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☒
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
September 30, 2022
OR
☐
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number
1-9260
UNIT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
73-1283193
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
8200 South Unit Drive,
Tulsa,
Oklahoma
74132
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(918)
493-7700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
N/A
N/A
N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
☐ No ☒ *
* Effective January 1, 2021, the registrant’s obligation to file reports under Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was automatically suspended.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Yes
☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☐
Non-accelerated filer
☒
Smaller reporting company
☒
Emerging growth company
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes
☒
No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
☐
No ☒
As of November 10, 2022,
9,612,096
shares of the registrant's common stock were outstanding.
This report contains “forward-looking statements” – meaning, statements related to future events 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. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this document that address activities, events or developments we expect or anticipate will or may occur, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “predicts,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. This report modifies and supersedes documents filed by us before this report. In addition, certain information we file with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will automatically update and supersede information in this report.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Future actions, conditions or events, and future results may differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. Many factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or accurately predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in our forward-looking statements include:
•
the amount and nature of our future capital expenditures and how we expect to fund our capital expenditures;
•
prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas;
•
demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas;
•
our exploration and drilling prospects;
•
the estimates of our proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves;
•
oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserve potential;
•
development and infill drilling potential;
•
expansion and other development trends in the oil and natural gas industry;
•
our business strategy;
•
our plans to maintain or increase the production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;
•
our ability to utilize the benefits of net operating losses and other deferred tax assets against potential future taxable income;
•
the number of gathering systems and processing plants our mid-stream investment may plan to construct or acquire;
•
volumes and prices for the natural gas our mid-stream investment gathers and processes;
•
expansion and growth of our business and operations;
•
demand for our drilling rigs and the rates we charge for the rigs;
•
our belief that the outcome of our legal proceedings will not materially affect our financial results;
•
our ability to timely secure third-party services used in completing our wells;
•
our mid-stream investment's ability to transport or convey our oil, NGLs, or natural gas production to existing pipeline systems;
•
the impact of federal and state legislative and regulatory actions affecting our costs and increasing operating restrictions or delays and other adverse impacts on our business;
•
the possibility of security threats, including terrorist attacks and cybersecurity breaches, against or otherwise affecting our facilities and systems;
•
any projected production guidelines we may issue;
•
our anticipated capital budgets;
•
our financial condition and liquidity;
•
the number of wells our oil and natural gas segment plans to drill; and
•
our estimates of any ceiling test write-downs or other potential asset impairments we may have to record in future periods.
These statements are based on our assumptions and analyses considering our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Whether actual results and developments will meet our expectations and predictions is subject to risks and uncertainties, any one or combination of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations and predictions. Some of these risks and uncertainties are:
•
the risk factors discussed in this document and the documents (if any) we incorporate by reference;
•
general economic, market, or business conditions;
•
the availability and nature of (or lack of) business opportunities we pursue;
•
demand for our land drilling services;
•
changes in laws and regulations;
•
changes in the current geopolitical situation, such as the current conflict occurring between Russia and Ukraine;
•
risks relating to financing, including restrictions in our debt agreements and availability and cost of credit;
•
risks associated with future weather conditions;
•
decreases or increases in commodity prices;
•
the amount and terms of our debt;
•
future compliance with covenants under our credit agreements;
•
pandemics, epidemics, outbreaks, or other public health events, such as COVID-19; and
•
other factors, most of which are beyond our control.
You should not construe this list to be exhaustive. We believe the forward-looking statements in this report are reasonable. However, there is no assurance that the actions, events, or results expressed in forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, of their timing or what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Because of these uncertainties, you should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking information and to release publicly the results of any future revisions we may make to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after this document to reflect incorrect assumptions or unanticipated events.
Additional discussion of factors that may affect our forward-looking statements appear elsewhere in this report, including in Item 1A “Risk Factors,” Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 3 "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk - Commodity Price Risk.”
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $
2,355
and $
2,511
at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively
66,461
87,248
Prepaid expenses and other
4,608
5,542
Total current assets
250,132
156,930
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, on the full cost method:
Proved properties
173,413
225,014
Unproved properties not being amortized
4,735
422
Drilling equipment
72,410
66,058
Gas gathering and processing equipment
—
274,748
Transportation equipment
2,712
4,550
Other
8,970
8,631
262,240
579,423
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment
91,783
128,880
Net property and equipment
170,457
450,543
Equity method investment (Note 15)
1,658
—
Right of use asset (Note 14)
6,951
12,445
Other assets
9,528
9,559
Total assets
(1)
$
438,726
$
629,477
1.
Unit Corporation no longer consolidates the balance sheet of Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Superior) as of September 30, 2022, as discussed in Note 2 - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15 - Superior Investment. Unit Corporation's consolidated total assets as of December 31, 2021 included current and long-term assets of Superior of $
61.1
million and $
229.5
million, respectively, which can only be used to settle obligations of Superior. Unit Corporation's consolidated cash and cash equivalents of $
64.1
million as of December 31, 2021 included $
17.2
million held by Superior.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
Common stock, $
0.01
par value,
25,000,000
shares authorized;
12,083,965
shares issued and
9,611,573
outstanding at September 30, 2022, and
12,000,000
shares issued and
10,050,037
outstanding at December 31, 2021
121
120
Treasury stock (Note 5)
(
79,399
)
(
51,965
)
Capital in excess of par value
252,505
198,171
Retained earnings
130,105
41,071
Total shareholders' equity attributable to Unit Corporation
303,332
187,397
Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries
—
212,271
Total shareholders' equity
303,332
399,668
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
(1)
$
438,726
$
629,477
1.
Unit Corporation no longer consolidates the balance sheet of Superior as of September 30, 2022, as discussed in Note 2 - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15 - Superior Investment. Unit Corporation's consolidated total liabilities as of December 31, 2021 included current and long-term liabilities of Superior of $
42.3
million and $
21.2
million, respectively. All of Unit Corporation's consolidated long-term debt of $
19.2
million as of December 31, 2021 was held by Superior.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) - CONTINUED
Shareholders' Equity Attributable to Unit Corporation
Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
Capital in Excess
of Par Value
Retained
Earnings (Deficit)
Non-controlling Interest in Consolidated Subsidiaries
Total
(In thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 2020
$
120
$
—
$
197,242
$
(
18,140
)
$
246,371
$
425,593
Net income (loss)
—
—
—
(
1,937
)
1,346
(
591
)
Stock-based compensation
—
—
74
—
16
90
Balances as of March 31, 2021
$
120
$
—
$
197,316
$
(
20,077
)
$
247,733
$
425,092
Net income (loss)
—
—
—
(
12,994
)
2,879
(
10,115
)
Stock-based compensation
—
—
245
—
15
260
Distributions to non-controlling interests
—
—
—
—
(
12,344
)
(
12,344
)
Repurchases of common stock
—
(
9,048
)
—
—
—
(
9,048
)
Balances as of June 30, 2021
$
120
$
(
9,048
)
$
197,561
$
(
33,071
)
$
238,283
$
393,845
Net income (loss)
(1)
—
—
—
6,295
(
9,100
)
(
2,805
)
Balance correction (Note 2)
—
—
—
(
1,437
)
1,437
—
Stock-based compensation
—
—
(
82
)
—
—
(
82
)
Distributions to non-controlling interests
—
—
—
—
(
3,834
)
(
3,834
)
Repurchases of common stock
—
(
10,834
)
—
—
—
(
10,834
)
Balances as of September 30, 2021
$
120
$
(
19,882
)
$
197,479
$
(
28,213
)
$
226,786
$
376,290
1.
Includes a one-time adjustment to correct an error discovered in our second quarter 2021 allocation of earnings from consolidated subsidiaries, as described in Note 2 - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - CONTINUED
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid (received) for:
Interest paid
$
553
$
4,307
Income taxes
178
(
1,128
)
Reorganization items
(
13
)
4,026
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to purchases of property and equipment
(
214
)
(
3,356
)
Non-cash additions to oil and natural gas properties related to asset retirement obligation additions and estimate revisions
(
3,304
)
(
4,412
)
Non-cash reductions to oil and natural gas properties related to net changes in asset retirement obligations, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities resulting from divestitures
8,984
2,218
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE 1
–
ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS
Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to “Unit”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, “us”, or like terms refer to Unit Corporation or, as appropriate, one or more of its subsidiaries. References to our mid-stream segment refer to Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Superior) of which we own
50
%.
We are primarily engaged in the development, acquisition, and production of oil and natural gas properties, the land contract drilling of natural gas and oil wells, and the buying, selling, gathering, processing, and treating of natural gas. Our operations are all in the United States and are organized in the following
three
reporting segments: (1) Oil and Natural Gas, (2) Contract Drilling, and (3) Mid-Stream.
Oil and Natural Gas.
Carried out by our subsidiary, Unit Petroleum Company (UPC), we develop, acquire, and produce oil and natural gas properties for our own account. Our producing oil and natural gas properties, unproved properties, and related assets are primarily located in Oklahoma and Texas, and to a lesser extent, in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, and North Dakota.
Contract Drilling.
Carried out by our subsidiary, Unit Drilling Company (UDC), we drill onshore oil and natural gas wells for a wide range of other oil and natural gas companies as well as for our own account. Our drilling operations are primarily located in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming, and North Dakota.
Mid-Stream.
Carried out by Superior of which we own
50
%. Superior buys, sells, gathers, transports, processes, and treats natural gas for UPC and for third parties. Mid-Stream operations are primarily located in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
NOTE 2 –
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
These interim financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding interim financial reporting. Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP) for complete consolidated financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2021 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022.
In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are fairly stated and contain all normal recurring adjustments (including the elimination of all intercompany transactions). Our financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make certain estimates and assumptions that may affect the amounts reported in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results. The Company evaluates subsequent events through the date the financial statements are issued.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Unit Corporation and its subsidiaries. We consolidated the
financial position, operating results, and cash flows
of Superior prior to March 1, 2022, on which date
the
Master Services and Operating Agreement (MSA)
was amended and restated, with the result that we no longer consolidate Superior's financial position, operating results, and cash flows during periods subsequent to March 1, 2022. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes reflect Superior activity on a consolidated basis for the two months prior to March 1, 2022. See
Note 15 – Superior Investment for more information on the Superior investment and consolidation conclusions. All intercompany transactions and accounts between consolidated entities have been eliminated, including activity between Unit and Superior during the two months prior to March 1, 2022. Intercompany transactions and accounts between Unit and Superior subsequent to March 1, 2022 are not eliminated.
During third quarter 2021, management identified an error in the allocation of earnings from Superior between Unit Corporation and non-controlling interests related to the three months ended June 30, 2021 as well as an unrelated error in the initial allocation of equity between Unit Corporation and non-controlling interests as of September 1, 2020 (Fresh Start Reporting Date). The impact of the errors were not material to any of our prior period financial statements and both errors were corrected with one-time adjustments in the three months ended September 30, 2021. As a result, during the three months ended September 30, 2021, net income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation was increased by $
12.2
million with a corresponding decrease to net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest, and retained earnings (deficit) was reduced by $
1.4
million with a corresponding decrease to non-controlling interest in consolidated subsidiaries.
During second quarter 2021, management identified errors in our inter-segment eliminations presentation between oil and natural gas revenues and gas gathering and processing revenues as well as between gas gathering and processing operating costs and general and administrative expenses. The impacts of the errors were not material to any of our prior period financial statements and the current year impacts on the three months ended March 31, 2021 were corrected with a one-time adjustment in the three months ended June 30, 2021. As a result, during the three months ended June 30, 2021, oil and natural gas revenues were decreased by $
8.6
million with a corresponding increase to gas gathering and processing revenues while general and administrative expenses were increased by $
0.9
million with a corresponding decrease to gas gathering and processing operating costs.
Also during second quarter 2021, management identified separate errors in our prior period accrual of oil and natural gas revenues as well as oil and natural gas operating costs. The impacts of the errors were not material to any of our prior period financial statements and the errors were corrected with a one-time adjustment in the three months ended June 30, 2021. As a result, during the three months ended June 30, 2021, oil and natural gas revenues were increased by $
3.9
million and oil and natural gas operating costs were decreased by $
3.4
million.
Certain amounts in this report for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. There was no impact from these reclassifications to consolidated net income/(loss) or shareholders' equity.
NOTE 3 –
REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS
Our revenue streams are reported under
three
segments: oil and natural gas, contract drilling, and mid-stream which is consistent with how we report our segment revenue in Note 19 – Industry Segment Information. Revenue from the oil and natural gas segment is from sales of our oil and natural gas production. Revenue from the contract drilling segment comes from contracting with upstream companies to drill an agreed-on number of wells or provide drilling rigs and services over an agreed-on period. Revenues from the mid-stream segment are generated from the fees earned for gas gathering and processing services provided to a customer or by selling of hydrocarbons to other mid-stream companies.
Oil and Natural Gas Revenue
Typical types of revenue contracts entered into by our oil and gas segment are Oil Sales Contracts, North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) Contracts, Gas Gathering and Processing Agreements, and revenues earned as the non-operated party with the operator serving as an agent on our behalf under joint operating agreements. Consideration received is variable and settled monthly while contract terms can range from a single month or evergreen to terms of a decade or more. Revenues from oil and natural gas sales are recognized when the customer obtains control of the sold product which typically occurs at the point of delivery to the customer.
Certain costs, as either a deduction from revenue or as an expense, are determined based on when control of the commodity is transferred to our customer, which would affect our total revenue recognized, but will not affect gross profit. For example, gathering, processing and transportation costs are included as part of the contract price with the customer on transfer of control of the commodity are included in the transaction price, while costs incurred while we are in control of the commodity represent operating costs.
Contract Drilling Revenue
Contract drilling revenues and expenses are primarily recognized as services are performed and collection is reasonably assured. Payments for mobilization and demobilization activities do not relate to a distinct good or service within the contract and are deferred for ratable recognition when material. Costs incurred to relocate rigs and other drilling equipment to areas in which a contract has not been secured are expensed as incurred and any reimbursements received for out-of-pocket expenses are recorded as both revenues and direct costs.
Most of our drilling contracts have a term of one year or less and the remaining performance obligations under the contracts without a fixed term are not material.
Mid-Stream Revenue
The typical revenue contracts used by this segment are gas gathering and processing agreements as well as product sales. Superior recognizes sales revenue at the point in time when control transfers to the purchaser, typically at a specified delivery point, based on the contractually agreed upon fixed or index-based price received. Contracts for gas gathering and processing services may include terms for demand fees or shortfall fees. Demand fees or shortfall fees exist in arrangements where a customer agrees to pay a fixed fee for a contractually agreed upon pipeline capacity or shortfall fees for any minimum volumes not utilized, which create performance obligations for each individual period of reservation. Revenue for these fees is recognized once the services have been completed, the customer no longer has access to the contracted capacity, or the likelihood of the customer exercising all or a portion of their remaining rights becomes remote.
Contract Assets and Liabilities
The table below shows the changes in our contract asset and contract liability balances during periods presented:
Classification on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets
September 30,
2022
December 31,
2021
Change
(In thousands)
Assets
Current contract assets
Prepaid expenses and other
$
—
$
174
$
(
174
)
Non-current contract assets
Other assets
—
—
—
Total contract assets
$
—
$
174
$
(
174
)
Liabilities
Current contract liabilities
Current portion of other long-term liabilities
$
239
$
1,588
$
(
1,349
)
Non-current contract liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
182
200
(
18
)
Total contract liabilities
421
1,788
(
1,367
)
Contract assets (liabilities), net
$
(
421
)
$
(
1,614
)
$
1,193
NOTE 4 –
DIVESTITURES
Oil and Natural Gas
The Company initiated an asset divestiture program at the beginning of 2021 to sell certain non-core oil and gas properties and reserves (the Divestiture Program). On October 4, 2021, the Company announced that it was expanding the Divestiture Program to include the potential sale of additional properties, including up to all of UPC’s oil and gas properties and reserves, and on January 20, 2022, the Company announced that it had retained a financial advisor and launched the process. On June 10, 2022, the Company announced that it had ended its engagement with the financial advisor and terminated the process. During the process, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its Texas Gulf Coast oil and gas properties.
On July 1, 2022, the Company closed on the sale of certain wells and related leases near the Texas Gulf Coast for cash proceeds of $
45.4
million, net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments based on an effective date of April 1, 2022.
These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
On March 8, 2022, the Company closed on the sale of certain non-core wells and related leases located near the Oklahoma Panhandle for cash proceeds of $
3.6
million, net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments based on an effective date of December 1, 2021.
These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
On August 16, 2021, the Co
mpany closed on the sale of substantially all of our wells and related leases located near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for cash proceeds of $
16.1
million,
net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments
based on an effective date of August 1, 2021. These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
On May 6, 2021, the Company closed on the sale of substantially all of our wells and the leases related thereto located in Reno and Stafford Counties, Kansas for cash proceeds of $
7.3
million,
net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments based on an effective date of February 1, 2021
. These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
Net proceeds for the sale of other non-core oil and natural gas assets totaled $
3.9
million and $
0.6
million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
6.6
million and $
5.0
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sales did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
Contract Drilling
Proceeds for the sale of non-core contract drilling assets totaled $
3.0
million and $
4.3
million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
9.4
million and $
8.2
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These proceeds resulted in net gains of $
2.5
million and $
3.1
million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
6.7
million and $
5.2
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The net gains are presented within gain on disposition of assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Corporate and Other
On September 17, 2021, we closed the sale of our corporate headquarters building and land for $
35.0
million resulting in a gain of $
0.9
million, net of $
2.2
million of transaction costs. In conjunction with the closing, we entered into a multi-year lease for a portion of the building.
NOTE 5 –
CAPITAL STOCK
Stock Repurchases
In June 2021, we repurchased an aggregate of
600,000
shares of our common stock from the Lenders (as defined in Note 9 - Long-Term Debt and Other Long-Term Liabilities) which received these shares as an exit fee during our reorganization. The Lenders were paid $
15.00
per share for their respective shares, for an aggregate cash purchase price of $
9.0
million.
In June 2021, the Company's board of directors (the Board) authorized repurchasing up to $
25.0
million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Board subsequently authorized increases to the authorized repurchases up to $
50.0
million in October 2021 and then up to $
100.0
million in June 2022. The repurchases are made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or other available means. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares under the repurchase program and may suspend or discontinue it at any time without prior notice. During the third quarter of 2022, we repurchased
275,000
shares under the repurchase program at an average share price of $
51.46
for an aggregate purchase price of $
14.2
million. As of September 30, 2022,
we had repurchased a total of
1,794,392
shares under the repurchase program at an average share price of $
38.37
for an aggregate purchase price of $
68.9
million.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we also repurchased
78,000
shares in a privately negotiated transaction at a share price of $
19.07
which was not part of the repurchase program.
The cumulative number of shares repurchased as of
September 30, 2022
totaled
2,472,392
.
The cash purchase price and any direct acquisition costs are reflected as treasury stock on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2022.
Each holder of Unit common stock outstanding (Old Common Stock) before the September 3, 2020 emergence from bankruptcy (Emergence Date) that did not opt out of the release under the Chapter 11 plan (as amended, supplemented and modified from time to time, the “Plan”) of reorganization filed with the bankruptcy court on June 9, 2020 is entitled to receive
0.03460447
warrants for every share of Old Common Stock owned. Each warrant is exercisable for one share of common stock, subject to adjustment as provided in the Warrant Agreement. The warrants expire on the earliest of (i) September 3, 2027, (ii) consummation of a Cash Sale (as defined in the Warrant Agreement), or (iii) the consummation of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had authorized
1,822,203
warrants and none had been exercised.
Among other provisions, the Warrant Agreement outlines potential adjustments to the warrants if certain events occur, including (i) stock dividends payable in shares of common stock or stock splits, (ii) reverse stock splits or similar combination events, (iii) Liquidity Events (as defined in the Warrant Agreement), and (iv) other events not explicitly contemplated which may have an adverse impact to the intent and purpose of the warrants as set forth in the Plan, provided, however, the warrants will not be adjusted for (a) any issuances of securities in connection with a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, stock purchase, recapitalization, reorganization or other similar business combination, (b) the issuance of any securities by Unit on or after the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan) pursuant to the Plan or upon the issuance of shares of common stock upon the exercise of such securities, (c) the issuance of any shares of common stock pursuant to the exercise of the warrants, (d) the issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to any management stock option incentive or similar plan, (e) a dividend or distribution to holders of common stock of cash, property, or securities (other than common stock), and/or (f) any change in the par value of the common stock.
Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, the Company determined the initial exercise price of the warrants to be $
63.74
. On April 7, 2022, the Company delivered notice of the initial exercise price to the Warrant Agent and the warrants became exercisable for shares of the Company’s common stock. On or about April 25, 2022, the warrants began trading over-the-counter under the symbol "UNTCW".
See Note 12 - Derivatives for more information on how the warrants are treated in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 6 –
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
On the Effective Date, the Board adopted the Unit Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) to incentivize employees, officers, directors and other service providers of the Company and its affiliates. The LTIP will be administered by the Board or a committee thereof and provides for the grant, from time to time, at the discretion of the Board or a committee thereof, of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), stock awards, dividend equivalents, other stock-based awards, cash awards, performance awards, substitute awards or any combination of the foregoing. Subject to adjustment in the event of certain transactions or changes of capitalization in accordance with the LTIP,
903,226
shares of New Common Stock have been reserved for issuance pursuant to awards under the LTIP. New Common Stock subject to an award that expires or is canceled, forfeited, exchanged, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated without delivery of shares and shares withheld to pay the exercise price of, or to satisfy the withholding obligations with respect to, an award will again be available for delivery pursuant to other awards under the LTIP.
The table below summarizes the stock-based compensation expense activity recognized during the following periods:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Stock-based compensation expense
$
1,872
$
(
81
)
$
5,757
$
135
Capitalized stock compensation cost for our oil and natural gas properties
The tables below summarize the
activity pertaining to nonvested RSUs during the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
Number
of Shares
Weighted
Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Number
of Shares
Weighted
Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Nonvested RSUs, beginning of period
294,818
$
28.07
109,008
$
12.90
Granted
—
—
—
—
Vested
(
65,705
)
25.21
—
—
Forfeited
(
1,725
)
34.00
—
—
Nonvested RSUs, end of period
227,388
$
28.85
109,008
$
12.90
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
Number
of Shares
Weighted
Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Number
of Shares
Weighted
Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Nonvested RSUs, beginning of period
315,529
$
26.71
—
$
—
Granted
(1)
7,850
30.50
109,008
12.90
Vested
(
94,266
)
21.72
—
—
Forfeited
(
1,725
)
34.00
—
—
Nonvested RSUs, end of period
(2)
227,388
$
28.85
109,008
$
12.90
1.
RSUs granted in January 2022 had an aggregate grant date fair value of $
0.2
million and vest equally each month for
thirty months
. RSUs granted in April 2021 had an aggregate grant date fair value of $
1.4
million and vest
25
% on each of the following dates: May 27, 2022, September 3, 2022, September 3, 2023, and September 3, 2024.
2.
The aggregate compensation cost related to nonvested RSUs not yet recognized as of September 30, 2022 was $
4.8
million with a weighted average remaining service period of
1.1
years.
The tables below summarize the
activity pertaining to outstanding stock options during the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021:
Three Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
Number
of Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Number
of Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding stock options, beginning of period
374,834
$
45.00
—
$
—
Granted
—
—
—
—
Exercised
—
—
—
—
Forfeited or expired
—
—
—
—
Outstanding stock options, end of period
374,834
$
45.00
—
$
—
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
Number
of Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Number
of Shares
Weighted Average
Exercise Price
Outstanding stock options, beginning of period
361,418
$
45.00
—
$
—
Granted
(1)
13,416
45.00
—
—
Exercised
—
—
—
—
Forfeited or expired
—
—
—
—
Outstanding stock options, end of period
(2)
374,834
$
45.00
—
$
—
Exercisable stock options, end of period
(3)
65,920
$
45.00
—
$
—
1.
Stock options granted in January 2022 had an aggregate grant date fair value of $
0.1
million and 100% vest on the first anniversary of the grant date.
2.
Stock options outstanding as of September 30, 2022 had a weighted average remaining contractual term of
4.0
years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $
3.1
million. The aggregate compensation cost related to outstanding options not yet recognized as of September 30, 2022 was $
3.1
million with a weighted average remaining service period of
1.0
years.
3.
Stock options exercisable as of September 30, 2022 had a weighted average remaining contractual term of
4.1
years and an aggregate intrinsic value of $
0.5
million.
NOTE 7
– EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The tables below show the calculation of earnings (loss) per share attributable to Unit Corporation using the treasury stock method for the periods indicated:
Earnings (Loss)
(Numerator)
Weighted
Shares
(Denominator)
Per-Share
Amount
(In thousands except per share amounts)
Three months ended September 30, 2022
Basic earnings attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
55,818
9,787
$
5.70
Effect of dilutive restricted stock units and stock options
(1)
—
178
(
0.10
)
Diluted earnings attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
55,818
9,965
$
5.60
Three months ended September 30, 2021
Basic earnings attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
6,295
11,311
$
0.56
Effect of dilutive restricted stock units
—
109
(
0.01
)
Diluted earnings attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
6,295
11,420
$
0.55
1.
The diluted earnings per share calculation for the three months ended September 30, 2022 excludes the effects related to
1,822,203
average warrants with a $
63.74
exercise price because their inclusion would be antidilutive.
Basic earnings attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
89,034
9,954
$
8.94
Effect of dilutive restricted stock units and stock options
(1)
—
177
(
0.15
)
Diluted earnings attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
89,034
10,131
$
8.79
Nine months ended September 30, 2021
Basic loss attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
(
8,636
)
11,735
$
(
0.74
)
Effect of dilutive restricted stock units
(2)
—
—
—
Diluted loss attributable to Unit Corporation per common share
$
(
8,636
)
11,735
$
(
0.74
)
1.
The diluted earnings per share calculation for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 excludes the effects related to
361,418
average outstanding stock options with a $
45.00
exercise price and
1,822,203
average warrants with a $
63.74
exercise price because their inclusion would be antidilutive.
2.
The diluted loss per share calculation for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 excludes the effect related to
62,690
average outstanding restricted stock units because their inclusion would be antidilutive.
NOTE 8 –
ACCRUED LIABILITIES
The table below provides detail on our accrued liabilities as of the dates indicated:
September 30,
2022
December 31,
2021
(In thousands)
Employee costs
$
9,058
$
10,005
Lease operating expenses
3,490
3,451
Capital expenditures
4,102
3,962
Taxes
2,192
3,320
Interest payable
37
296
Other
1,209
1,416
Total accrued liabilities
$
20,088
$
22,450
NOTE 9 –
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Long-Term Debt
The table below provides detail on our outstanding long-term debt as of the dates indicated:
September 30,
2022
December 31,
2021
(In thousands)
Long-term debt:
Exit credit agreement
$
—
$
—
Superior credit agreement
(1)
$
19,200
1.
Unit Corporation no longer consolidates the balance sheet of Superior as of September 30, 2022, as discussed in Note 2 - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15 - Superior Investment.
Exit Credit Agreement.
On the Emergence Date, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the Exit credit agreement), providing for a $
140.0
million senior secured revolving credit facility (RBL Facility) and a $
40.0
million senior secured term loan facility, among (i) the Company, UDC, and UPC (together, the Borrowers), (ii) the guarantors party thereto, including the Company and all of its subsidiaries existing as of the Effective Date (other than Superior and its subsidiaries), (iii) the lenders party thereto from time to time (Emergence Lenders), and (iv) BOKF, NA dba Bank of Oklahoma as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent). The maturity date of borrowings under the Exit credit agreement is
March 1, 2024
. The Exit credit agreement is secured by first-priority liens on substantially all of the personal and real property assets of the Borrowers and the Guarantors, including the Company’s ownership interests in Superior.
Prior to the November 1, 2022 amendment described below, Revolving Loans and Term Loans (each as defined in the Exit credit agreement) were able to be Eurodollar Loans or ABR Loans (each as defined in the Exit credit agreement). Revolving Loans that were Eurodollar Loans bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) for the applicable interest period plus
525
basis points while Revolving Loans that were ABR Loans bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) plus
425
basis points. Term Loans that were Eurodollar Loans bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted LIBO Rate for the applicable interest period plus
625
basis points while Term Loans that were ABR Loans bore interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus
525
basis points.
On April 6, 2021, the Company finalized the first amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the first amendment, the Company reaffirmed its borrowing base of $
140.0
million of the RBL Facility, amended certain financial covenants, and received less restrictive terms, among others, as it relates to the disposition of assets and the use of proceeds from those dispositions.
On July 27, 2021, the Company finalized the second amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the second amendment, the Company obtained confirmation that the Term Loan had been paid in full prior to the amendment date and received one-time waivers related to the disposition of assets.
On October 19, 2021, the Company finalized the third amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the third amendment, the Company requested, and was granted, a reduction in the RBL Facility borrowing base from $
140.0
million to $
80.0
million in addition to less restrictive terms as it relates to capital expenditures, required hedges, and the use of proceeds from the disposition of certain assets, while also amending certain financial covenants.
On March 30, 2022, the RBL Facility borrowing base of $
80.0
million was reaffirmed.
On July 1, 2022, the RBL Facility borrowing base was automatically reduced to $
31.3
million as a result of closing the Texas Gulf Coast properties sale discussed in Note 4 - Divestitures.
On November 1, 2022, the Company finalized the fourth amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the fourth amendment, (i) the RBL Facility borrowing base was increased to $
35.0
million, (ii) the lenders party to the agreement were revised to only BOKF, NA dba Bank of Oklahoma, and (iii) the Eurodollar Loan borrowing option was amended to a secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) option. Subsequent to the fourth amendment, Revolving Loans are able to be SOFR Loans or ABR Loans (each as defined in the Exit credit agreement). Revolving Loans that are SOFR Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) for the applicable interest period plus
525
basis points while Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus
425
basis points.
The Exit credit agreement requires the Company to comply with certain financial ratios, including: the Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter cannot be greater than
3.25
to 1.00, the Current Ratio (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter cannot be less than
1.00
to 1.00, and the Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) as of the last day of any fiscal quarter cannot be less than
2.50
to 1.00. The Exit credit agreement also contains provisions, among others, that limit certain capital expenditures, and require certain hedging activities. The Exit credit agreement further requires the Company to provide quarterly financial statements within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year and annual financial statements within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year. As of September 30, 2022, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
As of September 30, 2022, we had
no
long-term borrowings and $
2.7
million of letters of credit outstanding under the Exit credit agreement.
Superior Credit Agreement.
On May 10, 2018, Superior entered into a
five-year
, $
200.0
million senior secured revolving credit facility with an option to increase the credit amount up to $
250.0
million, subject to certain conditions (Superior credit agreement). The amounts borrowed under the Superior credit agreement bore annual interest at a rate, at Superior’s option, equal to (a) LIBOR plus the applicable margin of
2.00
% to
3.25
% or (b) the alternate base rate (greater of (i) the federal funds rate plus
0.5
%, (ii) the prime rate, and (iii) the Thirty-Day LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Superior credit agreement)) plus the applicable margin of
1.00
% to
2.25
%.
On April 29, 2022, Superior entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for a
four-year
, $
135.0
million senior secured revolving credit facility with an option to increase the credit amount up to $
200.0
million, subject to certain conditions (Amended Superior credit agreement). The amounts borrowed under the Amended Superior credit agreement bear annual interest at a rate, at Superior’s option, equal to (a) SOFR plus the applicable margin of
2.75
% to
3.75
% or (b) the alternate base rate (greater of (i) the federal funds rate plus
0.5
%, (ii) the prime rate, and (iii) SOFR plus
0.10
%). The obligations under the Amended Superior credit agreement are secured by, among other things, mortgage liens on certain of Superior’s processing plants and gathering systems. Unit is not a party to and does not guarantee the Amended Superior credit agreement.
Other Long-Term Liabilities
The table below provides detail on our other long-term liabilities as of the dates indicated:
September 30,
2022
December 31,
2021
(In thousands)
Asset retirement obligation (ARO) liability
$
22,518
$
25,688
Workers’ compensation
7,435
7,925
Contract liability
421
1,788
Separation benefit plans
1,437
2,022
Gas balancing liability
4,256
1,090
36,067
38,513
Less: current portion
4,144
5,574
Total other long-term liabilities
$
31,923
$
32,939
NOTE 10 –
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
We are required to record the estimated fair value of the liabilities relating to the future retirement of our long-lived assets. Our oil and natural gas wells are plugged and abandoned when the oil and natural gas reserves in those wells are depleted or the wells are no longer able to produce. The plugging and abandonment liability for a well is recorded when the well is drilled or acquired and the obligation is incurred. None of our assets are restricted for purposes of settling these AROs. All our AROs relate to the plugging costs associated with our oil and gas wells.
The following table shows certain information about our estimated AROs for the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
ARO liability, beginning of period
$
25,688
$
23,356
Accretion of discount
1,366
1,381
Liability incurred
22
4
Liability settled
(
556
)
(
852
)
Liability sold
(
7,284
)
(
1,925
)
Revision of estimates
(1)
3,282
4,408
ARO liability, end of period
22,518
26,372
Less: current portion
2,532
2,455
Long-term ARO liability
$
19,986
$
23,917
1.
Plugging liability estimates were revised in 2022 and 2021 for updates in the cost of services used to plug wells over the preceding year as well as estimated inflation and discount rates. We had various upward and downward adjustments.
NOTE 11 –
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
We are liable for workers' compensation benefits for traumatic injuries through our self-insured program to provide income replacement and medical treatment for work-related traumatic injury claims as required by applicable state laws. Workers' compensation laws also compensate survivors of workers who suffer employment related deaths. Our liability for traumatic injury claims is the estimated present value of current workers' compensation benefits, based on our actuarial estimates. Our actuarial calculations are based on a blend of actuarial projection methods and numerous assumptions including claim development patterns, mortality, medical costs and interest rates.
The following table summarizes activity for our workers' compensation liability during the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Workers' compensation liability, beginning of period
$
7,925
$
10,164
Claims and valuation adjustments
(
150
)
1,403
Payments
(
340
)
(
254
)
Workers' compensation liability, end of period
7,435
11,313
Less: current portion
967
1,239
Long-term workers' compensation liability
$
6,468
$
10,074
Our workers' compensation liability above is presented on a gross basis and does not include our expected receivables on our insurance policy. Our receivables for traumatic injury claims under these policies as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are $
3.8
million and $
4.0
million, respectively, and are included in other assets on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 12 –
DERIVATIVES
Commodity Derivatives
We have entered into various types of derivative transactions covering some of our projected natural gas, NGLs, and oil production. These transactions are intended to reduce our exposure to market price volatility by setting the price(s) we will receive for that production. Our decisions on the price(s), type, and quantity of our production subject to a derivative contract are based, in part, on our view of current and future market conditions as well as certain requirements stipulated in the Exit credit agreement. Our commodity derivative transactions consisted of the following types of hedges as of September 30, 2022:
•
Swaps.
We receive or pay a fixed price for the commodity and pay or receive a floating market price to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.
•
Collars.
A collar contains a fixed floor price (put) and a ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, we receive the fixed price and pay the market price. If the market price is between the call and the put strike price, no payments are due from either party.
We do not engage in derivative transactions for speculative purposes and have not designated any of our hedges for hedge accounting purposes. We are not required to post any cash collateral with our counterparties and
no
collateral has been posted as of September 30, 2022.
The following non-designated commodity hedges were outstanding as of September 30, 2022:
Term
Commodity
Contracted Volume
Weighted Average
Fixed Price for Swaps
Contracted Market
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Natural gas - swap
5,000
MMBtu/day
$
2.61
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Oct'22 - Feb'23
Natural gas - swap
21,656
MMBtu/day
$
9.14
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Jan'23 - Dec'23
Natural gas - swap
22,000
MMBtu/day
$
2.46
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Natural gas - collar
35,000
MMBtu/day
$
2.50
- $
2.68
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Crude oil - swap
2,300
Bbl/day
$
42.25
WTI - NYMEX
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Crude oil - swap
495
Bbl/day
$
103.98
WTI - NYMEX
Jan'23 - Feb'23
Crude oil - swap
1,339
Bbl/day
$
95.40
WTI - NYMEX
Jan'23 - Dec'23
Crude oil - swap
1,300
Bbl/day
$
43.60
WTI - NYMEX
Warrants
Prior to the determination of the initial exercise price, we recognized the fair value of the warrants as a derivative liability on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets with changes in the liability reported as gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrants in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. On April 7, 2022, the Company delivered notice of the initial $
63.74
exercise price resulting in the warrants meeting the definition of an equity instrument. Accordingly, we recognized the change in the fair value of the warrant liability in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and reclassified the $
49.1
million warrant liability to capital in excess of par value on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of April 7, 2022. The warrants will continue to be reported as capital in excess of par value and are no longer subject to future fair value adjustments.
The following tables present the recognized derivative assets and liabilities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:
The following table shows the activity related to derivative instruments in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Loss on derivatives
$
(
12,381
)
$
(
39,742
)
$
(
73,848
)
$
(
104,973
)
Cash settlements paid on commodity derivatives
(
28,641
)
(
12,940
)
(
82,764
)
(
22,647
)
Gain (loss) on derivatives less cash settlements paid on commodity derivatives
$
16,260
$
(
26,802
)
$
8,916
$
(
82,326
)
Loss on change in fair value of warrants
$
—
$
(
9,054
)
$
(
29,323
)
$
(
12,628
)
NOTE 13 –
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
This disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made under accounting guidance for financial instruments. We have determined the estimated fair values by using market information and certain valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Using different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on our estimated fair value amounts.
The inputs available determine the valuation technique that we use to measure the fair value of the assets and liabilities presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Fair value measurements are categorized into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs used in the measurement. The levels are summarized as follows:
•
Level 1—observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
•
Level 2—other observable pricing inputs, such as quoted prices in inactive markets, or other inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, including inputs that are derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
•
Level 3—generally unobservable inputs which are developed based on the best information available and may include our own internal data or estimates about how market participants would value such assets and liabilities.
The following tables set forth our recurring fair value measurements by level:
Balances as of September 30, 2022
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(In thousands)
Financial liabilities:
Commodity derivative liabilities
$
—
$
49,814
$
—
$
49,814
$
—
$
49,814
$
—
$
49,814
Balances as of December 31, 2021
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
(In thousands)
Financial liabilities:
Commodity derivative liabilities
$
—
$
58,731
$
—
$
58,731
Warrant liability
—
—
19,822
19,822
$
—
$
58,731
$
19,822
$
78,553
The carrying values on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other current assets, and current liabilities approximate their fair value because of their short-term nature. The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities in the table above. There were
no
transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 financial liabilities.
Commodity Derivatives
. We measure the fair values of our crude oil and natural gas swaps and collars using estimated discounted cash flow calculations based on the NYMEX futures index. We consider these Level 2 measurements within the fair value hierarchy as the inputs in the model are substantially observable over the term of the commodity derivative contract and there is a wide availability of quoted market prices for similar commodity derivative contracts.
We determined that the non-performance risk regarding our commodity derivative counterparties was immaterial based on our valuation at September 30, 2022.
Warrant Liability.
We used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of the warrants. Key inputs for the Black-Scholes model include the stock price, exercise price, expected term, risk-free rate, volatility, and dividend yield. We consider this a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy as estimated volatility is generally unobservable and requires management's estimation.
The following table summarizes the activity of our recurring Level 3 fair value measurements during the periods presented:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Beginning of period
$
—
$
4,459
$
19,822
$
885
Loss on change in warrant liability
—
9,054
29,323
12,628
Reclassification of warrant liability to capital in excess of par value
ARO.
The initial measurement of ARO at fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow techniques and based on internal estimates of future retirement costs associated with property and equipment. Significant Level 3 inputs used in the calculation of AROs include plugging costs and remaining reserve lives. A summary of the Company’s ARO activity is presented in Note 10 – Asset Retirement Obligations.
Stock-Based Compensation.
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option grants while the value of our restricted stock unit grants is based on the grant date closing stock price. Key assumptions for the Black-Scholes models include the stock price, exercise price, expected term, risk-free rate, volatility, and dividend yield. We consider this a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy as estimated volatility is generally unobservable and requires management's estimation.
See Note 15 - Superior Investment for discussion on the estimated fair value of our retained equity method investment in Superior as of March 1, 2022.
NOTE 14 –
LEASES
Operating Leases.
We are a lessee through noncancellable lease agreements for property and equipment consisting primarily of office space, land, vehicles, and equipment used in both our operations and administrative functions.
During the three months ended September 30, 2021, we entered into an operating lease agreement for our headquarters office space which generated right of use assets and liabilities at lease inception of $
8.4
million.
The following table sets forth the maturities, the weighted average remaining lease term, and the weighted average discount rate of our operating lease liabilities as of September 30, 2022:
Amount
(In thousands)
Ending September 30,
2023
$
2,001
2024
1,999
2025
2,034
2026
1,990
2027
—
2028 and beyond
—
Total future payments
8,024
Less: Interest
994
Present value of future minimum operating lease payments
7,030
Less: Current portion
1,581
Total long-term operating lease payments
$
5,449
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)
4.0
Weighted average discount rate
(1)
6.65
%
1.
Our weighted average discount rates represent the rate implicit in the lease or our incremental borrowing rate for a term equal to the remaining term of the lease.
Finance Leases.
During 2014, Superior entered into finance lease agreements for
20
compressors with initial terms of
seven years
and an option to purchase the assets at
10
% of their then fair market value at the end of the term. These finance leases were discounted using annual rates of
4.0
% and the underlying assets were included in gas gathering and processing equipment. Superior purchased the leased assets for $
3.0
million in May 2021.
The following table shows information about our lease assets and liabilities on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets:
Classification on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets
September 30,
2022
December 31,
2021
(In thousands)
Assets
Operating lease right of use assets
Right of use assets
$
6,951
$
12,445
Total right of use assets
$
6,951
$
12,445
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities
Current operating lease liabilities
$
1,581
$
3,791
Non-current liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
5,449
8,677
Total lease liabilities
$
7,030
$
12,468
The following table shows certain information related to the lease costs for our finance and operating leases for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Components of total lease cost:
Amortization of finance leased assets
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
1,248
Interest on finance lease liabilities
—
—
—
33
Operating lease cost
532
1,043
2,763
3,053
Short-term lease cost
(1)
2,231
3,120
8,049
7,893
Variable lease cost
—
—
—
—
Total lease cost
$
2,763
$
4,163
$
10,812
$
12,227
1.
Short-term lease cost includes amounts capitalized related to our oil and natural gas segment of $
0.2
million and $
0.8
million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
1.4
million and $
1.0
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
The following table shows supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Cash payments made on operating leases
$
2,705
$
3,125
Cash payments made on finance leases
$
—
$
3,216
Lease liabilities recognized in exchange for operating lease right of use assets
On
April 3, 2018
, we sold
50
% of the ownership interest in Superior to SP Investor Holdings, LLC (SP Investor), a holding company jointly owned by OPTrust, and funds managed and/or advised by Partners Group, a global private markets investment manager. Superior is governed and managed under the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement (Agreement) and Amended and Restated Master Services and Operating Agreement (MSA). The MSA was between our wholly-owned subsidiary, SPC Midstream Operating, L.L.C. (the Operator), and Superior. As the Operator, we provided services, such as operations and maintenance support, accounting, legal, and human resources to Superior for a monthly service fee of $
0.3
million. Superior's creditors have no recourse to our general credit. Unit is not a party to and does not guarantee Superior's credit agreement. The obligations under Superior's credit agreement are secured by, among other things, mortgage liens on certain of Superior’s processing plants and gathering systems.
Distributions.
The Agreement specifies how future distributions are to be allocated among Unit Corporation and SP Investor (the Members). Distributions from Available Cash (as defined in the Agreement) were generally split evenly between the Members prior to December 31, 2021, when the three-year period for Unit's commitment to spend $
150.0
million (Drilling Commitment Amount) to drill wells in the Granite Wash/Buffalo Wallow area ended. The total amount spent by Unit towards the Drilling Commitment Amount was $
24.6
million. Accordingly, SP Investor will receive 100% of Available Cash distributions related to periods subsequent to December 31, 2021 until the $
72.7
million Drilling Commitment Adjustment Amount (as defined in the Agreement) is satisfied.
Superior paid cash distributions of $
9.5
million to each of the Members in January 2022 representing Available Cash generated during the three months ended December 31, 2021, and paid distributions to SP Investor of $
10.5
million in April 2022 representing Available Cash generated during the three months ended March 31, 2022, $
13.9
million in July 2022 representing Available Cash generated during the three months ended June 30, 2022, and $
16.2
million in October 2022 representing Available Cash generated during the three months ended September 30, 2022. The distributions paid to SP Investor in October 2022 reduced the remaining Drilling Commitment Adjustment Amount to $
32.0
million.
Superior paid cash distributions totaling $
24.7
million in April 2021 related to cumulative available cash as of March 31, 2021, $
7.7
million in July 2021 related to available cash generated during the three months ended June 30, 2021, and $
13.9
million in October 2021 related to available cash generated during the three months ended September 30, 2021. Unit and SP Investor each received 50% of these distributions.
Sale Event.
After April 1, 2023, either Member may initiate a sale process of Superior to a third-party or a liquidation of Superior's assets (Sale Event). In a Sale Event, the Agreement generally requires cumulative distributions to SP Investor in excess of its original $
300.0
million investment sufficient to provide SP Investor a
7
% internal rate of return on its capital contributions to Superior before any liquidation distribution is made to Unit. As of September 30, 2022, liquidation distributions paid first to SP Investor of $
345.6
million would be required for SP Investor to reach its
7
% Liquidation IRR Hurdle at which point Unit would then be entitled to receive up to $
345.6
million of the remaining liquidation distributions to satisfy Unit's
7
% Liquidation IRR Hurdle with any remaining liquidation distributions paid as outlined within the Agreement.
Consolidation.
From April 3, 2018 to March 1, 2022, we treated Superior as a variable interest entity (VIE) because the equity holders as a group (Unit Corporation and SP Investor) lacked the power to control without the Operator. The Agreement and MSA gave us the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect Superior's operating performance through common control of the Operator. Accordingly, Unit was considered the primary beneficiary and consolidated the financial position, operating results, and cash flows of Superior.
Effective March 1, 2022, the employees of the Operator were transferred to Superior and the MSA was amended and restated to remove the operating services the Operator was providing to Superior. There was no change to the monthly service fee for shared services. The power to direct the activities that most significantly affect Superior's operating performance is now shared by the equity holders (Unit Corporation and SP Investor) rather than held by the Operator. Superior no longer qualifies as a VIE subsequent to these amendments and we no longer consolidate the financial position, operating results, and cash flows of Superior as of, and subsequent to, March 1, 2022.
We subsequently account for our investment in Superior as an equity method investment using the hypothetical liquidation book value (HLBV) method,
which is a balance sheet approach that calculates the change in the hypothetical amount Unit and SP Investor would be entitled to receive if Superior were liquidated at book value at the end of each period, adjusted for any contributions made and distributions received during the period
. We recognized no equity earnings from our investment in Superior during the
three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Estimated Fair Value of Equity Method Investment in Superior.
As of the Effective Date, in conjunction with fresh start accounting under ASC Topic 852,
Reorganizations
, the estimated fair value of the net equity attributable to Unit's ownership interest in Superior was
$
14.8
million
.
Since then, Unit has received cumulative distributions from Superior of $
32.6
million, which were recognized as net income attributable to Unit under the HLBV method. As of March 1, 2022, upon deconsolidation of Superior, the fair value of our retained equity method investment in Superior was estimated at $
1.7
million.
To estimate this fair value, we simulated paths for Superior's total equity value through the potential sales process initiation date using a Geometric Brownian Motion. The expected value (i.e., average of all simulations) of each security class was then discounted to present value using the relevant risk-free rate. The simulations reflect forecasted future cash distributions as impacted by the Drilling Commitment Adjustment Amount described above, as well as the future liquidation preference of each investor in a potential Sale Event also as described above. We consider this a Level 3 measurement within the fair value hierarchy as the discounted simulation models require the use of significant unobservable inputs.
We recognized a $
13.1
million loss on deconsolidation during the three months ended March 31, 2022 as the difference between the $
1.7
million estimated fair value of our retained equity method investment in Superior as of March 1, 2022 and Superior's net equity attributable to Unit's ownership interest prior to deconsolidation.
Superior Balance Sheet Disclosure.
The amounts below reflect the Superior balance sheet accounts, without elimination of intercompany receivables from and payables to Unit, consolidated in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021 which was the last reporting date as of which we consolidated the financial position of Superior:
December 31,
2021
(In thousands)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
17,246
Accounts receivable
42,628
Prepaid expenses and other
1,263
Total current assets
61,137
Property and equipment:
Gas gathering and processing equipment
274,748
Transportation equipment
2,801
277,549
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment
53,792
Net property and equipment
223,757
Right of use asset
3,485
Other assets
2,226
Total assets
$
290,605
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
34,010
Accrued liabilities
5,292
Current operating lease liability
1,450
Current portion of other long-term liabilities
1,548
Total current liabilities
42,300
Long-term debt
19,200
Operating lease liability
2,036
Total liabilities
$
63,536
Affiliate Activity.
UPC's oil and natural gas revenues with Superior totaled
$
18.9
million
and
$
13.3
million
during the
three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
38.5
million and $
31.2
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. UPC's gas gathering and processing expenses with Superior totaled $
0.6
million and $
0.8
million
during the
three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
1.4
million and $
2.5
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Portions of this activity was eliminated for the periods during which Superior was consolidated by Unit.
NOTE 16 –
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental
We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities on properties to be acquired by identifying existing problems and assessing the potential liability. We also conduct periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to identify changes in our environmental risk profile. These reviews evaluate whether there is a probable liability, its amount, and the likelihood that the liability will be incurred. Any potential liability is determined by considering, among other matters, incremental direct costs of any likely remediation and the proportionate cost of employees expected to devote significant time directly to any possible remediation effort. As it relates to evaluations of purchased properties, depending on the extent of an identified environmental problem, we may exclude a property from the acquisition, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction, or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.
We have not historically experienced significant environmental liability while being a contract driller since the greatest portion of that risk is borne by the operator. Any liabilities we have incurred have been small and were resolved while the drilling rig was on the location. Those costs were in the direct cost of drilling the well.
Litigation
The Company is subject to litigation and claims arising in the ordinary course of business which may include environmental, health and safety matters, commercial disputes with customers, or more routine employment related claims. The Company accrues for such items when a liability is both probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. As new information becomes available or because of legal or administrative rulings in similar matters or a change in applicable law, the Company's conclusions regarding the probability of outcomes and the amount of estimated loss, if any, may change. Although we are insured against various risks, there is no assurance that the nature and amount of that insurance will be adequate, in every case, to indemnify us against liabilities arising from future legal proceedings.
In February 2021, UPC finalized a settlement agreement for $
2.1
million related to a well drilled in Beaver County, Oklahoma during 2013. Certain operational issues arose and one of the working interest owners in the well filed a lawsuit claiming that UPC’s actions violated its duties under the joint operating agreement and caused damages to the owners in the well. The case went to trial in January 2019 and the jury issued a verdict in favor of the working interest owner, awarding $
2.4
million in damages, including pre- and post-judgment interest. UPC appealed the verdict and finalized the settlement agreement while the case was pending review in the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.
NOTE 17 –
INCOME TAXES
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, the Company’s effective income tax rate was
0.0
% which differs from the statutory rate of
21.0
% primarily due to changes in, and continued need of, our full valuation allowance, changes in the warrant liability valuation, and state income taxes.
We concluded that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax asset will not be realized and have recorded a full valuation allowance, reducing the net deferred tax asset to zero. We maintained this conclusion as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021. We will continue to evaluate whether the valuation allowance is needed in future reporting periods and it will remain until we can conclude that the net deferred tax assets are more likely than not to be realized. Future events or new evidence which may lead us to conclude that it is more likely than not our net deferred tax assets will be realized include, but are not limited to, cumulative historical pre-tax earnings, sustained significant improvements in commodity prices, a sustained significant increase in rig utilization and/or rates, a material and sizable asset acquisition or disposition, and taxable events that could result from one or more future potential transactions. The valuation allowance does not prohibit the Company from utilizi
ng the tax attributes if the Company recognizes taxable income. As long as we continue to conclude that the valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets is necessary, the Company will not have significant deferred income tax expense or benefit.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had an expected federal net operating loss carryforward of $
386.2
million after consideration of the tax attribute reductions of IRC Section 108 and finalization of the Company’s 2021 federal income tax return. $
191.2
million of the Company's expected federal net operating loss carryforward is subject to expiration between 2036 and 2037. As of December 31, 2021, our tax basis in UPC's properties was approximately $
476.0
million
.
NOTE 18 –
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
One current director, Robert Anderson, also serves as an executive with GBK Corporation, a holding company with numerous energy and industry subsidiaries and affiliates, including Kaiser Francis Oil Company. The Company in the ordinary course of business made payments for working interests, joint interest billings, and product purchases to, and received payments for working interests, drilling services, and joint interest billings from, Kaiser Francis Oil Company. Payments made to Kaiser Francis Oil Company totaled $
0.9
million and $
0.5
million while payments received totaled $
3.3
million and $
0.3
million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and payments made to Kaiser Francis Oil Company totaled $
5.1
million and $
1.6
million while payments received totaled $
10.8
million and $
1.6
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
One former director, G. Bailey Peyton IV, also serves as Manager and
99.5
% owner of Peyton Royalties, LP, a family-controlled limited partnership that owns royalty rights in wells in several states. The Company in the ordinary course of business, paid royalties, or lease bonuses, primarily due to its status as successor in interest to prior transactions and as operator of the wells involved and, sometimes, as lessee, regarding certain wells in which Mr. Peyton, members of Mr. Peyton's family, and Peyton Royalties, LP have an interest. Such payments totaled $
0.2
million and $
0.1
million during the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and $
0.4
million and $
0.3
million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
NOTE 19 –
INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION
We have
three
main business segments offering different products and services within the energy industry:
•
Oil and natural gas
- the oil and natural gas segment is engaged in the acquisition, development, and production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas properties.
•
Contract drilling -
the contract drilling segment is engaged in the land contract drilling of oil and natural gas wells.
•
Mid-Stream
- the mid-stream segment buys, sells, gathers, processes, and treats natural gas and NGLs for third parties and for our own account. We presently own
50
% of this subsidiary, and subsequent to the deconsolidation of Superior as of March 1, 2022 (as discussed in Note 2 - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15 - Superior Investment), we will continue to include our equity method investment in Superior and related earnings in our mid-stream segment.
We evaluate each consolidated segment’s performance based on its operating income, which is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses and depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment. We have no oil and natural gas production or other operations outside the United States.
The following tables provide certain information about the operations of each of our segments:
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
Oil and Natural Gas
Contract Drilling
Mid-Stream
Corporate and Other
Eliminations
Total Consolidated
(In thousands)
Revenues:
(1)
Oil and natural gas
$
80,026
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
—
$
80,026
Contract drilling
—
40,256
—
—
—
40,256
Total revenues
80,026
40,256
—
—
—
120,282
Expenses:
Operating costs:
Oil and natural gas
21,235
—
—
—
—
21,235
Contract drilling
—
25,823
—
—
—
25,823
Total operating costs
21,235
25,823
—
—
—
47,058
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization
1,840
1,590
—
91
—
3,521
Total expenses
23,075
27,413
—
91
—
50,579
General and administrative
—
—
—
5,601
—
5,601
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets
335
(
2,528
)
—
35
—
(
2,158
)
Income (loss) from operations
56,616
15,371
—
(
5,727
)
—
66,260
Loss on derivatives
—
—
—
(
12,381
)
—
(
12,381
)
Gain on change in fair value of warrants
—
—
—
—
—
—
Reorganization items, net
—
—
—
(
48
)
—
(
48
)
Interest, net
—
—
—
(
37
)
—
(
37
)
Other
18
12
—
1,994
—
2,024
Income (loss) before income taxes
$
56,634
$
15,383
$
—
$
(
16,199
)
$
—
$
55,818
1.
The revenues for oil and natural gas occur at a point in time. The revenues for contract drilling and gas gathering and processing occur over time.
1.
The revenues for oil and natural gas occur at a point in time. The revenues for contract drilling and gas gathering and processing occur over time.
2.
Includes Superior activity for the two months prior to the March 1, 2022 deconsolidation, as discussed in Note 2 - Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 15 - Superior Investment.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
The following discussion should be read together with the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report and in Item 8 of our 2021 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022.
We operate, manage, and analyze the results of our operations through our three principal business segments:
•
Oil and Natural Gas – carried out by our subsidiary UPC. This segment produces, develops, and acquires oil and natural gas properties for our own account.
•
Contract Drilling – carried out by our subsidiary UDC. This segment contracts to drill onshore oil and natural gas wells for others and for our oil and natural gas segment.
•
Mid-Stream – carried out by Superior and its subsidiaries. This segment buys, sells, gathers, processes, and treats natural gas and NGLs for third parties and for our own account. We hold a 50% investment in Superior.
Oil and Natural Gas
In our oil and natural gas segment, we are optimizing production and converting non-producing reserves to producing with selective drilling activities. We also anticipate continuing to hedge a portion of our future production depending on future market pricing among other factors.
Contract Drilling
In our contract drilling segment, we are focused on maintaining utilization of our BOSS and SCR drilling rigs in a safe and efficient manner. All 14 of our BOSS drilling rigs are currently operating in addition to three of our SCR drilling rigs as we continue to evaluate opportunities to place one or more of our four non-operating SCR drilling rigs back in service. Given the improving drilling rig dayrate environment, most of our drilling rigs are contracted for periods of 12 months or less. During the third quarter of 2022, contracts on eight BOSS drilling rigs and one SCR drilling rig repriced at higher dayrates. We expect that contracts on 12 BOSS drilling rigs and one SCR drilling rig will be up for change or renegotiation between September 30, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
Mid-Stream
In our mid-stream segment, Superior is focused on continuing to generate predictable free cash flows with limited exposure to commodity prices in addition to seeking business development opportunities in its core areas utilizing the Superior credit agreement (which Unit is not a party to and does not guarantee) or other financing sources that are available to it. We hold a 50% investment in Superior, and subsequent to the deconsolidation of Superior as of March 1, 2022, we report our ownership interest as an equity method investment. The following discussion of financial condition and results of operations pertaining to our mid-stream segment as of the third quarter of 2022 relates to the two months of consolidated results prior to deconsolidation as of March 1, 2022.
Recent Developments
Commodity Price Environment and COVID-19 Pandemic
Our success depends, among other things, on prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production, the demand for oil, natural gas, and NGLs, and the demand for our drilling rigs which influences the amounts we can charge for those drilling rigs. While our operations are all within the United States, events outside the United States affect us and our industry, including political and economic uncertainty as well as geopolitical activity.
We are continuously monitoring the current and potential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including any new variants, on our business. This includes how it has and may continue to impact our operations, financial results, liquidity, customers, employees, and vendors as new COVID-19 variants may have undetermined impacts to our business.
During the last two years commodity prices have been volatile, and the outlook for future oil and gas prices remains uncertain and subject to many factors. The following chart reflects the significant fluctuations in the historical prices for oil and natural gas:
The following chart reflects the significant fluctuations in the prices for NGLs
(1)
:
1.
NGL prices reflect the monthly average Mont Belvieu price.
In June 2021, we repurchased an aggregate of 600,000 shares of our common stock from the Lenders (as defined in Note 9 - Long-Term Debt and Other Long-Term Liabilities) which received these shares as an exit fee during our reorganization. The Lenders were paid $15.00 per share for their respective shares, for an aggregate cash purchase price of $9.0 million.
In June 2021, the Company's board of directors (the Board) authorized repurchasing up to $25.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Board subsequently authorized increases to the authorized repurchases up to $50.0 million in October 2021 and then up to $100.0 million in June 2022. The repurchases are made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or other available means. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares under the repurchase program and may suspend or discontinue it at any time without prior notice. During the third quarter of 2022, we repurchased 275,000 shares under the repurchase program at an average share price of $51.46 for an aggregate purchase price of $14.2 million. As of September 30, 2022,
we had repurchased a total of 1,794,392 shares under the repurchase program at an average share price of $38.37 for an aggregate purchase price of $68.9 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we also repurchased 78,000 shares in a privately negotiated transaction at a share price of $19.07 which was not part of the repurchase program.
The cumulative number of shares repurchased as of
September 30, 2022
totaled 2,472,392.
Superior MSA
and LLCA amendments
Effective March 1, 2022, the employees of the Operator were transferred to Superior and the MSA was amended and restated to remove the operating services the Operator was providing to Superior. There was no change to the monthly service fee for shared services. We no longer consolidate the financial position, operating results, and cash flows of Superior as of, and subsequent to, March 1, 2022. We recognized a $13.1 million loss on deconsolidation during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 as the difference between the $1.7 million estimated fair value of our retained equity method investment in Superior as of March 1, 2022 and Superior's net equity attributable to Unit's ownership interest prior to deconsolidation. We subsequently account for our investment in Superior as an equity method investment using the hypothetical liquidation book value (HLBV) method
which is a balance sheet approach that calculates the change in the hypothetical amount Unit and SP Investor would be entitled to receive if Superior were liquidated at book value at the end of each period, adjusted for any contributions made and distributions received during the period
.
Warrants
Each holder of Unit common stock outstanding (Old Common Stock) before the Emergence Date that did not opt out of the release under the Chapter 11 plan of reorganization filed with the bankruptcy court on June 9, 2020 is entitled to receive 0.03460447 warrants for every share of Old Common Stock owned. Each warrant is exercisable for one share of Company common stock, subject to adjustment as provided in the Warrant Agreement. The warrants expire on the earliest of (i) September 3, 2027, (ii) consummation of a Cash Sale (as defined in the Warrant Agreement), or (iii) the consummation of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had authorized 1,822,203 warrants and none had been exercised. See Note 5 - Capital Stock for additional discussion on warrant provisions.
Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant Agreement, the Company determined the initial exercise price of the warrants to be $63.74. On April 7, 2022, the Company delivered notice of the initial exercise price to the Warrant Agent and the warrants became exercisable for shares of the Company’s common stock. On or about April 25, 2022, the warrants began trading over-the-counter under the symbol "UNTCW".
Financial Condition and Liquidity
Summary
Our near-term and long-term financial condition and liquidity primarily depend on the cash flow from our operations and credit agreement borrowings. The principal factors determining our cash flow from operations are:
•
the amount of natural gas, oil, and NGLs we produce;
•
the prices we receive for our natural gas, oil, and NGLs production;
•
the utilization of our drilling rigs and the rates we receive for those drilling rigs; and
•
the fees and margins that Superior obtains from its natural gas gathering and processing contracts.
We expect that cash and cash equivalents, cash flow from operations, and available borrowing capacity under the Exit credit agreement will be adequate to support our working capital, capital expenditures, potential dividend distributions, discretionary stock repurchases, and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months and we are not aware of any indications that they will not be adequate for the foreseeable periods thereafter.
The table below summarizes cash flow activity during the periods indicated:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Percent
Change
2022
2021
(In thousands except percentages)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
121,310
$
124,426
(3)
%
Net cash provided by investing activities
31,095
50,233
(38)
%
Net cash used in financing activities
(37,482)
(137,807)
73
%
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
114,923
$
36,852
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Our operating cash flow is primarily influenced by the prices we receive for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production, the volume of oil, NGLs, and natural gas we produce, settlements of commodity derivative contracts, third-party utilization of our drilling rigs and Superior's mid-stream services, and the rates charged for those drilling and mid-stream services. Our cash flows from operating activities are also affected by changes in working capital.
Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2022 decreased by $3.1 million as compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to higher payments on derivative settlements, net changes in operating assets and liabilities related to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements, and lower operating profit from our mid-stream segment reflecting the March 1, 2022 deconsolidation of Superior, partially offset by increased operating profit from our oil and natural gas and contract drilling segments.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
We anticipate using a portion of our free cash flows for capital expenditures related to our development and production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas as well as the maintenance of our existing drilling rig fleet.
Net cash provided by investing activities decreased by $19.1 million during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to the deconsolidation of Superior's cash and cash equivalents, higher capital expenditures, and lower proceeds received from the disposition of non-core property and equipment.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities decreased by $100.3 million for the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to the absence of net payments on credit agreements and finance leases as well as lower distributions made by Superior to non-controlling interests, partially offset by higher repurchases of common stock. A portion of future cash flows and cash and cash equivalents may be used for future shareholder return activities, including stock repurchases and cash distributions.
As of September 30, 2022, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents totaling $179.1 million and no outstanding borrowings under the Exit credit agreement.
The following table summarizes certain financial condition and liquidity information as of the dates identified:
September 30,
2022
September 30,
2021
(In thousands)
Working capital
$
160,426
$
(30,367)
Current portion of long-term debt
$
—
$
—
Long-term debt
$
—
$
3,100
Shareholders’ equity attributable to Unit Corporation
$
303,332
$
149,504
Working Capital
Our working capital balance typically fluctuates due to the timing of our trade accounts receivable and accounts payable, and the fluctuation in current assets and liabilities associated with the fair values of our derivative positions. We had positive working capital of $160.4 million as of September 30, 2022 compared to negative working capital of $30.4 million as of September 30, 2021. The increase in working capital is primarily due to increases in cash and cash equivalents, the absence of the warrant liability, current commodity derivative liabilities, and lower accrued liabilities and payables, partially offset by lower accounts receivable. Our commodity derivative contracts decreased working capital by $41.5 million as of September 30, 2022 and decreased working capital by $60.0 million as of September 30, 2021.
Credit Agreements
Exit Credit Agreement.
On the Effective Date, the Company entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the Exit credit agreement), providing for a $140.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (RBL Facility) and a $40.0 million senior secured term loan facility, among (i) the Company, UDC, and UPC (together, the Borrowers), (ii) the guarantors party thereto, including the Company and all of its subsidiaries existing as of the Effective Date (other than Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries), (iii) the lenders party thereto from time to time (Lenders), and (iv) BOKF, NA dba Bank of Oklahoma as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, the Administrative Agent). The maturity date of borrowings under this Exit credit agreement is March 1, 2024.
Our Exit credit agreement is primarily used for working capital purposes as it limits the amount that can be borrowed for capital expenditures. These limitations restrict future capital projects using the Exit credit agreement. The Exit credit agreement also requires that proceeds from the disposition of certain assets be used to repay amounts outstanding.
On April 6, 2021, the Company finalized the first amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the first amendment, the Company reaffirmed its borrowing base of $140.0 million of the RBL, amended certain financial covenants, and received less restrictive terms, among others, as it relates to the disposition of assets and the use of proceeds from those dispositions.
On July 27, 2021, the Company finalized the second amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the second amendment, the Company obtained confirmation that the Term Loan had been paid in full prior to the amendment date and received one-time waivers related to the disposition of assets.
On October 19, 2021, the Company finalized the third amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the third amendment, the Company requested, and was granted, a reduction in the RBL borrowing base from $140.0 million to $80.0 million in addition to less restrictive terms as it relates to capital expenditures, required hedges, and the use of proceeds from the disposition of certain assets, while also amending certain financial covenants.
On March 30, 2022, the RBL Facility borrowing base of $80.0 million was reaffirmed.
On July 1, 2022, the RBL Facility borrowing base was automatically reduced to $31.3 million as a result of closing the Texas Gulf Coast properties sale discussed in Note 4 - Divestitures.
On November 1, 2022, the Company finalized the fourth amendment to the Exit credit agreement. Under the fourth amendment, (i) the RBL Facility borrowing base was increased to $35.0 million, (ii) the lenders party to the agreement were revised to only BOKF, NA dba Bank of Oklahoma, and (iii) the Eurodollar Loan borrowing option was amended to a secured overnight financing rate (SOFR) option. Subsequent to the fourth amendment, Revolving Loans are able to be SOFR Loans or ABR Loans (each as defined in the Exit credit agreement). Revolving Loans that are SOFR Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Adjusted Term SOFR Rate (as defined in the Exit credit agreement) for the applicable interest period plus 525 basis points while Revolving Loans that are ABR Loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 425 basis points.
Superior Credit Agreement
. On May 10, 2018, Superior signed a five-year, $200.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with an option to increase the credit amount up to $250.0 million, subject to certain conditions (Superior credit agreement). On April 29, 2022, Superior entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement for a four-year, $135.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility with an option to increase the credit amount up to $200.0 million, subject to certain conditions (Amended Superior credit agreement).
Capital Requirements
Oil and Natural Gas Segment Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Capital Expenditures.
Most of our capital expenditures for this segment are discretionary and directed toward growth. Our decisions to increase our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves through acquisitions or through drilling depends on the prevailing or expected market conditions, potential return on investment, future drilling potential, and opportunities to obtain financing, which provide us flexibility in deciding when and if to incur these costs. We participated in the completion of 18 gross wells (1.03 net wells) drilled by other operators during the first nine months of 2022 compared to 10 gross wells (0.77 net wells) during the first nine months of 2021.
Oil and natural gas segment capital expenditures, including oil and gas properties on the full cost method, for the first nine months of 2022 totaled $15.2 million, excluding a $2.5 million increase in the ARO liability, compared to $7.1 million, excluding a $1.6 million increase in the ARO liability, during the first nine months of 2021.
On July 1, 2022, the Company closed on the sale of certain wells and related leases near the Texas Gulf Coast for cash proceeds of $45.4 million, net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments based on an effective date of April 1, 2022.
These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
On March 8, 2022, the Company closed on the sale of certain non-core wells and related leases located near the Oklahoma Panhandle for cash proceeds of $3.6 million, net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments based on an effective date of December 1, 2021.
These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
On August 16, 2021, the co
mpany closed on the sale of substantially all of our wells and related leases located near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for $16.1 million,
net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments
based on an effective date of August 1, 2021. These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
On May 6, 2021, the Company closed on the sale of substantially all of our wells and the leases related thereto located in Reno and Stafford Counties, Kansas for proceeds of $7.3 million,
net of customary closing and post-closing adjustments
. These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sale did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
Net proceeds for the sale of other non-core oil and natural gas assets totaled $6.6 million and $5.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These proceeds reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized
as the sales did not result in a significant alteration of the full cost pool
.
Contract Drilling Segment Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Capital Expenditures.
Near term capital expenditures are expected to primarily be for maintenance capital on operating drilling rigs. We also continue to pursue the disposal or sale of our non-core, idle drilling rig fleet. Contract drilling capital expenditures totaled $6.8 million during the first nine months of 2022 compared to $0.9 million during the first nine months of 2021.
We sold non-core contract drilling assets for proceeds of $9.4 million and $8.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. These proceeds resulted in net gains of $6.7 million and $5.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Mid-Stream Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Capital Expenditures
. Superior incurred $1.2 million in consolidated capital expenditures during the first nine months of 2022 compared to $8.6 million during the first nine months of 2021.
Derivative Activities
Commodity Derivatives
. Our commodity derivatives are intended to reduce our exposure to price volatility and manage price risks. Our decision on the type and quantity of our production and the price(s) of our derivative(s) is based, in part, on our view of current and future market conditions. As of September 30, 2022, based on our third quarter 2022 average daily production, the approximated percentages of our production under derivative contracts are as follows:
2022
2023
Daily oil production
93%
50%
Daily natural gas production
97%
44%
Using derivative instruments involves the risk that the counterparties cannot meet the financial terms of the transactions. We considered this non-performance risk regarding our counterparties and our own non-performance risk in our derivative valuation at September 30, 2022 and determined there was no material risk at that time. The fair value of the net assets (liabilities) we had with Bank of Oklahoma, our only commodity derivative counterparty, was $49.8 million as of September 30, 2022.
Warrants.
Prior to the determination of the initial exercise price, we recognized the fair value of the warrants as a derivative liability on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets with changes in the liability reported as gain (loss) on change in fair value of warrants in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. On April 7, 2022, the Company delivered notice of the initial $63.74 exercise price resulting in the warrants meeting the definition of an equity instrument. Accordingly, we recognized the change in the fair value of the warrant liability in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and reclassified the $49.1 million warrant liability to capital in excess of par value on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of April 7, 2022. The warrants will continue to be reported as capital in excess of par and are no longer subject to future fair value adjustments. On or about April 25, 2022, the warrants began trading over-the-counter under the symbol "UNTCW".
Below is the effect of derivative instruments on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(In thousands)
Loss on derivatives
$
(12,381)
$
(39,742)
$
(73,848)
$
(104,973)
Cash settlements paid on commodity derivatives
(28,641)
(12,940)
(82,764)
(22,647)
Gain (loss) on derivatives less cash settlements paid on commodity derivatives
Oil and natural gas revenues increased $13.8 million or 21% during the third quarter of 2022 as compared to the third quarter of 2021 primarily due to higher commodity prices, partially offset by lower production volumes. Including derivatives settled, average oil prices increased 19% to $56.75 per barrel, average natural gas prices increased 24% to $3.57 per Mcf, and NGLs prices increased 7% to $29.39 per barrel. Oil production decreased 16%, natural gas production decreased 20%, and NGLs production decreased 16%. The decrease in volumes was due to normal well production declines and divestitures of producing properties which have not been offset by new drilling or acquisitions.
Oil and natural gas operating costs increased $0.8 million or 4% between the comparative third quarters of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to higher production taxes on increased revenues and employee compensation and separation benefits, partially offset by lower lease operating expenses on lower volumes as described above.
Contract Drilling
Drilling revenues increased $21.1 million or 110% during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 primarily due to a 55% increase in the average number of rigs in use to 17.0 in the third quarter of 2022 as well as increases to the average dayrates on daywork contracts of 29% and 38% on BOSS rigs and SCR rigs, respectively.
Drilling operating costs increased $10.5 million or 68% between the comparative third quarters of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to an increase in the average number of operating rigs.
Mid-Stream
Our mid-stream revenues decreased $92.0 million or 100% during the third quarter of 2022 as compared to the third quarter of 2021 due to the absence of activity as a result of the March 1, 2022 deconsolidation of Superior.
Operating costs decreased $76.8 million or 100% during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 due to the absence of activity as a result of the March 1, 2022 deconsolidation of Superior.
General and Administrative
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $1.4 million or 32% during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 primarily due to higher employee compensation.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net decreased $0.7 million between the comparative third quarters of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to a 100% decrease in average long-term debt outstanding. Our average debt outstanding decreased $18.4 million during the third quarter of 2022 compared to the third quarter of 2021 primarily due to payments made under the Exit credit agreement and the deconsolidation of Superior's outstanding long-term debt.
Reorganization Items, Net
Reorganization items, net represent any of the expenses, gains, and losses incurred subsequent to and as a direct result of the Chapter 11 proceedings.
Loss on Derivatives
The $27.4 million favorable change in loss on derivatives between the comparative third quarters of 2022 and 2021 is primarily due to favorable pricing changes on unsettled commodity derivative positions and new commodity derivative positions executed during the third quarter of 2022, partially offset by higher settlement payments driven by higher average pricing.
The $9.1 million favorable change in loss on change in fair value of warrants between the comparative third quarters of 2022 and 2021 is due to the absence of gain or loss on change in the fair value of the warrants during the third quarter of 2022 following the second quarter 2022 warrant strike price determination and reclassification of the warrant liability to shareholders' equity.
Income Tax Expense, Net
We did not record any income tax expense, net during the third quarter of 2022 or during the third quarter of 2021 due to the Company's full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax asset.
Nine months ended September 30, 2022 versus nine months ended September 30, 2021
Provided below is a comparison of selected operating and financial data:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Change
Percent
Change
(1)
2022
2021
(In thousands unless otherwise specified)
Total revenue, before inter-segment eliminations
$
454,482
$
451,850
$
2,632
1
%
Total revenue, after inter-segment eliminations
$
443,201
$
418,202
$
24,999
6
%
Net income (loss)
$
83,206
$
(13,511)
$
96,717
NM
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest
$
(5,828)
$
(4,875)
$
(953)
20
%
Net income (loss) attributable to Unit Corporation
$
89,034
$
(8,636)
$
97,670
NM
Oil and Natural Gas:
Revenue, before inter-segment eliminations
$
268,504
$
181,003
$
87,501
48
%
Operating costs, before inter-segment eliminations
$
72,838
$
58,365
$
14,473
25
%
Average oil price (Bbl)
$
57.82
$
47.77
$
10.05
21
%
Average oil price excluding derivatives (Bbl)
$
97.74
$
63.15
$
34.59
55
%
Average NGLs price (Bbl)
$
32.46
$
21.10
$
11.36
54
%
Average NGLs price excluding derivatives (Bbl)
$
32.46
$
21.10
$
11.36
54
%
Average natural gas price (Mcf)
$
3.72
$
2.87
$
0.85
30
%
Average natural gas price excluding derivatives (Mcf)
$
6.02
$
3.12
$
2.90
93
%
Oil production (MBbls)
991
1,130
(139)
(12)
%
NGL production (MBbls)
1,781
1,952
(171)
(9)
%
Natural gas production (MMcf)
18,788
21,750
(2,962)
(14)
%
Contract Drilling:
Revenue, before inter-segment eliminations
$
102,780
$
52,893
$
49,887
94
%
Operating costs, before inter-segment eliminations
$
77,823
$
41,308
$
36,515
88
%
Average number of drilling rigs in use
16.3
10.1
6.2
61
%
Total drilling rigs available for use at the end of the period
21
21
—
—
%
Average dayrate on daywork contracts - BOSS Rigs
$
22,378
$
19,682
$
2,696
14
%
Average dayrate on daywork contracts - SCR Rigs
$
17,900
$
13,774
$
4,126
30
%
Mid-Stream:
(2)
Revenue, before inter-segment eliminations
$
83,198
$
217,954
$
(134,756)
(62)
%
Operating costs, before inter-segment eliminations
$
73,771
$
181,109
$
(107,338)
(59)
%
Gas gathered--Mcf/day
348,859
300,484
48,375
16
%
Gas processed--Mcf/day
146,368
124,263
22,105
18
%
Gas liquids sold--gallons/day
456,700
431,474
25,226
6
%
Corporate and Other:
General and administrative expense, before inter-segment eliminations
$
18,937
$
15,406
$
3,531
23
%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net
$
(229)
$
(3,895)
$
3,666
(94)
%
Reorganization items, net
$
(90)
$
(3,959)
$
3,869
98
%
Loss on derivatives
$
(73,848)
$
(104,973)
$
31,125
30
%
Loss on change in fair value of warrants
$
(29,323)
$
(12,628)
$
(16,695)
132
%
Loss on deconsolidation of Superior
$
(13,141)
$
—
$
(13,141)
—
%
Income tax expense, net
$
—
$
—
$
—
—
%
Average interest rate on long-term debt outstanding
2.2
%
6.7
%
(4.5)
%
(67)
%
Average long-term debt outstanding
$
4,202
$
57,815
$
(53,613)
(93)
%
1.
NM – A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.
2.
Mid-Stream activity and metrics shown in this table for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 reflect Superior activity on a consolidated basis for the two months prior to March 1, 2022.
Oil and natural gas revenues increased $87.5 million or 48% during the first nine months of 2022 as compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to higher commodity prices, partially offset by lower production volumes. Including derivatives settled, average oil prices increased 21% to $57.82 per barrel, average natural gas prices increased 30% to $3.72 per Mcf, and NGLs prices increased 54% to $32.46 per barrel. Oil production decreased 12%, natural gas production decreased 14%, and NGLs production decreased 9%. The decrease in volumes was due to normal well production declines and divestitures of producing properties which have not been offset by new drilling or acquisitions.
Oil and natural gas operating costs increased $14.5 million or 25% between the comparative first nine months of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to higher production taxes on increased revenues, higher lease operating expenses, and higher employee compensation and separation benefits.
Contract Drilling
Drilling revenues increased $49.9 million or 94% during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to a 61% increase in the average number of rigs in use to 16.3 during the first nine months of 2022 as well as increases to the average dayrates on daywork contracts of 14% and 30% on BOSS rigs and SCR rigs, respectively.
Drilling operating costs increased $36.5 million or 88% between the comparative first nine months of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to an increase in the average number of operating rigs as well as $6.7 million of transportation and start up costs associated with bringing stacked rigs back into service.
Mid-Stream
Our mid-stream revenues decreased $134.8 million or 62% during the first nine months of 2022 as compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to the absence of activity subsequent to March 1, 2022 as a result of the deconsolidation of Superior, partially offset by higher gas, NGL, and condensate prices as well as higher volumes during the consolidated period. Gas processed volumes per day increased 18% while gas gathered volumes per day increased 16% between the comparative first nine months of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to connecting new wells as well as new volumes from the processing plant and gathering system acquired in November 2021.
Operating costs decreased $107.3 million or 59% during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to the absence of activity subsequent to March 1, 2022 as a result of the deconsolidation of Superior, partially offset by higher gas, NGL, and condensate prices as well as higher purchase volumes related to the processing plant and gathering system acquired in November 2021.
General and Administrative
Corporate general and administrative expenses increased $3.5 million or 23% during the first nine months of 2022 as compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to higher employee and director compensation.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net decreased $3.7 million between the comparative first nine months of 2022 and 2021 primarily due to a 93% decrease in average long-term debt outstanding and a decrease in the average interest rate from 6.7% during the first nine months of 2021 to 2.2% during the first nine months of 2022. Our average debt outstanding decreased $53.6 million during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the first nine months of 2021 primarily due to payments made under the Exit credit agreement and the deconsolidation of Superior's outstanding long-term debt, partially offset by borrowings under the Superior credit agreement prior to deconsolidation.
Reorganization Items, Net
Reorganization items, net represent any of the expenses, gains, and losses incurred subsequent to and as a direct result of the Chapter 11 proceedings.
The $31.1 million favorable change in loss on derivatives between the comparative first nine months of 2022 and 2021 is primarily due to favorable pricing changes on unsettled commodity derivative positions and new commodity derivative positions executed during the second quarter of 2022, partially offset by higher settlement payments driven by higher average pricing.
Loss on Change in Fair Value of Warrants
The $16.7 million unfavorable change in loss on change in fair value of warrants between the comparative first nine months of 2022 and 2021 is primarily due to changes in the underlying assumptions used to estimate the fair value, including entity value, volatility, duration to exercise, and other inputs.
Loss on Deconsolidation of Superior
Loss on deconsolidation of $13.1 million during
the first nine months of 2022
represents the loss recognized on the March 1, 2022 deconsolidation of Superior.
Income Tax Expense, Net
We did not record income tax expense, net during first nine months of 2022 or during the first nine months of 2021 due to the Company's full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax asset.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Our operations are exposed to market risks primarily because of changes in commodity prices and interest rates.
Commodity Price Risk.
Our major market risk exposure is in the prices we receive for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production. These prices are primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and market prices applicable to our NGLs and natural gas production. Historically, these prices have fluctuated and we expect this to continue. The prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas also affect the demand for our drilling rigs and the amount we can charge for the use of our drilling rigs. Based on our first nine months of 2022 production, a $0.10 per Mcf change in what we are paid for our natural gas production, without the effect of hedging, would result in a corresponding $0.2 million per month ($2.2 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow. A $1.00 per barrel change in our oil price, without the effect of hedging, would have a $0.1 million per month ($1.2 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow and a $1.00 per barrel change in our NGLs prices, without the effect of hedging, would have a $0.2 million per month ($2.3 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow.
We use derivative transactions to manage the risk associated with price volatility. Our decisions regarding the amount and prices at which we choose to enter into a contract for certain of our products is based, in part, on our view of current and future market conditions. The transactions we use include financial price swaps under which we will receive a fixed price for our production and pay a variable market price to the contract counterparty. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.
As of September 30, 2022, we had the following commodity derivatives outstanding:
Term
Commodity
Contracted Volume
Weighted Average
Fixed Price for Swaps
Contracted Market
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Natural gas - swap
5,000 MMBtu/day
$2.61
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Oct'22 - Feb'23
Natural gas - swap
21,656 MMBtu/day
$9.14
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Jan'23 - Dec'23
Natural gas - swap
22,000 MMBtu/day
$2.46
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Natural gas - collar
35,000 MMBtu/day
$2.50 - $2.68
IF - NYMEX (HH)
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Crude oil - swap
2,300 Bbl/day
$42.25
WTI - NYMEX
Oct'22 - Dec'22
Crude oil - swap
495 Bbl/day
$103.98
WTI - NYMEX
Jan'23 - Feb'23
Crude oil - swap
1,339 Bbl/day
$95.40
WTI - NYMEX
Jan'23 - Dec'23
Crude oil - swap
1,300 Bbl/day
$43.60
WTI - NYMEX
Interest Rate Risk.
Our interest rate exposure relates to our long-term debt under our Exit credit agreement as its borrowings carry variable interest rates. We had no outstanding borrowings under this facility as of September 30, 2022. See Note 9 – Long-Term Debt and Other Long-Term Liabilities for more information on the Exit credit agreement.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) (Disclosure Controls) or our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(f) and 15d - 15(f) of the Exchange Act) will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls also is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there is no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to an error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our Disclosure Controls and internal control over financial reporting and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and internal control over financial reporting will be modified as systems change, and conditions warrant.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO an
d CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures under Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of
September 30, 2022.
Changes in Internal Controls.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2022, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
For further information about the outstanding legal proceedings, please see Note 16 – Commitments And Contingencies.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed below, if any, and in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. 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, and/or operating results.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
In June 2021, we repurchased an aggregate of 600,000 shares of our common stock from the Lenders (as defined in Note 9 - Long-Term Debt and Other Long-Term Liabilities) which received these shares as an exit fee during our reorganization. The Lenders were paid $15.00 per share for their respective shares, for an aggregate cash purchase price of $9.0 million.
In June 2021, the Company's board of directors (the Board) authorized repurchasing up to $25.0 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The Board subsequently authorized increases to the authorized repurchases up to $50.0 million in October 2021 and then up to $100.0 million in June 2022. The repurchases are made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, or other available means. The Company has no obligation to repurchase any shares under the repurchase program and may suspend or discontinue it at any time without prior notice. During the third quarter of 2022, we repurchased 275,000 shares under the repurchase program at an average share price of $51.46 for an aggregate purchase price of $14.2 million. As of September 30, 2022,
we had repurchased a total of 1,794,392 shares under the repurchase program at an average share price of $38.37 for an aggregate purchase price of $68.9 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2021, we also repurchased 78,000 shares in a privately negotiated transaction at a share price of $19.07 which was not part of the repurchase program.
The cumulative number of shares repurchased as of
September 30, 2022
totaled 2,472,392.
The cash purchase price and any direct acquisition costs are reflected as treasury stock on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2022.
The table below shows share repurchase activity for the three months ended September 30, 2022:
Period
Total number of shares purchased
Average price paid per share
Total number of
shares purchased
as part of publicly
announced program
Cover Page Interactive Data File. The cover page interactive data file does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document (contained in Exhibit 101).
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.
(We are using algorithms to extract and display detailed data. This is a hard problem and we are working continuously to classify data in an accurate and useful manner.)