See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(tabular amounts in thousands, except per share data)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accounting policies we follow as of January 1, 2022 are set forth in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 31, 2022. The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have not been audited by our independent registered public accountants. In the opinion of management, these statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations. Any and all adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Although management believes the unaudited interim related disclosures in these condensed consolidated financial statements are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual audited consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. The results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2022 and the statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated audited financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Consolidation Principles
The terms “Abraxas,” “Abraxas Petroleum,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” refer to Abraxas Petroleum Corporation and all of its subsidiaries, including Raven Drilling, LLC (“Raven Drilling”).
Rig Accounting
In accordance with SEC Regulation S-X, no income is recognized in connection with contractual drilling services performed in connection with properties in which we or our affiliates hold an ownership, or other economic interest. Any income not recognized as a result of this limitation is credited to the full cost pool and recognized through lower amortization as reserves are produced.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Stock-Based Compensation, Option Plans and Warrants
Stock Options
We currently utilize a standard option-pricing model (i.e., Black-Scholes) to measure the fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors.
The following table summarizes our stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022, (in thousands):
| | Number of Shares | | | Weighted Average Option Exercise Price Per Share | | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | |
Outstanding, December 31, 2021 | | | 55 | | | $ | 53.79 | | | $ | 36.95 | |
Cancelled/Forfeited | | | (44 | ) | | $ | 55.79 | | | $ | 38.05 | |
Expired | | | (4 | ) | | $ | 40.43 | | | $ | 29.23 | |
Balance, March 31, 2022 | | | 7 | | | $ | 48.84 | | | $ | 34.41 | |
Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards are awards of common stock that are subject to restrictions on transfer and to a risk of forfeiture if the recipient of the award terminates employment with us prior to the lapse of the restrictions. The fair value of such stock was determined using the closing price on the grant date and compensation expense is recorded over the applicable vesting periods.
The following table summarizes our restricted stock activity for the three months ended March 31, 2022:
| | Number of Shares (thousands) | | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | |
Unvested, December 31, 2021 | | | 14 | | | $ | 27.97 | |
Vested/Released | | | (14 | ) | | | 27.97 | |
Unvested, March 31, 2022 | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Performance Based Restricted Stock
We issue performance-based shares of restricted stock to certain officers and employees under the Abraxas Petroleum Corporation Amended and Restated 2005 Employee Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. The shares will vest in three years from the grant date upon the achievement of performance goals based on our Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) as compared to a peer group of companies. The number of shares which would vest depends upon the rank of our TSR as compared to the peer group at the end of the three-year vesting period and can range from zero percent of the initial grant up to 200% of the initial grant.
The table below provides a summary of Performance Based Restricted Stock as of the date indicated:
| | Number of Shares (thousands) | | | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | |
Unvested, December 31, 2021 | | | 28 | | | $ | 26.80 | |
Expired | | | - | | | $ | - | |
Unvested, March 31, 2022 | | | 28 | | | $ | 26.80 | |
Compensation expense associated with the performance based restricted stock is based on the grant date fair value of a single share as determined using a Monte Carlo Simulation model which utilizes a stochastic process to create a range of potential future outcomes given a variety of inputs. As the Compensation Committee intends to settle the performance based restricted stock awards with shares of our common stock, the awards are accounted for as equity awards and the expense is calculated on the grant date assuming a 100% target payout and amortized over the life of the awards.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation from the various forms of compensation utilized by the Company (in thousands) as of the dates indicated.
| | Three Months Ended | |
| | March 31, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Options | | $ | - | | | $ | (22 | ) |
Restricted stock | | | 108 | | | | 199 | |
Performance shares | | | 79 | | | | 134 | |
| | $ | 187 | | | $ | 311 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
As of March 31, 2022, all expense related to stock based compensation has been amortized.
Oil and Gas Properties
We follow the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Under this method, all direct costs and certain indirect costs associated with the acquisition of properties and successful and unsuccessful exploration and development activities are capitalized. Depreciation, depletion, and amortization of capitalized oil and gas properties and estimated future development costs, excluding unproved properties, are based on the unit-of-production method based on proved reserves. Net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties, less related deferred taxes, are limited by country, to the lower of unamortized cost or the cost ceiling, defined as the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves based on unescalated prices discounted at 10%, plus the cost of properties not being amortized, if any, plus the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any, less related income taxes. Costs in excess of the present value of estimated net revenue from proved reserves discounted at 10% are charged to proved property impairment expense. No gain or loss is recognized upon sale or disposition of oil and gas properties for full cost accounting companies with proceeds accounted for as an adjustment of capitalized cost. An exception to this rule occurs when the adjustment to the full cost pool results in a significant alteration of the relationship between capitalized cost and proved reserves. We apply the full cost ceiling test on a quarterly basis on the date of the latest balance sheet presented. At March 31, 2022, the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties did not exceed the cost ceiling of our estimated proved reserves.
Restoration, Removal and Environmental Liabilities
We are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require us to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum substances at various sites. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefit are expensed.
Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessments and/or remediation is probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are generally undiscounted unless the timing of cash payments for the liability or component is fixed or reliably determinable.
We account for future site restoration obligations based on the guidance of ASC 410 which addresses accounting and reporting for obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and the associated asset retirement costs. ASC 410 requires that the fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation be recorded in the period in which it is incurred and the corresponding cost capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the related asset. For all periods presented, we have included estimated future costs of abandonment and dismantlement in our full cost amortization base and amortize these costs as a component of our depletion expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
The following table summarizes our future site restoration obligation transactions for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| | March 31, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | |
Beginning future site restoration obligation | | $ | 4,708 | | | $ | 7,360 | |
New wells placed on production and other | | | - | | | | 1 | |
Deletions related to property sales | | | (1,725 | ) | | | (2,845 | ) |
Deletions related to plugging costs | | | . | | | | (342 | ) |
Accretion expense | | | 42 | | | | 330 | |
Revisions and other | | | - | | | | 204 | |
Ending future site restoration obligation | | $ | 3,025 | | | $ | 4,708 | |
2. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Revenue Recognition
Sales of oil, gas and natural gas liquids (“NGL”) are recognized at the point in time when control of the product is transferred to the customer and collectability is reasonably assured. Our contracts’ pricing provisions are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, physical location, quality of the oil or gas, and prevailing supply and demand conditions. As a result, the price of the oil, gas and NGL fluctuates to remain competitive with other available oil, gas and NGL supplies in the market. We believe that the pricing provisions of our oil, gas and NGL contracts are customary in the industry.
Oil sales
Our oil sales contracts are generally structured such that we sell our oil production to a purchaser at a contractually specified delivery point at or near the wellhead. The crude oil production is priced on the delivery date based upon prevailing index prices less certain deductions related to oil quality, physical location and transportation costs incurred by the purchaser subsequent to delivery. We recognize revenue when control transfers to the purchaser upon delivery at or near the wellhead at the net price received from the purchaser.
Gas and NGL Sales
Under our gas processing contracts, we deliver wet gas to a midstream processing entity at the wellhead or the inlet of the midstream processing entity’s system. The midstream processing entity processes the natural gas and remits proceeds to us based upon either (i) the resulting sales price of NGL and residue gas received by the midstream processing entity from third party customers, or (ii) the prevailing index prices for NGL and residue gas in the month of delivery to the midstream processing entity. Gathering, processing, transportation and other expenses incurred by the midstream processing entity are typically deducted from the proceeds that we receive.
In these scenarios, we evaluate whether the midstream processing entity is the principal or the agent in the transaction. In our gas purchase contracts, we have concluded that the midstream processing entity is the agent, and thus, the midstream processing entity is our customer. Accordingly, we recognize revenue upon delivery to the midstream processing entity based on the net amount of the proceeds received from the midstream processing entity.
Disaggregation of Revenue
We have been focused on the development of oil and natural gas properties primarily located in the following two operating regions in the United States: (i) the Permian/Delaware Basin, and (ii) Rocky Mountain. All of our Rocky Mountain properties sold on January 3, 2022. Revenue attributable to each of those regions is disaggregated in the tables below.
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
| | Oil | | | Gas | | | NGL | | | Oil | | | Gas | | | NGL | |
Operating Regions: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Permian/Delaware Basin | | $ | 10,291 | | | $ | 1,131 | | | $ | 758 | | | $ | 7,166 | | | $ | 1,114 | | | $ | 269 | |
Rocky Mountain | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 6,759 | | | $ | 556 | | | $ | 800 | |
Significant Judgments
Principal versus agent
We engage in various types of transactions in which midstream entities process our gas and subsequently market resulting NGL and residue gas to third-party customers on our behalf, such as our percentage-of-proceeds and gas purchase contracts. These types of transactions require judgment to determine whether we are the principal or the agent in the contract and, as a result, whether revenues are recorded gross or net.
Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations
A significant number of our product sales are short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, we have utilized the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606-10-50-14 exempting us from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.
For product sales that have a contract term greater than one year, we have utilized the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606-10-50-14(a) which states we are not required to disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation. Under these sales contracts, each unit of product generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes are wholly unsatisfied, and disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not required.
Contract balances
Under our product sales contracts, we are entitled to payment from purchasers once our performance obligations have been satisfied upon delivery of the product, at which point payment is unconditional. We record invoiced amounts as “Accounts receivable - Oil and gas production sales” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.
To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the expected sales volumes and prices for those properties are estimated and also recorded as “Accounts receivable - Oil and gas production sales” in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. In this scenario, payment is also unconditional, as we have satisfied our performance obligations through delivery of the relevant product. As a result, we have concluded that our product sales do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under ASU 2014-09. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our receivables from contracts with customers were $7.4 million and $12.3 million, respectively.
Prior-period performance obligations
We record revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, settlement statements for certain gas and NGL sales may not be received for 30 to 60 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, we are required to estimate the amount of production that was delivered to the midstream purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. Additionally, to the extent actual volumes and prices of oil are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third party purchasers, the expected sales volumes and prices for those barrels of oil are also estimated.
We record the differences between our estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales in the month that payment is received from the purchaser. Any identified differences between our revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material.
3. Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the tax rates and laws expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, there was no income tax benefit due to net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) and we recorded a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax asset.
At December 31, 2021, we had, subject to the limitation discussed below, $245.2 million of pre-2018 NOLs and $190.8 million of post 2017 NOL carryforwards for U.S. tax purposes. Our pre-2018 NOLs will expire in varying amounts from 2022 through 2037, if not utilized. Any NOLs arising in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 can generally be carried back five years, carried forward indefinitely and can offset 100% of taxable income for tax years 2020 and up to 80% of future taxable income for tax years after December 31, 2020. Any NOLs arising on or after January 1, 2021 can generally be carried forward indefinitely and can offset up to 80% of future taxable income. The use of our NOLs will be limited if there is an “ownership change” in our common stock, generally a cumulative ownership change exceeding 50% during a three year period, as determined under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. As of March 31, 2022, we have not had an ownership change in our common stock as defined by Section 382.
Given historical losses, uncertainties exist as to the future utilization of the NOL carryforwards. Therefore, we established a valuation allowance of $117.3 million for deferred tax assets at December 31, 2021.
As of March 31, 2022, we did not have any accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2014 through 2021 remain open to examination by the tax jurisdictions to which we are subject.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act that was enacted March 27, 2020 includes income tax provisions that allow NOLs to be carried back, allow interest expense to be deducted up to a higher percentage of adjusted taxable income, and modify tax depreciation of qualified improvement property, among other provisions. These provisions have no material impact on the Company.
4. Long-Term Debt
The following is a description of our debt as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands):
| | March 31, 2022 | | | December 31, 2021 | |
| | | | | | | | |
First Lien Credit Facility | | $ | - | | | $ | 71,400 | |
Second Lien Credit Facility | | | - | | | | 134,907 | |
Exit fee - Second Lien Credit Facility | | | - | | | | 10,000 | |
Real estate lien note | | | 2,439 | | | | 2,515 | |
Total long term debt | | | 2,439 | | | | 218,822 | |
Less current maturities | | | (314 | ) | | | (212,688 | ) |
| | | 2,125 | | | | 6,134 | |
Deferred financing fees and debt issuance cost, net | | | - | | | | (3,929 | ) |
Total long-term debt, net of deferred financing fees and debt issuance costs | | $ | 2,125 | | | $ | 2,205 | |
Restructuring
Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of January 3, 2022, between Abraxas and AG Energy Funding, LLC (“AGEF”) and certain other agreements entered into by Abraxas on January 3, 2022, we effectuated a restructuring of our then-existing indebtedness through a multi-part interdependent de levering transaction consisting of: (i) an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement pursuant to which Abraxas sold to Lime Rock Resources V-A, L.P. certain oil, gas, and mineral properties in the Williston Basin region of North Dakota and other related assets belonging to the Company and its subsidiaries for $87,200,000 in cash ($70.3 million after customary closing adjustments) (the “Sale”), (ii) the pay down of the indebtedness and other obligations of Abraxas and its subsidiaries under the First Lien Credit Facility, by and among Abraxas, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and Société Générale, as “Issuing Lender” and administrative agent and certain specified secured hedges from the proceeds of the Sale and, to the extent necessary, other cash of Abraxas, and (iii), a debt for equity exchange of the indebtedness and other obligations of Abraxas and its subsidiaries under the Second Lien Credit Facility, by and among Abraxas, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and Angelo Gordon Energy Servicer, LLC, as administrative agent and all related loan and security documents (the “Exchange” and, together with the transactions referred to in clauses (i) and (ii), the “Restructuring”).
AGEF was issued 685,505 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company in the Exchange. The Series A Preferred Stock has the terms set forth in the Company’s filed Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate). Pursuant to the Certificate, any proceeds distributed to the Company’s stockholders or otherwise received in respect of the capital stock of the Company in a merger or other liquidity event will be allocated among the Series A Preferred Stock and the Company’s common stock as follows: (1) first, 100% to the Series A Preferred Stock until the Series A Preferred Stock has received $100 million of proceeds in the aggregate (the “Tier One Preference Amount”), (2) second, 95% to the Series A Preferred Stock and 5% to the Company’s common stock until the Series A Preferred Stock has received $137.1 million, plus a 6.0% annual rate of return thereon from the date of issuance; (3) thereafter, 75% to the Series A Preferred Stock and 25% to the Company’s common stock. The Exchange Agreement entered into in connection with the Restructuring also provides for the potential funding by AGEF of an additional amount up to $12.0 million, if agreed to by AGEF and the disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Any such additional amount funded would result in an increase to the Tier One Preference Amount equal to 1.5 x the amount of such additional funding. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock vote together as a single class with the Company’s common stock, and each share of Series A Preferred Stock entitles the holder thereof to 69 votes. Accordingly, AGEF’s ownership of the Series A Preferred Stock entitle it to approximately 85% of the voting power of the Company’s current outstanding capital stock.
Real Estate Lien Note
We have a real estate lien note secured by a first lien deed of trust on the property and improvements which serves as our corporate headquarters. The outstanding principal accrues interest at a fixed rate of 4.9%. The note is payable in monthly installments of principal and accrued interest in the amount of $35,672. The maturity date of the note is July 20, 2023. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $2.4 million and $2.5 million, respectively, were outstanding on the note.
5. Earnings per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2022 | | | 2021 | |
Numerator: | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | 38,151 | | | $ | (23,690 | ) |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | |
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted-average common shares outstanding | | | 8,422 | | | | 8,382 | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | |
Stock options, restricted shares and warrants | | | - | | | | - | |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed exercise of options and restricted shares | | | 8,422 | | | | 8,382 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per common share - basic | | $ | 4.53 | | | $ | (2.83 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) per common share - diluted | | $ | 4.53 | | | $ | (2.83 | ) |
Basic earnings per share, excluding any dilutive effects of stock options and unvested restricted stock, is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share is computed similar to basic; however diluted income per share reflects the assumed conversion of all potentially dilutive securities. For the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2022 there were no dilutive potential shares relating to stock options and restricted stock due to our depressed stock price.
6. Hedging Program and Derivatives
As of March 31, 2022, the Company is not party to any hedge agreements. The liability as of December 31, 2021 relates to the settlement of the December 2021 contract.:
Fair Value of Derivative Contracts as December 31, 2021 | |
| | Asset Derivatives | | Liability Derivatives | |
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments | | Balance Sheet Location | | Fair Value | | Balance Sheet Location | | Fair Value | |
Commodity price derivatives | | Derivatives – current | | $ | - | | Derivatives – current | | $ | 442 | |
Commodity price derivatives | | Derivatives – long-term | | | - | | Derivatives – long-term | | | - | |
| | | | $ | - | | | | $ | 442 | |
7. Financial Instruments
The Company did not have any active financial instruments as of March 31, 2022. The Level 2 financial instruments as of December 31, 2021 relates to the settlement of the December 31, 2021 contract.
| | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | | | Balance as of December 31, 2021 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
NYMEX fixed price derivative contracts | | $ | — | | | $ | 442 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 442 | |
Total Liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 442 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 442 | |
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis included certain non-financial assets and liabilities as may be acquired in a business combination and thereby measured at fair value and the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations for which fair value is used. Unproved oil and gas properties are assessed periodically, at least annually, to determine whether impairment has occurred. The assessment considers the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of proved reserves, the economic viability of development if proved reserves were assigned and other current market conditions. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to amortization.
The asset retirement obligation estimates are derived from historical costs as well as management’s expectation of future cost environments. As there is no corroborating market activity to support the assumptions used, the Company has designated these liabilities as Level 3. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s asset retirement obligation is presented in Note 1.
Other Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of our cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term maturities and/or liquid nature of these assets and liabilities. The carrying value of our debt approximates fair value as the interest rates are market rates and this debt is considered Level 2.
8. Leases
Nature of Leases
We lease certain field equipment and other equipment under cancelable and non-cancelable leases to support our operations. A more detailed description of our significant lease types is included below.
Field Equipment
We rent various field equipment from third parties in order to facilitate the downstream movement of our production from our drilling operations to market. Our compressor and cooler arrangements are typically structured with a non-cancelable primary term of one year and continue thereafter on a month-to-month basis subject to termination by either party with thirty days’ notice. These leases are considered short term and are not capitalized. We have a small number of compressor leases that are longer than twelve months. We have concluded that our equipment rental agreements represent operating leases with a lease term that equals the primary non-cancelable contract term. Upon completion of the primary term, both parties have substantive rights to terminate the lease. As a result, enforceable rights and obligations do not exist under the rental agreement subsequent to the primary term. We enter into daywork contracts for drilling rigs with third parties to support our drilling activities. Our drilling rig arrangements are typically structured with a term that is in effect until drilling operations are completed on a contractually specified well or well pad. Upon mutual agreement with the contractor, we typically have the option to extend the contract term for additional wells or well pads by providing thirty days’ notice prior to the end of the original contract term. We have concluded that our drilling rig arrangements represent short-term operating leases. The accounting guidance requires us to make an assessment at contract commencement if we are reasonably certain that we will exercise the option to extend the term. Due to the continuously evolving nature of our drilling schedules and the potential volatility in commodity prices in an annual period, our strategy to enter into shorter term drilling rig arrangements allows us the flexibility to respond to changes in our operating and economic environment. We exercise our discretion in choosing to extend or not extend contracts on a rig by rig basis depending on the conditions present at the time the contract expires. At the time of contract commencement, we have determined we cannot conclude with reasonable certainty if we will choose to extend the contract beyond its original term. Pursuant to the full cost method, these costs are capitalized as part of natural gas and oil properties on our balance sheet when paid.
Discount Rate
Our leases typically do not provide an implicit rate. Accordingly, we are required to use our incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments based on the information available at commencement date. Our incremental borrowing rate reflects the estimated rate of interest that we would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We use the implicit rate in the limited circumstances in which that rate is readily determinable.
Practical Expedients and Accounting Policy Elections
Certain of our lease agreements include lease and non-lease components. For all existing asset classes with multiple component types, we have utilized the practical expedient that exempts us from separating lease components from non-lease components. Accordingly, we account for the lease and non-lease components in an arrangement as a single lease component. In addition, for all of our existing asset classes, we have made an accounting policy election not to apply the lease recognition requirements to our short-term leases (that is, a lease that, at commencement, has a lease term of 12 months or less and does not include an option to purchase the underlying asset that we are reasonably certain to exercise). Accordingly, we recognize lease payments related to our short-term leases in our statement of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term which has not changed from our prior recognition. To the extent that there are variable lease payments, we recognize those payments in our statement of operations in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred. None of our current leases contain variable payments. Refer to “ Nature of Leases” above for further information regarding those asset classes that include material short-term leases.
The components of our total lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2022, the majority of which is included in lease operating expense, are as follows:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | |
Operating lease cost | | $ | 6 | | | $ | 26 | |
Short-term lease expense (1) | | $ | 220 | | | $ | 500 | |
Total lease expense | | $ | 226 | | | $ | 526 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Short-term lease costs (2) | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
| (1) | Short-term lease expense represents expense related to leases with a contract term of 12 months or less. |
| (2) | These short-term lease costs are related to leases with a contract term of 12 months or less which are related to drilling rigs and are capitalized as part of natural gas and oil properties on our balance sheet. |
Supplemental balance sheet information related to our operating leases is included in the table below:
| | March 31, 2022 | |
Operating lease ROU assets | | $ | 6 | |
Operating lease liability - current | | $ | 6 | |
Operating lease liabilities - long-term | | $ | - | |
Our weighted average remaining lease term and weighted average discount rate for our operating leases are as follows:
| | March 31, 2022 | |
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in years) | | | 0.8 | |
Weighted Average Discount Rate | | | 6 | % |
Our lease liabilities with enforceable contract terms that are greater than one year mature as follows:
| | Operating Leases | |
Remainder of 2022 | | $ | 6 | |
2023 | | | — | |
2024 | | | — | |
2025 | | | — | |
2026 | | | — | |
Thereafter | | | — | |
Total lease payments | | | 6 | |
Less imputed interest | | | — | |
Total lease liability | | $ | 6 | |
At March 31, 2022, we had only a lease on office equipment, with minimum lease payments with commitments that had initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our operations in the normal course of business. At March 31, 2022, we were not involved in any legal proceedings that are expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
10. Disposition of Assets and Restructuring
On January 3, 2022, the Company and Lime Rock Resources V-A, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (“Lime Rock”), entered into an Asset Purchase and Sale Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell to Lime Rock certain oil, gas, and mineral properties in the Williston Basin region of North Dakota (the “Properties”) and other related assets (together with the Properties, the “Assets”) belonging to the Company and its subsidiaries for $87,200,000 in cash, subject to customary purchase price adjustments (the “Purchase Price”; such sale, the “Sale”). As described in and subject to the limitations set forth in the Purchase Agreement, the Assets include, among other things, the oil and gas leases described in the Purchase Agreement; the leasehold, mineral, and royalty interests in, and the production and development rights to, the Properties; all contracts, agreements, and instruments by which the Properties are bound; and all rights and interests in the drilling, spacing, or pooled units designated in the Purchase Agreement. The Purchase Agreement includes customary terms and conditions for agreements of this nature. The Purchase Agreement also contains indemnification obligations of both the Company and Lime Rock with respect to customary matters, including breaches of representations, warranties, and covenants. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement occurred concurrently with execution of the agreement on January 3, 2022.
As discussed in Note 4 above, on January 3, 2022, the Company effectuated the Restructuring of our then-existing indebtedness through a multi-part interdependent de levering transaction consisting of: (i) the Purchase Agreement and the Sale, (ii) the pay down of the indebtedness and other obligations of Abraxas and its subsidiaries under the First Lien Credit Facility, by and among Abraxas, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and Société Générale, as “Issuing Lender” and administrative agent and certain specified secured hedges from the proceeds of the Sale and, to the extent necessary, other cash of Abraxas; and (iii), a debt for equity exchange of the indebtedness and other obligations of Abraxas and its subsidiaries under the Second Lien Credit Facility, by and among Abraxas, the financial institutions party thereto as lenders, and Angelo Gordon Energy Servicer, LLC, as administrative agent and all related loan and security documents.
AGEF was issued 685,505 shares of Series A Preferred Stock of the Company in the Exchange. The Series A Preferred Stock has the terms set forth in the Company’s filed Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate). Pursuant to the Certificate, any proceeds distributed to the Company’s stockholders or otherwise received in respect of the capital stock of the Company in a merger or other liquidity event will be allocated among the Series A Preferred Stock and the Company’s common stock as follows: (1) first, 100% to the Series A Preferred Stock until the Series A Preferred Stock has received $100 million of proceeds in the aggregate (the “Tier One Preference Amount”), (2) second, 95% to the Series A Preferred Stock and 5% to the Company’s common stock until the Series A Preferred Stock has received $137.1 million, plus a 6.0% annual rate of return thereon from the date of issuance; (3) thereafter, 75% to the Series A Preferred Stock and 25% to the Company’s common stock. The Exchange Agreement entered into in connection with the Restructuring also provides for the potential funding by AGEF of an additional amount up to $12.0 million, if agreed to by AGEF and the disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Any such additional amount funded would result in an increase to the Tier One Preference Amount equal to 1.5 x the amount of such additional funding. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock vote together as a single class with the Company’s common stock, and each share of Series A Preferred Stock entitles the holder thereof to 69 votes. Accordingly, AGEF’s ownership of the Series A Preferred Stock entitle it to approximately 85% of the voting power of the Company’s current outstanding capital stock.
Exchange Agreement
On January 3, 2022, the Company and AG Energy Funding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“AGEF”) and an affiliate of the Second Lien Agent, entered into an Exchange Agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which, and effective immediately
upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement and the First Lien Release Agreement, AGEF transferred to the Company all of AGEF’s claims outstanding under the Second Lien Debt Agreement (the “Claims”) in exchange for the Company’s issuance to AGEF of 685,505 shares of the Company’s preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, designated as “Series A Preferred Stock” (the “Preferred Stock”), having the terms set forth in the Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation (the “Certificate”; such exchange between the Company and AGEF, the “Exchange”). Effective upon the Exchange, all of the Claims in favor of AGEF were automatically deemed paid and satisfied in full, discharged, terminated, released, and cancelled for all purposes under the Second Lien Debt Agreement.
Any proceeds distributed to the Company’s stockholders or otherwise received in respect of the capital stock of the Company in a merger or other liquidity event will be allocated among the Preferred Stock and the Company’s common stock as follows: (1) first, 100% to the Preferred Stock until the Preferred Stock has received $100 million of proceeds in the aggregate (the “Tier One Preference Amount”), (2) second, 95% to the Preferred Stock and 5% to the Company’s common stock until the Preferred Stock has received $137.1 million (which is equal to the amount of the aggregate Claims outstanding under the Second Lien Debt Agreement) plus a 6.0% annual rate of return thereon from the date hereof; (3) thereafter, 75% to the Preferred Stock and 25% to the Company’s common stock. The Exchange Agreement also provides for the potential funding by AGEF of an additional amount up to $12.0 million, which may be funded following closing if agreed to by AGEF and the disinterested members of the Company’s Board of Directors. Any such additional amount funded will result in an increase to the Tier One Preference Amount equal to 1.5 x the amount of such additional funding. The shares of Preferred Stock will vote together as a single class with the Company’s common stock, and each share of Preferred Stock will entitle the holder thereof to 69 votes. Accordingly, AGEF’s ownership of the Preferred Stock will entitle it to approximately 85% of the voting power of the Company’s outstanding capital stock.
In connection with the consummation of the Exchange Agreement, on January 3, 2022, the Second Lien Parties entered into an Amendment No. 2 to Forbearance Agreement (the “Second Lien Forbearance”) with respect to the Second Lien Debt Agreement. Under the Second Lien Forbearance, the parties thereto agreed to (i) extend the temporary forbearance period under the Forbearance Agreement until January 14, 2022, unless terminated earlier by a “Forbearance Termination Event” (as defined in the Second Lien Forbearance), and (ii) amend certain other terms of the Forbearance Agreement. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Second Lien Forbearance, the Second Lien Agent and the Second Lien Lenders agreed to release their liens and security interests on the Assets being sold by the Company to Lime Rock under the Purchase Agreement.
The foregoing description of the Exchange Agreement, the Certificate and the Second Lien Forbearance is a summary only, does not purport to be complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Exchange Agreement, the Certificate, and the Second Lien Forbearance, which are filed as Exhibits 10.3, 3.1 and 4.1, and 10.4, on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2022, and are incorporated by reference herein.
In connection with the proposed Sale of the Assets to Lime Rock, as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, and the proposed Exchange of AGEF’s claims outstanding under the Second Lien Debt Agreement for the Preferred Stock, as contemplated by the Exchange Agreement, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) requested that Petrie Partners Securities, LLC (“Petrie”) render opinions as to whether the Purchase Price and the Exchange are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company. Petrie represented the Company in the broadly marketed sale of the Assets and is currently acting as financial advisor to the Board and to the Special Committee of the Board in connection with the proposed Exchange. On January 2, 2022, Petrie delivered opinions to the Board, dated January 3, 2022 (the “Fairness Opinions”), stating that the Purchase Price and the Exchange are fair, from a financial point of view, to the Company.