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EX-99.1 - EXHIBIT 99.1 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex991nsaiparpacif.htm
EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex322-wm20171231.htm
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex321-wp20171231.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex312-wm20171231.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex311-wp20171231.htm
EX-23.3 - EXHIBIT 23.3 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex233nsaiconsent.htm
EX-23.2 - EXHIBIT 23.2 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex232deloittelara.htm
EX-23.1 - EXHIBIT 23.1 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex231deloitte10kc.htm
EX-21.1 - EXHIBIT 21.1 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex211subsidiaries.htm
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a20171231ex121fixedcharges.htm
10-K - 10-K - PAR PACIFIC HOLDINGS, INC.a2017123110-k20171231.htm
LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements





a2017laramieenergyllc_image1.jpg

LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Financial Statements
and
Independent Auditors’ Report
December 31, 2017,
2016, and 2015





LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC




Table of Contents


 
Page

 
 
Independent Auditors’ Report
1

 
 
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Balance Sheets
2

 
 
Statements of Operations
3

 
 
Statements of Members’ Equity
4

 
 
Statements of Cash Flows
5

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
7







 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
deloittelogoblack.jpg
Suite 400
1601 Wewatta Street
Denver, CO 80202
 
USA
 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT
Tel: + 1 303 292 5400
 
Fax: + 1 303 312 4000
To the Members of
www.deloitte.com
Laramie Energy, LLC
 
Denver, Colorado
 
 
 
We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Laramie Energy, LLC (the "Company"),
which comprise the balance sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related statements of
operations, members’ equity, and cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2017, and the
related notes to the financial statements.

Management's Responsibility for the Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these financial statements in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America; this includes
the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair
presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or
error.

Auditors' Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We
conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance
about whether the financial statements are free from material misstatement.

An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures
in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgment, including the
assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or
error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor considers internal control relevant to the
Company's preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in order to design audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion
on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An
audit also includes evaluating the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness
of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
presentation of the financial statements.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis
for our audit opinion.

Opinion

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of Laramie Energy, LLC as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for the three years ended December 31, 2017 in accordance with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

March 9, 2018



LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Balance Sheets


 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets
 
 
 
   Cash and cash equivalents
$
285,111

 
$
190,533

   Accounts receivable
14,070,484

 
10,850,673

   Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,418,237

 
1,157,973

   Derivative instruments
2,983,243

 

            Total current assets
18,757,075

 
12,199,179

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment
 
 
 
   Oil and gas properties, successful efforts method
 
 
 
      Proved properties
904,939,398

 
789,799,105

      Unproved properties
32,453,628

 
34,080,358

   Real estate and ranch property
40,284,743

 
40,570,713

   Office furniture, equipment, and other
3,867,973

 
4,763,775

 
981,545,742

 
869,213,951

   Less: accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization
(262,692,951
)
 
(216,203,690
)
            Total property and equipment, net
718,852,791

 
653,010,261

 
 
 
 
Debt issue costs, net of amortization of $1,845,758 and $1,326,840 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively
1,591,308

 
1,899,139

Other assets

 
112,830

 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
739,201,174

 
$
667,221,409

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Members’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities
 
 
 
   Accounts payable
$
14,908,628

 
$
6,796,114

   Oil and gas sales payable
3,959,226

 
3,262,715

   Accrued liabilities
23,264,364

 
16,896,732

   Derivative instruments
16,811

 
31,111,555

            Total current liabilities
42,149,029

 
58,067,116

 
 
 
 
Non-current liabilities
 
 
 
   Notes payable
171,500,000

 
117,500,000

   Redeemable Preferred A units
35,341,697

 
30,883,755

   Derivative instruments

 
12,163,466

Accrued liabilities
3,668,530

 
2,181,307

   Asset retirement obligation
26,986,294

 
23,902,588

            Total non-current liabilities
237,496,521

 
186,631,116

            Total liabilities
279,645,550

 
244,698,232

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Members’ equity
 
 
 
   Members’ equity
546,103,029

 
539,907,795

   Accumulated deficit
(86,547,405
)
 
(117,384,618
)
            Total members’ equity
459,555,624

 
422,523,177

 
 
 
 
Total liabilities and members’ equity
$
739,201,174

 
$
667,221,409




See notes to financial statements.

- 2 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Statements of Operations


 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating revenues
 
 
 
 
 
   Natural gas sales
$
120,448,493

 
$
84,073,533

 
$
35,374,165

   Condensate sales
7,510,195

 
5,356,238

 
2,296,011

   Natural gas liquids sales
28,774,463

 
15,395,959

 
5,199,768

Other revenues
1,146,167

 

 

            Total revenues
157,879,318

 
104,825,730

 
42,869,944

 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
   Lease operating expenses
25,773,674

 
21,687,357

 
11,348,247

   Gathering, transportation and processing
43,584,801

 
39,104,224

 
19,438,715

   Production and property taxes
5,788,033

 
4,084,776

 
859,936

   Depletion, depreciation, amortization and accretion
51,586,780

 
43,736,701

 
24,988,111

   Impairment of unproved properties

 

 
12,272,304

   Abandoned property and expired leases
1,936,784

 
2,080,839

 
1,733,014

   General and administrative
23,190,296

 
21,456,875

 
13,213,437

            Total operating expenses
151,860,368

 
132,150,772

 
83,853,764

 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from operations
6,018,950

 
(27,325,042
)
 
(40,983,820
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
   Gain (loss) on derivative instruments
35,530,531

 
(27,728,211
)
 
(5,874,529
)
   Interest expense and other financing costs
(6,458,928
)
 
(4,367,136
)
 
(2,156,197
)
   Gain (loss) on disposal of assets
50,855

 
656,777

 
(1,735
)
   Surface land operating expense
(327,276
)
 
(154,009
)
 
(167,500
)
   Preferred dividend
(4,166,112
)
 
(3,193,820
)
 

   Miscellaneous income
189,193

 
262,791

 
24,304

            Total other income (expense)
24,818,263

 
(34,523,608
)
 
(8,175,657
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
30,837,213

 
$
(61,848,650
)
 
$
(49,159,477
)

















See notes to financial statements.

- 3 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Statements of Members’ Equity
For the Years Ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015
 
Class A Units
 
Class B Units
 
Accumulated
 
Total Members’
 
Units
 
Amount
 
Units
 
Amount
 
Deficit
 
Equity
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances, January 1, 2015
500,000

 
$
365,046,126

 

 
$

 
$
(6,376,491
)
 
$
358,669,635


Net contributions of Class A Unitholders
157,612

 
93,857,615

 

 

 

 
93,857,615


Class B unit issuance and compensation

 

 
13,025

 
2,567,408

 

 
2,567,408

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss

 

 

 

 
(49,159,477
)
 
(49,159,477
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2015
657,612

 
458,903,741

 
13,025

 
2,567,408

 
(55,535,968
)
 
405,935,181


Net contributions of Class A Unitholders
208,522

 
71,886,073

 

 

 

 
71,886,073

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class B unit issuance and compensation, net of forfeitures

 

 
1,570

 
6,550,573

 

 
6,550,573

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss

 

 

 

 
(61,848,650
)
 
(61,848,650
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2016
866,134

 
530,789,814

 
14,595

 
9,117,981

 
(117,384,618
)
 
422,523,177

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Class B unit issuance and compensation, net of forfeitures

 

 
(360
)
 
6,195,234

 

 
6,195,234

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income

 

 

 

 
30,837,213

 
30,837,213

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2017
866,134

 
$
530,789,814

 
14,235

 
$
15,313,215

 
$
(86,547,405
)
 
$
459,555,624




See notes to financial statements.

- 4 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Statements of Cash Flows

 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
   Net income (loss)
$
30,837,213

 
$
(61,848,650
)
 
$
(49,159,477
)
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities
 
 
 
 
 
      Depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion
51,586,780

 
43,736,701

 
24,988,111

Impairment of unproved properties

 

 
12,272,304

Abandoned property and expired leases
1,936,784

 
2,080,839

 
1,733,014

Settlement of asset retirement obligation
(667,554
)
 
(141,260
)
 

      Non-cash interest costs
810,748

 
432,270

 
237,167

      Share-based compensation expense
6,195,234

 
6,550,573

 
2,567,408

      Preferred dividend
4,166,112

 
3,193,820

 

      Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
(46,241,453
)
 
34,452,084

 
16,623,179

      (Gain) loss on disposal of assets
(50,855
)
 
(656,777
)
 
1,735

      Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
         Accounts receivable
(3,219,811
)
 
(8,321,252
)
 
2,081,855

         Prepaid expenses and other assets
(147,434
)
 
(632,888
)
 
59,935

         Accounts payable
(2,497,286
)
 
695,129

 
(418,494
)
         Oil and gas sales payable
696,511

 
2,405,983

 
(1,285,820
)
         Accrued liabilities
122,771

 
5,238,846

 
626,359

            Net cash provided by operating activities
43,527,760

 
27,185,418

 
10,327,276

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
 
   Proceeds from sale of fixed assets
919,738

 
1,187,828

 
7,386

   Deposit on acquisition

 

 
(15,750,000
)
   Additions to property and equipment
(98,141,833
)
 
(167,435,240
)
 
(62,272,656
)
            Net cash used in investing activities
(97,222,095
)
 
(166,247,412
)
 
(78,015,270
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
 
   Proceeds from notes payable
205,350,000

 
150,250,000

 
113,650,000

   Payments on notes payable
(151,350,000
)
 
(110,000,000
)
 
(134,400,000
)
   Debt issue costs
(211,087
)
 
(1,485,493
)
 
(738,775
)
   Members’ contributions

 
100,000,000

 
89,888,125

   Costs of raising capital

 
(423,992
)
 

            Net cash provided by financing activities
53,788,913

 
138,340,515

 
68,399,350

 
 
 
 
 
 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
94,578

 
(721,479
)
 
711,356

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
190,533

 
912,012

 
200,656

 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
285,111

 
$
190,533

 
$
912,012


(Continued on the following page)







See notes to financial statements.

- 5 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Statements of Cash Flows


(Continued from the previous page)


Supplemental disclosure of activity:

Cash paid for interest in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $5,106,566, $3,651,018 and $1,584,440, respectively.

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash activity:

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded an asset retirement cost and related obligation of $2,039,180, $15,587,862 and $1,502,034, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded a non-cash property addition of $15.75 million from a deposit on acquisition.

During the year ended December 31, 2015 the Company recorded a non-cash property contribution from an equity investor pursuant to an acquisition of $3,969,490.
    
During the year ended December 31, 2017, sixteen wells were plugged and abandoned and three pads were reclaimed. Asset retirement obligation liabilities of $211,849 were settled and offset abandoned property expenses. In addition, asset retirement costs and related obligation liabilities of $29,515 were written off.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, two wells were plugged and abandoned and one pad was reclaimed. Asset retirement obligation liabilities of $40,631 were settled and offset abandoned property expenses.

Capital expenditures of $11,801,484 and $11,613,368 were unpaid and included in accrued liabilities and accounts payable, respectively, at December 31, 2017. Capital expenditures of $4,069,400 and $1,003,568 were unpaid and included in accrued liabilities and accounts payable, respectively, at December 31, 2016. Capital expenditures of $4,272,400 and $2,699,349 were unpaid and included in accrued liabilities and accounts payable, respectively, at December 31, 2015.












See notes to financial statements.

- 6 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Laramie Energy, LLC (the “Company”) a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on May 10, 2012 by Laramie Energy II, LLC (“Laramie II”) for the primary purpose of acquiring, owning, operating, and disposing of oil and gas properties in the continental United States of America. On August 31, 2012, Laramie II and Par Pacific Holdings, Inc. (“Par”), formerly named Par Petroleum Corporation, in connection with the Contribution Agreement (“Contribution Agreement”) between Laramie II, Par, and the Company dated August 31, 2012, contributed certain oil- and gas-related assets and liabilities to the Company in exchange for a member interest in the Company and cash paid to Par. Since then, the Company has raised additional capital from the original and new members (see Note 10). At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company’s properties were located in the Piceance Basin in Colorado. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions with which it invests. At December 31, 2017, cash and cash equivalents balance exceeded the federally insured limit by $35,111. The cash and cash equivalents balance did not exceed the federally insured limit as of December 31, 2016.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company’s producing properties are all located in Colorado in one general area, and the oil and gas production is sold to various purchasers based on market index prices. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, two purchasers accounted for 93% and five purchasers accounted for 85% of accrued oil and gas revenue, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, three purchasers accounted for 71% and 72% of total revenues, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2015, one purchaser accounted for 84% of total revenues. The Company continually monitors the credit standing of the primary purchasers.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

- 7 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Use of Estimates (continued)

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of oil and gas properties and the impairment of proved oil and gas properties are determined using estimates of oil and gas reserves. There are numerous uncertainties in estimating the quantity of reserves and in projecting the future rates of production and timing of development expenditures, including future costs to dismantle, dispose, and restore the Company’s properties. Oil and gas reserve engineering must be recognized as a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. In addition, significant estimates include the estimated cost and timing related to the asset retirement obligation, purchase price on a business combination (see Note 3), impairment of unproved oil and gas properties and the estimated fair value of derivative instruments.

Revenue Recognition

Oil and gas revenues are recognized when production volumes are sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, delivery has occurred and title has transferred, persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists and collectability of the revenue is reasonably assured. The Company utilizes the entitlements method of accounting for natural gas sales revenues. Under this method, revenues for the entitlement share of gas produced are based on the working interest in the properties. The Company records a receivable (payable) to the extent it receives less (more) than its proportionate share of gas revenues. The Company recognizes condensate revenues and natural gas liquids revenues based on the amount of condensate and natural gas liquids sold and delivered to purchasers. Revenues are reported on a gross basis for the amounts received before taking into account production taxes, gathering and transportation expenses, and lease operating costs, which are reported as separate expenses. The Company’s aggregate imbalance positions as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were not significant.

Income Taxes

The Company has elected to be treated as a partnership for income tax purposes. Accordingly, taxable income and losses of the Company are reported on the income tax returns of the Company’s members, and no provision for income taxes has been recorded on the accompanying financial statements.

The Company follows the guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes. Interest and penalties associated with tax positions are recorded in the period assessed as general and administrative expenses. The Company’s tax returns subject to examination by tax authorities include 2014 through the current period for state and federal tax reporting purposes, respectively.

- 8 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Property and Equipment

The Company accounts for its oil and gas exploration and development activities under the successful efforts method of accounting. Under this method, costs of productive exploratory wells, all development wells and facilities, and undeveloped leases are capitalized when incurred. Oil and gas lease acquisition costs are also capitalized when incurred. Exploration costs, including personnel costs, geological and geophysical expenses, and delay rentals for oil and gas leases, are charged to expense as incurred. Exploratory drilling costs are initially capitalized, but charged to expense if and when the well is determined not to have found reserves in commercial quantities.

The Company reviews its oil and gas properties for impairment at least annually and whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. The impairment test compares undiscounted future net cash flows to the assets’ net book value. If the net capitalized costs exceed future net cash flows, then the cost of the property is written down to fair value. Fair value for oil and gas properties is generally determined based on discounted future net cash flows. In 2017, 2016, and 2015, the Company did not recognize an impairment expense relative to its proved oil and gas properties. Unproved oil and gas properties are assessed periodically, but at least annually, for impairment on a field basis based on remaining lease terms, drilling results, reservoir performance, commodity price outlooks, or future plans to develop acreage and allocate capital. The Company recognized impairment expense of $0, $0 and $12,272,304 for the periods ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The sale of a partial interest in a proved oil and gas property is accounted for as normal retirement, and no gain or loss is recognized as long as the treatment does not significantly affect the units-of-production depletion rate. The sale of a partial interest in an unproved property is accounted for as a recovery of cost when substantial uncertainty exists as to the ultimate recovery of the cost applicable to the interest retained. A gain on the sale is recognized to the extent that the sales price exceeds the carrying amount of the unproved property. A gain or loss is recognized for all other sales of producing and non-producing properties. There were no sales of proved oil and gas properties or unproved properties in 2017, 2016, or 2015.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense; renewals and betterments are capitalized to the appropriate property and equipment accounts. Upon retirement or disposition of assets, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts with the resulting gains or losses, if any, reflected in results of operations.


- 9 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Property and Equipment (continued)

The provision for depletion, depreciation, and amortization of oil and gas properties is calculated on a field basis based on proved reserves using the units-of-production method. Costs of certain facilities and equipment serving a number of properties are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 7 to 15 years, or units-of-operations for certain significant equipment. The provisions for depreciation of the office furniture, equipment and other are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 15 years. Included in real estate and ranch property are buildings that are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives ranging from 20 to 39 years.

Derivative Instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to natural gas and natural gas liquids price volatility. All derivatives are initially, and subsequently, measured at estimated fair value and recorded as assets or liabilities on the balance sheets. The Company has elected not to designate its derivatives as cash flow hedges. For derivative contracts that do not qualify as cash flow hedges, changes in the estimated fair value of the contracts are recorded in gains and losses under the other income and expense caption in the statements of operations. When derivative contracts are settled, the Company also recognizes realized gains and losses under the other income and expense caption in its statements of operations.

Asset Retirement Obligation

Asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) relate to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells, removal of equipment and facilities from leased acreage and returning such land to its original condition. The Company records the estimated fair value of an ARO in the period in which it is incurred. When the liability is initially recorded, the Company capitalizes the cost by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Over time, the liability is accreted each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Upon settlement of the liability, the Company reports a gain or loss upon settlement to the extent the actual costs differ from the recorded liability.

The majority of the Company’s ARO relates to the plugging and abandoning of oil and gas wells, the reclamation of the Company’s well locations and decommissioning and reclaiming water and compression facilities. Revisions to estimated ARO result in adjustments to the related capitalized asset and corresponding liability.

- 10 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Asset Retirement Obligation (continued)

The following is a reconciliation of the ARO:

 
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Balance, beginning of period
$
23,902,588

 
$
7,294,893

Additions
2,039,180

 
55,061

Acquired oil and gas properties (Note 3)

 
15,532,801

Settlements and disposals
(241,364
)
 
(40,631
)
Accretion expense
1,285,890

 
1,060,464

 
 
 
 
Balance, end of period
$
26,986,294

 
$
23,902,588


Equity-Based Compensation

Compensation expense associated with equity-based awards is recognized at the fair value of the awards over the vesting period on a straight-line basis.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the 2015 and 2016 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2017 presentation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The objective of this update is to improve the transparency of information about an entity's risk management activities and simplify the application of hedge accounting. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, for public companies, and for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, for private companies. Early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

- 11 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements



Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The objective of this update is 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 businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those periods, for public companies, and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, for private companies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows-Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The objective of this update is to address eight specific cash flow issues in order to reduce the existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, for public companies, and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, for private companies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. The objective of this update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, for public companies, and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, for private companies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The objective of this update is to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, for public companies, and for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, for private companies. Early application is permitted for private companies as of the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

- 12 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements



Note 1 - Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (continued)

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The objective of this update is to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard. ASU 2015-14 deferred the effective reporting periods of ASU 2014-09, and it is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, for public companies, and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, for private companies. Early application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, for public companies, and as of an annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period, for private companies. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard.

Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements

Authoritative guidance defines estimated fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the Company’s assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances.

The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of the inputs as follows:

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

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, and are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. Substantially all Level 2 assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable than objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management's best estimate of fair value.

- 13 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements (continued)

The assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and/or out of the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the reporting period in which the event or change in circumstances caused the transfer. The Company has consistently applied the valuation techniques discussed below in all periods presented. The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, by level within the fair value hierarchy:

 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Derivative instruments, current
$

 
$
2,983,243

 
$

 
$
2,983,243

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Derivative instruments, current
$

 
$
16,811

 
$

 
$
16,811

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Derivative instruments, current
$

 
$
33,111,555

 
$

 
$
33,111,555

Derivative instruments, non-current
$

 
$
12,163,466

 
$

 
$
12,163,466




As of December 31, 2017, the Company’s commodity derivative financial instruments were comprised of 14 natural gas swaps and 3 costless collars. As of December 31, 2016, the Company’s commodity derivative financial instruments were comprised of 24 natural gas swaps and 1 costless collar. The fair values of the swap agreements are determined under the income valuation technique using a discounted cash flows model. The fair values of the collar agreements are determined under the income valuation technique using an option-pricing model. The valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, published forward prices, volatilities for options, and discount rates, as appropriate. The Company’s estimates of fair value of derivatives include consideration of the counterparty’s creditworthiness, the Company’s creditworthiness, and the time value of money. The consideration of these factors results in an estimated exit price for each derivative asset or liability under a marketplace participant’s view. All of the significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; therefore, the Company’s derivative instruments are included within the Level 2 fair value hierarchy. The counterparties in all of the Company’s commodity derivative financial instruments are the lenders in the Company’s bank credit facility.

- 14 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 2 - Fair Value Measurements (continued)

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The treatment of the net assets acquired qualified as business combination and, as such, the Company estimated the fair value of each property as of the acquisition date (the date on which the Company obtained control of the properties) (see Note 3).

Fair value measurements utilize assumptions of market participants. To determine the fair value of the oil and gas assets related to the acquisition, the Company used an income approach based on a discounted cash flow model and made market assumptions as to future commodity prices, projections of estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, expectations for timing and amount of future development and operating costs, projections of future rates of production, expected recovery rates and risk adjusted discount rates. The Company determined the appropriate discount rates used for the discounted cash flow analyses by using a weighted average cost of capital from a market participant perspective plus property specific risk premiums for the assets acquired. The Company estimated property specific risk premiums taking into consideration that the related reserves are primarily natural gas, among other items. Given the unobservable nature of the significant inputs, they are deemed to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The additional net assets acquired were determined to be at fair value due to their short-term nature.

Financial Instruments

Other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, oil and gas sales payable, accrued liabilities, notes payable and Class A Preferred units. With the exception of the notes payable and Class A Preferred units, the financial statement carrying amounts of these items approximate their fair values due to their short-term nature. The Company’s note payable has a recorded value that approximates its fair value since its variable interest rate is tied to current market rates and the applicable margins represent market rates. The fair value of the Company’s Class A Preferred units approximates its carrying value based on the terms and conditions the Company can receive for similar financial instruments as of year-end.

- 15 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 3 – Acquisitions

In the normal course of its business, the Company anticipates acquiring interests in proved oil and gas properties and in unproved acreage in its area of operations.

On December 17, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement to acquire certain properties in the Piceance Basin, from Oxy USA Inc. (“Oxy”), an oil and gas company, for $152.1 million. On March 1, 2016, the Company closed on its Purchase and Sale Agreement with Oxy.

The following table summarizes the purchase price and final allocation of the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

Purchase Price
March 1, 2016
 
 
Oil and gas properties
 
   Proved
$
135,952,475

   Unproved
6,800,000

Real Estate
26,200,000

Other assets
848,000

Asset retirement obligations
(15,345,268
)
Other Liabilities
(2,323,174
)
 
 
 
$
152,132,033



Note 4 – Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following:

 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Prepaid insurance
$
429,361

 
$
399,060

Prepaid rent
103,545

 
104,971

Prepaid royalties
603,500

 
410,900

Prepaid other
281,831

 
243,042

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,418,237

 
$
1,157,973



- 16 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 5 - Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities, current, consist of the following:

 
December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
 
Accrued capital expenditures
$
11,801,484

 
$
4,069,400

Accrued production and property taxes
5,392,732

 
4,638,147

Accrued bonuses
2,725,409

 
2,621,286

Accrued joint developer prepayment
                        -
 
3,296,955

Accrued general and administrative expenses
183,341

 
129,888

Accrued lease operating expenses
1,837,222

 
1,051,622

Accrued other
1,324,176

 
1,089,434

 
 
 
 
 
$
23,264,364

 
$
16,896,732



Note 6 - Credit Facility

On June 4, 2012, the Company entered into a credit facility (the “Facility”), as amended, with J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, each as an arranger, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as the administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”), and the lenders party thereto. The Facility is a $400 million secured revolving credit facility secured by a lien on the Company’s oil and gas properties and related assets. The Facility matures on December 15, 2020.

Availability under the Facility is limited to the lesser of (i) $400 million or (ii) the borrowing base in effect from time to time. The borrowing base is determined by the Administrative Agent and the lenders, in their sole discretion, based on customary lending practices, review of the oil and gas properties included in the borrowing base, financial review of the Company, and such other factors as may be deemed relevant. The borrowing base is redetermined (i) on or about March 15 of each year based on the previous December 31 reserve report prepared by an independent engineering firm acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and (ii) on or about September 15 of each year based on the previous June 30 reserve report prepared by the Company’s internal engineers. The borrowing base at December 31, 2017 was $230,000,000. At December 31, 2017, and 2016, the outstanding balance on the Facility was $171,500,000 and $117,500,000, respectively.

- 17 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 6 - Credit Facility (continued)

During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company incurred $211,087 of debt issuance costs in relation to the borrowing base redeterminations. Debt issuance costs incurred for the year ended December 31, 2016 were $1,485,493. The remaining unamortized debt issuance costs incurred in relation to the original Facility and the debt issuance costs incurred in relation to the amended Facility are being amortized straight-line over the life of the amended Facility.

Amounts borrowed bear interest at rates ranging from LIBOR plus 2.00% to LIBOR plus 3.00% per annum for Eurodollar loans and the prime rate plus 1.00% to prime rate plus 2.00% per annum for Base Rate loans, depending upon the ratio of outstanding credit to the borrowing base. At December 31, 2017, interest rates were between 3.74% and 4.06% for Eurodollar loans and 6.00% for Base Rate loans. At December 31, 2016, interest rates were between 3.14% and 3.27% for Eurodollar loans and 5.25% for Base Rate loans. Interest is due monthly on draw date of each Eurodollar and Base Rate loan. The agreement contains customary operational and financial covenants, including a current ratio covenant, and a total debt to consolidated EBITDAX (as defined) covenant. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. Under the terms of the Facility, the Company is generally prohibited from making future cash distributions to its owners.


- 18 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 7 - Derivative Instruments

The Company periodically enters into various commodity hedging instruments to mitigate a portion of the effect of natural gas and natural gas liquids price fluctuations. The Company classifies the fair value amounts of derivative assets and liabilities as net current or non-current derivative assets or net current or non-current derivative liabilities, whichever the case may be, by commodity and counterparty. The Company enters into derivatives under master netting arrangements, which, in an event of default, allows the Company to offset payables to and receivables from the defaulting counterparty. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, there were no available amounts to be offset.

The Company’s commodity derivative contracts as of December 31, 2017 are summarized below:

Collars
Basis
Average Quantity (MMBtu/Day)
Strike Price ($/MMBtu)
January 1, 2018 – March 31, 2018
NWPL
10,000
$3.00 – $3.25
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018
NYMEX
7,500
$2.85 – $3.25
 
 
 
 
Swaps
Basis
Average Quantity (MMBtu/Day)
Average Swap Price ($/MMBtu)
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018
NYMEX

87,857
$2.60 – $3.10
 
 
 
 
Basis Swaps
Basis
Average Quantity (MMBtu/Day)
Basis Differential ($/MMBtu)
January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2018
CIG
75,702
$ (0.24) – $ (0.28)
 
 
 
 


- 19 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 7 - Derivative Instruments (continued)

The aggregate fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments reported in the balance sheets, including the classification between current and non-current assets and liabilities, consists of the following:

 
 
December 31, 2017
 
 
Gross Recognized Assets/ Liabilities
 
Net Recognized Fair Value Assets/ Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments
Current assets
$
2,983,243

 
$
2,983,243

 
 
 
 
 
Total derivative assets
 
$
2,983,243

 
$
2,983,243

 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments
Current liabilities
$
(16,811
)
 
$
(16,811
)
 
 
 
 
 
Total derivative liabilities
 
$
(16,811
)
 
$
(16,811
)
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Gross Recognized Assets/ Liabilities
 
Net Recognized Fair Value Assets/ Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative instruments
Current liabilities
$
(31,111,555
)
 
$
(31,111,555
)
Derivative instruments
Non-current liabilities
(12,163,466
)
 
(12,163,466
)
 
 
 
 
 
Total derivative liabilities
 
$
(43,275,021
)
 
$
(43,275,021
)


None of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features.  Counterparties to the Company’s financial derivative contracts are high credit-quality financial institutions that are lenders under the Company’s credit facility.  The Company uses only credit facility participants to hedge with, since these institutions are secured equally with the holders of the Company’s bank debt, which eliminates the potential need to post collateral when the Company is in a derivative liability position.  As a result, the Company is not required to post letters of credit or company guarantees for its derivative counterparties in order to secure contract performance obligations.

- 20 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 7 - Derivative Instruments (continued)

The table below summarizes the realized and unrealized gains and losses related to the Company’s derivative instruments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

 
 
 
 
For the Years Ended December 31,
Commodity Derivative Instrument
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized (losses) gains on derivative instruments, net
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
(10,710,922
)
 
$
6,723,873

 
$
10,748,650

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net
 
Other income (expense)
 
46,241,453

 
(34,452,084
)
 
(16,623,179
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) recorded, net
 
Other income (expense)
 
$
35,530,531

 
$
(27,728,211
)
 
$
(5,874,529
)

Due to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, the estimated fair values of the Company’s commodity derivative instruments are subject to large fluctuations from period to period.


Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies

The table below shows the Company’s minimum future payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2017 and which are described below:

 
Payments due by period
 
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Thereafter
Total
Office leases
1,084,296

1,103,979

1,121,561

330,263



3,640,099

Drilling rig contracts
1,728,000






1,728,000

Equipment leases
1,069,901

1,231,327

1,231,327

1,231,327

1,231,327

1,584,223

7,579,432

Other leases
76,326

76,326

76,326

51,079



280,057

Total
3,958,523

2,411,632

2,429,214

1,612,669

1,231,327

1,584,223

13,227,588


Non-cancelable Office Leases

The Company leases administrative office space in Denver, Colorado under an operating lease expiring May 31, 2021 and office space in Grand Junction, Colorado expiring December 31, 2020. Rental expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases and was $1,181,612, $1,286,339 and $243,655 for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Prior to August 1, 2015, the Company had no office leases as all office space was provided by Laramie II under the terms of the Management Services Agreement.

- 21 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Drilling Rig Contracts

At December 31, 2017, the Company had two drilling rigs under contract, both expiring March 13, 2018. At December 31, 2016, the Company had one drilling rig under contract until May 2017 and was subsequently extended to March 2018. At December 31, 2015, the Company had one drilling rig under contract that was terminated on January 10, 2016; the Company expensed $133,875 relating to the termination of this contract.

Equipment Lease Financing

At December 31, 2017, the Company had two lease financing obligations pertaining to natural gas compressors with a major bank’s leasing subsidiary. The leases expire in June 2023 and December 2024, respectively, at which time the Company may purchase the equipment at its fair market value. Rental expense was $648,499 and $347,360 for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The aggregate undiscounted minimum future lease payments are presented above.

Terminated Management Services Agreement

The Company entered into a Management Services Agreement with Laramie II effective August 31, 2012 whereby Laramie II provided management services and office space to the Company for $650,000 per month. The agreement was terminated effective August 1, 2015. After August 1, 2015, the Company directly incurred and settled general and administration services. For the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company paid management services fee to Laramie II of $4,550,000, which was included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.

Employment Agreements

The Company has employment agreements with three of its executive officers.

Retirement Savings Plan

The Company outsources payroll and human resources functions to an administrative agent. In conjunction with this arrangement, the Company has a 401(k) plan (the “Plan”) available to eligible employees. The Plan provides for up to 5% matching contributions by the Company. In 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company’s matching contributions to the Plan were $468,484, $346,558 and $57,255, respectively. Prior to August 1, 2015, the Company had no employees.


- 22 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Transportation, Gathering and Processing Agreements

Effective August 1, 2015, as part of the Management Agreement termination, the Company assumed from Laramie II a ship-or-pay agreement with an interstate pipeline company that extends through December 31, 2023. The transportation agreement obliges the Company to ship 15,000 MMBtu per day or pay the pipeline company a deficiency payment equal to an established tariff per MMBtu for the volume shortfall. For the past several years, because the Company did not utilize this firm capacity, the Company assigned the firm capacity to another shipper to partially offset this liability by supplementing the volumes that the Company did not ship. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred $771,893, $788,127 and $312,201, respectively, in deficiency payments for the volume shortfall which is included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.

Gathering and Processing Agreements

At inception in August 2012, the Company assumed the long-term gas gathering and processing contracts of its predecessors. Subsequently, as other asset acquisitions have been made by the Company, other pre-existing long-term gas gathering and processing contracts tied to the acquired assets have been assumed by the Company. Accordingly, most of the Company’s acreage in Mesa, Garfield, and Rio Blanco Counties, Colorado is dedicated to one or more of these gas gathering and processing contracts such that all of the Company’s gas production flows through third party midstream companies for gathering and processing. Only one of these contracts requires a minimum annual volume commitment, and this contract’s volume commitment ends in November 2019. Under this contract, should the Company not ship the required volumes in a particular year prior to 2019, it must pay the gatherer a deficiency payment equal to the gathering fee for the volume shortfall. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company incurred gas gathering expense related to this volume shortfall of $1,177,689 $1,432,100, and $1,429,305, respectively, which is paid in the following January each year which is included in Gathering, transportation and processing expense. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had the respective 2017 and 2016 gas volume deficiency expenses under this contract included in accounts payable.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company amended one of its gathering and processing contracts.  Under the terms of the amendment, the Company received reduced gathering and processing fees in return for a commitment to drill and complete a total 150 wells by December 31, 2018, 50 of which were required to be drilled and completed by December 31, 2017.  If the commitment to drill and complete 50 wells was not met by December 31, 2017, the reduction in gathering and processing fees would be subject to a clawback payment.  The Company met the commitment to drill and complete 50 wells in 2017, thus eliminating the clawback provision.   Should the Company fall short of the total 150 well commitment for the 2017-18 period by December 31, 2018, a penalty will be due to the gas gatherer and processor for each well short of the 150 well target.


- 23 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements


Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

Other Minimum Volume Obligations Relating to Gathering and Processing Agreements

Upon closing of the asset acquisition from Oxy on March 1, 2016 (see Note 3), the Company acquired Oxy’s oil and gas leases, gas wells, and its gathering and processing agreements to which the acquired gas wells and lease acreage were dedicated. As a key provision of the contractual assignment of Oxy’s former gathering and processing contracts to the Company, Oxy retained all of the deficiency payment liabilities of the underlying gathering and processing contracts’ minimum volume obligations between Oxy and the gathering and processing companies. Per the terms of the asset acquisition, and to partially offset Oxy’s retained deficiency payment liabilities, the Company entered into four separate minimum volume commitment agreements directly between Oxy and the Company. Under each of these minimum volume commitment agreements, the Company must pay Oxy a monthly deficiency payment for the difference between the committed volumes and the actual volumes shipped under Oxy’s former gathering and processing contracts that were assigned to the Company. Each of these four minimum volume commitment agreements relate to one of the four separate gathering and processing contracts that Oxy assigned to the Company.

Each of the Company’s four minimum volume agreements with Oxy have a separate monthly gas volume schedule. Under two of the agreements between the Company and Oxy, the minimum gas volume schedules are based on the Company’s forecast of future gas production from the existing proved developed wells that are dedicated to the two assumed gathering and processing contracts. The minimum volume schedules of the other two agreements between the Company and Oxy are based on the Company’s forecast of existing proved developed wells and, starting in January 2018, also from future wells that the Company plans to drill within the acquired acreage. Based on the Company’s capital expenditure plans to drill new wells as approved by its Board of Directors and the Company’s forecast of its future gas production, the Company projects that no material amounts shall be due to the asset seller under these four minimum volume obligations. For the year ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred $228,713 and $63,978, in deficiency payments for the volume shortfall which is included in gathering, transportation and processing expenses in the statements of operations.

Litigation

The Company is subject to litigation, claims and governmental regulatory proceedings arising in the course of ordinary business. No litigation or governmental regulatory proceedings are currently underway or pending.

Environmental Matters

As an owner or lessee and operator of oil and gas properties, the Company is subject to various federal, state, and local laws and regulations relating to discharge of materials into, and protection of, the environment. The Company has policies to ensure continuing compliance with environmental laws and regulations and maintains insurance coverage for certain environmental matters. There can be no assurance that current or future federal, state, or local laws and regulations will not require the Company to spend material amounts to comply with such laws and regulations.


- 24 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 9 – Preferred A Units

Under the Unit Purchase Agreement (“UPA 2016”) dated February 22, 2016, the Company issued 30,000 Class A Preferred units at $1,000 per unit. The Class A Preferred units have liquidation preference rights over the Class A units. Dividends due on the Class A Preferred units are 10% per annum and due on a quarterly basis if paid in cash. The Company may elect to accrue dividends and increase the liquidation preference of the Class A Preferred units at 12% per annum on a quarterly compounding basis. During 2017 and 2016, the Company incurred non-cash preferred dividend expense of $4,166,112 and $3,193,820, respectively.

The Company has classified the Class A Preferred units as debt due to the mandatorily redeemable feature. The Class A Preferred units are redeemable six years from the date of the UPA 2016, February 22, 2022. Under ASC Topic 470, Debt, the proceeds of debt instruments should be allocated based upon their relative fair values. In connection with the issuance of the 30,000 Class A Preferred units in exchange for $30,000,000, the purchaser, Wells Fargo Central Pacific Holdings, Inc. (“Wells Fargo”), received 12,992 Class A units. The Company used a market based approach to a “Backsolve” method to identify the relative fair values of the Class A Preferred units and Class A units, $27,689,935 and $2,310,065, respectively, upon issuance.


Note 10 – Members’ Equity

The Company issued additional Class A units to existing members under UPA 2016. Members purchased 195,530 Class A units at $358 per Class A unit for $70,000,000. In addition, the Company issued 12,992 Class A units to Wells Fargo (see Note 9).

All Class A unit holders vote as a single class based upon their respective sharing percentages. Revenues and costs are allocated in accordance with specific provisions in the Third Amended and Restated LLC Agreement (“3rd LLC Agreement”). After payout to the Class A Preferred units, the Class A units are senior to Class B units in terms of liquidation and voting and have first-call on all assets until the Class A units reach payout as defined in the 3rd LLC Agreement.
 
Class A Units
 
Units
 
Amount
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2015
657,612

 
458,903,741

 
 
 
 
UPA 2016 – February 22, 2016
208,522

 
72,310,065

 
 
 
 
Funding fees and other costs of raising capital

 
(423,992
)
 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2016
866,134

 
530,789,814

 
 
 
 
Balances, December 31, 2017
866,134

 
530,789,814



- 25 -


LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 10 – Members’ Equity (continued)

Class B Units

Laramie Energy Employee Holdings, LLC (“Employee Holdings”) (FKA Piceance Energy Employee Holdings, LLC) was formed on August 28, 2015 by the Management Investors of Laramie Energy Employee Holding, LLC (“Management Investors”) and holds all 15,000, Class B units authorized under the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (the “LLC Agreement”). Employee Holdings is authorized to grant the Class B units to selected Company employees (including the Management Investors) upon written consent from the Company in its capacity as Manager of Employee Holdings. As of December 31, 2017, Employee Holdings had granted 14,235 Class B units, net of forfeitures, to the Company’s employees.

Class B units generally vest over three years. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, vested Class B units were 8,723, 4,208 and 0, respectively. If an employee is terminated by the Company for cause, all Class B units, whether vested or unvested at the time of termination, shall be deemed automatically forfeited. Employees who cease to be employed by the Company for any reason, other than termination for cause, will forfeit all unvested units. Vested units may be repurchased by the Company at fair value at the Company’s option. Distributions to Class B unit holders will only occur after the Class A unit holders reach “pay-out” as defined in the LLC Agreement. Generally, Class A unit holders are entitled to receive the return of their investment in the Company’s Class A units plus a specified internal rate of return on such investment prior to the Class B unit holders receiving any cash distributions.

The Company’s Class B units are non-voting "profits interests" for which no cash consideration was received upon issuance and which are used to compensate management based on the value of the Company. The Company accounts for the Class B units as an equity award and has recorded compensation expense to date based on the grant dates’ fair values and the vesting periods. The estimated fair value of the Class B units at grant date July 1, 2017, July 1, 2016 and August 31, 2015 was approximately $0.1 million, $0.8 million and $19.3 million, respectively. In 2017, employees forfeited 550 Class B units which reduced compensation cost by $0.5 million. In 2016, employees forfeited 425 Class B units which reduced compensation cost by $0.6 million. In 2015, there were no forfeitures of Class B units. Total compensation cost recognized during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $6.2 million, $6.6 million and $2.6 million, respectively, and is included in general and administrative expense in the accompanying statements of operations. Approximately $3.4 million in compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining 2.5 years. Estimated fair values were determined considering the following factors:
Estimating the fair value of the Company at the dates on which units were awarded and the balance sheet date based on investments in Class A units.
Allocating the Company's fair value to the unit holders through application of the Option Pricing Method as detailed in the AICPA Accounting and Valuation Guide, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation.




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LARAMIE ENERGY, LLC

Notes to Financial Statements

Note 10 – Members’ Equity (continued)

Class B Units (continued)

As part of the Option Pricing Method, a series of Black-Scholes option pricing models were applied in order to model the value to the Class B units as a contingent claim on the upside value of the Company’s equity value. The assumptions listed below were made in applying this option pricing model:
The underlying equity value was solved such that the value allocable to the Class A units aligned to the investment values of $400, $358 and $595.50 per share of the Company at July 1, 2017, July 1, 2016 and August 31, 2015, respectively. This approach is referred to as the “Backsolve” method in the AICPA guide.
The exercise prices of the options were based upon the participation thresholds at which the participation ratios of liquidation proceeds change between Class A and B. These amounts were derived based on the rights and preferences outlined in Company’s LLC Agreement.
The maturity dates of the options were assumed to be three years from the grant date, aligning to the expected investment holding period.
Volatility was based on the volatilities of comparable companies and was estimated at 41% as of the grant dates.
The risk-free rate was based on U.S. Treasury Strips, which corresponded with the assumed term (three years) of the options at grant date at 1.24%, 0.71 % and 1.04% as of the grant dates, July 1, 2017, July 1, 2016 and August 31, 2015, respectively.

Note 11 – Subsequent Events

Acquisition

On February 28, 2018, the Company closed on a Purchase and Contribution Agreement with another exploration and production company (the “New LLC Member”), whereby the New LLC Member contributed all of its oil and gas properties located in the Piceance Basin, with the associated obligations under operating contracts, and a $20 million cash payment, collectively with a fair market value of $28.1 million, into the Company in exchange for 70,227 of the Company’s newly issued Class A Units. The Purchase and Contribution Agreement is subject to customary adjustments which will be settled in cash. In addition, the New LLC Member provided the Company with a $3.5 million cash payment for asset reclamation liabilities related to the properties conveyed.

The Company has evaluated all subsequent events through the independent auditors’ report date, March 9, 2018, which is the date the financial statement were available for issuance.

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