 
14,291

Total current assets
 
152,629

 
154,777

Property and equipment:
 
 
 
 

Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method:
 
 
 
 

Evaluated properties
 
5,560,767

 
5,488,756

Unevaluated properties not being depleted
 
215,598

 
221,281

Less accumulated depletion and impairment
 
(4,544,547
)
 
(4,514,183
)
Oil and natural gas properties, net
 
1,231,818

 
1,195,854

Midstream service assets, net
 
125,287

 
126,240

Other fixed assets, net
 
44,379

 
44,773

Property and equipment, net
 
1,401,484

 
1,366,867

Derivatives
 
9,847

 
8,718

Investment in equity method investee
 
247,021

 
243,953

Other assets, net
 
7,615

 
8,031

Total assets
 
$
1,818,596

 
$
1,782,346

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
 
 
 

Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
24,738

 
$
15,054

Undistributed revenue and royalties
 
27,009

 
26,838

Accrued capital expenditures
 
44,519

 
30,845

Derivatives
 
3,132

 
20,993

Other current liabilities
 
62,937

 
94,215

Total current liabilities
 
162,335

 
187,945

Long-term debt, net
 
1,349,591

 
1,353,909

Derivatives
 
25

 
5,694

Asset retirement obligations
 
50,158

 
50,604

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
3,577

 
3,621

Total liabilities
 
1,565,686

 
1,601,773

Commitments and contingencies
 


 


Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized and zero issued as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016
 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value, 450,000,000 shares authorized and 242,573,453 and 241,929,070 issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively
 
2,426

 
2,419

Additional paid-in capital
 
2,400,290

 
2,396,236

Accumulated deficit
 
(2,149,806
)
 
(2,218,082
)
Total stockholders' equity
 
252,910

 
180,573

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,818,596

 
$
1,782,346


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

1


Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Consolidated statements of operations
(in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:






Oil, NGL and natural gas sales

$
138,736


$
73,142

Midstream service revenues

2,999


1,801

Sales of purchased oil
 
47,271

 
31,614

Total revenues

189,006


106,557

Costs and expenses:

 
 
 
Lease operating expenses

16,992


20,518

Production and ad valorem taxes
 
8,781

 
6,435

Midstream service expenses
 
916

 
609

Costs of purchased oil
 
50,256

 
32,946

General and administrative

25,597


19,451

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

34,112


41,478

Impairment expense



161,064

Other operating expenses
 
1,026

 
844

Total costs and expenses

137,680


283,345

Operating income (loss)

51,326


(176,788
)
Non-operating income (expense):




 
Gain on derivatives, net

36,671


17,885

Income from equity method investee

3,068


2,298

Interest expense

(22,720
)

(23,705
)
Interest and other income

145


99

Loss on disposal of assets, net

(214
)

(160
)
Non-operating income (expense), net

16,950


(3,583
)
Income (loss) before income taxes

68,276


(180,371
)
Income tax:




 
Deferred




Total income tax




Net income (loss)

$
68,276

 
$
(180,371
)
Net income (loss) per common share:




 
Basic

$
0.29


$
(0.85
)
Diluted

$
0.28

 
$
(0.85
)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:






Basic

238,505


211,560

Diluted

244,379


211,560

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

2


Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Consolidated statement of stockholders' equity
(in thousands)
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
paid-in capital
 
Treasury Stock
(at cost)
 
Accumulated deficit
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
 
Total
Balance, December 31, 2016
 
241,929

 
$
2,419

 
$
2,396,236

 

 
$

 
$
(2,218,082
)
 
$
180,573

Restricted stock awards
 
1,082

 
11

 
(11
)
 

 

 

 

Restricted stock forfeitures
 
(97
)
 
(1
)
 
1

 

 

 

 

Performance share conversion
 
150

 
2

 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

Vested stock exchanged for tax withholding
 

 

 

 
535

 
(7,501
)
 

 
(7,501
)
Retirement of treasury stock
 
(535
)
 
(5
)
 
(7,496
)
 
(535
)
 
7,501

 

 

Exercise of stock options
 
44

 

 
358

 

 

 

 
358

Stock-based compensation
 

 

 
11,204

 

 

 

 
11,204

Net income
 

 

 

 

 

 
68,276

 
68,276

Balance, March 31, 2017
 
242,573

 
$
2,426

 
$
2,400,290

 

 
$

 
$
(2,149,806
)
 
$
252,910

 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this unaudited consolidated financial statement.

3


Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
Consolidated statements of cash flows
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Cash flows from operating activities:

 


 

Net income (loss)

$
68,276


$
(180,371
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:






Depletion, depreciation and amortization

34,112


41,478

Impairment expense



161,064

Non-cash stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized

9,224


3,838

Mark-to-market on derivatives:






Gain on derivatives, net

(36,671
)

(17,885
)
Cash settlements received for matured derivatives, net

7,451


65,937

Cash settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net



80,000

Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums

41


72

Cash premiums paid for derivatives

(2,107
)

(81,850
)
Amortization of debt issuance costs

1,053


1,120

Income from equity method investee

(3,068
)

(2,298
)
Cash settlement of performance unit awards
 

 
(6,394
)
Other, net

1,212


1,006

Decrease in accounts receivable
 
7,996

 
2,526

Increase in other assets
 
(1,591
)
 
(2,186
)
Increase in accounts payable
 
9,684

 
9,201

Increase (decrease) in undistributed revenues and royalties
 
171

 
(8,258
)
Decrease in other accrued liabilities
 
(31,955
)
 
(10,414
)
Decrease in other noncurrent liabilities
 
(44
)
 
(69
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
63,784

 
56,517

Cash flows from investing activities:






Capital expenditures:






Oil and natural gas properties

(110,542
)

(105,155
)
Midstream service assets

(1,731
)

(1,937
)
Other fixed assets

(1,203
)

(630
)
Investment in equity method investee
 

 
(26,660
)
Proceeds from dispositions of capital assets, net of selling costs

59,515


218

Net cash used in investing activities

(53,961
)

(134,164
)
Cash flows from financing activities:






Borrowings on Senior Secured Credit Facility

50,000


85,000

Payments on Senior Secured Credit Facility

(55,000
)

(25,000
)
Purchase of treasury stock

(7,501
)

(1,412
)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

358



Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(12,143
)

58,588

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(2,320
)

(19,059
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

32,672


31,154

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$
30,352


$
12,095

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

4

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Note 1Organization
Laredo Petroleum, Inc. ("Laredo"), together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Laredo Midstream Services, LLC ("LMS") and Garden City Minerals, LLC ("GCM"), is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, and the gathering of oil and liquids-rich natural gas from such properties, primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas. LMS and GCM (together, the "Guarantors") guarantee all of Laredo's debt instruments. In these notes, the "Company" refers to Laredo, LMS and GCM collectively, unless the context indicates otherwise. All amounts, dollars and percentages presented in these unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes are rounded and therefore approximate.
LMS holds 49% of the ownership units of Medallion Gathering & Processing, LLC, a Texas limited liability company formed on October 12, 2012, which, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Medallion"), is focused on developing midstream solutions and providing midstream infrastructure in the Midland Basin. The Company accounts for Medallion as an equity method investment.
The Company operates in two business segments: (i) exploration and production and (ii) midstream and marketing. The exploration and production segment is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties. The midstream and marketing segment provides Laredo's exploration and production segment and third parties with products and services that need to be delivered by midstream infrastructure, including oil and liquids-rich natural gas gathering services as well as rig fuel, natural gas lift and water delivery and takeaway.
Note 2Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies
a.    Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the consolidation of accounts. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to record its net interests when the Company holds 20% to 50% of the voting rights and/or has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not control the entity. Under the equity method, the Company's proportionate share of the investee's net income is included in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. See Note 2.h for additional discussion of the Company's equity method investment.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all necessary adjustments to present fairly the Company's financial position as of March 31, 2017 and results of operations and cash flows for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.
Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2016 Annual Report.
b.    Use of estimates in the preparation of interim unaudited consolidated financial statements
The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ. The interim results reflected in the unaudited consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the full year.
Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, (i) estimates of the Company's reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas, (ii) future cash flows from oil and natural gas properties, (iii) depletion, depreciation and amortization, (iv) impairments, (v) asset retirement obligations, (vi) stock-based compensation, (vii) deferred income taxes, (viii) fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition and (ix) fair value of derivatives and deferred premiums. As fair value is a market-based measurement, it is determined based on the assumptions that would be used by market participants. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing

5

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets and volatile equity and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. Management believes its estimates and assumptions to be reasonable under the circumstances. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual values and results could differ from these estimates. Any changes in estimates resulting from future changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.
c.    Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2017 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact to previously reported balance sheets or stockholders' equity.
d.    Accounts receivable
The Company sells produced oil, NGL and natural gas and purchased oil to various customers and participates with other parties in the development and operation of oil and natural gas properties. The majority of the Company's accounts receivable are unsecured. Accounts receivable for joint interest billings are recorded as amounts billed to customers less an allowance for doubtful accounts.
The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio. In establishing the required allowance, management considers historical losses, current receivables aging and existing industry and economic data. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Past due amounts greater than 90 days and greater than a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is remote.
    
Accounts receivable consisted of the following components as of the dates presented:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales
 
$
46,279

 
$
46,999

Sales of purchased oil and other products
 
15,719

 
16,213

Joint operations, net(1)
 
12,460

 
12,175

Matured derivatives
 
3,575

 
11,059

Other
 
838

 
421

Total
 
$
78,871

 
$
86,867

______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Accounts receivable for joint operations are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. As the operator of the majority of its wells, the Company has the ability to realize some or all of these receivables through the netting of production revenues.
e.    Derivatives
The Company uses derivatives to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil, NGL and natural gas. By removing a significant portion of the price volatility associated with future production, the Company expects to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices. These transactions are in the form of puts, swaps and collars.
Derivatives are recorded at fair value and are presented on a net basis on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as assets and/or liabilities. The Company nets the fair value of derivatives by counterparty where the right of offset exists. The Company determines the fair value of its derivatives by utilizing pricing models for substantially similar instruments. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward price curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties. See Note 8.a for discussion regarding the fair value of the Company's derivatives. 
The Company's derivatives were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes for any of the periods presented. Accordingly, the changes in fair value are recognized in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations in the period of change. Gains and losses on derivatives are included in cash flows from operating activities. See Notes 7 and 8.a for discussion regarding the Company's derivatives.

6

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


f.    Other current assets and liabilities
Other current assets consisted of the following components as of the dates presented:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Inventory(1)
 
$
8,286

 
$
8,063

Prepaid expenses and other
 
7,545

 
6,228

Total other current assets
 
$
15,831

 
$
14,291

______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
See Note 2.i for discussion of inventory held by the Company.
Other current liabilities consisted of the following components as of the dates presented:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Accrued interest payable
 
$
21,612

 
$
24,152

Purchased oil payable
 
16,610

 
17,213

Lease operating expense payable
 
8,020

 
10,572

Accrued compensation and benefits
 
5,738

 
25,947

Other accrued liabilities
 
10,957

 
16,331

Total other current liabilities
 
$
62,937

 
$
94,215

g.    Property and equipment
The following table sets forth the Company's property and equipment as of the dates presented:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Evaluated oil and natural gas properties
 
$
5,560,767

 
$
5,488,756

Less accumulated depletion and impairment
 
(4,544,547
)
 
(4,514,183
)
Evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net
 
1,016,220

 
974,573

 
 
 
 
 
Unevaluated properties not being depleted
 
215,598

 
221,281

 
 
 
 
 
Midstream service assets
 
151,819

 
150,629

Less accumulated depreciation and impairment
 
(26,532
)
 
(24,389
)
Midstream service assets, net
 
125,287

 
126,240

 
 
 
 
 
Depreciable other fixed assets
 
52,695

 
52,491

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(23,230
)
 
(22,632
)
Depreciable other fixed assets, net
 
29,465

 
29,859

 
 
 
 
 
Land
 
14,914

 
14,914

 
 
 
 
 
Total property and equipment, net
 
$
1,401,484

 
$
1,366,867

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, depletion expense was $6.45 per barrel of oil equivalent ("BOE") sold and $9.00 per BOE sold, respectively.
The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration and development costs, including certain related employee costs, incurred for the purpose of exploring for or developing oil, NGL and natural gas properties, are capitalized and depleted on a composite unit of production method based on proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Costs, including related employee costs, associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Sales of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being depleted currently, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or

7

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas.
The following table presents capitalized employee-related costs for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Capitalized employee-related costs
 
$
5,210

 
$
3,196

The Company excludes the costs directly associated with acquisition and evaluation of unevaluated properties from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. The Company capitalizes a portion of its interest costs to its unevaluated properties. Capitalized interest becomes a part of the cost of the unevaluated properties and is subject to depletion when proved reserves can be assigned to the associated properties. All items classified as unevaluated properties are assessed on a quarterly basis for possible impairment. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of evaluated reserves and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion.
The full cost ceiling is based principally on the estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas properties discounted at 10%. The SEC guidelines require companies to use the unweighted arithmetic average first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period before differentials ("Benchmark Prices"). The Benchmark Prices are then adjusted for quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the wellhead ("Realized Prices"). The Realized Prices are utilized to calculate the discounted future net revenues in the full cost ceiling calculation.
In the event the unamortized cost of evaluated oil and natural gas properties being depleted exceeds the full cost ceiling, as defined by the SEC, the excess is charged to expense in the period such excess occurs. Once incurred, a write-down of oil and natural gas properties is not reversible.
Full cost ceiling impairment expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was $161.1 million and is included in the "Impairment expense" line item in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations and in the financial information provided for the Company's exploration and production segment presented in Note 13. There was no full cost ceiling impairment recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
h.    Variable interest entity
Medallion was established for the purpose of developing midstream solutions and providing midstream infrastructure to bring oil to market in the Midland Basin. LMS holds 49% of Medallion's ownership units. LMS and the other 51% interest-holder have agreed that the voting rights of Medallion, the profit and loss sharing and the additional capital contribution requirements shall be equal to the ownership unit percentage held. Additionally, Medallion requires a super-majority vote of 75% for many key operating and business decisions. The Company has determined that Medallion is a variable interest entity ("VIE"). However, LMS is not considered to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE because LMS does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect Medallion's economic performance. As such, Medallion is accounted for under the equity method of accounting with the Company's proportionate share of Medallion's net income reflected in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations as "Income from equity method investee" and the carrying amount reflected in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in equity method investee." The Company has elected to classify distributions received from Medallion using the cumulative earnings approach. No such distributions have been received through March 31, 2017.
LMS contributed $26.7 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016 to Medallion. There were no contributions to Medallion during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Medallion continued expansion activities on existing portions of its pipeline infrastructure in order to gather and transport additional third-party oil production during both of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. See Note 12.a for discussion of items included in the Company's unaudited consolidated financial statements related to Medallion.

8

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


i. Long-lived assets and inventory
Impairment losses are recorded on property and equipment used in operations and other long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Impairment is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset.
Materials and supplies inventory, which is used in the Company's production activities of oil and natural gas properties and midstream service assets, is carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value ("NRV"), with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method, and is included in "Other current assets" and "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The NRV for materials and supplies inventory is determined utilizing a replacement cost approach (Level 2).
The Company has frac pit water inventory, which is used in developing oil and natural gas properties and is carried at lower of cost or NRV, with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method, and is included in "Other current assets" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The NRV for frac pit water inventory is determined utilizing a replacement cost approach (Level 2).
The minimum volume of product in a pipeline system that enables the system to operate is known as line-fill and is generally not available to be withdrawn from the pipeline system until the expiration of the transportation contract. The Company owns oil line-fill in third-party pipelines, which is accounted for at lower of cost or NRV, with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method, and is included in "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The NRV is determined utilizing a quoted market price adjusted for regional price differentials (Level 2).
There were no long-lived assets or inventory impairments recorded for either of the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.
j.    Debt issuance costs
Debt issuance fees, which are recorded at cost, net of amortization, are amortized over the life of the respective debt agreements utilizing the effective interest and straight-line methods. No debt issuance costs were capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. The Company had total debt issuance costs of $17.8 million and $18.8 million, net of accumulated amortization of $22.4 million and $21.3 million, as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
No debt issuance costs were written off during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. Debt issuance costs related to the Company's senior unsecured notes are presented in "Long-term debt, net" on the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs related to the Senior Secured Credit Facility are presented in "Other assets, net" on the Company's unaudited consolidated balance sheets. See Note 4.f for additional discussion of debt issuance costs.
Future amortization expense of debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2017 for the periods presented is as follows:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
Remaining 2017

$
3,185

2018

4,068

2019

2,915

2020

3,005

2021

3,102

Thereafter

1,483

Total

$
17,758

k.    Asset retirement obligations
Asset retirement obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are incurred and become determinable. The associated asset retirement costs are part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Subsequently, the asset retirement cost included in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is charged to expense through depletion, or for midstream service assets through depreciation, of the associated asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as corresponding accretion expense.
The fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability is measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, which converts future cash flows into a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on Company experience, (ii) estimated remaining life per well, (iii) estimated removal and/or remediation costs for midstream service assets, (iv) estimated remaining life of midstream service

9

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


assets, (v) future inflation factors and (vi) the Company's average credit adjusted risk-free rate. Inherent in the fair value calculation of asset retirement obligations are numerous assumptions and judgments including, in addition to those noted above, the ultimate settlement of these amounts, the ultimate timing of such settlement and changes in legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing asset retirement obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment will be made to the asset balance.
The Company is obligated by contractual and regulatory requirements to remove certain pipeline and gathering assets and perform other remediation of the sites where such pipeline and gathering assets are located upon the retirement of those assets. However, the fair value of the asset retirement obligation cannot currently be reasonably estimated because the settlement dates are indeterminate. The Company will record an asset retirement obligation for pipeline and gathering assets in the periods in which settlement dates are reasonably determinable.
The following reconciles the Company's asset retirement obligation liability for the periods presented:
(in thousands)
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 
Year ended December 31, 2016
Liability at beginning of period
 
$
52,207

 
$
46,306

Liabilities added due to acquisitions, drilling, midstream service asset construction and other
 
119

 
1,528

Accretion expense
 
928

 
3,483

Liabilities settled upon plugging and abandonment
 
(285
)
 
(1,242
)
Liabilities removed due to sale of property
 
(871
)
 

Revision of estimates
 
5

 
2,132

Liability at end of period
 
$
52,103

 
$
52,207

l.    Fair value measurements
The carrying amounts reported in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, undistributed revenue and royalties, accrued capital expenditures and other accrued assets and liabilities approximate their fair values. See Note 4.e for fair value disclosures related to the Company's debt obligations. The Company carries its derivatives at fair value. See Note 8.a for details regarding the fair value of the Company's derivatives.
m.    Treasury stock
Laredo's employees may elect to have the Company withhold shares of stock to satisfy their tax withholding obligations that arise upon the lapse of restrictions on their stock awards. Such treasury stock is recorded at cost and retired upon acquisition.
n.    Compensation awards
Stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, is included in "General and administrative" in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations over the awards' vesting periods and is based on the awards' grant date fair value. The Company utilizes the closing stock price on the grant date, less an expected forfeiture rate, to determine the fair values of service vesting restricted stock awards and a Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair values of service vesting restricted stock option awards. The Company utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation prepared by an independent third party to determine the fair values of the performance share awards and, in prior periods, the performance unit awards. The Company capitalizes a portion of stock-based compensation for employees who are directly involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of its oil and natural gas properties into the full cost pool. Capitalized stock-based compensation is included as an addition to "Oil and natural gas properties" in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. See Note 5 for further discussion regarding the restricted stock awards, stock option awards, performance share awards and performance unit awards.
o.    Environmental
The Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws, among other things, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require the Company to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites. Environmental expenditures are expensed in the period incurred. Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment or remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are generally undiscounted unless the timing of cash payments is fixed and readily determinable. Management believes no materially significant liabilities of this nature existed as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

10

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


p.    Non-cash investing and supplemental cash flow information
The following presents the non-cash investing and supplemental cash flow information for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Non-cash investing information:
 
 
 
 
Change in accrued capital expenditures
 
$
13,674

 
$
(18,215
)
Change in accrued capital contribution to equity method investee(1)
 
$

 
$
(26,660
)
Capitalized asset retirement cost
 
$
124

 
$
107

Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
 
Capitalized interest
 
$
230

 
$
39

______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
See Notes 2.h and 12.a for additional discussion of the Company's equity method investee.
Note 3—Divestiture
On January 17, 2017, the Company completed the sale of 2,900 net acres and working interests in 16 producing vertical wells in the Midland Basin to a third-party buyer for a purchase price of $59.6 million. After transaction costs reflecting an economic effective date of October 1, 2016, the proceeds were $59.4 million net of working capital and closing adjustments. A portion of these proceeds were used to pay down borrowings on the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The purchase price was recorded as an adjustment to oil and natural gas properties pursuant to the rules governing full cost accounting.
Effective at closing, the operations and cash flows of these properties were eliminated from the ongoing operations of the Company, and the Company has no continuing involvement in the properties. This divestiture does not represent a strategic shift and will not have a major effect on the Company's operations or financial results.
Note 4Debt
a.   March 2023 Notes
On March 18, 2015, the Company completed an offering of $350.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6 1/4% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the "March 2023 Notes"). The March 2023 Notes will mature on March 15, 2023 and bear an interest rate of 6 1/4% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2015. The March 2023 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by LMS, GCM and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain automatic customary releases, including the sale, disposition or transfer of all of the capital stock or of all or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary guarantor to one or more persons that are not the Company or a restricted subsidiary, exercise of legal defeasance or covenant defeasance options or satisfaction and discharge of the applicable indenture, designation of a subsidiary guarantor as a non-guarantor restricted subsidiary or as an unrestricted subsidiary in accordance with the applicable indenture, release from guarantee under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, or liquidation or dissolution (collectively, the "Releases").
b.    January 2022 Notes
On January 23, 2014, the Company completed an offering of $450.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5 5/8% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "January 2022 Notes"). The January 2022 Notes will mature on January 15, 2022 and bear an interest rate of 5 5/8% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing July 15, 2014. The January 2022 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by LMS, GCM and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain Releases. The January 2022 Notes are callable by the Company beginning January 15, 2017 at a price of 104.219% of face value declining to 100% of face value on January 15, 2020 and thereafter.

11

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


c.    May 2022 Notes
On April 27, 2012, the Company completed an offering of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7 3/8% senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the "May 2022 Notes"). The May 2022 Notes will mature on May 1, 2022 and bear an interest rate of 7 3/8% per annum, payable semi-annually, in cash in arrears on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing November 1, 2012. The May 2022 Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by LMS, GCM and certain of the Company's future restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain Releases. The May 2022 Notes are callable by the Company beginning May 1, 2017 at a price of 103.688% of face value declining to 100% of face value on May 1, 2020 and thereafter.
d.    Senior Secured Credit Facility
As of March 31, 2017, the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the "Senior Secured Credit Facility"), which matures on November 4, 2018, had a maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion, a borrowing base and an aggregate elected commitment of $815.0 million with $65.0 million outstanding and was subject to an interest rate of 2.43%. It contains both financial and non-financial covenants, all of which the Company was in compliance with as of March 31, 2017. Laredo is required to pay an annual commitment fee on the unused portion of the financial institutions' commitment of 0.375% to 0.5%, based on the ratio of outstanding revolving credit to the total commitment under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. Additionally, the Senior Secured Credit Facility provides for the issuance of letters of credit, limited to the lesser of total capacity or $20.0 million. No letters of credit were outstanding as of March 31, 2017 or 2016. See Note 16.a for discussion of an additional borrowing on and the recent amendment and restatement of the Senior Secured Credit Facility subsequent to March 31, 2017.
e.    Fair value of debt
The Company has not elected to account for its debt instruments at fair value. The following table presents the carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's debt as of the dates presented:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
Long-term
debt
 
Fair
value
 
Long-term
debt
 
Fair
value
January 2022 Notes
 
$
450,000

 
$
450,516

 
$
450,000

 
$
456,382

May 2022 Notes
 
500,000

 
521,180

 
500,000

 
521,413

March 2023 Notes
 
350,000

 
357,688

 
350,000

 
365,649

Senior Secured Credit Facility
 
65,000

 
64,995

 
70,000

 
69,975

Total value of debt
 
$
1,365,000

 
$
1,394,379

 
$
1,370,000

 
$
1,413,419

The fair values of the debt outstanding on the January 2022 Notes, the May 2022 Notes and the March 2023 Notes were determined using the March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 quoted market price (Level 1) for each respective instrument. The fair values of the outstanding debt on the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were estimated utilizing pricing models for similar instruments (Level 2). See Note 8 for information about fair value hierarchy levels.

12

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


f.    Long-term debt, net
The following table summarizes the net presentation of the Company's long-term debt and debt issuance costs on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as of the dates presented:
 
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
Long-term debt
 
Debt issuance costs, net
 
Long-term debt, net
 
Long-term debt
 
Debt issuance costs, net
 
Long-term debt, net
January 2022 Notes
 
$
450,000

 
$
(4,719
)
 
$
445,281

 
$
450,000

 
$
(4,963
)
 
$
445,037

May 2022 Notes
 
500,000

 
(5,928
)
 
494,072

 
500,000

 
(6,164
)
 
493,836

March 2023 Notes
 
350,000

 
(4,762
)
 
345,238

 
350,000

 
(4,964
)
 
345,036

Senior Secured Credit Facility(1)
 
65,000

 

 
65,000

 
70,000

 

 
70,000

Total
 
$
1,365,000

 
$
(15,409
)
 
$
1,349,591

 
$
1,370,000

 
$
(16,091
)
 
$
1,353,909

______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Debt issuance costs, net related to our Senior Secured Credit Facility of $2.3 million and $2.7 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, are reported in "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.
Note 5Employee compensation
The Company has a Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP"), which provides for the granting of incentive awards in the form of restricted stock awards, stock option awards, performance share awards, performance unit awards and other awards. The LTIP provides for the issuance of up to 24,350,000 shares of Laredo's common stock.
The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards expected to vest over the requisite service period as a charge against earnings, net of amounts capitalized. The Company's stock-based compensation awards are accounted for as equity instruments, and in prior periods, its performance unit awards were accounted for as liability awards. Stock-based compensation is included in "General and administrative" in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalizes a portion of stock-based compensation for employees who are directly involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties into the full cost pool. Capitalized stock-based compensation is included as an addition to "Oil and natural gas properties" in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.
a.    Restricted stock awards
All service vesting restricted stock awards are treated as issued and outstanding in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements. Per the award agreement terms, if an employee terminates employment prior to the restriction lapse date for reasons other than death or disability, the awarded shares are forfeited and canceled and are no longer considered issued and outstanding. If the employee's termination of employment is by reason of death or disability, all of the holder's restricted stock will automatically vest. Historically, restricted stock awards granted to officers and employees vest in a variety of vesting schedules including (i) 33%, 33% and 34% per year beginning on the first anniversary date of the grant, (ii) fully on the first anniversary of the grant date and (iii) fully on the third anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors vest fully on the first anniversary of the grant date.
    

13

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


The following table reflects the restricted stock award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:
(in thousands, except for weighted-average grant date fair values)
 
Restricted
stock
awards
 
Weighted-average
grant date
fair value (per award)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
 
3,878

 
$
12.88

Granted
 
1,082

 
$
14.12

Forfeited
 
(97
)
 
$
12.76

Vested(1)
 
(1,473
)
 
$
13.80

Outstanding as of March 31, 2017
 
3,390

 
$
12.88

_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The total intrinsic value of vested restricted stock awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $20.7 million.
The Company utilizes the closing stock price on the grant date to determine the fair value of service vesting restricted stock awards. As of March 31, 2017, unrecognized stock-based compensation related to the restricted stock awards expected to vest was $36.9 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.14 years.
b.    Stock option awards
Stock option awards granted under the LTIP vest and become exercisable in four equal installments on each of the four anniversaries of the grant date. The following table reflects the stock option award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:
(in thousands, except for weighted-average price and weighted- average remaining contractual term)
 
Stock option
awards
 
Weighted-average
 price
(per option)
 
Weighted-average
remaining contractual term
(years)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
 
2,370

 
$
12.54

 
7.71
Granted
 
391

 
$
14.12

 

Exercised(1)
 
(44
)
 
$
8.17

 

Expired or canceled
 
(13
)
 
$
21.92

 

Outstanding as of March 31, 2017
 
2,704

 
$
12.79

 
7.84
Vested and exercisable at end of period(2)
 
1,312

 
$
16.54

 
6.68
Expected to vest at end of period(3)
 
1,392

 
$
9.24

 
8.92
_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The total intrinsic value of exercised stock option awards for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $0.3 million.
(2)
The vested and exercisable stock option awards as of March 31, 2017 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $2.7 million.
(3)
The stock option awards expected to vest as of March 31, 2017 had an aggregate intrinsic value of $8.1 million.
The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards and recognizes the associated expense on a straight-line basis over the four-year requisite service period of the awards. Determining the fair value of equity-based awards requires judgment, including estimating the expected term that stock option awards will be outstanding prior to exercise and the associated volatility. As of March 31, 2017, unrecognized stock-based compensation related to stock option awards expected to vest was $11.7 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.93 years.
    

14

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the 390,733 stock option awards granted during three months ended March 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
February 17, 2017
Risk-free interest rate(1)
 
2.14
%
Expected option life(2)
 
6.25 years

Expected volatility(3)
 
60.84
%
Fair value per stock option award
 
$
8.22

____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
U.S. Treasury yields as of the grant date were utilized for the risk-free interest rate assumption, correlating the treasury yield terms to the expected life of the stock option award.
(2)
As the Company had limited exercise history at the time of valuation relating to terminations and modifications, expected stock option award life assumptions were developed using the simplified method in accordance with GAAP.
(3)
The Company utilized its own volatility in order to develop the expected volatility.     
In accordance with the LTIP and stock option agreement, the stock option awards granted will become exercisable in accordance with the following schedule based upon the number of full years of the optionee's continuous employment or service with the Company, following the date of grant:
Full years of continuous employment
 
Incremental percentage of
option exercisable
 
Cumulative percentage of
option exercisable
Less than one
 
%
 
%
One
 
25
%
 
25
%
Two
 
25
%
 
50
%
Three
 
25
%
 
75
%
Four
 
25
%
 
100
%
No shares of common stock may be purchased unless the optionee has remained in continuous employment with the Company for one year from the grant date. Unless terminated sooner, the stock option award will expire if and to the extent it is not exercised within 10 years from the grant date. The unvested portion of a stock option award shall expire upon termination of employment, and the vested portion of a stock option award shall remain exercisable for (i) one year following termination of employment by reason of the holder's death or disability, but not later than the expiration of the option period, or (ii) 90 days following termination of employment for any reason other than the holder's death or disability, and other than the holder's termination of employment for cause. Both the unvested and the vested but unexercised portion of a stock option award shall expire upon the termination of the option holder's employment or service by the Company for cause.
c.    Performance share awards
Performance share awards granted to management are subject to a combination of market and service vesting criteria. A Monte Carlo simulation prepared by an independent third party is utilized to determine the grant date fair value of these awards. The Company has determined these awards are equity awards and recognizes the associated expense on a straight-line basis over the three-year requisite service period of the awards. Any shares earned under such awards are expected to be issued in the first quarter following the completion of the requisite service period based on the achievement of certain performance criteria.    
    
    

15

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


The following table reflects the performance share award activity for the three months ended March 31, 2017:
(in thousands, except for weighted-average grant date fair values)
 
Performance
share
awards
 
Weighted-average
grant date fair value
(per award)
Outstanding as of December 31, 2016
 
2,325

 
$
18.35

Granted
 
696

 
$
18.96

Forfeited
 
(16
)
 
$
18.02

Vested(1)
 
(200
)
 
$
28.56

Outstanding as of March 31, 2017
 
2,805

 
$
17.77

______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
These performance share awards had a performance period of January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2016 (the "2014 Performance Share Awards") and, as their vesting and performance criteria were satisfied, each award converted into 0.75 shares representing 150,388 shares of common stock issued during the first quarter of 2017.
As of March 31, 2017, unrecognized stock-based compensation related to the performance share awards expected to vest was $34.0 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.21 years.
The assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the 696,460 performance share awards granted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 are as follows:
 
 
February 17, 2017
Risk-free rate(1)
 
1.44
%
Dividend yield
 
%
Expected volatility(2)
 
74.00
%
Laredo stock closing price on grant date
 
$
14.12

Fair value per performance share
 
$
18.96

______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The risk-free rate was derived using a term-matched zero-coupon yield derived from the U.S. Treasury constant maturities yield curve on the grant date.
(2)
The Company utilized its own volatility in order to develop the expected volatility.
d.    Stock-based compensation expense
The following has been recorded to stock-based compensation expense for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Restricted stock award compensation
 
$
6,167

 
$
3,768

Stock option award compensation
 
1,297

 
624

Performance share award compensation
 
3,740

 
228

Total stock-based compensation, gross
 
11,204

 
4,620

Less amounts capitalized in oil and natural gas properties
 
(1,980
)
 
(782
)
Total stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized
 
$
9,224

 
$
3,838

e.    Performance unit awards
The performance unit awards issued to management on February 15, 2013 (the "2013 Performance Unit Awards") were subject to a combination of market and service vesting criteria. These awards were accounted for as liability awards as they were settled in cash at the end of the requisite service period based on the achievement of certain performance criteria.
The 44,481 settled 2013 Performance Unit Awards had a performance period of January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2015 and, as their vesting and performance criteria were satisfied, they were paid at $143.75 per unit during the first quarter of 2016.

16

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Note 6Income taxes
The Company is subject to federal and state income taxes and the Texas franchise tax. The Company had federal net operating loss carry-forwards totaling $1.7 billion and state of Oklahoma net operating loss carry-forwards totaling $38.9 million as of March 31, 2017. These carry-forwards begin expiring in 2026. As of March 31, 2017, the Company believes a portion of the net operating loss carry-forwards are not fully realizable. The Company considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, in determining whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance was needed. Such consideration included projected future cash flows from its oil, NGL and natural gas reserves (including the timing of those cash flows), the reversal of deferred tax liabilities recorded as of March 31, 2017, the Company's ability to capitalize intangible drilling costs, rather than expensing these costs in order to prevent an operating loss carry-forward from expiring unused, and future projections of Oklahoma sourced income. As of March 31, 2017, a full valuation allowance of $738.4 million has been recorded against the Company's deferred tax position.
Note 7Derivatives
a. Derivatives
The Company engages in derivative transactions such as puts, swaps and collars to hedge price risks due to unfavorable changes in oil, NGL and natural gas prices related to its production. As of March 31, 2017, the Company had 23 open derivative contracts with financial institutions that extend from April 2017 to December 2018. None of these contracts were designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are recorded at fair value on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets and gains and losses are recognized in earnings. Gains and losses on derivatives are reported on the unaudited consolidated statements of operations on the "Gain on derivatives, net" line item.
Each put transaction has an established floor price. The Company pays its counterparty a premium, which can be deferred until settlement, to enter into the put transaction. When the settlement price is below the floor price, the counterparty pays the Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the floor price, the put option expires.
Each swap transaction has an established fixed price. When the settlement price is below the fixed price, the counterparty pays the Company an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the fixed price, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the fixed price multiplied by the hedged contract volume.
Each collar transaction has an established price floor and ceiling. When the settlement price is below the price floor established by these collars, the Company receives an amount from its counterparty equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price floor multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is above the price ceiling established by these collars, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the settlement price and the price ceiling multiplied by the hedged contract volume. When the settlement price is between the price floor and price ceiling established by these collars the collar expires.
The Company's oil derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily NYMEX index price for the first nearby month of the West Texas Intermediate Light Sweet Crude Oil Futures Contract. The Company's NGL derivatives are settled based on the month's average daily OPIS index price for Mont Belvieu Purity Ethane and TET Propane. The Company's natural gas derivatives are settled based on the Inside FERC index price for West Texas Waha for the calculation period.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the following derivatives were entered into:
 
 
Aggregate volumes (Bbl)
 
Floor price ($/Bbl)
 
Ceiling price ($/Bbl)
 
Contract period
Oil:(1)
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Put
 
730,000

 
$
50.00

 
$

 
January 2018 - December 2018
Collar
 
584,000

 
$
50.00

 
$
60.00

 
January 2018 - December 2018
_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
There are $6.3 million in deferred premiums associated with these contracts.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company successfully completed a hedge restructuring by early terminating the floors of certain derivative contract collars that resulted in a termination amount to the Company of $80 million,

17

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


which was settled in full by applying the proceeds to prepay the premiums on two new derivatives entered into during the restructuring.
See Note 16.b for discussion of additional hedges entered into subsequent to March 31, 2017.
The following represents cash settlements received for derivatives, net for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Cash settlements received for matured derivatives, net(1)
 
$
7,451

 
$
65,937

Cash settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net(2)
 

 
80,000

Cash settlements received for derivatives, net
 
$
7,451

 
$
145,937

_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The settlement amounts do not include premiums paid attributable to contracts that matured during the respective period.
(2)
The settlement amount for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $4.0 million in deferred premiums that were settled net with the early terminated contracts from which they originated.

18

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


The following table summarizes open positions as of March 31, 2017, and represents, as of such date, derivatives in place through December 2018 on annual production volumes:
 
 
Remaining year
2017
 
Year
2018
Oil positions:
 
 
 
 

Puts:
 
 

 
 

Hedged volume (Bbl)
 
790,625

 
1,779,375

Weighted-average price ($/Bbl)
 
$
60.00

 
$
55.90

Swaps:
 
 

 
 

Hedged volume (Bbl)
 
1,512,500

 
1,095,000

Weighted-average price ($/Bbl)
 
$
51.54

 
$
52.12

Collars:
 
 

 
 

Hedged volume (Bbl)
 
2,860,000

 
584,000

Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)
 
$
56.92

 
$
50.00

Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl)
 
$
86.00

 
$
60.00

Totals:
 
 
 
 
Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl)
 
5,163,125

 
3,458,375

Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)
 
$
55.82

 
$
53.71

Total volume hedged with ceiling price (Bbl)
 
4,372,500

 
1,679,000

Weighted-average ceiling price ($/Bbl)
 
$
74.08

 
$
54.86

NGL positions:
 
 
 
 
Swaps - Ethane:
 
 
 
 
Hedged volume (Bbl)
 
333,000

 

Weighted-average price ($/Bbl)
 
$
11.24

 
$

Swaps - Propane:
 
 
 
 
Hedged volume (Bbl)
 
281,250

 

Weighted-average price ($/Bbl)
 
$
22.26

 
$

Totals:
 
 
 
 
Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl)
 
614,250

 

Total volume hedged with ceiling price (Bbl)
 
614,250

 

Natural gas positions:
 
 

 
 

Puts:
 
 
 
 
Hedged volume (MMBtu)
 
6,030,000

 
8,220,000

Weighted-average price ($/MMBtu)
 
$
2.50

 
$
2.50

Collars:
 
 

 
 

Hedged volume (MMBtu)
 
14,327,500

 
4,635,500

Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu)
 
$
2.86

 
$
2.50

Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)
 
$
3.54

 
$
3.60

Totals:
 
 
 
 
Total volume hedged with floor price (MMBtu)
 
20,357,500

 
12,855,500

Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu)
 
$
2.75

 
$
2.50

Total volume hedged with ceiling price (MMBtu)
 
14,327,500

 
4,635,500

Weighted-average ceiling price ($/MMBtu)
 
$
3.54

 
$
3.60


19

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


b. Balance sheet presentation
In accordance with the Company's standard practice, its derivatives are subject to counterparty netting under agreements governing such derivatives. The Company's oil, NGL and natural gas derivatives are presented on a net basis as "Derivatives" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. See Note 8.a for a summary of the fair value of derivatives on a gross basis.
By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. For the Company, market risk is the exposure to changes in the market price of oil, NGL and natural gas, which are subject to fluctuations from a variety of factors, including changes in supply and demand. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, thereby creating credit risk. The Company's counterparties are participants in the Senior Secured Credit Facility, which is secured by the Company's oil, NGL and natural gas reserves; therefore, the Company is not required to post any collateral. The Company does not require collateral from its derivative counterparties. The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivatives by: (i) limiting its exposure to any single counterparty, (ii) entering into derivatives only with counterparties that meet the Company's minimum credit quality standard or have a guarantee from an affiliate that meets the Company's minimum credit quality standard and (iii) monitoring the creditworthiness of the Company's counterparties on an ongoing basis.
Note 8Fair value measurements
The Company accounts for its oil, NGL and natural gas derivatives at fair value. The fair value of derivatives is determined utilizing pricing models for similar instruments. The models use a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value, including quotes and pricing analysis. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.
The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities measured at fair value, based on the priority of inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on inputs to the valuation techniques as follows: 
Level 1—
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that management has the ability to access. Active markets are considered to be those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
 
 
Level 2—
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the price risk management instrument and can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.
 
 
Level 3—
Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs are not corroborated by market data. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy in a liquid environment, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company conducts a review of fair value hierarchy classifications on an annual basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are recognized and reported in the period in which the transfer occurred. No transfers between fair value hierarchy levels occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.

20

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


a. Fair value measurement on a recurring basis
The following tables summarize the Company's fair value hierarchy by commodity on a gross basis and the net presentation on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets for derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of the periods presented:
(in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total gross fair value
 
Amounts offset
 
Net fair value presented on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets
As of March 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
30,401

 
$

 
$
30,401

 
$
(777
)
 
$
29,624

NGL derivatives
 

 
93

 

 
93

 
(93
)
 

Natural gas derivatives
 

 
2,539

 

 
2,539

 
(1,372
)
 
1,167

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 
(3,216
)
 
(3,216
)
Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
12,971

 
$

 
$
12,971

 
$
(2,904
)
 
$
10,067

NGL derivatives
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas derivatives
 

 
3,222

 

 
3,222

 

 
3,222

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 
(1,644
)
 
(1,644
)
Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 
(1,798
)
 
(1,798
)
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
(393
)
 
$

 
$
(393
)
 
$
777

 
$
384

NGL derivatives
 

 
(1,024
)
 

 
(1,024
)
 
93

 
(931
)
Natural gas derivatives
 

 
(519
)
 

 
(519
)
 
1,372

 
853

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 
(3,764
)
 
(3,764
)
 
3,216

 
(548
)
Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 
(2,890
)
 
(2,890
)
 

 
(2,890
)
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,904

 
$
2,904

NGL derivatives
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas derivatives
 

 

 

 

 

 

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 
(4,573
)
 
(4,573
)
 
1,644

 
(2,929
)
Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 
(1,798
)
 
(1,798
)
 
1,798

 

Net derivative position
 
$

 
$
47,290

 
$
(13,025
)
 
$
34,265

 
$

 
$
34,265


21

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


(in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total gross fair value
 
Amounts offset
 
Net fair value presented on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets
As of December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
22,527

 
$

 
$
22,527

 
$

 
$
22,527

NGL derivatives
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas derivatives
 

 
270

 

 
270

 
(270
)
 

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 
(1,580
)
 
(1,580
)
Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 

 

Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
8,718

 
$

 
$
8,718

 
$

 
$
8,718

NGL derivatives
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas derivatives
 

 
1,377

 

 
1,377

 
(1,377
)
 

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
(9,789
)
 
$

 
$
(9,789
)
 
$

 
$
(9,789
)
NGL derivatives
 

 
(2,803
)
 

 
(2,803
)
 

 
(2,803
)
Natural gas derivatives
 

 
(3,639
)
 

 
(3,639
)
 
270

 
(3,369
)
Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 
(3,569
)
 
(3,569
)
 
1,580

 
(1,989
)
Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 
(3,043
)
 
(3,043
)
 

 
(3,043
)
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil derivatives
 
$

 
$
(4,552
)
 
$

 
$
(4,552
)
 
$

 
$
(4,552
)
NGL derivatives
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas derivatives
 

 
(133
)
 

 
(133
)
 
1,377

 
1,244

Oil deferred premiums
 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural gas deferred premiums
 

 

 
(2,386
)
 
(2,386
)
 

 
(2,386
)
Net derivative position
 
$

 
$
11,976

 
$
(8,998
)
 
$
2,978

 
$

 
$
2,978

These items are included as "Derivatives" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Significant Level 2 assumptions associated with the calculation of discounted cash flows used in the mark-to-market analysis of derivatives include each derivative contract's corresponding commodity index price, appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates and other relevant data.
The Company's deferred premiums associated with its derivative contracts are categorized as Level 3, as the Company utilizes a net present value calculation to determine the valuation. They are considered to be measured on a recurring basis as the derivative contracts they derive from are measured on a recurring basis. As derivative contracts containing deferred premiums are entered into, the Company discounts the associated deferred premium to its net present value at the contract trade date, using the Senior Secured Credit Facility rate at the trade date (historical input rates range from 1.69% to 3.56%), and then records the change in net present value to interest expense over the period from trade until the final settlement date at the end of the contract. After this initial valuation, the net present value of each deferred premium is not adjusted; therefore, significant increases (decreases) in the Senior Secured Credit Facility rate would result in a significantly lower (higher) fair value measurement for each new contract entered into that contained a deferred premium; however, the valuation for the deferred premiums already recorded would remain unaffected. While the Company believes the sources utilized to arrive at the fair value estimates are reliable, different sources or methods could have yielded different fair value estimates; therefore, on a quarterly basis, the valuation is compared to counterparty valuations and a third-party valuation of the deferred premiums for reasonableness.

22

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


The following table presents actual cash payments required for deferred premiums as of March 31, 2017 for the periods presented:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
Remaining 2017
 
$
4,334

2018
 
8,444

2019
 
535

  Total
 
$
13,313

A summary of the changes in assets classified as Level 3 measurements for the periods presented are as follows:
 

Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)

2017
 
2016
Balance of Level 3 at beginning of period

$
(8,998
)
 
$
(14,619
)
Change in net present value of derivative deferred premiums

(41
)
 
(72
)
Total purchases and settlements:

 
 
 
Purchases

(6,093
)
 
(4,112
)
Settlements(1)

2,107

 
5,749

Balance of Level 3 at end of period

$
(13,025
)
 
$
(13,054
)
_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
The amount for the three months ended March 31, 2016 includes $3.9 million that represents the present value of deferred premiums settled in the Company's restructuring upon their early termination.
b. Fair value measurement on a nonrecurring basis
The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived assets, if any, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For purposes of fair value measurement, it was determined that the impairment of long-lived assets is classified as Level 3, based on the use of internally developed cash flow models.
The Company accounts for the impairment of inventory, if any, at lower of cost or NRV on a nonrecurring basis. For purposes of fair value measurement, it was determined that the impairment of inventory is classified as Level 2, based on the use of a replacement cost approach. No impairments of long-lived assets or inventory were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. See Note 2.i for discussion regarding the Company's long-lived assets and inventory.
The accounting policies for impairment of oil and natural gas properties are discussed in Note 2.g. Significant inputs included in the calculation of discounted cash flows used in the impairment analysis include the Company's estimate of operating and development costs, anticipated production of evaluated reserves and other relevant data. See Note 2.g for discussion of the Company's first-quarter 2016 full cost ceiling impairment. There was no full cost ceiling impairment recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
The Company accounts for acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, the Company conducts assessments of net assets acquired and recognizes amounts for identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the estimated acquisition date fair values, while transaction costs associated with the acquisitions are expensed as incurred.
The Company makes various assumptions in estimating the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The most significant assumptions relate to the estimated fair value of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties. The fair value of these properties are measured using a discounted cash flow model that converts future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include estimates of: (i) forecasted oil, NGL and natural gas reserve quantities; (ii) future commodity strip prices as of the closing dates adjusted for transportation and regional price differentials; (iii) forecasted ad valorem taxes, production taxes, income taxes, general and administrative expenses, operating expenses and development costs; and (iv) a peer group weighted-average cost of capital rate subject to additional project-specific risk factors. To compensate for the inherent risk of estimating the value of the unevaluated properties, the discounted future net revenues of proved undeveloped and probable reserves are reduced by additional reserve adjustment factors. These assumptions represent Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy.
No acquisitions of evaluated and unevaluated oil and natural gas properties were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016.

23

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Note 9Net income (loss) per common share
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilution of non-vested performance share awards, non-vested restricted stock awards and outstanding stock option awards. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, all of these potentially dilutive items were anti-dilutive due to the Company's net loss and, therefore, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per common share.
The effect of the Company's outstanding stock option awards, with the exception of the options granted in 2016, was excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2017. The inclusion of these options would be anti-dilutive due to the following: (i) utilizing the treasury stock method, the sum of the assumed proceeds exceeded the average stock price during the period for the outstanding stock option awards granted in 2015 and (ii) the exercise prices were greater than the average market price during the period for the outstanding stock option awards granted in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017.
The following is the calculation of basic and diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding and net income (loss) per common share for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands, except for per share data)
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss) (numerator):
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)—basic and diluted
 
$
68,276

 
$
(180,371
)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (denominator):
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
238,505


211,560

Non-vested performance share awards(1)
 
4,466

 

Non-vested restricted stock awards(2)
 
1,245

 

Outstanding stock option awards(2) 
 
163

 

Diluted
 
244,379


211,560

Net income (loss) per common share:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.29

 
$
(0.85
)
Diluted
 
$
0.28

 
$
(0.85
)
_____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the dilutive effect of non-vested performance share awards with performance periods that have not yet ended was calculated utilizing the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") from the beginning of each performance share awards' respective performance period to March 31, 2017 in comparison to the TSR of the peers specified in each performance share awards' respective agreement. See Note 5.c for additional discussion of the Company's performance share awards.
(2)
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, the dilutive effects of the non-vested restricted stock awards and the outstanding stock option awards were calculated utilizing the treasury stock method. See Notes 5.a and 5.b for additional discussion of the Company's restricted stock awards and stock option awards, respectively.
Note 10Credit risk
The Company's oil, NGL and natural gas sales are made to a variety of purchasers, including intrastate and interstate pipelines or their marketing affiliates and independent marketing companies. The Company's joint operations accounts receivable are from a number of oil and natural gas companies, partnerships, individuals and others who own interests in the oil and natural gas properties operated by the Company. The Company's sales of purchased oil are made to one customer. Management believes that any credit risk imposed by a concentration in the oil and natural gas industry is offset by the creditworthiness of the Company's customer base and industry partners. The Company routinely assesses the recoverability of all material trade and other receivables to determine collectability.
The Company uses derivatives to hedge its exposure to oil, NGL and natural gas price volatility. These transactions expose the Company to potential credit risk from its counterparties. In accordance with the Company's standard practice, its derivatives are subject to counterparty netting under agreements governing such derivatives; therefore, the credit risk associated with its derivative counterparties is somewhat mitigated. See Notes 2.e, 7 and 8.a for additional information regarding the Company's derivatives.

24

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Note 11Commitments and contingencies
a.    Litigation
From time to time the Company is involved in legal proceedings and/or may be subject to industry rulings that could bring rise to claims in the ordinary course of business. The Company has concluded that the likelihood is remote that the ultimate resolution of any pending litigation or pending claims will be material or have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
b.    Drilling contracts
The Company has committed to several drilling contracts with a third party to facilitate the Company's drilling plans. Certain of these contracts contain early termination clauses that require the Company to potentially pay penalties to the third party should the Company cease drilling efforts. These penalties would negatively impact the Company's financial statements upon early contract termination. There were no penalties incurred for early contract termination for either of the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. Future commitments of $5.0 million as of March 31, 2017 are not recorded in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets. Management does not currently anticipate the early termination of any existing contracts in 2017 that would result in a substantial penalty.

c.    Firm sale and transportation commitments
The Company has committed to deliver for sale or transportation fixed volumes of product under certain contractual arrangements that specify the delivery of a fixed and determinable quantity. If not fulfilled, the Company is subject to deficiency payments. These commitments are normal and customary for the Company's business. In certain instances, the Company has used spot market purchases to meet its commitments in certain locations or due to favorable pricing. Management anticipates continuing this practice in the future. Also, if production is not sufficient to satisfy the Company's delivery commitments, the Company can and may use spot market purchases to fulfill the commitments. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, the Company incurred $0.1 million in deficiency payments which are reported on the unaudited consolidated statements of operations in the "Other operating expenses" line item. There were no deficiency payments during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Future commitments of $396.3 million as of March 31, 2017 are not recorded in the accompanying unaudited consolidated balance sheets.
 
d.    Federal and state regulations

Oil and natural gas exploration, production and related operations are subject to extensive federal and state laws, rules and regulations. Failure to comply with these laws, rules and regulations can result in substantial penalties. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases the cost of doing business and affects profitability. The Company believes that it is in compliance with currently applicable federal and state regulations related to oil and natural gas exploration and production, and that compliance with the current regulations will not have a material adverse impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company. These rules and regulations are frequently amended or reinterpreted; therefore, the Company is unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these regulations.
Note 12Related parties
a.    Medallion    
The following table summarizes items included in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets related to Medallion as of the dates presented:
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
124

 
$

Accrued capital expenditures
 
$
379

 
$
586

Other current liabilities
 
$
102

 
$
118

b.    Archrock Partners, L.P.
The Company has a compression arrangement with affiliates of Archrock Partners, L.P., formerly Exterran Partners L.P. ("Archrock"). One of Laredo's directors is on the board of directors of Archrock GP LLC, an affiliate of Archrock.

25

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


As of December 31, 2016, amounts included in accounts payable from Archrock in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets totaled $0.2 million. No such amounts were included as of March 31, 2017.
The following table summarizes the lease operating expenses related to Archrock included in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Lease operating expenses
 
$
424

 
$
475

Note 13Segments
The Company operates in two business segments: (i) exploration and production and (ii) midstream and marketing. The exploration and production segment is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties. The midstream and marketing segment provides Laredo's exploration and production segment and third parties with products and services that need to be delivered by midstream infrastructure, including oil and liquids-rich natural gas gathering services as well as rig fuel, natural gas lift and water delivery and takeaway.

26

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


The following table presents selected financial information, for the periods presented, regarding the Company's operating segments on a stand-alone basis and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis:
(in thousands)
 
Exploration and production
 
Midstream and marketing
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated company
Three months ended March 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales
 
$
139,208

 
$
816

 
$
(1,288
)
 
$
138,736

Midstream service revenues
 

 
17,634

 
(14,635
)
 
2,999

Sales of purchased oil
 

 
47,271

 

 
47,271

Total revenues
 
139,208

 
65,721

 
(15,923
)
 
189,006

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expenses, including production and ad valorem taxes
 
29,570

 

 
(3,797
)
 
25,773

Midstream service expenses
 

 
10,234

 
(9,318
)
 
916

Costs of purchased oil
 

 
50,256

 

 
50,256

General and administrative(1)
 
23,443

 
2,154

 

 
25,597

Depletion, depreciation and amortization(2)
 
31,797

 
2,315

 

 
34,112

Other operating expenses(3)
 
973

 
53

 

 
1,026

Operating income
 
$
53,425

 
$
709

 
$
(2,808
)
 
$
51,326

Other financial information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from equity method investee
 
$

 
$
3,068

 
$

 
$
3,068

Interest expense(4)
 
$
(21,314
)
 
$
(1,406
)
 
$

 
$
(22,720
)
Capital expenditures
 
$
(111,745
)
 
$
(1,731
)
 
$

 
$
(113,476
)
Gross property and equipment(5)
 
$
5,848,991

 
$
404,871

 
$
(11,048
)
 
$
6,242,814

Three months ended March 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales
 
$
73,142

 
$


$

 
$
73,142

Midstream service revenues
 

 
11,267


(9,466
)
 
1,801

Sales of purchased oil
 

 
31,614



 
31,614

Total revenues
 
73,142

 
42,881

 
(9,466
)
 
106,557

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expenses, including production and ad valorem taxes
 
29,364

 


(2,411
)
 
26,953

Midstream service expenses
 

 
6,509


(5,900
)
 
609

Costs of purchased oil
 

 
32,946



 
32,946

General and administrative(1)
 
17,679

 
1,772



 
19,451

Depletion, depreciation and amortization(2)
 
39,292

 
2,186



 
41,478

Impairment expense
 
161,064

 

 

 
161,064

Other operating expenses(3)
 
792

 
52



 
844

Operating loss
 
$
(175,049
)
 
$
(584
)
 
$
(1,155
)
 
$
(176,788
)
Other financial information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from equity method investee
 
$

 
$
2,298


$

 
$
2,298

Interest expense(4)
 
$
(22,303
)
 
$
(1,402
)

$

 
$
(23,705
)
Capital expenditures
 
$
(105,785
)
 
$
(1,937
)

$

 
$
(107,722
)
Gross property and equipment(5)
 
$
5,392,865

 
$
347,892

 
$
(3,078
)
 
$
5,737,679

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
General and administrative expenses were allocated based on the number of employees in the respective segment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016. Certain components of general and administrative expense, primarily payroll, deferred compensation and vehicle expenses, were not allocated but were actual expenses for each segment. Land and geology expenses were not allocated to the midstream and marketing segment.
(2)
Depletion, depreciation and amortization were actual expenses for each segment with the exception of the allocation of depreciation of other fixed assets, which was based on the number of employees in the respective segment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016. Certain components of depreciation and amortization of other fixed assets, primarily vehicles, were not allocated but were actual expenses for each segment.
(3)
Other operating expenses consist of (i) accretion of asset retirement obligations and minimum volume commitments for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and (ii) accretion of asset retirement obligations for the three months ended March 31, 2016. These were actual expenses and were not allocated.
(4)
Interest expense was allocated to the exploration and production segment based on gross property and equipment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016 and allocated to the midstream and marketing segment based on gross property and equipment and life-to-date contributions to the Company's equity method investee as of March 31, 2017 and 2016.

27

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


(5)
Gross property and equipment for the midstream and marketing segment includes investment in equity method investee totaling $247.0 million and $194.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Other fixed assets were allocated based on the number of employees in the respective segment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016. Certain components of other fixed assets, primarily vehicles, were not allocated but were actual assets for each segment.
Note 14Subsidiary guarantors
The Guarantors have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the January 2022 Notes, the May 2022 Notes, the March 2023 Notes and the Senior Secured Credit Facility, subject to the Releases. In accordance with practices accepted by the SEC, Laredo has prepared condensed consolidating financial statements to quantify the balance sheets, results of operations and cash flows of such subsidiaries as subsidiary guarantors. The following unaudited condensed consolidating balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and unaudited condensed consolidating statements of operations and unaudited condensed consolidating statements of cash flows each for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 present financial information for Laredo on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), financial information for the subsidiary guarantors on a stand-alone basis (carrying any investment in subsidiaries under the equity method), and the consolidation and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a condensed consolidated basis. Deferred income taxes for LMS and for GCM are recorded on Laredo's balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows as they are disregarded entities for income tax purposes. Laredo and the Guarantors are not restricted from making intercompany distributions to each other. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, certain assets were transferred from LMS to Laredo at historical cost.
Condensed consolidating balance sheet
March 31, 2017
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Laredo

Subsidiary
Guarantors

Intercompany
eliminations

Consolidated
company
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
63,068

 
$
15,803

 
$

 
$
78,871

Other current assets
 
71,732

 
2,026

 

 
73,758

Oil and natural gas properties, net
 
1,233,589

 
9,277

 
(11,048
)
 
1,231,818

Midstream service assets, net
 

 
125,287

 

 
125,287

Other fixed assets, net
 
43,879

 
500

 

 
44,379

Investment in subsidiaries and equity method investee
 
379,320

 
247,021

 
(379,320
)
 
247,021

Other long-term assets
 
13,773

 
3,689

 

 
17,462

Total assets
 
$
1,805,361

 
$
403,603

 
$
(390,368
)
 
$
1,818,596

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
23,535

 
$
1,203

 
$

 
$
24,738

Other current liabilities
 
117,625

 
19,972

 

 
137,597

Long-term debt, net
 
1,349,591

 

 

 
1,349,591

Other long-term liabilities
 
50,652

 
3,108

 

 
53,760

Stockholders' equity
 
263,958

 
379,320

 
(390,368
)
 
252,910

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,805,361

 
$
403,603

 
$
(390,368
)
 
$
1,818,596



28

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Condensed consolidating balance sheet
December 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Laredo
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Intercompany
eliminations
 
Consolidated
company
Accounts receivable, net
 
$
70,570

 
$
16,297

 
$

 
$
86,867

Other current assets
 
65,884

 
2,026

 

 
67,910

Oil and natural gas properties, net
 
1,194,801

 
9,293

 
(8,240
)
 
1,195,854

Midstream service assets, net
 

 
126,240

 

 
126,240

Other fixed assets, net
 
44,221

 
552

 

 
44,773

Investment in subsidiaries and equity method investee
 
376,028

 
243,953

 
(376,028
)
 
243,953

Other long-term assets
 
13,065

 
3,684

 

 
16,749

Total assets
 
$
1,764,569

 
$
402,045

 
$
(384,268
)
 
$
1,782,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
14,427

 
$
627

 
$

 
$
15,054

Other current liabilities
 
150,531

 
22,360

 

 
172,891

Long-term debt, net
 
1,353,909

 

 

 
1,353,909

Other long-term liabilities
 
56,889

 
3,030

 

 
59,919

Stockholders' equity
 
188,813

 
376,028

 
(384,268
)
 
180,573

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
1,764,569

 
$
402,045

 
$
(384,268
)
 
$
1,782,346

Condensed consolidating statement of operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2017
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)

Laredo
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Intercompany
eliminations
 
Consolidated
company
Total revenues

$
139,143


$
65,786


$
(15,923
)

$
189,006

Total costs and expenses

88,029


62,766


(13,115
)

137,680

Operating income

51,114


3,020


(2,808
)

51,326

Interest expense

(22,720
)





(22,720
)
Other non-operating income

42,690


2,918


(5,938
)

39,670

Income before income tax

71,084


5,938


(8,746
)

68,276

Income tax








Net income

$
71,084


$
5,938


$
(8,746
)

$
68,276

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Condensed consolidating statement of operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Laredo

Subsidiary
Guarantors

Intercompany
eliminations

Consolidated
company
Total revenues
 
$
73,122

 
$
42,901

 
$
(9,466
)
 
$
106,557

Total costs and expenses
 
250,064

 
41,592

 
(8,311
)
 
283,345

Operating income (loss)
 
(176,942
)
 
1,309

 
(1,155
)
 
(176,788
)
Interest expense
 
(23,705
)
 

 

 
(23,705
)
Other non-operating income
 
21,431

 
2,291

 
(3,600
)
 
20,122

Income (loss) before income tax
 
(179,216
)
 
3,600

 
(4,755
)
 
(180,371
)
Income tax
 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)
 
$
(179,216
)
 
$
3,600

 
$
(4,755
)
 
$
(180,371
)

29

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2017
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Laredo
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Intercompany
eliminations
 
Consolidated
company
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
 
$
65,344

 
$
4,378

 
$
(5,938
)
 
$
63,784

Change in investment between affiliates
 
(3,291
)
 
(2,647
)
 
5,938

 

Capital expenditures and other
 
(52,230
)
 
(1,731
)
 

 
(53,961
)
Net cash flows used in financing activities
 
(12,143
)
 

 

 
(12,143
)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(2,320
)
 

 

 
(2,320
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
32,671

 
1

 

 
32,672

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
30,351

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
30,352

Condensed consolidating statement of cash flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)
 
Laredo
 
Subsidiary
Guarantors
 
Intercompany
eliminations
 
Consolidated
company
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
 
$
58,163

 
$
1,954

 
$
(3,600
)
 
$
56,517

Change in investment between affiliates
 
(30,235
)
 
26,635

 
3,600

 

Capital expenditures and other
 
(105,575
)
 
(28,589
)
 

 
(134,164
)
Net cash flows provided by financing activities
 
58,588

 

 

 
58,588

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
(19,059
)
 

 

 
(19,059
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
31,153

 
1

 

 
31,154

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
12,094

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
12,095

Note 15Recently issued or adopted accounting pronouncements
The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standard updates ("ASU") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). The ASUs listed below were either adopted during the three months ended March 31, 2017 or the discussion of the ASU was determined to be meaningful to the Company's consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance in Topic 805, Business Combinations, to clarify the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the current implementation guidance in Topic 805, there are three elements of a business—inputs, processes and outputs. While an integrated set of assets and activities (collectively referred to as a “set”) that is a business usually has outputs, outputs are not required to be present. In addition, all the inputs and processes that a seller uses in operating a set are not required if market participants can acquire the set and continue to produce outputs, for example, by integrating the acquired set with their own inputs and processes. The amendments in this ASU provide a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This screen reduces the number of transactions that need to be further evaluated. If the screen is not met, the amendments in this ASU (i) require that to be considered a business, a set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create an output and (ii) remove the evaluation of whether a market participant could replace missing elements. The amendments provide a framework to assist entities in evaluating whether both an input and a substantive process are present. The framework includes two sets of criteria to consider that depend on whether a set has outputs. Although outputs are not required for a set to be a business, outputs generally are a key element of a business; therefore, the FASB has developed more stringent criteria for sets without outputs. Lastly, the amendments in this ASU narrow the definition of the term output so that the term is consistent with how outputs are described in Topic 606. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods. The amendments in this ASU should be applied prospectively on or after the effective

30

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


date. Early application of the amendments in this ASU is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance in Topic 842, Leases. The core principle of the new guidance is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases in the statement of financial position. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. When measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, a lessee (and a lessor) should include payments to be made in optional periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease. Similarly, optional payments to purchase the underlying asset should be included in the measurement of lease assets and lease liabilities only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that purchase option. Reasonably certain is a high threshold that is consistent with and intended to be applied in the same way as the reasonably assured threshold in the previous lease guidance. In addition, also consistent with the previous lease guidance, a lessee (and a lessor) should exclude most variable lease payments in measuring lease assets and lease liabilities, other than those that depend on an index or a rate or are in substance fixed payments. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. There continues to be a differentiation between finance leases and operating leases. In transition, lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. These practical expedients relate to the identification and classification of leases that commenced before the effective date, initial direct costs for leases that commenced before the effective date and the ability to use hindsight in evaluating lessee options to extend or terminate a lease or to purchase the underlying asset. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application of the amendments in this ASU is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance, and the primary effect will be to record assets and obligations for contracts currently recognized as operating leases with a term greater than 12 months and evaluate operating leases with a term less than or equal to 12 months for election. The Company does not intend to adopt the standard early. 
In May 2014, the FASB issued a comprehensive new revenue recognition standard that supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and industry-specific guidance in Subtopic 932-605, Extractive Activities—Oil and Gas—Revenue Recognition. The core principle of the new guidance is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those goods or services. The new standard also requires significantly expanded disclosure regarding the qualitative and quantitative information of an entity's nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The standard creates a five-step model that requires companies to exercise judgment when considering the terms of a contract and all relevant facts and circumstances. The standard allows for several transition methods: (a) a full retrospective adoption in which the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or (b) a modified retrospective adoption in which the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements, including additional disclosures of the standard's application impact to individual financial statement line items. In March, April, May and December 2016, the FASB issued new guidance in Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, to address the following potential implementation issues of the new revenue standard: (a) to clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, (b) to clarify the identification of performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance and (c) to address certain issues in the guidance on assessing collectability, presentation of sales taxes, noncash consideration, and completed contracts and contract modifications at transition. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company follows the sales method of accounting for oil, NGL and natural gas production, which is generally consistent with the revenue recognition provision of the new standard. However, the Company is still evaluating the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption and, in addition, evaluating the methods of adoption. The evaluation process includes review of revenue contracts and transactions in both of the exploration and production and midstream and marketing segments. The Company expects to adopt this standard on January 1, 2018.

31

Laredo Petroleum, Inc.
 
Condensed notes to the consolidated financial statements
(Unaudited)


Note 16Subsequent events
a.    Senior Secured Credit Facility
On April 10, 2017, the Company borrowed $10.0 million on the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The outstanding balance under the Senior Secured Credit Facility was $75.0 million as of May 2, 2017.
On May 2, 2017, the Company entered into the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement to the Senior Secured Credit Facility (the "Fifth Amendment and Restatement"). Among the more significant changes reflected in the Fifth Amendment and Restatement are: (i) the borrowing base and aggregate elected commitment were each increased to $1.0 billion, (ii) the maturity date was extended to May 2, 2022, provided that if either the January 2022 Notes or May 2022 Notes have not been refinanced on or prior to the date (as applicable, the "Early Maturity Date") 90 days before their respective stated maturity dates, the Senior Secured Credit Facility will mature on such Early Maturity Date and (iii) a new financial covenant, maximum "Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio," tested quarterly, replaced the covenant requiring a minimum ratio of "Consolidated EBITDAX over Consolidated Net Interest Expense," which was also tested quarterly.
b.    New derivative contracts
Subsequent to March 31, 2017, the following new derivatives were entered into:
 
 
Aggregate volumes (MMBtu)
 
Floor price ($/MMBtu)
 
Ceiling price ($/MMBtu)
 
Contract period
Natural gas collars(1)
 
10,950,000

 
$
2.50

 
$
3.25

 
January 2018 - December 2018
_____________________________________________________________
(1)
There are $0.9 million in deferred premiums associated with these contracts. See Note 7.a for information regarding the Company's derivative settlement indices.
Note 17Supplementary information
Costs incurred in oil and natural gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities
Costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil, NGL and natural gas assets are presented below:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Property acquisition costs:
 
 

 

Evaluated
 
$

 
$

Unevaluated
 

 

Exploration costs
 
15,543

 
7,263

Development costs(1)
 
111,158

 
81,886

Total costs incurred
 
$
126,701

 
$
89,149

____________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Development costs include $0.1 million in asset retirement obligations for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016.



32


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 unaudited consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report as well as our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2016 Annual 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. Please see "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Except for purposes of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and condensed notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report, references in this Quarterly Report to "Laredo," "we," "us," "our" or similar terms refer to Laredo, LMS and GCM collectively unless the context otherwise indicates or requires. All amounts, dollars and percentages presented in this Quarterly Report are rounded and therefore approximate.
Executive overview
We are an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, and the gathering of oil and liquids-rich natural gas from such properties, primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas. Since our inception, we have grown primarily through our drilling program coupled with select strategic acquisitions and joint ventures.
Our financial and operating performance for the three months ended March 31, 2017 included the following:
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales of $138.7 million, compared to $73.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016;
Average daily sales volumes of 52,405 BOE/D, compared to 46,202 BOE/D for the three months ended March 31, 2016;
Net income of $68.3 million, compared to net loss of $180.4 million, which included a non-cash full cost ceiling impairment of $161.1 million, for the three months ended March 31, 2016; and
Adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $107.4 million, compared to $98.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. See page 45 for a discussion and reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA.
Recent developments
On January 17, 2017, we completed the sale of 2,900 net acres and working interests in 16 producing vertical wells in the Midland Basin to a third-party buyer for a purchase price of $59.6 million. After transaction costs reflecting an economic effective date of October 1, 2016, the proceeds were $59.4 million net of working capital and closing adjustments. A portion of these proceeds were used to pay down borrowings on the Senior Secured Credit Facility.
On May 2, 2017, we entered into the Fifth Amendment and Restatement, pursuant to which, among other things, the borrowing base and aggregate elected commitment were each increased to $1.0 billion. In addition, the maturity date of the Senior Secured Credit Facility was extended to May 2, 2022, provided that if either of the January 2022 Notes or May 2022 Notes have not been refinanced on or prior to the applicable Early Maturity Date, the Senior Secured Credit Facility will mature on such Early Maturity Date.
Pricing and reserves
Our results of operations are heavily influenced by oil, NGL and natural gas prices. Oil, NGL and natural gas price fluctuations are caused by changes in global and regional supply and demand, market uncertainty, economic conditions and a variety of additional factors. Historically, commodity prices have experienced significant fluctuations, and additional changes in commodity prices may affect the economic viability of, and our ability to fund, our drilling projects, as well as the economic valuation and economic recovery of oil, NGL and natural gas reserves.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the Realized Prices utilized to value our reserves were $42.30 per Bbl for oil, $14.23 per Bbl for NGL and $1.97 per Mcf for natural gas, and $41.33 per Bbl for oil, $11.25 per Bbl for NGL and $1.75 per Mcf for natural gas, respectively. The Realized Prices used to estimate proved reserves for all periods do not include derivative transactions. The unamortized cost of our evaluated oil and natural gas properties did not exceed the full cost ceiling amount as of March 31, 2017 and as such, we did not record a first-quarter full cost ceiling impairment. See Note 2.g to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for discussion regarding prices used to value our reserves and our full cost ceiling impairment in the prior period.

33


We have entered into a number of derivative contracts that have enabled us to offset a portion of the changes in our cash flow caused by price fluctuations for our sales of oil, NGL and natural gas as discussed in "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk."
Core areas of operations
The oil and liquids-rich Permian Basin is characterized by multiple target horizons, extensive production histories, long-lived reserves, high drilling success rates and high initial production rates. As of March 31, 2017, we had assembled 126,051 net acres in the Permian Basin.
Sources of our revenue
Our revenues are derived from the sale of produced oil, NGL and natural gas within the continental United States, the sale of purchased oil and providing midstream services to third parties. Our revenues do not include the effects of derivatives. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, our revenues were comprised of 53% sales of produced oil, 11% sales of produced NGL, 10% sales of produced natural gas, 25% sales of purchased oil and 1% midstream services. Our oil, NGL and natural gas revenues may vary significantly from period to period as a result of changes in volumes of production and/or changes in commodity prices. Our sales of purchased oil revenue may vary due to changes in oil prices and market differentials. Our midstream service revenues may vary due to oil throughput fees and the level of services provided to third parties for (i) gathered natural gas, (ii) gas lift fees and (iii) water services.

34


Results of operations consolidated
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales volumes, revenues and pricing
The following table sets forth information regarding oil, NGL and natural gas sales volumes, revenues and average sales prices per BOE sold, for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Sales volumes:
 
 


 

Oil (MBbl)
 
2,120


2,006

NGL (MBbl)
 
1,263

 
1,066

Natural gas (MMcf)
 
8,000


6,796

Oil equivalents (MBOE)(1)(2)
 
4,716


4,204

Average daily sales volumes (BOE/D)(2)
 
52,405


46,202

% Oil
 
45
%

48
%
Oil, NGL and natural gas sales (in thousands):
 



 
Oil
 
$
99,467


$
55,194

NGL
 
20,828

 
9,052

Natural gas
 
18,441


8,896

Total oil, NGL and natural gas sales
 
$
138,736


$
73,142

Average sales prices:
 



 
Oil, realized ($/Bbl)(3)
 
$
46.91


$
27.51

NGL, realized ($/Bbl)(3)
 
$
16.49


$
8.50

Natural gas, realized ($/Mcf)(3)
 
$
2.31


$
1.31

Average price, realized ($/BOE)(3)
 
$
29.42


$
17.40

Oil, hedged ($/Bbl)(4)
 
$
49.70


$
56.84

NGL, hedged ($/Bbl)(4)
 
$
16.04


$
8.50

Natural gas, hedged ($/Mcf)(4)
 
$
2.31


$
2.08

Average price, hedged ($/BOE)(4)
 
$
30.55


$
32.64

________________________________________________________________________
(1)
BOE is calculated using a conversion rate of six Mcf per one Bbl.
(2)
The volumes presented are based on actual results and are not calculated using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.
(3)
Realized oil, NGL and natural gas prices are the actual prices realized at the wellhead adjusted for quality, transportation fees, geographical differentials, marketing bonuses or deductions and other factors affecting the price received at the wellhead. The prices presented are based on actual results and are not calculated using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.
(4)
Hedged prices reflect the after-effect of our hedging transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such after-effects includes current period settlements of matured derivatives in accordance with GAAP and an adjustment to reflect premiums incurred previously or upon settlement that are attributable to instruments that settled in the period. The prices presented are based on actual results and are not calculated using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.
    

35


The following table presents cash settlements received (paid) for matured derivatives and premiums incurred previously or upon settlement attributable to instruments that settled during the periods utilized in our calculation of the hedged prices presented above:        
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Cash settlements received (paid) for matured derivatives:
 





Oil
 
$
7,248


$
60,692

NGL
 
(568
)
 

Natural gas
 
771


5,245

Total
 
$
7,451


$
65,937

Premiums paid attributable to contracts that matured during the respective period:
 





Oil
 
$
(1,342
)

$
(1,850
)
Natural gas
 
(765
)


Total
 
$
(2,107
)

$
(1,850
)
 
Changes in average realized sales prices and sales volumes caused the following changes to our oil, NGL and natural gas revenues between the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:
(in thousands)
 
Oil
 
NGL
 
Natural gas
 
Total net
effect of change
2016 Revenues
 
$
55,194

 
$
9,052

 
$
8,896


$
73,142

Effect of changes in average realized sales prices
 
41,133

 
10,099

 
7,970

 
59,202

Effect of changes in sales volumes
 
3,140

 
1,677

 
1,575

 
6,392

2017 Revenues
 
$
99,467

 
$
20,828

 
$
18,441

 
$
138,736

Oil revenue. Our oil revenue is a function of oil production volumes sold and average sales prices received for those volumes. The increase in oil revenue of $44.3 million, or 80%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 is due to a 71% increase in average oil prices realized and a 6% increase in oil sales volumes.
NGL revenue. Our NGL revenue is a function of NGL production volumes sold and average sales prices received for those volumes. The increase in NGL revenue of $11.8 million, or 130%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 is due to a 94% increase in average NGL prices realized and an 18% increase in NGL sales volumes.
Natural gas revenue. Our natural gas revenue is a function of natural gas production volumes sold and average sales prices received for those volumes. The increase in natural gas revenue of $9.5 million, or 107%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2016 is due to a 76% increase in average natural gas prices realized and an 18% increase in natural gas sales volumes.

36


Costs and expenses
The following table sets forth information regarding costs and expenses and average costs per BOE sold for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands except for per BOE sold data)
 
2017
 
2016
Costs and expenses:
 
 

 
 

Lease operating expenses
 
$
16,992

 
$
20,518

Production and ad valorem taxes
 
8,781

 
6,435

Midstream service expenses
 
916

 
609

Costs of purchased oil
 
50,256

 
32,946

General and administrative:
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
16,373

 
15,613

Non-cash stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized
 
9,224

 
3,838

Depletion, depreciation and amortization
 
34,112

 
41,478

Impairment expense
 

 
161,064

Other operating expenses
 
1,026

 
844

Total
 
$
137,680

 
$
283,345

Average costs per BOE sold(1):






Lease operating expenses

$
3.60


$
4.88

Production and ad valorem taxes
 
1.86

 
1.53

Midstream service expenses
 
0.19

 
0.14

General and administrative:
 
 
 
 
Cash
 
3.47


3.72

Non-cash stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized
 
1.96


0.91

Depletion, depreciation and amortization
 
7.23


9.87

Total
 
$
18.31


$
21.05

________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Average costs per BOE sold are based on actual amounts and are not calculated using the rounded numbers presented in the table above.
Lease operating expenses. Lease operating expenses, which include workover expenses, decreased by $3.5 million, or 17%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Previous investments in field infrastructure, primarily in our four production corridors, including water takeaway and recycling facilities and centralized compression, have lowered expenses and reduced well downtime. We continue to focus on economic efficiencies associated with the usage and procurement of products and services related to lease operating expenses.
Production and ad valorem taxes. Production and ad valorem taxes increased by $2.3 million, or 36%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The increase is the combination of a $3.5 million increase in production taxes partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in ad valorem taxes. Production taxes are based on and fluctuate in proportion to our oil, NGL and natural gas revenue. Ad valorem taxes are based on and fluctuate in proportion to the taxable value assessed by the various counties where our oil and natural gas properties are located.
Midstream service expenses. See "—Results of operations - midstream and marketing" for a discussion of these expenses.
    Costs of purchased oil. See "—Results of operations - midstream and marketing" for a discussion of these expenses.
General and administrative ("G&A"). The most significant change in our G&A was stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized, which increased by $5.4 million, or 140%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. This increase is mainly due to the timing of our annual issuance of restricted stock awards, stock option awards and performance share awards under our LTIP, which occurred during the first quarter of 2017 and during the second quarter of 2016. For further discussion of our stock-based compensation, see Note 5 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

37


The fair values for each of our restricted stock awards issued were calculated based on the value of our stock price on the grant date in accordance with GAAP and are being expensed on a straight-line basis over their associated requisite service periods. The fair values for each of our restricted stock option awards were determined using a Black-Scholes valuation model in accordance with GAAP and are being expensed on a straight-line basis over their associated four-year requisite service periods.
Our performance share awards are accounted for as equity awards and are included in stock-based compensation expense. The fair values for each of our performance share awards issued were based on a projection of the performance of our stock price relative to a peer group, defined in each performance share awards' agreement, utilizing a forward-looking Monte Carlo simulation. The fair values for each of our performance share awards will not be re-measured after their initial grant-date valuation and are being expensed on a straight-line basis over their associated three-year requisite service periods.
See Notes 2.n and 5 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional information regarding our stock and performance-based compensation.
Depletion, depreciation and amortization ("DD&A"). The following table sets forth the components of our DD&A for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Depletion of evaluated oil and natural gas properties
 
$
30,414

 
$
37,827

Depreciation of midstream service assets
 
2,151

 
2,071

Depreciation and amortization of other fixed assets
 
1,547

 
1,580

Total DD&A
 
$
34,112

 
$
41,478

DD&A decreased by $7.4 million, or 18%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016, due to our positive well results, first-quarter 2016 full cost ceiling impairments and our first-quarter 2017 divestiture.
Impairment expense. Our net book value of evaluated oil and natural gas properties exceeded the full cost ceiling amount as of March 31, 2016, and as a result, we recorded a non-cash full cost ceiling impairment of $161.1 million. There was no comparable full cost ceiling impairment recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017. For further discussion of our non-cash full cost ceiling impairment accounting policy, see Note 2.g to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. There were no long-lived assets or inventory impairments recorded for either of the three months ended March 31, 2017 or 2016. For further discussion of long-lived assets and inventory impairment accounting policies, see Note 2.i to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
Non-operating income (expense). The following table sets forth the components of non-operating income (expense) for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Non-operating income (expense):
 
 

 
 

Gain on derivatives, net
 
$
36,671

 
$
17,885

Income from equity method investee
 
3,068

 
2,298

Interest expense
 
(22,720
)
 
(23,705
)
Interest and other income
 
145

 
99

Loss on disposal of assets, net
 
(214
)
 
(160
)
Non-operating income (expense), net
 
$
16,950

 
$
(3,583
)

38


Gain on derivatives, net. The following table presents the changes in the components of gain on derivatives, net for the periods presented:
(in thousands)
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to 2016
Changes in gain on derivatives, net:
 
 
Fair value of derivatives outstanding
 
$
157,272

Cash settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net
 
(80,000
)
Cash settlements received for matured derivatives, net
 
(58,486
)
Total changes in gain on derivatives, net
 
$
18,786

The changes in fair value of derivatives outstanding are the result of new and expiring contracts and the changing relationship between our outstanding contract prices and the future market prices in the forward curves, which we use to calculate the fair value of our derivatives. In general, if no contracts were entered into, we experience gains during periods of decreasing market prices and losses during periods of increasing market prices. Net cash settlements received for matured derivatives are based on the cash settlement prices of our matured derivatives compared to the prices specified in the derivative contracts.
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we received proceeds from a hedge restructuring in which we early terminated floors of certain derivative contract collars, resulting in a termination amount due to us of $80.0 million. The $80.0 million was settled in full by applying the proceeds to the premiums on two new derivative contracts entered into as part of the hedge restructuring. There were no comparable cash settlements received for early terminations of derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
See Notes 2.e, 7 and 8.a to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report and "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for additional information regarding our derivatives.
Income from equity method investee. See "—Results of operations - midstream and marketing" for a discussion of this income.
Interest expense. Interest expense decreased by $1.0 million, or 4%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to the same period in 2016. This decrease is primarily due to a lower outstanding balance on our Senior Secured Credit Facility.
Loss on disposal of assets, net. Loss on disposal of assets, net increased by $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. From time to time, we dispose of materials and supplies inventory and other fixed assets. The associated gain or loss recorded during the period fluctuates depending upon the volume of the assets disposed, their associated net book value and, in the case of a disposal by sale, the sale price.
Income tax. Since September 30, 2015, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax position. As such, our effective tax rate was 0% during both of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. For further discussion of our income tax position, see Note 6 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

39


Results of operations - midstream and marketing
The following table presents selected financial information regarding our midstream and marketing operating segment for the periods presented:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Natural gas sales
 
$
816

 
$

Midstream service revenues
 
17,634

 
11,267

Sales of purchased oil
 
47,271

 
31,614

Total revenues
 
65,721

 
42,881

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
Midstream service expenses
 
10,234

 
6,509

Costs of purchased oil
 
50,256

 
32,946

General and administrative(1)
 
2,154

 
1,772

Depreciation and amortization(2)
 
2,315

 
2,186

Accretion of asset retirement obligations(3)
 
53

 
52

Operating income (loss)
 
$
709

 
$
(584
)
Other financial information:
 
 
 
 
Income from equity method investee
 
$
3,068

 
$
2,298

Interest expense(4)
 
$
(1,406
)
 
$
(1,402
)
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
G&A expenses were allocated based on the number of employees in the midstream and marketing segment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016. Certain components of G&A expense, primarily payroll, deferred compensation and vehicle expenses, were not allocated but were actual expenses for the segment. Land and geology expenses were not allocated to the segment.
(2)
Depreciation and amortization were actual expenses for the midstream and marketing segment with the exception of the allocation of depreciation of other fixed assets, which was based on the number of employees in the midstream and marketing segment as of March 31, 2017 and 2016. Certain components of depreciation other fixed assets, primarily vehicles, were not allocated but were actual expenses for the segment.
(3)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations were actual expenses and were not allocated.
(4)
Interest expense was allocated to the midstream and marketing segment based on gross property and equipment and life-to-date contributions to the Company's equity method investee as of March 31, 2017 and 2016. Certain components of other fixed assets, primarily vehicles, were not allocated but were actual assets for the segment.
Natural gas sales. These revenues are related to our midstream and marketing segment providing our exploration and production segment with processed natural gas for use in the field. The corresponding cost component of these transactions are included in "Midstream service expenses." See Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional information on the operating segments.
Midstream service revenues. Our midstream service revenues from operations increased by $6.4 million, or 57%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. This increase is mainly due to water service revenue.
Sales of purchased oil. Sales of purchased oil increased by $15.7 million, or 50%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 due to the increase in oil prices. We purchase oil from third parties in West Texas, transport it on the Bridgetex Pipeline and sell it to a third party in the Houston market.
Midstream service expenses. Midstream service expenses increased by $3.7 million, or 57%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Midstream service expenses primarily represent costs incurred to operate and maintain our (i) oil and natural gas gathering and transportation systems and related facilities, (ii) centralized oil storage tanks, (iii) natural gas lift, rig fuel and centralized compression infrastructure and (iv) water storage, recycling and transportation facilities. The increase is due to continued expansion of the midstream service component of our business.

40


Costs of purchased oil. Costs of purchased oil increased by $17.3 million, or 53%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to the increase in oil prices. These costs include purchasing oil from third parties and transporting it on the Bridgetex Pipeline.
Income from equity method investee. We own 49% of the ownership units of Medallion. As such, we account for this investment under the equity method of accounting with our proportionate share of net income reflected in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations as "Income from equity method investee" and the carrying amount reflected in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as "Investment in equity method investee." Income from equity method investee increased by $0.8 million, or 34%, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. The quarter-over-quarter increase is mainly due to an increase in Medallion's transportation fee revenues resulting from higher throughput volumes, partially offset by increases in Medallion's depreciation and operating expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2017, Medallion continued expansion activities on existing portions of its pipeline infrastructure in order to gather additional third-party oil production. The Medallion pipeline system transported an average of 148,834 barrels of oil per day ("BOPD") and 83,251 BOPD for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. See Note 2.h to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional information regarding this investment.
Liquidity and capital resources
Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations, proceeds from equity offerings, proceeds from senior unsecured note offerings, borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and proceeds from asset dispositions. We believe cash flows from operations (including our hedging program) and availability under our Senior Secured Credit Facility provide sufficient liquidity to manage our cash needs and contractual obligations and to fund expected capital expenditures. Our primary operational uses of capital have been for the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, LMS' infrastructure development and investments in Medallion.
A significant portion of our capital expenditures can be adjusted and managed by us. We continually monitor the capital markets and our capital structure and consider which financing alternatives, including equity and debt capital resources, joint ventures and asset sales, are available to meet our future planned or accelerated capital expenditures. We may make changes to our capital structure from time to time, with the goal of maintaining financial flexibility, preserving or improving liquidity and/or achieving cost efficiency. Such financing alternatives, including capital market transactions and debt repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material. See Notes 3 and 4 for additional discussion of our divestiture of oil and natural gas properties and debt, respectively.
We continually seek to maintain a financial profile that provides operational flexibility. As of May 2, 2017, we had $925.0 million available for borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility. We believe that our operating cash flow and the aforementioned liquidity sources provide us with the financial resources to implement our planned exploration and development activities. We use derivatives to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil, NGL and natural gas.
    

41


The following table summarizes our hedge positions that were in place as of May 2, 2017 for the nine months remaining in 2017 and calendar-year 2018:
 
 
Remaining year
2017
 
Year
2018
Oil positions:
 
 

 
 
Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl)
 
5,163,125

 
3,458,375

Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)
 
$
55.82

 
$
53.71

NGL positions - Ethane:
 
 
 
 
Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl)
 
333,000

 

Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)
 
$
11.24

 
$

NGL positions - Propane:
 
 
 
 
Total volume hedged with floor price (Bbl)
 
281,250

 

Weighted-average floor price ($/Bbl)
 
$
22.26

 
$

Natural gas positions:(1)
 
 

 
 

Total volume hedged with floor price (MMBtu)
 
20,357,500

 
23,805,500

Weighted-average floor price ($/MMBtu)
 
$
2.75

 
$
2.50

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Includes derivatives entered into subsequent to March 31, 2017, which are settled based on the Inside FERC index price for West Texas Waha for the calculation period.
See Note 7.a to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for information regarding our derivative settlement indices and our open hedge positions as of March 31, 2017.
By removing a significant portion of the price volatility associated with future production, we expect to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices. Our derivative positions will help us stabilize a portion of our expected cash flows from operations in the event of future declines in the price of oil, NGL and natural gas. See "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" below.
On January 17, 2017, we completed the sale of 2,900 net acres and working interests in 16 producing vertical wells in the Midland Basin to a third-party buyer for a purchase price of $59.6 million. After transaction costs reflecting an economic effective date of October 1, 2016, the proceeds were $59.4 million net of working capital and closing adjustments. A portion of these proceeds were used to pay down borrowings on the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The purchase price was recorded as an adjustment to oil and natural gas properties pursuant to the rules governing full cost accounting.
Cash flows
Our cash flows for the periods presented are as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
63,784

 
$
56,517

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(53,961
)
 
(134,164
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(12,143
)
 
58,588

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
 
$
(2,320
)
 
$
(19,059
)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
The increase of $7.3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 is mainly due to the price-related increase in oil, NGL and natural gas revenues; however notable cash changes of (i) a decrease of $58.7 million in cash settlements received for matured and early terminations of derivatives, net of deferred premiums paid, (ii) an increase in working capital outflows of $6.6 million and (iii) a cash outflow of $6.4 million related to the settlement of our last tranche of performance unit awards in first-quarter 2016 with no comparable amount incurred in the first quarter of 2017.
Our operating cash flows are sensitive to a number of variables, the most significant of which are the volatility of oil, NGL and natural gas prices and production levels. Regional and worldwide economic activity, weather, infrastructure, capacity to reach markets, costs of operations, legislation and regulations and other variable factors significantly impact the prices of

42


these commodities. These factors are not within 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."
Cash flows used in investing activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $80.2 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 and is mainly attributable to (i) proceeds we received from a 2017 divestiture of oil and natural gas properties and (ii) a decrease in contributions made to Medallion. See Note 3 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements located elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion of the divestiture.
Our cash used in investing activities for the periods presented is summarized in the table below:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
 
Oil and natural gas properties
 
$
(110,542
)
 
$
(105,155
)
Midstream service assets
 
(1,731
)
 
(1,937
)
Other fixed assets
 
(1,203
)
 
(630
)
Investment in equity method investee
 

 
(26,660
)
Proceeds from dispositions of capital assets, net of selling costs
 
59,515

 
218

Net cash used in investing activities
 
$
(53,961
)
 
$
(134,164
)
Capital expenditure budget
Our board of directors approved a capital budget of approximately $530.0 million for calendar year 2017, excluding acquisitions and investments in Medallion. We do not have a specific acquisition budget since the timing and size of acquisitions cannot be accurately forecasted. In addition, as a 49% owner of Medallion, we do not direct the expansion activities of this entity and therefore cannot predict future capital commitments related to Medallion.
The amount, timing and allocation of capital expenditures are largely discretionary and within management's control. If oil, NGL and natural gas prices decline below our acceptable levels, or costs increase above our acceptable levels, we may choose to defer a 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. Subject to financing alternatives, we may also increase our capital expenditures significantly to take advantage of opportunities we consider to be attractive. We consistently monitor and may adjust our projected capital expenditures in response to success or lack of success in drilling activities, changes in prices, availability of financing and joint venture opportunities, drilling and acquisition costs, industry conditions, the timing of regulatory approvals, the availability of rigs, service costs, contractual obligations, internally generated cash flow and other factors both within and outside our control. For additional information on the impact of changing prices on our financial position, see "Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk."
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, our cash used in financing activities were the result of payments on our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the purchase of treasury stock to satisfy employees' tax withholding upon vesting of their stock-based compensation awards. These outflows were partially offset mainly by borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility. The aforementioned increase in the purchase of treasury stock is mainly due to the increase of our stock price at the restricted stock awards' vest dates, which is utilized to determine the taxable compensation, compared to our stock price at the restricted stock awards' grant dates, which is utilized to determine the number of shares of restricted stock awards to be granted. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, our primary source of cash provided by financing activities were borrowings on our Senior Secured Credit Facility, partially offset by payments on our Senior Secured Credit Facility.

43


Our cash (used in) provided by financing activities for the periods presented is summarized in the table below:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Borrowings on Senior Secured Credit Facility
 
$
50,000

 
$
85,000

Payments on Senior Secured Credit Facility
 
(55,000
)
 
(25,000
)
Purchase of treasury stock
 
(7,501
)
 
(1,412
)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options
 
358

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
$
(12,143
)
 
$
58,588

Debt
As of March 31, 2017, we were a party only to our Senior Secured Credit Facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes.
As of March 31, 2017, we had $1.4 billion in debt outstanding, $750.0 million available for borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and $30.4 million in cash on hand for total available liquidity of $780.4 million.
As of May 2, 2017, we had $1.4 billion in debt outstanding, $925.0 million available for borrowings under our Senior Secured Credit Facility and $20.0 million in cash on hand for total available liquidity of $945.0 million.
Senior Secured Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2017, our Senior Secured Credit Facility had a maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion, a borrowing base and an aggregate elected commitment of $815.0 million and $65.0 million outstanding.
The borrowing base under our Senior Secured Credit Facility is subject to a semi-annual redetermination based on the lenders' evaluation of our oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. The lenders have the right to call for an interim redetermination of the borrowing base once between any two redetermination dates and in other specified circumstances. On May 2, 2017, we entered into the Fifth Amendment and Restatement, pursuant to which, among other things, the borrowing base and aggregate elected commitment were each increased to $1.0 billion. In addition, the maturity date of the Senior Secured Credit Facility was extended to May 2, 2022, provided that if either of the January 2022 Notes or May 2022 Notes have not been refinanced on or prior to the applicable Early Maturity Date, the Senior Secured Credit Facility will mature on such Early Maturity Date.
Principal amounts borrowed under our Senior Secured Credit Facility are payable on the final maturity date with such borrowings bearing interest that is payable, at our election, either on the last day of each fiscal quarter at an Adjusted Base Rate or at the end of one-, two-, three-, six- or, to the extent available, 12-month interest periods (and in the case of six- and 12-month interest periods, every three months prior to the end of such interest period) at an Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate, in each case, plus an applicable margin, which ranges from 1.0% to 2.0% for Adjusted Base Rate loans and from 2.0% to 3.0% for Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate loans, based on the ratio of the outstanding revolving credit on our Senior Secured Credit Facility to the elected commitment. We are also required to pay an annual commitment fee based on the unused portion of the bank's commitment of 0.375% to 0.5%.
Our Senior Secured Credit Facility is secured by a first-priority lien on certain of our assets, including oil and natural gas properties constituting at least 85% of the present value of our proved reserves owned now or in the future. Our Senior Secured Credit Facility contains both financial and non-financial covenants. We were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2017.
Senior unsecured notes. The following table presents principal amounts and applicable interest rates for our outstanding senior unsecured notes as of March 31, 2017:
(in millions, except for interest rates)
 
Principal
 
Interest rate
January 2022 Notes
 
$
450.0

 
5.625
%
May 2022 Notes
 
500.0

 
7.375
%
March 2023 Notes
 
350.0

 
6.250
%
Total Senior Unsecured Notes
 
$
1,300.0

 
 
Refer to Note 4 of our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for further discussion of the March 2023 Notes, January 2022 Notes, May 2022 Notes and our Senior Secured Credit Facility.

44


Obligations and commitments
As of March 31, 2017, our contractual obligations included our March 2023 Notes, January 2022 Notes, May 2022 Notes, Senior Secured Credit Facility, drilling contract commitments, firm sale and transportation commitments, derivative deferred premiums, asset retirement obligations and office and equipment leases. From December 31, 2016 to March 31, 2017, the material changes in our contractual obligations included (i) a decrease of $44.7 million in our firm sale and transportation commitments, (ii) a decrease of $23.6 million on our interest obligations for our senior unsecured notes as semi-annual interest payments were made in January and March of 2017, (iii) a decrease of $5.0 million outstanding on our Senior Secured Credit Facility, (iv) an increase of $4.0 million in deferred premiums mainly due to new derivative contracts and (v) a decrease of $2.9 million for drilling contract commitments (on contracts other than those on a well-by-well basis).
Refer to Notes 2, 4, 7, 8 and 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional discussion of our contractual obligations.
Non-GAAP financial measure
The non-GAAP financial measure of Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by us, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Therefore, this non-GAAP measure should be considered in conjunction with net income or loss and other performance measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, such as operating income or loss or cash flow from operating activities. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for GAAP measures, such as net income or loss, operating income or loss or any other GAAP measure of liquidity or financial performance.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as net income or loss plus adjustments for deferred income tax expense or benefit, depletion, depreciation and amortization, impairment expense, non-cash stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized, accretion expense, mark-to-market on derivatives, cash premiums paid for derivatives, interest expense, gains or losses on disposal of assets, income or loss from equity method investee, proportionate Adjusted EBITDA of equity method investee and other non-recurring income and expenses. Adjusted EBITDA provides no information regarding a company’s capital structure, borrowings, interest costs, capital expenditures, working capital movement or tax position. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent funds available for discretionary use because those funds are required for debt service, capital expenditures and working capital, income taxes, franchise taxes and other commitments and obligations. However, our management believes Adjusted EBITDA is useful to an investor in evaluating our operating 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, 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 for various purposes, including as a measure of operating performance, in presentations to our board of directors and as a basis for strategic planning and forecasting.
There are significant limitations to the use of Adjusted EBITDA 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 to different companies and the different methods of calculating Adjusted EBITDA reported by different companies. Our measurements of Adjusted EBITDA for financial reporting as compared to compliance under our debt agreements differ.
During the year ended December 31, 2016, we changed the methodology for calculating Adjusted EBITDA by including adjustments for both accretion of asset retirement obligations and our proportionate share of our equity method investee's Adjusted EBITDA. Accordingly, the prior period's Adjusted EBITDA has been modified for comparability.
  

45


The following presents a reconciliation of net income (loss) (GAAP) to Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP):
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017

2016
Net income (loss)
 
$
68,276


$
(180,371
)
Plus:
 
 
 
 
Depletion, depreciation and amortization
 
34,112


41,478

Impairment expense



161,064

Non-cash stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized
 
9,224


3,838

Accretion expense
 
928


844

Mark-to-market on derivatives:
 
 
 
 
Gain on derivatives, net

(36,671
)

(17,885
)
Cash settlements received for matured derivatives, net

7,451


65,937

Cash settlements received for early terminations of derivatives, net



80,000

Cash premiums paid for derivatives
 
(2,107
)

(81,850
)
Interest expense
 
22,720


23,705

Loss on disposal of assets, net

214


160

Income from equity method investee
 
(3,068
)
 
(2,298
)
Proportionate Adjusted EBITDA of equity method investee(1)
 
6,365

 
3,684

Adjusted EBITDA
 
$
107,444


$
98,306

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Proportionate Adjusted EBITDA of Medallion, our equity method investee, is calculated as follows:
 
 
Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Income from equity method investee
 
$
3,068

 
$
2,298

Adjusted for proportionate share of:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
3,297

 
1,386

Proportionate Adjusted EBITDA of equity method investee
 
$
6,365

 
$
3,684


46


Critical accounting policies and estimates
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Certain accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions or if different assumptions had been used. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be 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 and assumptions used in preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements. We believe these accounting policies reflect our more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements.
In management's opinion, the more significant reporting areas impacted by our judgments and estimates are (i) the choice of accounting method for oil and natural gas activities, (ii) estimation of oil, NGL and natural gas reserve quantities and standardized measure of future net revenues, (iii) impairment of oil and natural gas properties, (iv) revenue recognition, (v) estimation of income taxes, (vi) asset retirement obligations, (vii) valuation of derivatives and deferred premiums, (viii) valuation of stock-based compensation and (ix) fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition. Management's judgments and estimates in these areas are based on information available from both internal and external sources, including engineers, geologists and historical experience in similar matters. Actual results could differ from these estimates as additional information becomes known.
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies and procedures during the three months ended March 31, 2017. For our other critical accounting policies and procedures, please see our disclosure of critical accounting policies in "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the 2016 Annual Report. Additionally, see Note 2 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for a discussion of additional accounting policies and estimates made by management.
Recent accounting pronouncements
See Note 15 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
Currently, we do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases, drilling contracts and firm sale and transportation commitments, which are described in "—Obligations and commitments." See Note 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional information.

47


Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risk. The term "market risk," in our case, refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil, NGL and natural gas prices and in interest rates. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures. All of our market risk sensitive instruments were entered into for hedging purposes, rather than for speculative trading.
Commodity price exposure
Due to the inherent volatility in oil, NGL and natural gas prices, we use derivatives, such as puts, swaps and collars to hedge price risk associated with a significant portion of our anticipated production. By removing a portion of the price volatility associated with future production, we expect to reduce, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices. We have not elected hedge accounting on these derivatives and, therefore, the gains and losses on open positions are reflected in earnings. At each period end, we estimate the fair values of our derivatives using an independent third-party valuation and recognize the associated gain or loss in our unaudited consolidated statements of operations included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
The fair values of our derivatives are largely determined by estimates of the forward curves of the relevant price indices. As of March 31, 2017, a 10% change in the forward curves associated with our derivatives would have changed our net positions to the following amounts:
(in thousands)
 
10% Increase
 
10% Decrease
Derivatives
 
$
(2,527
)
 
$
76,631

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair values of our open derivative contracts were $34.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively. Refer to Notes 2.e, 7 and 8.a of our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional disclosures regarding our derivatives.
Interest rate risk
The expected maturity years, carrying amounts and fixed interest rates on our long-term debt as of March 31, 2017 and the Senior Secured Credit Facility's average floating interest rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
 
Expected maturity year
(in millions except for interest rates)
 
2018
 
2022
 
2023
Senior Secured Credit Facility - floating rate
 
$
65.0

 
$

 
$

Average interest rate
 
2.322
%
 
%
 
%
January 2022 Notes - fixed rate
 
$

 
$
450.0

 
$

Interest rate
 
%
 
5.625
%
 
%
May 2022 Notes - fixed rate
 
$

 
$
500.0

 
$

Interest rate
 
%
 
7.375
%
 
%
March 2023 Notes - fixed rate
 
$

 
$

 
$
350.0

Interest rate
 
%
 
%
 
6.250
%
Counterparty and customer credit risk
As of March 31, 2017, our principal exposures to credit risk were through receivables of (i) $46.3 million from the sales of our oil, NGL and natural gas production that we market to energy marketing companies and refineries, (ii) $37.4 million from the fair values of our open derivative contracts, (iii) $15.7 million from sales of purchased oil and other products, (iv) $12.5 million from joint-interest partners and (v) $3.6 million from matured derivatives.
We are subject to credit risk due to the concentration of (i) our oil, NGL and natural gas receivables with several significant customers and (ii) our purchased oil receivable with one significant customer. On occasion we require our customers to post collateral, and the inability of our significant customers to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may adversely affect our financial results.
We have entered into International Swap Dealers Association Master Agreements ("ISDA Agreements") with each of our derivative counterparties, each of whom is also a lender in our Senior Secured Credit Facility. The terms of the ISDA Agreements provide the non-defaulting or non-affected party the right to terminate the agreement upon the occurrence of

48


certain events of default and termination events by a party and also provide for the marking to market of outstanding positions and the offset of the mark to market amounts owed to and by the parties (and in certain cases, the affiliates of the non-defaulting or non-affected party) upon termination.
Refer to Note 10 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for additional disclosures regarding credit risk.

49


Item 4.    Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
As of the end of the period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Laredo's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act), was performed under the supervision and with the participation of Laredo's management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer. Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that Laredo's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017. Our disclosure controls and other procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed in the reports we file and submit under the Exchange Act 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 Laredo's management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

50


Part II

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

From time to time we are subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings for which we may not have insurance coverage. While many of these matters involve inherent uncertainty, as of the date hereof, we are not party to any legal proceedings that we currently believe will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should carefully consider the risks discussed in our 2016 Annual Report. There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those described in the 2016 Annual Report. The risks described in the 2016 Annual Report are not the only risks facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition or future results.
Item 2.    Repurchase of Equity Securities
Period
 
Total number of shares withheld(1)
 
Average price per share
 
Total number of shares purchased as
part of publicly announced plans
 
Maximum number of shares that may
yet be purchased under the plan
January 1, 2017 - January 31, 2017
 
977

 
$
14.90

 

 

February 1, 2017 - February 28, 2017
 
532,029

 
$
14.02

 

 

March 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017
 
1,848

 
$
14.42

 

 

Total
 
534,854

 
 
 
 
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Represents shares that were withheld by us to satisfy employee tax withholding obligations that arose upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock awards and performance share awards.
Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.
Item 5.    Other Information

Disclosure pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Pursuant to Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, we may be required to disclose in our annual and quarterly reports to the SEC, whether we or any of our "affiliates" knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with certain individuals or entities targeted by United States ("US") economic sanctions. Disclosure is generally required even where the activities, transactions or dealings were conducted in compliance with applicable law. Because the SEC defines the term "affiliate" broadly, it includes any entity under common "control" with us (and the term "control" is also construed broadly by the SEC).
The description of the activities below has been provided to us by Warburg Pincus LLC ("WP"), affiliates of which: (i) beneficially own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock and/or are members of our board of directors, (ii) beneficially own more than 10% of the equity interests of, and have the right to designate members of the board of directors of Santander Asset Management Investment Holdings Limited ("SAMIH"). SAMIH may therefore be deemed to be under common "control" with us; however, this statement is not meant to be an admission that common control exists.
The disclosure below relates solely to activities conducted by SAMIH and its affiliates. The disclosure does not relate to any activities conducted by us or by WP and does not involve our or WP’s management. Neither Laredo nor WP has had any involvement in or control over the disclosed activities, and neither Laredo nor WP has independently verified or participated in

51


the preparation of the disclosure. Neither Laredo nor WP is representing as to the accuracy or completeness of the disclosure nor do we or WP undertake any obligation to correct or update it.
We understand that one or more SEC-reporting affiliates of SAMIH intends to disclose in its next annual or quarterly SEC report that:
(a) Santander UK plc ("Santander UK") holds two savings accounts and one current account for two customers resident in the United Kingdom ("UK") who are currently designated by the US under the Specially Designated Global Terrorist ("SDGT") sanctions program. Revenues and profits generated by Santander UK on these accounts in the three months ended March 31, 2017 were negligible relative to the overall revenues and profits of Banco Santander SA.
(b) Santander UK holds two frozen current accounts for two UK nationals who are designated by the US under the SDGT sanctions program. The accounts held by each customer have been frozen since their designation and have remained frozen through the three months ended March 31, 2017. The accounts are in arrears (£1,844.73 in debit combined) and are currently being managed by Santander UK Collections & Recoveries department. No revenues or profits were generated by Santander UK on this account in the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
On May 2, 2017, we entered into the Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among Laredo, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the financial institutions party thereto (the "Fifth Amendment and Restatement"). The Fifth Amendment and Restatement replaces the Company’s Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 31, 2014 (the "Former Credit Agreement"), in its entirety. See Note 16.a to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report for discussion regarding the Fifth Amendment and Restatement. The Former Credit Agreement was filed as Exhibit 10.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2014.
The foregoing description of the Fifth Amendment and Restatement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Fifth Amendment and Restatement, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Quarterly Report and incorporated herein by reference. The representations and warranties of the Company in the Fifth Amendment and Restatement were made only for purposes of that agreement and as of specific dates and were solely for the benefit of the lenders party thereto. The Fifth Amendment and Restatement is a contractual document that establishes and governs the legal relations among the parties thereto and is not intended to be a source of factual, business or operational information about the Company and its subsidiaries. The representations and warranties made by the Company in the Fifth Amendment and Restatement may be subject to standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Accordingly, investors and security holders should not rely on such representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts or circumstances.
Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The disclosure set forth under Item 1.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.






52


Item 6.    Exhibits

Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Laredo's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35380) filed on December 22, 2011).
3.2

 
Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated as of December 30, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Laredo's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35380) filed on January 6, 2014).
3.3

 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Laredo Petroleum, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Laredo's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35380) filed on February 17, 2016).
4.1

 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Laredo's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-176439) filed on November 14, 2011).
10.1*

 
Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2017, among Laredo Petroleum, Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions signatory thereto.
31.1*

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1**

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*

 
XBRL Instance Document.
101.CAL*

 
XBRL Schema Document.
101.SCH*

 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*

 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*

 
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*

 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
______________________________________________________________________________
*    Filed herewith.
**    Furnished herewith.




53


SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. 
 
LAREDO PETROLEUM, INC.
 
 
 
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Randy A. Foutch
 
 
Randy A. Foutch
 
 
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Richard C. Buterbaugh
 
 
Richard C. Buterbaugh
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ Michael T. Beyer
 
 
Michael T. Beyer
 
 
Vice President - Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
(principal accounting officer)

54


EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
 
Description
3.1

 
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Laredo Petroleum Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Laredo's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35380) filed on December 22, 2011).
3.2

 
Certificate of Ownership and Merger, dated as of December 30, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Laredo's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35380) filed on January 6, 2014).
3.3

 
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Laredo Petroleum, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Laredo's Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-35380) filed on February 17, 2016).
4.1

 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Laredo's Registration Statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-176439) filed on November 14, 2011).
10.1*

 
Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2017, among Laredo Petroleum, Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions signatory thereto.
31.1*

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*

 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1**

 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS*

 
XBRL Instance Document.
101.CAL*

 
XBRL Schema Document.
101.SCH*

 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEF*

 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*

 
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*

 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
______________________________________________________________________________
*    Filed herewith.
**    Furnished herewith.




55