UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2021
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 1-13726
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||||||||
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | ||||||||||||||
| Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | ||||||||||||||
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbol | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||||||||
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 ☐
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 is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 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 ☐
As of May 6, 2021, there were 97,914,260 shares of our $0.01 par value common stock outstanding.
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2021
| Definitions | ||
Unless the context otherwise indicates, references to “us,” “we,” “our,” “ours,” “Chesapeake,” the “Company” and “Registrant” refer to Chesapeake Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. All monetary values, other than per unit and per share amounts, are stated in millions of U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified. In addition, the following are other abbreviations and definitions of certain terms used within this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:
“ASC” means Accounting Standards Codification.
“Backstop Commitment Agreement” means that certain Backstop Commitment Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2020, by and between Chesapeake and the Backstop Parties, as may be further amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, in accordance with its terms.
“Backstop Parties” means the members of the FLLO Ad Hoc Group that are signatories to the Backstop Commitment Agreement and Franklin Advisers, Inc., as investment manager on behalf of certain funds and accounts.
“Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, 11 U.S.C. §§ 101–1532, as amended.
“Bankruptcy Court” means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.
“Bbl” or “Bbls” means barrel or barrels.
“Bcf” means billion cubic feet.
““Boe” means barrel of oil equivalent. Natural gas proved reserves and production are converted to Boe, at the pressure and temperature base standard of each respective state in which the natural gas is produced, at the rate of six Mcf of gas per Bbl of oil, based upon the approximate relative energy content of natural gas and oil. NGL proved reserves and production are converted to Boe on a one-to-one basis with oil.
“Chapter 11 Cases” means, when used with reference to a particular Debtor, the case pending for that Debtor under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court, and when used with reference to all the Debtors, the procedurally consolidated Chapter 11 cases pending for the Debtors in the Bankruptcy Court.
“Class A Warrants” means warrants to purchase 10 percent of the New Common Stock (after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but subject to dilution by the Management Incentive Plan, the Class B Warrants, and the Class C Warrants), at an initial exercise price per share of $27.63. The Class A Warrants are exercisable from the Effective Date until February 9, 2026.
“Class B Warrants” means warrants to purchase 10 percent of the New Common Stock (after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but subject to dilution by the Management Incentive Plan and the Class C Warrants), at an initial exercise price per share of $32.13. The Class B Warrants are exercisable from the Effective Date until February 9, 2026.
“Class C Warrants” means warrants to purchase 10 percent of the New Common Stock (after giving effect to the Rights Offering, but subject to dilution by the Management Incentive Plan), at an initial exercise price per share of $36.18. The Class C Warrants are exercisable from the Effective Date until February 9, 2026.
“Confirmation Order” means the order confirming the Fifth Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and its Debtor Affiliates, [Docket No. 2915] entered by the Bankruptcy Court on January 16, 2021.
“Debtors” means the Company, together with all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries that have filed the Chapter 11 Cases.
“DIP Facility” means that certain debtor-in-possession financing facility documented pursuant to the DIP Documents and DIP Order.
“Effective Date” means February 9, 2021.
“Exit Credit Facility” means the reserve-based revolving credit facility available upon emergence from bankruptcy.
“FLLO Term Loan Facility” means the facility outstanding under the FLLO Term Loan Facility Credit Agreement.
“FLLO Term Loan Facility Credit Agreement” means that certain Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 19, 2019 ((i) as supplemented by that certain Class A Term Loan Supplement, dated as of December 19, 2019 (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Chesapeake, as borrower, the Debtor guarantors party thereto, GLAS USA LLC, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, and (ii) as further amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Chesapeake, the Debtor guarantors party thereto, GLAS USA LLC, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
“GAAP” means U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
“General Unsecured Claim” means any Claim against any Debtor that is not otherwise paid in full during the Chapter 11 Cases pursuant to an order of the Bankruptcy Court and is not an Administrative Claim, a Priority Tax Claim, an Other Priority Claim, an Other Secured Claim, a Revolving Credit Facility Claim, a FLLO Term Loan Facility Claim, a Second Lien Notes Claim, an Unsecured Notes Claim, and Intercompany Claim, or a Section 510(b) Claim.
“MBbls” means thousand barrels.
“MMBbls” means million barrels.
“MBoe” means thousand Boe.
“Mcf” means one thousand cubic feet.
“MMBoe” means million Boe.
“MMcf” means million cubic feet.
“New Common Stock” means the single class of common stock issued by Reorganized Chesapeake on the Effective Date.
“NGL” means natural gas liquids.
“NYMEX” means New York Mercantile Exchange.
“OPEC” means Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
“Petition Date” means June 28, 2020, the date on which the Debtors commenced the Chapter 11 cases.
“Plan” means the Fifth Amended Joint Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and its Debtor Affiliates, attached as Exhibit A to the Confirmation Order.
“Put Option Premium” means a nonrefundable aggregate fee of $60 million, which represents 10 percent of the Rights Offering Amount, payable to the Backstop Parties in accordance with, and subject to the terms of the Backstop Commitment Agreement based on their respective Backstop commitment percentages at the time such payment is made.
“Rights Offering” means the New Common Stock rights offering for the Rights Offering Amount consummated by the Debtors on the Effective Date.
“SEC” means United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Second Lien Notes” means the 11.500% senior notes due 2025 issued by Chesapeake pursuant to the Second Lien Notes Indenture.
“Second Lien Notes Claim” means any Claim on account of the Second Lien Notes.
“Tranche A Loans” means the fully revolving loans made under and on the terms set forth under the Exit Credit Facility which will be partially funded on the Effective Date, will have a scheduled maturity of 3 years from the Effective Date, and shall at all times be repaid prior to the repayment of the Tranche B Loans.
“Tranche B Loans” means term loans made under and on the terms set forth under the Exit Credit Facility which will be fully funded on the Effective Date, will have a scheduled maturity of 4 years from the Effective Date, will be repaid or prepaid only after there are no Tranche A Loans outstanding, and once so prepaid or repaid, may not be reborrowed.
“Warrants” means collectively, the Class A Warrants, Class B Warrants and Class C Warrants.
“WTI” means West Texas Intermediate.
“/Bbl” means per barrel.
“/Boe” means per Boe.
“/Mcf” means per Mcf.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| ITEM 1. | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements | ||||
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Short-term derivative assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment: | |||||||||||||||||
| Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts method | |||||||||||||||||
| Proved oil and natural gas properties | |||||||||||||||||
| Unproved properties | |||||||||||||||||
| Other property and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Total property and equipment | |||||||||||||||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment held for sale, net | |||||||||||||||||
| Total property and equipment, net | |||||||||||||||||
Long-term derivative assets | |||||||||||||||||
Other long-term assets | |||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and equity (deficit) | |||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||
Accrued interest | |||||||||||||||||
Short-term derivative liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net | |||||||||||||||||
Long-term derivative liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion | |||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
Liabilities subject to compromise | |||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | |||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit): | |||||||||||||||||
Predecessor preferred stock, $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
Predecessor common stock, $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor additional paid-in capital | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor accumulated other comprehensive income | — | ||||||||||||||||
Successor common stock, $ | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor additional paid-in capital | — | ||||||||||||||||
| Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
7
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues and other: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil, natural gas and NGL | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil and natural gas derivatives | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gathering, processing and transportation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Severance and ad valorem taxes | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exploration | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Separation and other termination costs | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expense (income), net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) from operations | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains on purchases or exchanges of debt | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reorganization items, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other income (expense) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax benefit | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) available to common stockholders | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | |||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income, net of income tax: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Reclassification of losses on settled derivative instruments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred income tax benefit | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivative (gains) losses, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash receipts (payments) on derivative settlements, net | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of assets | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-cash reorganization items, net | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exploration | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains on purchases or exchanges of debt | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in assets and liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from divestitures of property and equipment | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from Exit Credit Facility - Tranche A Loans | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments on Exit Credit Facility - Tranche A Loans | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from pre-petition revolving credit facility borrowings | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments on pre-petition revolving credit facility borrowings | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments on DIP Facility borrowings | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance and other financing costs | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid to purchase debt | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for preferred stock dividends | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
10
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| Supplemental disclosures to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are presented below: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental cash flow information: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid for reorganization items, net | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest paid, net of capitalized interest | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes paid, net of refunds received | $ | ( | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Supplemental disclosure of significant non-cash investing and financing activities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Change in accrued drilling and completion costs | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||
| Put option premium on equity backstop agreement | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
11
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited)
| Attributable to Chesapeake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Treasury Stock | Non-controlling Interest | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2019 (Predecessor) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends on preferred stock | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to Chesapeake | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hedging activity | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of shares for company benefit plans | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Release of shares for company benefit plans | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2020 (Predecessor) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
12
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| Attributable to Chesapeake | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred Stock | Common Stock | Additional Paid-in Capital | Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Treasury Stock | Non-controlling Interest | Total Stockholders’ Equity | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of December 31, 2020 (Predecessor) | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hedging activity | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cancellation of Predecessor Equity | ( | ( | ( | — | ( | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Successor common stock | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Successor Class A warrants | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Successor Class B warrants | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Issuance of Successor Class C warrants | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of February 9, 2021 (Predecessor) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of February 10, 2021 (Successor) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance as of March 31, 2021 (Successor) | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
13
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
| 1. | Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | ||||
Description of Company
Chesapeake Energy Corporation ("Chesapeake", “we,” “our”, “us” or the "Company") is an oil and natural gas exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of properties for the production of oil, natural gas and NGL from underground reservoirs. Our operations are located onshore in the United States. As discussed in Note 2 below, we filed the Chapter 11 Cases on the Petition Date and subsequently operated as a debtor-in-possession, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, until emergence on February 9, 2021. To facilitate our financial statement presentations, we refer to the post-emergence reorganized Company in these condensed consolidated financial statements and footnotes as the “Successor” for periods subsequent to February 9, 2021, and to the pre-emergence company as “Predecessor” for periods on or prior to February 9, 2021.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) relates to the financial position and periods of February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 (“2021 Successor Period”), and January 1, 2021, through February 9, 2021 (“2021 Predecessor Period”) and the three months ended March 31, 2020 (“2020 Predecessor Period”). Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (“2020 Form 10-K”) should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. Except as disclosed herein, and with the exception of information in this report related to our emergence from Chapter 11 and fresh start accounting, there has been no material change in the information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in the 2020 Form 10-K. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and include the accounts of our direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries and entities in which we have a controlling financial interest. Intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.
Segments
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses for which separate operational financial information is available and is regularly evaluated by the chief operating decision maker for the purpose of allocating an enterprise’s resources and assessing its operating performance. We have concluded that we have only one
14
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Restricted Cash
As of March 31, 2021, we had restricted cash of $68 million. The restricted funds were maintained primarily to pay debtor-related professional fees associated with our Bankruptcy Filing as well as certain convenience class unsecured claims upon our emergence from bankruptcy.
Voluntary Filing under Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
On the Petition Date the Debtors filed the Chapter 11 Cases under the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. On June 29, 2020, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the joint administration of the Chapter 11 Cases under the caption In re Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Case No. 20-33233. Subsidiaries with noncontrolling interests, consolidated variable interest entities and certain de minimis subsidiaries (collectively, the “Non-Filing Entities”) were not part of the Bankruptcy Filing. The Non-Filing Entities have continued to operate in the ordinary course of business.
The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan and entered the Confirmation Order on January 16, 2021. The Debtors emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases on the Effective Date. The Company’s bankruptcy proceedings and related matters have been summarized below.
During the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases, we continued to operate our business in the ordinary course as debtors-in-possession in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code. The Bankruptcy Court granted the first day relief we requested that was designed primarily to mitigate the impact of the Chapter 11 Cases on our operations, vendors, suppliers, customers and employees. As a result, we were able to conduct normal business activities and satisfy all associated obligations for the period following the Petition Date and were also authorized to pay mineral interest owner royalties, employee wages and benefits, and certain vendors and suppliers in the ordinary course for goods and services provided prior to the Petition Date. During the pendency of the Chapter 11 Cases, all transactions outside the ordinary course of business required the prior approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
Subject to certain specific exceptions under the Bankruptcy Code, the filing of the Chapter 11 Cases automatically stayed all judicial or administrative actions against us and efforts by creditors to collect on or otherwise exercise rights or remedies with respect to pre-petition claims. Absent an order from the Bankruptcy Court, substantially all of the Debtors’ pre-petition liabilities were subject to compromise and discharge under the Bankruptcy Code. The automatic stay was lifted on the Effective Date.
We have applied ASC 852, Reorganizations, in preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended February 9, 2021. ASC 852 requires that the financial statements, for periods subsequent to the Chapter 11 Cases, distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that were realized or incurred during the bankruptcy proceedings, including gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise, losses related to executory contracts that have been approved for rejection by the Bankruptcy Court, and unamortized debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts associated with debt classified as liabilities subject to compromise, were recorded as reorganization items, net. In addition, pre-petition obligations that may be impacted by the Chapter 11 process have been classified on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 as liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 3 for more information regarding reorganization items.
| 2. | Chapter 11 Emergence | ||||
As described in Note 1, on June 28, 2020, the Debtors filed the Chapter 11 Cases and on September 11, 2020, the Debtors filed the Plan, which was subsequently amended, and entered the Confirmation Order on January 16, 2021. The Debtors then emerged from bankruptcy upon effectiveness of the Plan on February 9, 2021. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
Plan of Reorganization
In accordance with the Plan confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, the following significant transactions occurred upon the Company’s emergence from bankruptcy on February 9, 2021:
15
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
•On the Effective Date, we issued approximately 97,907,081 shares of New Common Stock, reserved 2,092,918 shares of New Common Stock for future issuance to eligible holders of Allowed Unsecured Notes Claims and Allowed General Unsecured Claims and reserved 37,174,210 shares of New Common Stock for issuance upon exercise of the Warrants, which were the result of the transactions described below. We also entered into a registration rights agreement, warrant agreements and amended our articles of incorporation and bylaws for the authorization of the New Common Stock among other corporate governance actions. See Note 10 for further discussion of our post-emergence equity.
•Each holder of an equity interest in Predecessor, including Predecessor’s common and preferred stock, had such interest canceled, released, and extinguished without any distribution.
•Each holder of obligations under the pre-petition revolving credit facility received, at such holder's prior determined allocation, its pro rata share of either Tranche A Loans or Tranche B Loans, on a dollar for dollar basis.
•Each holder of obligations under the FLLO Term Loan Facility received its pro rata share of 23,022,420 shares of New Common Stock.
•Each holder of an Allowed Second Lien Notes Claim received its pro rata share of 3,635,118 shares of New Common Stock, 11,111,111 Class A Warrants to purchase 11,111,111 shares of New Common Stock, 12,345,679 Class B Warrants to purchase 12,345,679 shares of New Common Stock, and 6,858,710 Class C Warrants to purchase 6,858,710 shares of New Common Stock.
•Each holder of an Allowed Unsecured Notes Claim received its pro rata share of 1,311,089 shares of New Common Stock and 2,473,757 Class C Warrants to purchase 2,473,757 shares of New Common Stock.
•Each holder of an Allowed General Unsecured Claim received its pro rata share of 231,112 shares of New Common Stock and 436,060 Class C Warrants to purchase 436,060 shares of New Common Stock; provided that to the extent such Allowed General Unsecured Claim is a Convenience Claim, such holder instead received its pro rata share of $10 million, which pro rata share shall not exceed five percent of such Convenience Claim.
•Participants in the Rights Offering extending to the applicable classes under the Plan received 62,927,320 shares of New Common Stock.
•In connection with the Rights Offering described above, the Backstop Parties under the Backstop Commitment Agreement received 6,337,031 shares of New Common Stock in respect to the Put Option Premium, and 442,991 shares of New Common Stock were issued in connection with the backstop obligation thereunder to purchase unsubscribed shares of the New Common Stock.
•2,092,918 shares of New Common Stock and 3,948,893 Class C Warrants were reserved for future issuance to eligible holders of Allowed Unsecured Notes Claims and Allowed General Unsecured Claims. The reserved New Common Stock and Class C Warrants will be issued on a pro rata basis upon the determination of the allowed portion of all disputed General Unsecured Claims and Unsecured Notes Claims.
•The 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”) was approved with a share reserve equal to 6,800,000 shares of New Company Stock.
•Each holder of an Allowed Other Secured Claim will receive, at the Company's option and in consultation with the Required Consenting Stakeholders (as defined in the Plan): (a) payment in full in cash; (b) the collateral securing its secured claim; (c) reinstatement of its secured claim; or (d) such other treatment that renders its secured claim unimpaired in accordance with Section 1124 of the Bankruptcy Code.
•Each holder of an Allowed Other Priority Claim will receive cash up to the allowed amount of its claim.
16
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 3. | Fresh Start Accounting | ||||
Fresh Start Accounting
In connection with our emergence from bankruptcy and in accordance with ASC 852, we qualified for and applied fresh start accounting on the Effective Date. We were required to apply fresh start accounting because (i) the holders of existing voting shares of the Company prior to its emergence received less than 50 % of the voting shares of the Company outstanding following its emergence from bankruptcy and (ii) the reorganization value of our assets immediately prior to confirmation of the Plan of approximately $6.8 billion was less than the post-petition liabilities and allowed claims of $13.2 billion.
In accordance with ASC 852, with the application of fresh start accounting, the Company allocated its reorganization value to its individual assets based on their estimated fair value in conformity with FASB ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and FASB ASC Topic 805 - Business Combinations. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements after February 9, 2021 are not comparable with the consolidated financial statements as of or prior to that date. The Effective Date fair values of the Successor’s assets and liabilities differ materially from their recorded values as reflected on the historical balance sheet of the Predecessor.
Reorganization Value
Reorganization value is derived from an estimate of enterprise value, or fair value of the Company’s interest-bearing debt and stockholders’ equity. Under ASC 852, reorganization value generally approximates fair value of the entity before considering liabilities and is intended to approximate the amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets immediately after the effects of a restructuring. As set forth in the disclosure statement, amended for updated pricing, and approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the enterprise value of the Successor was estimated to be between $3.5 4.9 4.85 billion. Specific valuation approaches and key assumptions used to arrive at reorganization value, and the value of discrete assets and liabilities resulting from the application of fresh start accounting, are described below in greater detail within the valuation process.
The enterprise value and corresponding implied equity value are dependent upon achieving the future financial results set forth in our valuation using an asset-based methodology of estimated proved reserves, undeveloped properties, and other financial information, considerations and projections, applying a combination of the income, cost and market approaches as of the fresh start reporting date of February 9, 2021. All estimates, assumptions, valuations and financial projections, including the fair value adjustments, the financial projections, the enterprise value and equity value projections, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and the resolution of contingencies beyond our control. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, valuations or financial projections will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.
17
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The following table reconciles the enterprise value to the implied fair value of the Successor’s equity as of the Effective Date:
| February 9, 2021 | ||||||||
| Enterprise Value | $ | |||||||
Plus: Cash and cash equivalents(a) | ||||||||
| Less: Fair value of debt | ( | |||||||
| Successor equity value | $ | |||||||
(a)Cash and cash equivalents includes $8 million that was initially classified as restricted cash as of the Effective Date but subsequently released from escrow and returned to the Successor. Restricted cash exclusive of the $8 million is not included in the table above.
The following table reconciles the enterprise value to the reorganization value as of the Effective Date:
| February 9, 2021 | ||||||||
| Enterprise Value | $ | |||||||
Plus: Cash and cash equivalents(a) | ||||||||
| Plus: Current liabilities | ||||||||
| Plus: Asset retirement obligations (non-current portion) | ||||||||
| Plus: Other non-current liabilities | ||||||||
| Reorganization value of Successor assets | $ | |||||||
____________________________________________
(a)Cash and cash equivalents includes $8 million that was initially classified as restricted cash as of the Effective Date but subsequently released from escrow and returned to the Successor. Restricted cash exclusive of the $8 million is not included in the table above.
Valuation Process
The fair values of our oil and natural gas properties, other property and equipment, other long-term assets, long-term debt, asset retirement obligations and warrants were estimated as of the Effective Date.
Oil and natural gas properties. The Company’s principal assets are its oil and natural gas properties, which are accounted for under the successful efforts accounting method. The Company determined the fair value of its oil and natural gas properties based on the discounted future net cash flows expected to be generated from these assets. Discounted cash flow models by operating area were prepared using the estimated future revenues and operating costs for all developed wells and undeveloped properties comprising the proved and unproved reserves. Significant inputs associated with the calculation of discounted future net cash flows include estimates of (i) recoverable reserves, (ii) production rates, (iii) future operating and development costs, (iv) future commodity prices escalated by an inflationary rate after five years, adjusted for differentials, and (v) a market-based weighted average cost of capital by operating area. The Company utilized NYMEX strip pricing, adjusted for differentials, to value the reserves. The NYMEX strip pricing inputs used are classified as Level 1 fair value assumptions and all other inputs are classified as Level 3 fair value assumptions. The discount rates utilized were derived using a weighted average cost of capital computation, which included an estimated cost of debt and equity for market participants with similar geographies and asset development type by operating area.
Other property and equipment. The fair value of other property and equipment such as buildings, land, computer equipment, and other equipment was determined using replacement cost method under the cost approach which considers historical acquisition costs for the assets adjusted for inflation, as well as factors in any potential obsolescence based on the current condition of the assets and the ability of those assets to generate cash flow.
18
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Long-term debt. A market approach, based upon quotes from major financial institutions, was used to measure the fair value of the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5 % Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875 % Senior Notes due 2029 (the “2029 Notes” and, together with the 2026 Notes, the “Notes”). The carrying value of borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility approximated fair value as the terms and interest rates are based on prevailing market rates.
Asset retirement obligations. The fair value of the Company’s asset retirement obligations was revalued based upon estimated current reclamation costs for our assets with reclamation obligations, an appropriate long-term inflation adjustment, and our revised credit adjusted risk-free rate. The credit adjusted risk-free rate was based on an evaluation of an interest rate that equates to a risk-free interest rate adjusted for the effect of our credit standing.
Warrants. The fair values of the Warrants issued upon the Effective Date were estimated using a Black-Scholes model, a commonly used option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes model was used to estimate the fair value of the warrants with an implied stock price of $20.52 ; exercise price per share of $27.63 , $32.13 and $36.18 for Class A, Class B and Class C Warrants, respectively; expected volatility of 58 % estimated using volatilities of similar entities; risk-free rate using a 5-year Treasury bond rate; and an expected annual dividend yield which was estimated to be zero.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
The following consolidated balance sheet is as of February 9, 2021. This consolidated balance sheet includes adjustments that reflect the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Plan (reflected in the column “Reorganization Adjustments”) as well as fair value adjustments as a result of the adoption of fresh start accounting (reflected in the column “Fresh Start Adjustments”) as of the Effective Date. The explanatory notes following the table below provide further details on the adjustments, including the assumptions and methods used to determine fair value for its assets, liabilities and warrants.
| Predecessor | Reorganization Adjustments | Fresh Start Adjustments | Successor | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ( | (a) | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | (b) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ( | (c) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term derivative assets | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current assets | ( | (d) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current assets | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil and natural gas properties, successful efforts method | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proved oil and natural gas properties | ( | (o) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Unproved properties | ( | (o) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other property and equipment | ( | (o) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property and equipment | ( | (o) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization | ( | (o) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Property and equipment held for sale, net | ( | (o) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total property and equipment, net | (o) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term assets | ( | (p) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
19
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| Predecessor | Reorganization Adjustments | Fresh Start Adjustments | Successor | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Accounts payable | $ | $ | (e) | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt, net | ( | (f) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Accrued interest | ( | (g) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Short-term derivative liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other current liabilities | (h) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total current liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net | (i) | (q) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term derivative liabilities | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion | (r) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Other long-term liabilities | (j) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Liabilities subject to compromise | ( | (k) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stockholders’ equity (deficit): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor preferred stock | ( | (l) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor common stock | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor additional paid-in capital | ( | (l) | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor common stock | (m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor additional paid-in-capital | — | (m) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | (s) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated deficit | ( | (n) | (t) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
(a)The table below reflects the sources and uses of cash on the Effective Date from implementation of the Plan:
| Sources: | |||||
| Proceeds from issuance of the Notes | $ | ||||
| Proceeds from Rights Offering | |||||
| Proceeds from refunds of interest deposit for the Notes | |||||
| Total sources of cash | $ | ||||
| Uses: | |||||
| Payment of roll-up of DIP Facility balance | $ | ( | |||
| Payment of Exit Credit Facility - Tranche A Loan | ( | ||||
| Transfers to restricted cash for professional fee reserve | ( | ||||
| Transfers to restricted cash for convenience claim distribution reserve | ( | ||||
| Payment of professional fees | ( | ||||
| Payment of DIP Facility interest and fees | ( | ||||
| Payment of FLLO alternative transaction fee | ( | ||||
| Payment of the Notes fees funded out of escrow | ( | ||||
| Payment of RBL interest and fees | ( | ||||
| Total uses of cash | $ | ( | |||
| Net cash used | $ | ( | |||
(b)Represents the transfer of funds to a restricted cash account for purposes of funding the professional fee reserve and the convenience claim distribution reserve.
(c)Reflects the removal of an insurance receivable associated with a discharged legal liability.
(d)Reflects the collection of an interest deposit for the senior unsecured notes.
(e)Changes in accounts payable include the following:
| Accrual of professional service provider success fees | $ | ||||
| Accrual of convenience claim distribution reserve | |||||
| Accrual of professional service provider fees | |||||
| Reinstatement of accounts payable from liabilities subject to compromise | |||||
| Payment of professional fees | ( | ||||
| Net impact to accounts payable | $ | ||||
(f)Reflects payment of the pre-petition credit facility for $1.179 billion and transfer of the Tranche A and Tranche B Loans to long-term debt for $750 million.
(g)Reflect payments of accrued interest and fees on the DIP Facility.
(h)Changes in other current liabilities include the following:
| Reinstatement of other current liabilities from liabilities subject to compromise | $ | ||||
| Accrual of the Notes fees | |||||
| Settlement of Put Option Premium through issuance of Successor Common Stock | ( | ||||
| Payment of DIP Facility fees | ( | ||||
| Net impact to other current liabilities | $ | ||||
20
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
(i)Change in long-term debt include the following:
| Issuance of the Notes | $ | ||||
| Issuance of Tranche A and Tranche B Loans | |||||
| Payments on Tranche A Loans | ( | ||||
| Debt issuance costs for the Notes | ( | ||||
| Net impact to long-term debt, net | $ | ||||
(j) Reflects reinstatement of a long-term lease liability.
(k) On the Effective Date, liabilities subject to compromise were settled in accordance with the Plan as follows:
| Liabilities subject to compromise pre-emergence | $ | ||||
| To be reinstated on the Effective Date: | |||||
| Accounts payable | $ | ( | |||
| Other current liabilities | ( | ||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ( | ||||
| Total liabilities reinstated | $ | ( | |||
| Consideration provided to settle amounts per the Plan or Reorganization: | |||||
| Issuance of Successor common stock associated with the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment and settlement of the Put Option Premium | ( | ||||
| Proceeds from issuance of Successor common stock associated with the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment | |||||
| Issuance of Successor common stock to FLLO Term Loan holders, incremental to the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment | ( | ||||
| Issuance of Successor common stock to second lien note holders, incremental to the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment | ( | ||||
| Issuance of Successor common stock to unsecured note holders | ( | ||||
| Issuance of Successor common stock to general unsecured claims | ( | ||||
| Fair value of Class A Warrants | ( | ||||
| Fair value of Class B Warrants | ( | ||||
| Fair value of Class C Warrants | ( | ||||
| Proceeds to holders of general unsecured claims | ( | ||||
| Total consideration provided to settle amounts per the Plan | ( | ||||
| Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise | $ | ||||
(l)Pursuant to the Plan, as of the Effective Date, all equity interests in Predecessor, including Predecessor’s common and preferred stock, were cancelled without any distribution.
(m)Reflects the Successor equity including the issuance of 97,907,081 shares of New Common Stock, 11,111,111 shares of Class A Warrants, 12,345,679 shares of Class B Warrants and 9,768,527 shares of Class C Warrants pursuant to the Plan.
21
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| Issuance of Successor equity associated with the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment | $ | ||||
| Issuance of Successor equity to holders of the FLLO Term Loan, incremental to the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment | |||||
| Issuance of Successor equity to holders of the second lien notes, incremental to the Rights Offering and Backstop Commitment | |||||
| Issuance of Successor equity to holders of the unsecured senior notes | |||||
| Issuance of Successor equity to holders of allowed general unsecured claims | |||||
| Fair value of Class A warrants | |||||
| Fair value of Class B warrants | |||||
| Fair value of Class C warrants | |||||
| Total change in Successor common stock and additional paid-in capital | |||||
| Less: par value of Successor common stock | ( | ||||
| Change in Successor additional paid-in capital | $ | ||||
(n) Reflects the cumulative net impact of the effects on accumulated deficit as follows:
| Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise | $ | ||||
| Accrual of professional service provider success fees | ( | ||||
| Accrual of professional service provider fees | ( | ||||
| Surrender of other receivable | ( | ||||
| Payment of FLLO alternative transaction fee | ( | ||||
| Total reorganization items, net | |||||
| Cancellation of predecessor equity | |||||
| Net impact on accumulated deficit | $ | ||||
Fresh Start Adjustments
(o)Reflects fair value adjustments to our (i) proved oil and natural gas properties, (ii) unproved properties, (iii) other property and equipment (iv) property and equipment held for sale, and the elimination of accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization.
(p)Reflects the fair value adjustment to record historical contracts at their fair values.
(q)Reflects the fair value adjustments to the 2026 Notes and 2029 Notes for $22 million and $30 million, respectively.
(r)Reflects the adjustment to our asset retirement obligations using assumptions as of the Effective Date, including an inflation factor of 2 % and an average credit-adjusted risk-free rate of 5.18 %.
(s)Reflects the fair value adjustment to eliminate the accumulated other comprehensive income of $9 million related to hedging settlements offset by the elimination of $57 million of income tax effects which has resulted in the recording of an income tax benefit of $57 million. See Note 9 for a discussion of income taxes.
22
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
(t)Reflects the net cumulative impact of the fresh start adjustments on accumulated deficit as follows:
| Fresh start adjustments to property and equipment | $ | ||||
| Fresh start adjustments to other long-term assets | ( | ||||
| Fresh start adjustments to long-term debt | ( | ||||
| Fresh start adjustments to long-term asset retirement obligations | ( | ||||
| Fresh start adjustments to accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ||||
| Total fresh start adjustments impacting reorganizations items, net | |||||
| Income tax effects on accumulated other comprehensive income | |||||
| Net impact to accumulated deficit | $ | ||||
Reorganization Items, Net
We have incurred significant expenses, gains and losses associated with the reorganization, primarily the gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise, write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and related unamortized premiums and discounts, debt and equity financing fees, provision for allowed claims and legal and professional fees incurred subsequent to the Chapter 11 filings for the restructuring process. The accrual for allowed claims primarily represents damages from contract rejections and settlements attributable to the midstream savings requirement as stipulated in the Plan. While the claims reconciliation process is ongoing, we do not believe any existing unresolved claims will result in a material adjustment to the financial statements. The amount of these items, which were incurred in reorganization items, net within our accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations, have significantly affected our statements of operations.
The following table summarizes the components in reorganization items, net included in our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations:
| Predecessor | |||||
| Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | |||||
| Gains on the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise | $ | ||||
| Accrual for allowed claims | ( | ||||
| Gain on fresh start adjustments | |||||
| Gain from release of commitment liabilities | |||||
| Professional service provider fees and other | ( | ||||
| Success fees for professional service providers | ( | ||||
| Surrender of other receivable | ( | ||||
| FLLO alternative transaction fee | ( | ||||
| Total reorganization items, net | $ | ||||
23
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 4. | Earnings Per Share | ||||
Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated in the same manner, but includes the impact of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities during the Successor period consist of issuable shares related to warrants, and during the Predecessor period have historically consisted of unvested restricted stock, contingently issuable shares related to preferred stock and convertible senior notes unless their effect was antidilutive.
The reconciliations between basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share are as follows:
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Numerator | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss), basic and diluted | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Denominator (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Effect of potentially dilutive securities | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Warrants | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted stock | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per common share | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per common share, basic | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
| Earnings (loss) per common share, diluted | $ | $ | $ | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Successor
During the 2021 Successor Period, the diluted earnings per share calculation excludes the effect of 2,092,918 reserved shares of common stock and 3,948,893 reserved Class C warrants related to the settlement of general unsecured claims associated with the Chapter 11 Cases as all necessary conditions had not been met to be considered dilutive shares as of the 2021 Successor Period.
Predecessor
The diluted earnings per share calculation for the 2020 Predecessor Period excludes the antidilutive effect of 290,618 shares of common stock equivalent of our preferred stock. Additionally, the 2020 Predecessor Period had a net loss and therefore the diluted earnings (loss) per share calculation excludes the antidilutive effect of 4,095 shares of restricted stock.
24
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 5. | Debt | ||||
Our long-term debt consisted of the following as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| Successor | Predecessor | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Carrying Amount | Fair Value(a) | Carrying Amount | Fair Value(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exit Credit Facility - Tranche A Loans | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exit Credit Facility - Tranche B Loans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DIP Facility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-petition revolving credit facility | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Term loan due 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Premiums on senior notes | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | ( | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total debt, net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less current maturities of long-term debt | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less amounts reclassified to liabilities subject to compromise | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
____________________________________________
(a)The carrying value of borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility approximate fair value as the interest rates are based on prevailing market rates; therefore, they are a Level 1 fair value measurement. For all other debt, a market approach, based upon quotes from major financial institutions, which are Level 2 inputs, is used to measure the fair value.
Successor Debt
Our post-emergence exit financing consists of the Exit Credit Facility, which includes a reserve-based revolving credit facility and a non-revolving loan facility, and the Notes.
Exit Credit Facility. On the Effective Date, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Company, as borrower, entered into a reserve-based credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) providing for a reserve-based credit facility
25
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
with an initial borrowing base of $2.5 billion. The borrowing base will be redetermined semiannually on or around May 1 and November 1 of each year and the next scheduled redetermination will be on or about October 1, 2021. The aggregate initial elected commitments of the lenders under the Exit Credit Facility will be $1.75 billion of Tranche A Loans and $221 million of fully funded Tranche B Loans.
The Exit Credit Facility provides for a $200.0 million sublimit of the aggregate commitments that are available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Exit Credit Facility bears interest at the ABR (alternate base rate) or LIBOR, at our election, plus an applicable margin (ranging from 2.25 –3.25 % per annum for ABR loans and 3.25 –4.25 % per annum for LIBOR loans, subject to a 1.00 % LIBOR floor), depending on the percentage of the borrowing base then being utilized. The Tranche A Loans mature three years after the Effective Date and the Tranche B Loans mature four years after the Effective Date. The Tranche B Loans can be repaid if no Tranche A Loans are outstanding.
The Credit Agreement contains financial covenants that require the Company and its Guarantors, on a consolidated basis, to maintain (i) a first lien leverage ratio of not more than 2.75 to 1:00, (ii) a total leverage ratio of not more than 3.50 to 1:00, (iii) a current ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1:00 and (iv) at any time additional secured debt is outstanding, an asset coverage ratio of not less than 1.50 to 1:00, defined as PV10 of PDP reserves to total secured debt. The Company had no additional secured debt outstanding at emergence.
The Credit Agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, as to compliance with laws (including environmental laws and anti-corruption laws), delivery of quarterly and annual financial statements, conduct of business, maintenance of property, maintenance of insurance, restrictions on the incurrence of liens, indebtedness, asset dispositions, fundamental changes, restricted payments, and other customary covenants.
The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50 % per annum on the average daily unused portion of the current aggregate commitments under the Tranche A Loans. The Company is also required to pay customary letter of credit and fronting fees.
Outstanding Senior Notes. On February 2, 2021, Chesapeake Escrow Issuer LLC (the “Escrow Issuer”) then an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2026 Notes and $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2029 Notes. The Notes included a $52 million premium to reflect fair value adjustments at the date of Emergence.
The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantee the Exit Credit Facility.
The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of February 5, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Guarantors and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee.
Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually, on February 1st and August 1st of each year, commencing on August 1, 2021, to holders of record on the immediately preceding January 15th and July 15th.
The Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations. Accordingly, they rank (i) equal in right of payment to all existing and future senior indebtedness, including borrowings under the Exit Credit Facility, (ii) effectively subordinate in right of payment to all of existing and future secured indebtedness, including indebtedness under the Exit Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness, (iii) structurally subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of any future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes and any entity that is not a subsidiary that does not guarantee the Notes and (iv) senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness. Each guarantee of the Notes by a guarantor is a general, unsecured, senior obligation of such guarantor. Accordingly, the guarantees (i) rank equally in right of payment with all existing and future senior indebtedness of such guarantor (including such guarantor’s guarantee of indebtedness under the Exit Credit Facility), (ii) are subordinated to all existing and future secured indebtedness of such guarantor, including such guarantor’s guarantee of indebtedness under our Exit Credit Facility, to the extent of the value of the collateral of such guarantor securing such secured indebtedness, (iii) are structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of any future subsidiaries of such guarantor that do not guarantee the notes and (iv) rank senior in right of payment to all future subordinated indebtedness of such guarantor.
26
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Chapter 11 Proceedings - Predecessor Debt
Filing of the Chapter 11 Cases constituted an event of default with respect to certain of our previous secured and unsecured debt obligations. As a result of the Chapter 11 Cases, the principal and interest due under these debt instruments became immediately due and payable. However, Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code stayed the creditors from taking any action as a result of the default.
The principal amounts outstanding under the FLLO Term Loan, Second Lien Notes and all of our other unsecured senior and convertible senior notes were reclassified as liabilities subject to compromise on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
The agreements for our FLLO Term Loan, Second Lien Notes, and unsecured senior and convertible senior notes contain provisions regarding the calculation of interest upon default. Upon default, the interest rate on the FLLO Term Loan increased from LIBOR plus 8.00 % to alternative base rate (ABR) (3.25 % during the 2021 Predecessor Period) plus Applicable Margin (7.00 % during the 2021 Predecessor Period) plus 2.00 %. For the Second Lien Notes and all of our other unsecured senior and convertible senior notes, the interest rate remained the same upon default. However, interest accrued on the amount of unpaid interest in addition to the principal balance. We did not pay or recognize interest on the FLLO Term Loan, Second Lien Notes, or unsecured senior and convertible senior notes during the Chapter 11 process.
Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement
On June 28, 2020, prior to the commencement of Chapter 11 Cases, the Company entered into a commitment letter with certain of the lenders (“New Money Lenders”) under the pre-petition revolving credit facility and/or their affiliates to provide the Debtors with a debtor-in-possession credit agreement in an aggregate principal amount of up to approximately $2.104 billion in commitments and loans from the New Money Lenders. The DIP Facility consisted of a revolving loan facility of new money in an aggregate principal amount of up to $925 million, which included a sub-facility of up to $200 million for the issuance of letters of credit, and a $1.179 billion term loan that reflected the roll-up of a portion of outstanding borrowings under the pre-petition revolving credit facility: (i) a $925 million term loan reflected the roll-up of a portion of outstanding existing borrowings made by the New Money Lenders under the existing revolving credit agreement and (ii) an up to approximately $254 million term loan reflected the roll-up or a portion of outstanding existing borrowings made by certain other lenders under the pre-petition revolving credit facility agreement. The $750 million of outstanding borrowings under the pre-petition revolving credit facility that were not rolled up remained outstanding throughout the Chapter 11 Cases but accrued interest at a lower rate than the rolled-up loans. The proceeds of the DIP Facility were used for, among other things, post-petition working capital, permitted capital investments, general corporate purposes, letters of credit, administrative costs, premiums, expenses and fees for the transactions contemplated by the Chapter 11 Cases, payment of court approved adequate protection obligations and other such purposes consistent with the DIP Facility. On the Effective Date, the DIP Facility was terminated and the holders of obligations under the DIP Facility received payment in full in cash; provided that to the extent such lender under the DIP Facility was also a lender under the Exit Credit Facility, such lender’s allowed DIP claims were first reduced dollar-for-dollar and satisfied by the amount of its Exit RBL Loans provided as of the Effective Date.
Predecessor Senior Notes
In the 2020 Predecessor Period, we repurchased approximately $156 million aggregate principal amount of certain senior notes for $93 million and recorded an aggregate gain of approximately $63 million.
27
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 6. | Contingencies and Commitments | ||||
There have been no material developments in previously reported legal or environmental contingencies or commitments other than the items discussed below.
Contingencies
Chapter 11 Proceedings
Commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases automatically stayed the proceedings and actions against us that are described below, in addition to actions seeking to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over the property of the Company’s bankruptcy estates. The Plan in the Chapter 11 Cases, which became effective on February 9, 2021, provided for the treatment of claims against the Company’s bankruptcy estates, including pre-petition liabilities that had not been satisfied or addressed during the Chapter 11 Cases. See Note 2 for additional information.
Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
We were involved in a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings as of the Petition Date. Many of these proceedings were in early stages, and many of them sought damages and penalties, the amount of which is indeterminate. Our total accrued liability in respect of litigation and regulatory proceedings is determined on a case-by-case basis and represents an estimate of probable losses after considering, among other factors, the progress of each case or proceeding, our experience and the experience of others in similar cases or proceedings, and the opinions and views of legal counsel. Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and our final liabilities may ultimately be materially different.
We are involved in, and expect to continue to be involved in, various lawsuits and disputes incidental to our business operations, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, royalty claims, property damage claims and contract actions. The majority of the prepetition legal proceedings have been settled during the Chapter 11 Cases or will be resolved in connection with the claims reconciliation process before the Bankruptcy Court. Any allowed claim related to such prepetition litigation will be treated in accordance with the Plan.
Environmental Contingencies
The nature of the oil and gas business carries with it certain environmental risks for us and our subsidiaries. We have implemented various policies, programs, procedures, training and audits to reduce and mitigate such environmental risks. We conduct periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to assess changes in our environmental risk profile. Environmental reserves are established for environmental liabilities for which economic losses are probable and reasonably estimable. We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities in acquisitions by using an evaluation process that seeks to identify pre-existing contamination or compliance concerns and addressing the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental concern, we may, among other things, exclude a property from the transaction, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction in an acquisition or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.
We are named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits in Oklahoma alleging that we and other companies have engaged in activities that have caused earthquakes. These lawsuits seek compensation for injury to real and personal property, diminution of property value, economic losses due to business interruption, interference with the use and enjoyment of property, annoyance and inconvenience, personal injury and emotional distress. In addition, they seek the reimbursement of insurance premiums and the award of punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses and interest. We are actively seeking dismissal of these claims. Any allowed claim related to such prepetition litigation will be treated in accordance with the Plan.
We are in discussions with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (“PADEP”) regarding gas migration in the vicinity of certain of our wells in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. We believe we are close to identifying agreed-upon steps to resolve PADEP’s concerns regarding the issue. In addition to these steps, resolution of the matter may result in monetary sanctions of more than $300,000 . Any allowed claim related to such monetary sanctions will be treated in accordance with the Plan.
Other Matters
Based on management’s current assessment, we are of the opinion that no pending or threatened lawsuit or dispute relating to our business operations is likely to have a material adverse effect on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The final resolution of such matters could exceed amounts accrued, however, and actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.
Commitments
Gathering, Processing and Transportation Agreements
We have contractual commitments with midstream service companies and pipeline carriers for future gathering, processing and transportation of oil, natural gas and NGL to move certain of our production to market. Working interest owners and royalty interest owners, where appropriate, will be responsible for their proportionate share of these costs. Commitments related to gathering, processing and transportation agreements are not recorded as obligations in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets; however, they are reflected in our estimates of proved reserves.
The aggregate undiscounted commitments under our gathering, processing and transportation agreements, excluding any reimbursement from working interest and royalty interest owners, credits for third-party volumes or future costs under cost-of-service agreements, are presented below:
| Successor | ||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | ||||||||
| Remainder of 2021 | $ | |||||||
| 2022 | ||||||||
| 2023 | ||||||||
| 2024 | ||||||||
| 2025 | ||||||||
| 2026 – 2034 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | |||||||
In addition, we have entered into long-term agreements for certain natural gas gathering and related services within specified acreage dedication areas in exchange for cost-of-service based fees redetermined annually, or tiered fees based on volumes delivered relative to scheduled volumes. Future gathering fees may vary with the applicable agreement.
28
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 7. | Other Current Liabilities | ||||
Other current liabilities as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are detailed below:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues and royalties due others | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Accrued drilling and production costs | |||||||||||||||||
| Other accrued taxes | |||||||||||||||||
| Accrued compensation and benefits | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating leases | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt and equity financing fees | |||||||||||||||||
| Joint interest prepayments received | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | |||||||||||||||||
| Total other current liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
29
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 8. | Revenue | ||||
The following table shows revenue disaggregated by operating area and product type:
| Successor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil, natural gas and NGL revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil, natural gas and NGL revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil, natural gas and NGL revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing revenue from contracts with customers | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other marketing revenue | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marketing revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
30
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Accounts Receivable
Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers of oil, natural gas and NGL and from exploration and production companies that own interests in properties we operate. This industry concentration could affect our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, because our purchasers and joint working interest owners may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We monitor the creditworthiness of all our counterparties and we generally require letters of credit or parent guarantees for receivables from parties deemed to have sub-standard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated. We estimate expected credit losses using forecasts based on historical information and current information, in addition to specifically identifying receivables that may be uncollectible.
Accounts receivable as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are detailed below:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
Oil, natural gas and NGL sales | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
Joint interest | |||||||||||||||||
Other | |||||||||||||||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Total accounts receivable, net | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
31
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 9. | Income Taxes | ||||
We estimate our annual effective tax rate (“AETR”) for continuing operations in recording our interim quarterly income tax provision for the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The tax effects of statutory rate changes, significant unusual or infrequently occurring items, and certain changes in the assessment of the realizability of deferred tax assets are excluded from the determination of our estimated AETR as such items are recognized as discrete items in the quarter in which they occur. Our estimated AETR for the 2021 Successor Period is 0.0 % as a result of projecting a full valuation allowance against our anticipated net deferred asset position at December 31, 2021.
The income tax provision for the 2021 Predecessor Period was determined based on actual results for the period ended February 9, 2021, including those resulting from fresh start accounting. The effective tax rate for the 2021 Predecessor Period was (1.1 %) which results from the elimination of the income tax effects associated with hedging settlements from accumulated other comprehensive income as part of fresh start accounting. We recorded an income tax benefit of $57 million in the 2021 Predecessor Period for the elimination of such income tax effects. Any changes to our deferred tax assets and liabilities for the 2021 Predecessor Period (whether resulting from Reorganization Adjustments, Fresh Start Adjustments or otherwise) were completely offset with a corresponding adjustment to our valuation allowance which results in the low effective tax rate. Accordingly, there are no balances shown for deferred tax assets or liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet table shown in Note 3.
For the 2020 Predecessor Period, we recorded an income tax benefit of $13 million, which included the reversal of substantially all of the deferred tax liability associated with Texas through the application of the estimated AETR as well as recording a receivable for amounts previously sequestered from refunds of corporate alternative minimum tax credits. This resulted in a 0.2 % effective tax rate for the 2020 Predecessor Period.
As of the Effective Date, we were in a net deferred tax asset position and anticipate being in a net deferred tax asset position as of December 31, 2021. Based on all available positive and negative evidence, including projections of future taxable income, we believe it is more likely than not that some or all of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Our deferred tax assets relate primarily to the excess tax basis over post emergence book value of oil and natural gas properties along with federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. A significant piece of objectively verifiable negative evidence evaluated is the cumulative loss incurred over the rolling thirty-six-month period ended March 31, 2021. Such evidence limits our ability to consider various forms of subjective positive evidence, such as any projections of future growth and earnings. However, should we begin to achieve a level of sustained profitability as a restructured entity, increased consideration will need to be given to projections of future taxable income to determine whether such projections provide an adequate source of taxable income for the realization of our deferred tax assets. A full valuation allowance was recorded against our net deferred tax asset position for federal and state purposes as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
We have evaluated the income tax impact of the Plan, including the ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), as a result of emergence from bankruptcy. Section 382(b) of the Code provides an annual limitation with respect to the ability of a corporation to utilize its tax attributes existing at the time of an ownership change against future taxable income. We did not qualify for the exception under Section 382(l)(5) of the Code, and therefore an annual limitation was determined under Section 382(l)(6) of the Code, which is based on the post-emergence value of the taxpayer’s equity multiplied by the adjusted federal long-term rate in effect for the month in which the ownership change occurred. The amount of the annual limitation has been computed to be $54 million and will be prorated for the current year based on the number of days attributable to the post-Effective Date portion of the year. The limitation applies to our NOL carryforwards, disallowed business interest carryforwards and general business credits until such attributes expire or are fully utilized. As we believe we were in an overall net unrealized built-in loss position at the Effective Date, the limitation also applies to any recognized built-in losses incurred for a period of five years but only to the extent of the overall net unrealized built-in loss. We estimate that this will occur during the current year such that no further limitation for recognized built-in losses will occur in subsequent years. Some states impose similar limitations on tax attribute utilization upon experiencing an ownership change.
In Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, the cancellation of debt income (“CODI”) realized upon emergence from bankruptcy is excludible from taxable income but results in a reduction of tax attributes in accordance with the attribute reduction and ordering rules of Section 108 of the Code. The amount of our CODI is estimated to be
32
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 10. | Equity | ||||
New Common Stock. As discussed in Note 2, on the Effective Date, we issued an aggregate of approximately 97.9 million shares of New Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, to the holders of allowed claims, and approximately 2.1 million shares of New Common Stock were reserved for future distributions under the Plan.
Warrants. As discussed in Note 2, on the Effective Date, we issued approximately 11.1 million Class A Warrants, 12.3 million Class B Warrants and 13.7 million Class C Warrants that are initially exercisable for one share of New Common Stock per Warrant at initial exercise prices of $27.63 , $32.13 and $36.18 per share, respectively, subject to adjustments pursuant to the terms of the Warrants. The Warrants are exercisable from the Effective Date until February 9, 2026. The Warrants contain customary anti-dilution adjustments in the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, reclassification, stock dividend or other distributions.
Chapter 11 Proceedings
| 11. | Share-Based Compensation | ||||
As discussed in Note 2, on the Effective Date, our common stock was canceled and New Common Stock was issued. Accordingly, our then existing share-based compensation awards were also canceled, which resulted in the recognition of any previously unamortized expense related to the canceled awards on the date of cancellation. Share based compensation for the Predecessor and Successor periods are not comparable.
Successor Share-Based Compensation
As of the Effective Date, the Board of Directors adopted the LTIP with a share reserve equal to 6,800,000 shares of New Common Stock. The LTIP provides for the grant of restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance awards and other stock awards to the Company’s employees and non-employee directors.
Successor Restricted Stock
In the 2021 Successor Period, we granted restricted stock awards to non-employee directors under the LTIP, which will vest over a one-year period. The fair value of restricted stock awards is based on the closing sales price of our common stock on the date of grant, and compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period. A summary of the changes in unvested restricted stock is presented below:
| Shares of Unvested Restricted Stock | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Unvested as of February 10, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Vested | $ | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited/canceled | $ | |||||||||||||
| Unvested as of March 31, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||||
33
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Predecessor Share-Based Compensation
Our Predecessor share-based compensation program consisted of restricted stock, stock options, performance share units (PSUs) and cash restricted stock units (CRSUs) granted to employees and restricted stock granted to non-employee directors under our long-term incentive plans. The restricted stock and stock options were equity-classified awards and the PSUs and CRSUs were liability-classified awards.
Predecessor Equity-Classified Awards
Restricted Stock. We granted restricted stock units to employees and non-employee directors. A summary of the changes in unvested restricted stock is presented below:
| Shares of Unvested Restricted Stock | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Share | |||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||
| Unvested as of January 1, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||
| Vested | $ | |||||||||||||
| Forfeited/canceled | ( | $ | ||||||||||||
| Unvested as of February 9, 2021 | $ | |||||||||||||
Stock Options. In the 2020 Predecessor Period, we granted members of management stock options that vested ratably over a -year period. Each stock option award had an exercise price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the grant date. Outstanding options expired seven years to ten years from the date of grant.
We utilized the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options. The expected life of an option was determined using the simplified method. Volatility assumptions were estimated based on the average historical volatility of Chesapeake stock over the expected life of an option. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury rate in effect at the time of the grant over the expected life of the option. The dividend yield was based on an annual dividend yield, taking into account our dividend policy, over the expected life of the option.
The following table provides information related to stock option activity:
| Number of Shares Underlying Options | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | Weighted Average Contract Life in Years | Aggregate Intrinsic Value(a) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as of January 1, 2021 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granted | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exercised | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Expired | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forfeited/canceled | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as of February 9, 2021 | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercisable as of February 9, 2021 | $ | — | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||
___________________________________________
(a)The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value or the market value upon exercise of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.
34
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 12. | Derivative and Hedging Activities | ||||
We use derivative instruments to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in future commodity prices and to protect our expected operating cash flow against significant market movements or volatility. These commodity derivative financial instruments include financial price swaps, basis protection swaps, options, collars and call swaptions. All of our oil and natural gas derivative instruments are net settled based on the difference between the fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.
The estimated fair values of our oil, natural gas and NGL derivative instrument assets (liabilities) as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 are provided below:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notional Volume | Fair Value | Notional Volume | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil (MMBbl): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-price swaps | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis protection swaps | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas (Bcf): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fixed-price swaps | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Collars | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basis protection swaps | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total natural gas | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total estimated fair value | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
We have terminated certain commodity derivative contracts that were previously designated as cash flow hedges for which the original contract months are yet to occur. See further discussion below under Effect of Derivative Instruments – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).
35
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Effect of Derivative Instruments – Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
The following table presents the fair value and location of each classification of derivative instrument included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 on a gross basis and after same-counterparty netting:
Gross Fair Value | Amounts Netted in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | Net Fair Value Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | ||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As of March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term derivative asset | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-term derivative asset | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term derivative liability | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term derivative liability | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Commodity Contracts: | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term derivative asset | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||
| Long-term derivative asset | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term derivative liability | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term derivative liability | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | |||||||||||||||
Effect of Derivative Instruments – Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
The components of oil and natural gas derivatives are presented below:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains (losses) on undesignated oil and natural gas derivatives | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
| Losses on terminated cash flow hedges | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil and natural gas derivatives | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||
36
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Effect of Derivative Instruments – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
A reconciliation of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our condensed consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity related to our cash flow hedges is presented below:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | Before Tax | After Tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, beginning of period | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | $ | ( | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Losses reclassified to income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fresh start adjustments | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Elimination of tax effects | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance, end of period | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Our accumulated other comprehensive loss balance represented the net deferred loss associated with commodity derivative contracts that were previously designated as cash flow hedges for which the original contract months were yet to occur. The remaining deferred gain or loss amounts were to be recognized in earnings in the month for which the original contract months were to occur. In connection with our adoption of fresh start accounting we recorded a fair value adjustment to eliminate the accumulated other comprehensive income related to hedging settlements including the elimination of tax effects. See Note 3 for a discussion of fresh start accounting adjustments.
Credit Risk Considerations
Our derivative instruments expose us to our counterparties’ credit risk. To mitigate this risk, we enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are highly rated or are deemed by us to have acceptable credit strength and deemed by management to be competent and competitive market-makers, and we attempt to limit our exposure to non-performance by any single counterparty. As of March 31, 2021, our oil and natural gas derivative instruments were spread among seven counterparties.
Hedging Arrangements
Certain of our hedging arrangements are with counterparties that are also lenders (or affiliates of lenders) under our Exit Credit Facility. The contracts entered into with these counterparties are secured by the same collateral that secures the Exit Credit Facility. The counterparties’ obligations must be secured by cash or letters of credit to the extent that any mark-to-market amounts owed to us exceed defined thresholds. As of March 31, 2021, we did not have any cash or letters of credit posted as collateral for our commodity derivatives.
Fair Value
The fair value of our derivatives is based on third-party pricing models, which utilize inputs that are either readily available in the public market, such as oil, natural gas and NGL forward curves and discount rates, or can be corroborated from active markets or broker quotes. These values are compared to the values given by our counterparties for reasonableness. Since our oil, natural gas and NGL derivatives do not include optionality and therefore generally have no unobservable inputs, they are classified as Level 2. Derivatives are also subject to the risk that either party to a contract will be unable to meet its obligations. We factor non-performance risk into the valuation of our derivatives using current published credit default swap rates. To date, this has not had a material impact on the values of our derivatives.
37
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
The following table provides information for financial assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||
| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||
| Derivative Assets (Liabilities): | |||||||||||||||||
| Commodity assets | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||
| Commodity liabilities | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||
| Total derivatives | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||||||||||
| 13. | Exploration Expense | ||||
A summary of our exploration expense is as follows:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments of unproved properties | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Dry hole expense | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Geological and geophysical expense and other | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Exploration expense | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
Unproved oil and natural gas properties are periodically assessed for impairment by considering future drilling and exploration plans, results of exploration activities, commodity price outlooks, planned future sales and expiration of all or a portion of the projects. The exploration expense charges during the 2020 Predecessor Period are primarily the result of non-cash impairment charges in unproved properties, primarily in our Brazos Valley, Gulf Coast, Powder River Basin and Mid-Continent operating areas.
38
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 14. | Impairments | ||||
During the 2020 Predecessor Period, the decrease in demand for crude oil primarily due to the combined impacts of COVID-19 and the OPEC+ production increases resulted in decreases in current and expected long-term crude oil and NGL sale prices. These conditions resulted in reductions to the market capitalization of peer companies in the energy industry. We determined these adverse market conditions represented a triggering event to perform an impairment assessment of our long-lived assets used in, and in support of, our operations, including proved oil and gas properties, and our sand mine assets.
Proved Oil and Gas Properties
Our impairment test involved a Step 1 assessment to determine if the net book value of our proved oil and natural gas properties is expected to be recovered from the estimated undiscounted future cash flows.
•We calculated the expected undiscounted future net cash flows of our long-lived assets using management’s assumptions and expectations of (i) commodity prices, which are based on the NYMEX strip pricing escalated by an inflationary rate, (ii) pricing adjustments for differentials, (iii) operating costs, (iv) capital investment plans, (v) future production volumes, and (vi) estimated proved reserves.
•Unprecedented volatility in the price of oil due to the decrease in demand has led us to rely on NYMEX strip pricing, which represents a Level 1 input.
Certain oil and gas properties in our South Texas, Brazos Valley, Powder River Basin, and Mid-Continent and other non-core operating areas failed the Step 1 assessment. For these assets, we used a discounted cash flow analysis to estimate fair value. The expected future net cash flows were discounted using a rate of 11 %, which we believe represents the estimated weighted average cost of capital of a theoretical market participant. Based on Step 2 of our long-lived assets impairment test, we recognized an $8.446 billion impairment because the carrying value exceeded estimated fair market value as of March 31, 2020.
•Significant inputs associated with the calculation of discounted future net cash flows include estimates of (i) recoverable reserves, (ii) production rates, (iii) future operating and development costs, (iv) future commodity prices escalated by an inflationary rate, adjusted for differentials, and (v) a market-based weighted average cost of capital. We utilized NYMEX strip pricing, adjusted for differentials, to value the reserves. The NYMEX strip pricing inputs used are classified as Level 1 fair value assumptions and all other inputs are classified as Level 3 fair value assumptions.
Sand Mine
Our in-field sand mine assets predominately service the oil and gas properties in our Brazos Valley operating area. Based on management’s assumptions and expectations of (i) future commodity prices, (ii) capital investment plans in the Brazos Valley operating area, and (iii) future operating cost of the sand mine, management expects the market for sand to significantly decrease for the foreseeable future. As a result, we recognized a $76 million impairment related to our sand mine assets for the difference between fair value and the carrying value as of March 31, 2020. The inputs used are classified as Level 3 fair value assumptions.
39
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
| 15. | Capitalized Exploratory Costs | ||||
A summary of the changes in our capitalized well costs is detailed below.
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning balance | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Charges to exploration expense | ( | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending balance | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||||
As of March 31, 2021, there were no drilling and completion costs on exploratory wells pending determination of proved reserves capitalized for greater than one year.
| 16. | Other Operating Expense (Income), Net | ||||
In the 2020 Predecessor Period, we terminated certain gathering, processing and transportation contracts and recognized a non-recurring $79 million expense related to the contract terminations. The contract terminations removed approximately $169 million of future commitments related to gathering, processing and transportation agreements. See Note 6 for further discussion of contingencies and commitments.
| 17. | Separation and Other Termination Costs | ||||
In the 2021 Predecessor Period and the 2020 Predecessor Period, we incurred charges of approximately $22 million and $5 million, respectively, related to one-time termination benefits for certain employees.
| 18. | Subsequent Events | ||||
On May 11, 2021, we announced that the Board of Directors intends to pay an annual dividend on our common shares of $1.375 per share. The dividend will be paid quarterly, with the first such payment to be payable on June 10, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 24, 2021.
On April 27, 2021, we announced the departure of Doug Lawler from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Chesapeake, effective April 30, 2021. Michael Wichterich, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while the Board of Directors conducts a search for a new Chief Executive Officer, which it expects to complete over the coming months.
Mr. Wichterich intends to continue in his role as Chair of the Board of Directors following the appointment of Chesapeake's new Chief Executive Officer. During the period that Mr. Wichterich is both the Chair of the Board of Directors and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Matt Gallagher, the Chair of Chesapeake's Nominating and Governance Committee, will serve as Lead Independent Director.
40
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)
(Unaudited)
Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Reserve Quantities
Presented below is a summary of changes in estimated reserves through March 31, 2021:
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| (MMBbl) | (Bcf) | (MMBbl) | (MMBoe) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proved reserves, beginning of period | 161 | 3,530 | 52 | 802 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Extensions, discoveries and other additions | 5 | 1,691 | 6 | 292 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revisions of previous estimates | 10 | 160 | 7 | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production | (7) | (180) | (2) | (39) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proved reserves, end of period | 169 | 5,201 | 63 | 1,099 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proved developed reserves: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period | 158 | 3,196 | 51 | 742 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| End of period | 164 | 3,373 | 57 | 783 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Proved undeveloped reserves: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning of period | 3 | 334 | 1 | 60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| End of period | 5 | 1,828 | 6 | 316 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Reflected above represents material changes to estimated reserves from December 31, 2020 through March 31, 2021. During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, extensions, discoveries and other additions increased primarily due to updates to our five-year development plan in contemplation of emergence from bankruptcy on February 9, 2021 and certainty regarding our ability to finance the development of our proved reserves over a five-year period.
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| 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 2020 Form 10-K.
We are an independent exploration and production company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of properties to produce oil, natural gas and NGL from underground reservoirs. We own a large and geographically diverse portfolio of onshore U.S. unconventional natural gas and liquids assets, including interests in approximately 7,400 gross oil and natural gas wells. Our natural gas resource plays are the Marcellus Shale in the northern Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania (“Appalachia”) and the Haynesville/Bossier Shales in northwestern Louisiana (“Gulf Coast”). Our liquids-rich resource plays are the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas (“South Texas” and “Brazos Valley”) and the stacked pay in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming (“Powder River Basin”).
Our strategy is to create shareholder value by generating sustainable free cash flow from our oil and natural gas development and production activities. We continue to focus on improving margins through operating efficiencies and financial discipline and improving our Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) performance. To accomplish these goals, we intend to allocate our human resources and capital expenditures to projects we believe offer the highest cash return on capital invested, to deploy leading drilling and completion technology throughout our portfolio, and to take advantage of acquisition and divestiture opportunities to strengthen our portfolio. We also intend to continue to dedicate capital to projects that reduce the environmental impact of our oil and natural gas producing activities. We continue to seek opportunities to reduce cash costs (production, gathering, processing and transportation and general and administrative) per barrel of oil equivalent production through operational efficiencies by, among other things, improving our production volumes from existing wells.
Leading a responsible energy future is foundational to Chesapeake's success. Our core values and culture demand we continuously evaluate the environmental impact of our operations and work diligently to improve our ESG performance across all facets of our company. Our path to leading a responsible energy future begins with our initiative to achieve net-zero direct greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, which we announced in February 2021. To meet this challenge, we have set meaningful initial goals including:
•Eliminate routine flaring from all new wells completed from 2021 forward, and enterprise-wide by 2025;
•Reduce our methane intensity to 0.09% by 2025; and
•Reduce our GHG intensity to 5.5 by 2025.
Our results of operations as reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the 2021 Successor, 2021 Predecessor and 2020 Predecessor Periods are in accordance with GAAP. Although GAAP requires that we report on our results for the periods January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 and February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 separately, management views our operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 by combining the results of the 2021 Predecessor and 2021 Successor Periods because management believes such presentation provides the most meaningful comparison of our results to prior periods. We are not able to compare the 40 days from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 operating results to any of the previous periods reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and do not believe reviewing this period in isolation would be useful in identifying any trends in or reaching any conclusions regarding our overall operating performance. We believe the key performance indicators such as operating revenues and expenses for the 2021 Successor Period combined with the 2021 Predecessor Period provide more meaningful comparisons to other periods and are useful in understanding operational trends. Additionally, there were no changes in policies between the periods and any material impacts as a result of fresh start accounting were included within the discussion of these changes. These combined results do not comply with GAAP and have not been prepared as pro forma results under applicable regulations, but are presented because we believe they provide the most meaningful comparison of our results to prior periods.
42
| Recent Developments | ||
Emergence from Bankruptcy
On the Petition Date the Debtors filed the Chapter 11 Cases under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. On June 29, 2020, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order authorizing the joint administration of the Chapter 11 Cases under the caption In re Chesapeake Energy Corporation, Case No. 20-33233. Subsidiaries with noncontrolling interests, consolidated variable interest entities and certain de minimis subsidiaries (collectively, the “Non-Filing Entities”) were not part of the Bankruptcy Filing. The Non-Filing Entities have continued to operate in the ordinary course of business.
The Bankruptcy Court confirmed the Plan and the Debtors entered the Confirmation Order on January 16, 2021. The Debtors emerged from bankruptcy on the Effective Date. In connection with our exit from bankruptcy, we agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC to facilitate future sales of our equity by certain holders of our New Common Stock and warrants. Sales of a substantial number of the New Common Stock in the public markets, or the perception that these sales might occur, could reduce the value of our equity and impair our ability to raise capital through a future sale of, or pay for acquisitions using, our equity. See Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a complete discussion of the Chapter 11 Cases.
Chief Executive Officer
On April 27, 2021, we announced the departure of Doug Lawler from his positions as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Chesapeake, effective April 30, 2021. Michael Wichterich, the Chairman of our Board of Directors, will serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer while the Board of Directors conducts a search for a new Chief Executive Officer, which it expects to complete over the coming months.
Mr. Wichterich intends to continue in his role as Chair of the Board of Directors following the appointment of Chesapeake's new Chief Executive Officer. During the period that Mr. Wichterich is both the Chair of the Board of Directors and Interim Chief Executive Officer, Matt Gallagher, the Chair of Chesapeake's Nominating and Governance Committee, will serve as Lead Independent Director.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Impact on Global Demand for Oil and Natural Gas
The global spread of COVID-19 created significant volatility, uncertainty, and economic disruption during 2020. The pandemic has reached more than 200 countries and territories and has resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy and on our customers and other parties with whom we have business relations. To date, we have experienced limited operational impacts as a result of COVID-19 or related governmental restrictions. While we cannot predict the full impact that COVID-19 or the current significant disruption and volatility in the oil and natural gas markets will have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations, we believe demand is recovering and prices will be positively impacted. For additional discussion regarding risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, see Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2020 Form 10-K and Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our 2020 Form 10-K and in this report.
| Liquidity and Capital Resources | ||
Liquidity Overview
For the 2021 Successor Period, our primary sources of capital resources and liquidity have consisted of internally generated cash flows from operations, and our primary uses of cash have been for the development of our oil and gas properties. Historically, our primary sources of capital resources and liquidity have consisted of internally generated cash flows from operations, borrowings under certain credit agreements and dispositions of non-core assets. Our ability to issue additional indebtedness, dispose of assets or access the capital markets was substantially limited during the Chapter 11 Cases and required court approval in most instances. Accordingly, our liquidity in the Predecessor Periods depended mainly on cash generated from operating activities and available funds under certain credit agreements including the DIP Facility in the 2021 Predecessor Period and revolving credit facility in the 2020 Predecessor Period.
43
We believe we have emerged from the Chapter 11 Cases as a fundamentally stronger company, built to generate sustainable free cash flow with a strengthened balance sheet, geographically diverse asset base and continuously improving ESG performance. As a result of the Chapter 11 Cases, we reduced our total indebtedness by $9.4 billion by issuing equity in a reorganized entity to the holders of our FLLO Term Loan, second lien notes, unsecured notes and allowed general unsecured claimants.
We believe our cash flow from operations, cash on hand and borrowing capacity under the Exit Credit Facility, as discussed below, will provide sufficient liquidity during the next 12 months and the foreseeable future. As of March 31, 2021, we had $2.064 billion of liquidity available, including $340 million cash on hand and $1.724 billion of aggregate unused borrowing capacity available under the Exit Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2021, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility – Tranche A Loans and $221 million in borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility – Tranche B Loans. See Note 5 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our debt obligations, including carrying and fair value of our senior notes.
Fixed Dividend
With our strong liquidity position, we initiated a new dividend strategy. We expect the annual dividend on our common shares of $1.375 per share will be paid quarterly, with the first payment to be payable on June 10, 2021 to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 24, 2021.
Derivative and Hedging Activities
Our results of operations and cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil and natural gas. We enter into various derivative instruments to mitigate a portion of our exposure to oil and natural gas price declines, but these transactions may also limit our cash flows in periods of rising oil and natural gas prices. Our oil, natural gas and NGL derivative activities, when combined with our sales of oil, natural gas and NGL, allow us to better predict the total revenue we expect to receive. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk included in Item 1 of the report for further discussion on the impact of commodity price risk on our financial position.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2021, our material contractual obligations included repayment of senior notes, outstanding borrowings and interest payment obligations under the Exit Credit Facility, asset retirement obligations, lease obligations, undrawn letters of credit and various other commitments we enter into in the ordinary course of business that could result in future cash obligations. In addition, we have contractual commitments with midstream companies and pipeline carriers for future gathering, processing and transportation of oil, natural gas and NGL to move certain of our production to market. The estimated gross undiscounted future commitments under these agreements were approximately $3.8 billion as of March 31, 2021. As discussed above, we estimate the sources of our capital will continue to be adequate to fund our near and long-term contractual obligations.
Post-Emergence Debt
On the Effective Date, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Company, as borrower, entered into a reserve-based credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) providing for the Exit Credit Facility which features an initial borrowing base of $2.5 billion. The borrowing base will be redetermined semiannually on or around May 1 and November 1 of each year and the next scheduled redetermination will be on or about October 1, 2021. The aggregate initial elected commitments of the lenders under the Exit Credit Facility will be $1.75 billion of revolving Tranche A Loans and $221 million of fully funded Tranche B Loans.
The Exit Credit Facility provides for a $200 million sublimit of the aggregate commitments that are available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Exit Credit Facility bears interest at the ABR (alternate base rate) or LIBOR, at our election, plus an applicable margin (ranging from 2.25–3.25% per annum for ABR loans and 3.25–4.25% per annum for LIBOR loans, subject to a 1.00% LIBOR floor), depending on the percentage of the borrowing base then being utilized. The Tranche A Loans mature 3 years after the Effective Date and the Tranche B Loans mature 4 years after the Effective Date. The Tranche B Loans can be repaid if no Tranche A Loans are outstanding
On February 2, 2021, the Company issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2026 Notes and $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 2029 Notes. The offering of the Notes was part of a series of exit
44
financing transactions being undertaken in connection with the Debtors’ Chapter 11 Cases and meant to provide the exit financing originally intended to be provided by the Exit Term Loan Facility pursuant to the Commitment Letter.
Based upon the business plan approved by the Court and our hedging activities we expect to generate adequate cash flows from operating activities to fully fund all investing activities without incremental borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility.
Capital Expenditures
For the year ending December 31, 2021, we currently expect to bring or have online approximately 120 to 135 gross wells by investing approximately $670 – $740 million in capital expenditures while operating five to seven rigs. We expect that approximately 80% of our 2021 capital expenditures will be directed toward our natural gas assets. We currently plan to fund our 2021 capital program through cash on hand and expected cash flow from our operations. We may alter or change our plans with respect to our capital program and expected capital expenditures based on developments in our business, our financial position, our industry or any of the markets in which we operate.
Sources of Funds
The following table presents the sources of our cash and cash equivalents for the Successor and Predecessor periods.
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 409 | $ | (21) | $ | 397 | |||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of senior notes | — | 1,000 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock | — | 600 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from divestitures of property and equipment | 4 | — | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Proceeds from revolving pre-petition credit facility borrowings, net | — | — | 310 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total sources of cash and cash equivalents | $ | 413 | $ | 1,579 | $ | 714 | |||||||||||||||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $409 million in the 2021 Successor Period, cash used in operating activities was $21 million in the 2021 Predecessor Period, and cash provided by operating activities was $397 million in the 2020 Predecessor Period. The increase in the 2021 Successor Period is primarily due to higher prices for the oil, natural gas and NGL we sold offset by lower volumes of oil, natural gas and NGL sold. The cash used in the 2021 Predecessor Period was primarily due to payment of professional fees related to the Chapter 11 Cases. Cash flows from operations are largely affected by the same factors that affect our net income, excluding various non-cash items, such as depreciation, depletion and amortization, certain impairments, gains or losses on sales of assets, deferred income taxes and mark-to-market changes in our open derivative instruments. See further discussion below under Results of Operations.
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock and Senior Notes
In the 2021 Predecessor Period, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.5% 2026 Notes and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.875% 2029 Notes for total proceeds of $1.0 billion. Additionally, upon emergence from Chapter 11 we issued 62,927,320 shares of New Common Stock in exchange for $600 million of cash as agreed upon in the Plan.
45
Uses of Funds
The following table presents the uses of our cash and cash equivalents for the Successor and Predecessor periods:
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil and Natural Gas Expenditures: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | 77 | $ | 66 | $ | 518 | |||||||||||||||||
| Other Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments on Exit Credit Facility - Tranche A Loans, net | 50 | 479 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments on DIP Facility borrowings | — | 1,179 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Payments on pre-petition credit facility borrowings | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash paid to purchase debt | — | — | 93 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends paid | — | — | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 3 | 9 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total other uses of cash and cash equivalents | 53 | 1,667 | 120 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total uses of cash and cash equivalents | $ | 130 | $ | 1,733 | $ | 638 | |||||||||||||||||
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures significantly decreased in the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods primarily as a result of decreased drilling and completion activity mainly in our liquids-rich plays.
Payments on DIP Facility Borrowings
On the Effective Date, the DIP Facility was terminated and the holders of obligations under the DIP Facility received payment in full in cash; provided that to the extent such lender under the DIP Facility was also a lender under the Exit Credit Facility, such lender’s allowed DIP claims were first reduced dollar-for-dollar and satisfied by the amount of its Exit RBL Loans provided as of the Effective Date.
Cash Paid to Purchase Debt
In the 2020 Predecessor period, we repurchased approximately $156 million aggregate principal amount of our senior notes for $93 million.
Preferred Stock Dividends
We paid dividends of $22 million on our preferred stock in the 2020 Predecessor Period. On April 17, 2020, we announced that we were suspending payment of dividends on each series of our outstanding convertible preferred stock. On the Effective Date of the Chapter 11 Cases, each holder of an equity interest in Chesapeake had their interest canceled, released, and extinguished without any distribution. See Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional information about the Chapter 11 Cases.
46
Results of Operations | ||
Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Production and Average Sales Prices
| Successor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBbl per day | $/Bbl | MMcf per day | $/Mcf | MBbl per day | $/Bbl | MBoe per day | $/Boe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | — | — | 1,283 | 2.53 | — | — | 214 | 15.21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | — | 524 | 2.68 | — | — | 87 | 16.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 37 | 62.10 | 109 | 5.12 | 14 | 28.51 | 69 | 47.24 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brazos Valley | 29 | 60.76 | 34 | 8.99 | 4 | 16.49 | 38 | 55.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Powder River Basin | 10 | 58.95 | 57 | 4.82 | 3 | 34.75 | 23 | 42.57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 76 | 61.19 | 2,007 | 2.89 | 21 | 27.20 | 431 | 25.57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBbl per day | $/Bbl | MMcf per day | $/Mcf | MBbl per day | $/Bbl | MBoe per day | $/Boe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | — | — | 1,233 | 2.42 | — | — | 206 | 14.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | — | 543 | 2.44 | — | — | 90 | 14.62 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 42 | 54.12 | 127 | 3.00 | 14 | 26.04 | 78 | 39.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 32 | 52.37 | 38 | 1.14 | 4 | 16.09 | 42 | 42.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 10 | 51.96 | 61 | 2.92 | 4 | 34.31 | 24 | 34.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 84 | 53.21 | 2,002 | 2.45 | 22 | 25.92 | 440 | 22.63 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MBbl per day | $/Bbl | MMcf per day | $/Mcf | MBbl per day | $/Bbl | MBoe per day | $/Boe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | — | — | 976 | 1.97 | — | — | 163 | 11.85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | — | 556 | 1.68 | — | — | 93 | 10.10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 63 | 48.53 | 159 | 2.18 | 19 | 11.71 | 108 | 33.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Brazos Valley | 41 | 46.30 | 69 | 0.60 | 9 | 5.26 | 61 | 32.55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Powder River Basin | 17 | 43.23 | 89 | 1.84 | 6 | 13.30 | 38 | 26.01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | 5 | 44.75 | 49 | 2.24 | 3 | 14.06 | 16 | 23.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 126 | 46.93 | 1,898 | 1.86 | 37 | 10.71 | 479 | 20.53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
47
Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales
| Successor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | — | $ | 163 | $ | — | $ | 163 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | 70 | — | 70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 117 | 28 | 19 | 164 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Brazos Valley | 89 | 15 | 4 | 108 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Powder River Basin | 28 | 14 | 6 | 48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil, natural gas and NGL sales | $ | 234 | $ | 290 | $ | 29 | $ | 553 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | — | $ | 119 | $ | — | $ | 119 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | 53 | — | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 92 | 15 | 15 | 122 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 67 | 2 | 2 | 71 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 20 | 7 | 6 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil, natural gas and NGL sales | $ | 179 | $ | 196 | $ | 23 | $ | 398 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Non-GAAP Combined | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | — | $ | 282 | $ | — | $ | 282 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | 123 | — | 123 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 209 | 43 | 34 | 286 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 156 | 17 | 6 | 179 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 48 | 21 | 12 | 81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil, natural gas and NGL sales | $ | 413 | $ | 486 | $ | 52 | $ | 951 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil | Natural Gas | NGL | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | — | $ | 175 | $ | — | $ | 175 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | — | 85 | — | 85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 277 | 31 | 20 | 328 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Brazos Valley | 172 | 4 | 4 | 180 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Powder River Basin | 68 | 15 | 7 | 90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | 22 | 10 | 4 | 36 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total oil, natural gas and NGL sales | $ | 539 | $ | 320 | $ | 35 | $ | 894 | ||||||||||||||||||
The net increase in oil, natural gas and NGL sales in the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods of $57 million is primarily attributable to a $248 million increase in revenues from higher average prices received, partially offset by a $191 million decrease in revenues due to lower sales volumes from reduced capital allocation and temporary well shut-ins. Average daily production sold decreased in the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods as compared to the 2020 Predecessor due to a reduction in South Texas and Brazos Valley wells turned-in-line, partially offset by an increase in new well completions in Appalachia.
48
Production Expenses
| Successor | Predecessor | Non-GAAP Combined | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | 5 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 4 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 9 | $ | 0.50 | $ | 9 | $ | 0.58 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | 6 | $ | 1.50 | 4 | $ | 1.12 | 10 | $ | 1.32 | 11 | $ | 1.30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 14 | $ | 4.07 | 12 | $ | 3.90 | 26 | $ | 3.99 | 36 | $ | 3.62 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 10 | $ | 4.99 | 9 | $ | 4.85 | 19 | $ | 4.93 | 27 | $ | 4.98 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 5 | $ | 4.37 | 3 | $ | 3.37 | 8 | $ | 3.91 | 18 | $ | 5.28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | 21 | $ | 13.95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total production expenses | $ | 40 | $ | 1.88 | $ | 32 | $ | 1.80 | $ | 72 | $ | 1.85 | $ | 122 | $ | 2.80 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production expenses in the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods decreased $50 million as compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period. The decrease was primarily due to a $28 million reduction in variable expense categories in our liquids-rich operating areas due to a planned reduction in capital expenditures and a $21 million reduction from the sale of Mid-Continent properties in 2020.
Gathering, Processing and Transportation Expenses
| Successor | Predecessor | Non-GAAP Combined | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | 42 | $ | 3.94 | $ | 34 | $ | 4.17 | $ | 76 | $ | 4.04 | $ | 71 | $ | 4.83 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | 11 | $ | 2.45 | 11 | $ | 2.93 | 22 | $ | 2.67 | 51 | $ | 6.10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 42 | $ | 11.99 | 42 | $ | 13.35 | 84 | $ | 12.63 | 109 | $ | 11.11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 2 | $ | 1.05 | 3 | $ | 1.92 | 5 | $ | 1.45 | 9 | $ | 1.56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 14 | $ | 12.65 | 12 | $ | 12.53 | 26 | $ | 12.59 | 35 | $ | 10.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | 10 | $ | 6.45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gathering, processing and transportation expenses | $ | 111 | $ | 5.12 | $ | 102 | $ | 5.78 | $ | 213 | $ | 5.42 | $ | 285 | $ | 6.55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gathering, processing and transportation expenses in the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods decreased $72 million as compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period. Gulf Coast and South Texas decreased $29 million and $25 million, respectively, as a result of contract negotiations in the Chapter 11 Cases. Additionally, Powder River decreased $9 million as a result of lower volumes and the sale of Mid-Continent properties in 2020 resulted in a $10 million reduction.
49
Severance and Ad Valorem Taxes
| Successor | Predecessor | Non-GAAP Combined | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | 1 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 1 | $ | 0.07 | $ | 2 | $ | 0.08 | $ | 2 | $ | 0.12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | 2 | $ | 0.56 | 2 | $ | 0.54 | 4 | $ | 0.55 | 6 | $ | 0.66 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 9 | $ | 2.61 | 8 | $ | 2.53 | 17 | $ | 2.57 | 19 | $ | 1.94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 7 | $ | 3.71 | 5 | $ | 2.99 | 12 | $ | 3.38 | 16 | $ | 2.99 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 5 | $ | 3.92 | 2 | $ | 2.88 | 7 | $ | 3.44 | 9 | $ | 2.76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | 2 | $ | 1.01 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total severance and ad valorem taxes | $ | 24 | $ | 1.11 | $ | 18 | $ | 1.03 | $ | 42 | $ | 1.08 | $ | 54 | $ | 1.24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Severance and ad valorem taxes in the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods decreased $12 million as compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period. The severance tax decrease of $6 million was primarily driven by decreased oil volumes in South Texas, a lower statutory rate in Louisiana, and the Mid-Continent divestiture. The ad valorem decrease of $6 million was primarily driven by lower assessed property values in the 2021 Predecessor Period for Brazos Valley.
Gross Margin by Operating Area
The table below presents the gross margin for each of our operating areas. Gross margin by operating area is defined as oil, natural gas and NGL sales less production expenses, gathering, processing and transportation expenses, and severance and ad valorem taxes.
| Successor | Predecessor | Non-GAAP Combined | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | $/Boe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appalachia | $ | 115 | $ | 10.68 | $ | 80 | $ | 9.75 | $ | 195 | $ | 10.28 | $ | 93 | $ | 6.32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gulf Coast | 51 | $ | 11.58 | 36 | $ | 10.03 | 87 | $ | 10.88 | 17 | $ | 2.04 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| South Texas | 99 | $ | 28.57 | 60 | $ | 19.42 | 159 | $ | 24.25 | 164 | $ | 16.71 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Brazos Valley | 89 | $ | 45.34 | 54 | $ | 32.47 | 143 | $ | 39.37 | 128 | $ | 23.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Powder River Basin | 24 | $ | 21.63 | 16 | $ | 15.47 | 40 | $ | 18.81 | 28 | $ | 7.95 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-Continent | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | 3 | $ | 1.97 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin by operating area | $ | 378 | $ | 17.46 | $ | 246 | $ | 14.02 | $ | 624 | $ | 15.90 | $ | 433 | $ | 9.94 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
50
Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Oil derivatives – realized gains (losses) | $ | (62) | $ | (19) | $ | 127 | |||||||||||||||||
| Oil derivatives – unrealized gains (losses) | (6) | (190) | 712 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gains (losses) on oil derivatives | (68) | (209) | 839 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas derivatives – realized gains (losses) | (6) | 6 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas derivatives – unrealized gains (losses) | 120 | (179) | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Total gains (losses) on natural gas derivatives | 114 | (173) | 68 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total gains (losses) on oil and natural gas derivatives | $ | 46 | $ | (382) | $ | 907 | |||||||||||||||||
See Note 12 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report for a discussion of our derivative activity.
Marketing Revenues and Expenses
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing revenues | $ | 277 | $ | 239 | $ | 724 | |||||||||||||||||
| Marketing expenses | 280 | 237 | 746 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Marketing margin | $ | (3) | $ | 2 | $ | (22) | |||||||||||||||||
Marketing margin increased in the Predecessor 2021 Period primarily due to the significant drop in oil prices during the 2020 Predecessor Period that resulted in an unfavorable inventory valuation adjustment.
Exploration Expense
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments of unproved properties | $ | — | $ | 2 | $ | 272 | |||||||||||||||||
| Dry hole expense | — | — | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Geological and geophysical expense and other | 1 | — | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Exploration expense | $ | 1 | $ | 2 | $ | 282 | |||||||||||||||||
The 2020 Predecessor Period exploration expense is the result of non-cash impairment charges in unproved properties, primarily in our Brazos Valley, Gulf Coast, Powder River Basin and Mid-Continent operating areas. See Note 13 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report for further discussion.
51
General and Administrative Expenses
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross compensation and benefits | $ | 35 | $ | 32 | $ | 108 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-labor | 12 | 12 | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Allocations and reimbursements | (32) | (23) | (96) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses, net | $ | 15 | $ | 21 | $ | 65 | |||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses, net per Boe | $ | 0.68 | $ | 1.19 | $ | 1.50 | |||||||||||||||||
Compensation and benefits before reimbursements and allocations during the 2021 Predecessor and Successor Periods decreased $41 million compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period due to reductions in workforce in the Predecessor Periods. Non-labor before reimbursements and allocations during the 2021 Predecessor and Successor Periods decreased $29 million compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period due to cost reduction initiatives for professional services. The decrease in allocations and reimbursements was the result of reduced drilling, staffing reductions, and the Mid-Continent divestiture.
Separation and Other Termination Costs
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Separation and other termination costs | $ | — | $ | 22 | $ | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
In the 2021 Predecessor Period and the 2020 Predecessor Period, we incurred charges of approximately $22 million and $5 million, respectively, related to one-time termination benefits for certain employees.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | $ | 122 | $ | 72 | $ | 603 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization per Boe | $ | 5.64 | $ | 4.11 | $ | 13.83 | |||||||||||||||||
The absolute and per unit increase in depreciation, depletion and amortization for the 2021 Successor Period compared to the 2021 Predecessor Period was primarily the result of the revaluation of the depletable asset base occurring in connection with our emergence from bankruptcy. Fresh start accounting requires that new fair values be established for our assets as of the emergence date. See Note 3 for additional information on revaluation of oil and gas properties.
The per unit decrease in the 2021 Predecessor Period compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period was attributable to an $8.4 billion impairment to the Predecessor’s proved oil and natural gas properties recognized at March 31, 2020.
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Impairments
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments of proved oil and natural gas properties | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 8,446 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments of other fixed assets and other | — | — | 76 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total impairments | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 8,522 | |||||||||||||||||
In the 2020 Predecessor Period, we recorded impairments of proved oil and natural gas properties related to South Texas, Brazos Valley, Powder River Basin, Mid-Continent and other non-core assets, all of which are due to lower forecasted commodity prices. Additionally, in the 2020 Predecessor Period, we recorded a $76 million impairment of our sand mine assets that support our Brazos Valley operating area for the difference between fair value and the carrying value of the assets. See Note 14 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report for further discussion.
Other Operating Expense (Income), Net
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating expense (income), net | $ | 2 | $ | (12) | $ | 68 | |||||||||||||||||
In the 2020 Predecessor Period, we terminated certain gathering, processing and transportation contracts and recognized a non-recurring $79 million expense related to the contract terminations offset by $14 million of income from the amortization of volumetric production payment deferred revenue.
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Interest Expense
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense on debt | $ | 12 | $ | 11 | $ | 189 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of premium, discount, issuance costs and other | 1 | — | (37) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | (1) | — | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total interest expense | $ | 12 | $ | 11 | $ | 145 | |||||||||||||||||
The decrease in interest expense on debt in the 2021 Predecessor compared to the 2020 Predecessor Period was attributable to lower interest costs incurred on our DIP Facility as compared to the 2020 Predecessor debt. Upon filing of the Chapter 11 Cases on June 28, 2020, we discontinued accruing interest on our senior notes and term loan, which resulted in a $167 million decrease in interest expense on debt and a decrease in borrowings under the DIP Facility resulted in an $11 million decrease in interest expense. Additionally, the unamortized debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts associated with the Predecessor debt were written off to reorganization items, net, resulting in a $37 million increase in amortization between periods. Upon emergence from the Chapter 11 Cases, all outstanding obligations under our senior notes and term loan were cancelled in exchange for shares of Successor common stock and warrants. See Note 3 and Note 5 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of the Chapter 11 Cases.
Gains on Purchases or Exchanges of Debt
In the 2020 Predecessor Period, we repurchased approximately $156 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes for $93 million and recorded an aggregate gain of approximately $63 million.
Reorganization Items, Net
| Predecessor | ||||||||
| Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | ||||||||
| Gains on the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise | $ | 6,443 | ||||||
| Accrual for allowed claims | (1,002) | |||||||
| Gain on fresh start adjustments | 201 | |||||||
| Gain from release of commitment liabilities | 55 | |||||||
| Professional service provider fees and other | (60) | |||||||
| Success fees for professional service providers | (38) | |||||||
| Surrender of other receivable | (18) | |||||||
| FLLO alternative transaction fee | (12) | |||||||
| Reorganization items, net | $ | 5,569 | ||||||
In the 2021 Predecessor Period, we recorded a net $5.569 billion gain in reorganization items, net related to the Chapter 11 Cases. See Note 2 and Note 3 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of the Chapter 11 Cases and for discussion of adoption of fresh start accounting.
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Other Income (Expense)
| Successor | Predecessor | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Period from February 10, 2021 through March 31, 2021 | Period from January 1, 2021 through February 9, 2021 | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense) | $ | 22 | $ | 2 | $ | (17) | |||||||||||||||||
In the 2021 Successor Period, we recorded a gain of $22 million for a refund from a midstream provider. In the 2020 Predecessor Period, the hydraulic fracturing industry experienced challenging operating conditions resulting in the current fair value of our investment in FTS International, Inc. (“FTSI”) falling below book value of $23 million and remaining below that value as of the end of the 2020 Predecessor period. Based on FTSI’s operating results, we determined that the reduction in fair value was other-than-temporary and recognized an impairment of our entire investment in FTSI of $23 million. Additional non-operational other income adjustments of $6 million were recorded in the 2020 Predecessor Period.
Income Taxes
An income tax benefit of $57 million was recorded for the 2021 Predecessor Period and a $13 million income tax benefit was recorded for the 2020 Predecessor Period. No income tax was recorded for the 2021 Successor Period as a result of projecting a full valuation allowance against our anticipated net deferred asset position as of December 31, 2021. Our effective income tax rate was (1.1%) for the 2021 Predecessor Period and 0.2% for the 2020 Predecessor Period. Our effective tax rate can fluctuate as a result of the impact of discrete items, state income taxes and permanent differences. See Note 9 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of income taxes.
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Forward-Looking Statements | ||
This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements include our current expectations or forecasts of future events, including matters relating to the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact thereof on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, the potential effects of the Restructuring on our operations, management, and employees, actions by, or disputes among or between, members of OPEC+ and other foreign oil-exporting countries, market factors, market prices, our ability to meet debt service requirements, our ability to continue to pay cash dividends, and the amount and timing of any cash dividends, and our ESG initiatives. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business, financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as "expect," “could,” “may,” "anticipate," "intend," "plan," “ability,” "believe," "seek," "see," "will," "would," “estimate,” “forecast,” "target," “guidance,” “outlook,” “opportunity” or “strategy.”
Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are inherently subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. No assurance can be given that such forward-looking statements will be correct or achieved or that the assumptions are accurate or will not change over time. Particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include:
•the ability to execute on our business strategy following emergence from bankruptcy;
•the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on our business, financial condition, employees, contractors, vendors and the global demand for oil and natural gas and U.S. and world financial markets;
•our ability to comply with the covenants under our Exit Credit Facility and other indebtedness;
•our ability to realize anticipated cash cost reductions;
•the volatility of oil, natural gas and NGL prices, which are affected by general economic and business conditions, as well as increased demand for (and availability of) alternative fuels and electric vehicles;
•uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and projecting future rates of production and the amount and timing of development expenditures;
•our ability to replace reserves and sustain production;
•drilling and operating risks and resulting liabilities;
•our ability to generate profits or achieve targeted results in drilling and well operations;
•the limitations our level of indebtedness may have on our financial flexibility;
•our inability to access the capital markets on favorable terms;
•the availability of cash flows from operations and other funds to fund cash dividends, finance reserve replacement costs or satisfy our debt obligations;
•adverse developments or losses from pending or future litigation and regulatory proceedings, including royalty claims;
•legislative, regulatory and ESG initiatives, including as a result of the change in the U.S. presidential administration, addressing environmental concerns, including initiatives addressing the impact of global climate change or further regulating hydraulic fracturing, methane emissions, flaring or water disposal;
•terrorist activities and/or cyber-attacks adversely impacting our operations;
•effects of purchase price adjustments and indemnity obligations; and
•other factors that are described under Risk Factors in Item 1A of our 2020 Form 10-K and this Form 10-Q.
We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report, which speak only as of the filing date, and we undertake no obligation to update this information. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures in this report and our other filings with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.
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Information About Us | ||
Investors should note that we make available, free of charge on our website at chk.com, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. We also furnish quarterly, annual, and current reports for certain of our subsidiaries free of charge on our website at chk.com. We also post announcements, updates, events, investor information and presentations on our website in addition to copies of all recent news releases. We may use the Investors section of our website to communicate with investors. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. Documents and information on our website are not incorporated by reference herein.
The SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including Chesapeake, that file electronically with the SEC.
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| ITEM 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | ||||
The primary objective of the following information is to provide forward-looking quantitative and qualitative information about our exposure to market risk. The term market risk relates to our risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil, natural gas, and NGL prices and interest rates. These disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of reasonably possible losses. The forward-looking information provides indicators of how we view and manage our ongoing market risk exposures.
Commodity Price Risk
Our results of operations and cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil, natural gas and NGL, which have been historically volatile. To mitigate a portion of our exposure to adverse price changes, we enter into various derivative instruments. Our oil, natural gas and NGL derivative activities, when combined with our sales of oil, natural gas and NGL, allow us to predict with greater certainty the revenue we will receive. We believe our derivative instruments continue to be highly effective in achieving our risk management objectives.
We determine the fair value of our derivative instruments utilizing established index prices, volatility curves and discount factors. These estimates are compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. Derivative transactions are also subject to the risk that counterparties will be unable to meet their obligations. This non-performance risk is considered in the valuation of our derivative instruments, but to date has not had a material impact on the values of our derivatives. Future risk related to counterparties not being able to meet their obligations has been partially mitigated under our commodity hedging arrangements that require counterparties to post collateral if their obligations to us are in excess of defined thresholds. The values we report in our financial statements are as of a point in time and subsequently change as these estimates are revised to reflect actual results, changes in market conditions and other factors. See Note 12 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of the fair value measurements associated with our derivatives.
For the combined 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods, oil, natural gas, and NGL revenue, excluding any effect of our derivative instruments, were $413 million, $486 million and $52 million, respectively. Based on production, oil, natural gas, and NGL revenue for the 2021 Successor and Predecessor Periods would have increased or decreased by approximately $41 million, $49 million, and $5 million, respectively, for each 10% increase or decrease in prices. As of March 31, 2021, the fair values of our oil and natural gas derivatives were net liabilities of $335 million and $40 million, respectively. A 10% increase or decrease in forward oil prices would decrease or increase the valuation of oil derivatives by approximately $151 million. A 10% increase or decrease in forward natural gas prices would decrease or increase the valuation of natural gas derivatives by approximately $172 million. See Note 12 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further information on our open derivative positions.
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to interest rate changes relates primarily to borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility for the 2021 Successor Period and pre-petition revolving credit facility and DIP Facility for the Predecessor Periods. Interest is payable on borrowings under the Exit Credit Facility, pre-petition revolving credit facility and DIP Facility based on floating rates. See Note 5 for additional information. As of March 31, 2021, we had no outstanding borrowings under our Exit Credit Facility - Tranche A Loans and $221 million under our Exit Credit Facility - Tranche B Loans. A 1.0% increase in interest rates based on the variable borrowings as of March 31, 2021 would result in an increase in our interest expense of approximately $2 million per year.
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| ITEM 4. | Controls and Procedures | ||||
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded as of March 31, 2021 that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this Form 10-Q that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
| ITEM 1. | Legal Proceedings | ||||
Chapter 11 Proceedings
Commencement of the Chapter 11 Cases automatically stayed the proceedings and actions against us that are described below, in addition to actions seeking to collect pre-petition indebtedness or to exercise control over the property of the Company’s bankruptcy estates. The Plan in the Chapter 11 Cases, which became effective on February 9, 2021, provided for the treatment of claims against the Company’s bankruptcy estates, including pre-petition liabilities that had not been satisfied or addressed during the Chapter 11 Cases. See Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report for additional information.
Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings
We were involved in a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings as of the Petition Date. Many of these proceedings were in early stages, and many of them sought damages and penalties, the amount of which is currently indeterminate. See Note 6 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this report for information regarding our estimation and provision for potential losses related to litigation and regulatory proceedings.
Business Operations. We are involved in various lawsuits and disputes incidental to our business operations, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, royalty claims, property damage claims and contract actions. The majority of these prepetition legal proceedings, including the matters below, have been settled during the Chapter 11 Cases or will be resolved in connection with the claims reconciliation process before the Bankruptcy Court. Any allowed claim related to such prepetition litigation will be treated in accordance with the Plan.
Environmental Contingencies
The nature of the oil and gas business carries with it certain environmental risks for us and our subsidiaries. We have implemented various policies, programs, procedures, training and audits to reduce and mitigate such environmental risks. We conduct periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to assess changes in our environmental risk profile. Environmental reserves are established for environmental liabilities for which economic losses are probable and reasonably estimable. We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities in acquisitions by using an evaluation process that seeks to identify pre-existing contamination or compliance concerns and addressing the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental concern, we may, among other things, exclude a property from the transaction, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction in an acquisition or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.
We are named as a defendant in numerous lawsuits in Oklahoma alleging that we and other companies have engaged in activities that have caused earthquakes. These lawsuits seek compensation for injury to real and personal property, diminution of property value, economic losses due to business interruption, interference with the use and enjoyment of property, annoyance and inconvenience, personal injury and emotional distress. In addition, they seek the reimbursement of insurance premiums and the award of punitive damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, expenses and interest. We are actively seeking dismissal of these claims. Any allowed claim related to such prepetition litigation will be treated in accordance with the Plan.
We are in discussions with the PADEP regarding gas migration in the vicinity of certain of our wells in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania. We believe we are close to identifying agreed-upon steps to resolve PADEP’s concerns regarding the issue. In addition to these steps, resolution of the matter may result in monetary sanctions of more than $300,000. Any allowed claim related to such monetary sanctions will be treated in accordance with the Plan.
Other Matters
Based on management’s current assessment, we are of the opinion that no pending or threatened lawsuit or dispute relating to our business operations is likely to have a material adverse effect on our future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The final resolution of such matters could exceed amounts accrued, however, and actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.
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| ITEM 1A. | Risk Factors | ||||
Our business has many risks. Factors that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or liquidity and the trading price of our common stock are described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our 2020 Form 10-K. This information should be considered carefully, together with other information in this report and other reports and materials we file with the SEC.
| ITEM 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | ||||
There were no repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2021.
| ITEM 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities | ||||
Our Bankruptcy Filing described above constituted an event of default that accelerated our obligations under our senior credit facility, our senior secured notes and our unsecured notes. Under the Bankruptcy Code, the creditors under these debt agreements were stayed from taking any action against us as a result of an event of default. See Note 5 and Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for additional details about the principal and interest amounts of debt included in liabilities subject to compromise on the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020 and our Bankruptcy Filing and the Chapter 11 Cases.
Under the terms of our 5.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, 5.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A), 4.50% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and 5.00% (Series 2005B) Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, we may suspend payments of our cumulative quarterly dividends. We exercised our contractual right to suspend regularly scheduled quarterly payments of dividends on each series of our preferred stock beginning with the quarterly dividend payment for the second quarter of 2020, and were therefore in arrears with the dividend payments. No dividends were accrued on our convertible preferred stock subsequent to the Petition Date. Pursuant to the Plan, each holder of an equity interest in Chesapeake had such interest canceled, released, and extinguished without any distribution. See Note 2 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional information about the Chapter 11 Cases.
| ITEM 4. | Mine Safety Disclosures | ||||
The information concerning mine safety violations and other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17CFR 229.104) is included in Exhibit 95.1 to this Form 10-Q.
| ITEM 5. | Other Information | ||||
Not applicable.
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| ITEM 6. | Exhibits | ||||
The exhibits listed below in the Index of Exhibits are filed, furnished or incorporated by reference pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
INDEX OF EXHIBITS
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC File Number | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed or Furnished Herewith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.1 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 2.1 | 1/19/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.1 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 3.1 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.2 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 3.2 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.3 | 10-K | 001-13726 | 3.3 | 3/1/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.1 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.1 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.2 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.2 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.3 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.3 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.4 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.4 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.5 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.5 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.6 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.6 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.7† | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.7 | 2/9/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.8† | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.3 | 4/27/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.9† | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.10 | 10-K | 001-13726 | 10.10 | 3/1/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.11 | 10-K | 001-13726 | 10.11 | 3/1/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.12* | 10-K | 001-13726 | 10.12 | 3/1/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | SEC File Number | Exhibit | Filing Date | Filed or Furnished Herewith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.13 | 10-K | 001-13726 | 10.13 | 3/1/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.14 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.1 | 4/27/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.15 | 8-K | 001-13726 | 10.2 | 4/27/2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 31.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 32.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 95.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101 INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101 SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101 CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101 DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101 LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101 PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). | X | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| * | Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. The registrant hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules upon request by the SEC. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| † | Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION | |||||||||||
| Date: May 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ MICHAEL WICHTERICH | |||||||||
| Michael Wichterich Interim Chief Executive Officer | |||||||||||
| Date: May 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ DOMENIC J. DELL’OSSO, JR. | |||||||||
| Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||||||||
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Exhibit 10.9
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT FOR
CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) entered into as of the grant date (the “Grant Date”) set forth on the attached Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and Award Agreement (the “Notice”), by and between Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), and the participant named on the Notice (the “Participant”);
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Participant is a Non-Employee Director, and it is important to the Company that the Participant be encouraged to remain a director;
WHEREAS, the Company has previously adopted the Chesapeake Energy Corporation 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan effective as of February 9, 2021, as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time (the “Plan”); and
WHEREAS, the Company has awarded the Participant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, as set forth on the Notice, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Participant and the Company agree as follows:
1. The Plan. The Plan, a copy of which has been made available to the Participant, is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof for all purposes, and when taken with this Agreement shall govern the rights of the Participant and the Company with respect to the Award (as defined below). Any capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the same meanings given to them in the Plan.
2. Grant of Award. The Company hereby awards to the Participant the number of Restricted Stock Units set forth in the Notice, on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan (the “Award”). Each Restricted Stock Unit granted pursuant to this Award gives the Participant the right to receive payment of one share of Common Stock on the payment date set forth in the Notice and this Award Agreement.
3. Nontransferability of Award. A Restricted Stock Unit is not transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any attempted sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of, or the levy of execution, attachment or similar process upon, a Restricted Stock Unit contrary to the provisions hereof shall be void and ineffective, shall give no right to any purported transferee, and may, at the sole discretion of the Committee, result in forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Unit(s) involved in such attempt.
4. Vesting. The Restricted Stock Units will vest on the Vesting Date (as defined in the Notice), subject to the Participant’s continuous service with the Company, in any capacity (including as a director, consultant or an employee) through the Vesting Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Participant ceases to serve on the Board and immediately thereafter is not directly or indirectly providing services to the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity as an employee or consultant (a “Termination Event”) (i) (a) following a Change of Control or (b) due to the Participant’s death or Disability, then the Participant will immediately vest in all of the Restricted Stock Units on the date of the Termination Event or (ii) for any reason not set forth in clause (i), then the Participant will vest in a pro rata portion of his or her unvested Restricted Stock Units on the date of the Termination Event, with such pro rata portion determined by dividing (a) the number of days the Participant served as a director or employee of the Company from the Grant Date to the date of the Termination Event, by (b) the number of days between
the Grant Date and May 20, 2022, in each case, unless subject to forfeiture or recovery pursuant to Section 9.
5. Payment. Payment shall be made in the form of an issuance of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested Restricted Stock Units on the Vesting Date or the date elected by the Participant pursuant to the Restricted Stock Units Deferral Election Form attached hereto as Exhibit A (such date, the “Settlement Date”), unless such Restricted Stock Units are subject to forfeiture or recovery pursuant to Section 9 or payment is restricted due to the provisions of Section 14.
6. Dividends Equivalents. In the event that the Company declares and pays a dividend in respect of its outstanding shares of Common Stock and, on the record date for such dividend, the Participant holds RSUs granted pursuant to this Agreement that have not been settled, the Company shall record the amount of such dividend in a bookkeeping account and pay to the Participant an amount in cash equal to the cash dividends the Participant would have received if the Participant was the holder of record, as of such record date, of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of RSUs held by the Participant that have not been settled as of such record date, such payment to be made on (i) the Settlement Date or (ii) if the Participant has elected a Settlement Date other than the Vesting Date pursuant to the Restricted Stock Units Deferral Election Form attached hereto as Exhibit A and the Settlement Date has not occurred, on date of the Company’s annual shareholder meeting each year prior to the Settlement Date (the “Dividend Equivalents”). For purposes of clarity, if the RSUs (or any portion thereof) are forfeited by the Participant pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, then the Participant shall also forfeit the Dividend Equivalents, if any, accrued with respect to such forfeited RSUs. No interest will accrue on the Dividend Equivalents between the declaration and payment of the applicable dividends and the settlement of the Dividend Equivalents.
7. Amendments. This Award Agreement may be amended by a written agreement signed by the Company and the Participant; provided that the Committee may modify the terms of this Award Agreement without the consent of the Participant in any manner that is not adverse to the Participant.
8. Securities Law Restrictions. Payment of this Award shall not be made in shares of Common Stock unless such issuance is in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and any other applicable securities law, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. If deemed necessary by the Company to comply with the Act or any applicable laws or regulations relating to the sale of securities, the Participant at the time of payment and as a condition imposed by the Company, shall represent, warrant and agree that the shares of Common Stock subject to the Award are being acquired for investment and not with any present intention to resell the same and without a view to distribution, and the Participant shall, upon the request of the Company, execute and deliver to the Company an agreement to such a fact. The Participant acknowledges that any stock certificate representing Common Stock acquired under such circumstances will be issued with a restricted securities legend.
9. Participant Misconduct; Compensation Recovery.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Agreement to the contrary, the Committee shall have the authority to determine that in the event of serious breach of fiduciary duty by the Participant, the Award may be cancelled, in whole or in part, whether or not vested. The determination of whether the Participant has engaged in a serious breach of fiduciary duty shall be determined by the Committee in good faith and in its sole discretion.
(b) The Award made pursuant to this Agreement is subject to recovery pursuant to the Company’s compensation recovery policy then in effect. To the extent required by applicable laws, rules, regulations or securities exchange listing requirements and the Company’s compensation recovery policy then in effect, the Company shall have the right, and shall take all actions necessary, to recover shares of the Common Stock paid to the Participant pursuant to this Award.
10. Notices. All notices or other communications relating to the Plan and this Agreement as it relates to the Participant shall be in electronic or written form. If in writing, such notices shall be deemed to have been made (a) if personally delivered in return for a receipt, (b) if mailed, by regular U.S. mail, postage prepaid, by the Company to the Participant at his last known address evidenced on the payroll records of the Company or (c) if provided electronically, provided to Participant at his e-mail address specified in the Company’s or its Affiliated Entity’s records or as other specified pursuant to and in accordance with the Committee’s applicable administrative procedures.
11. Binding Effect and Governing Law. This Agreement shall be (i) binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns except as may be limited by the Plan and (ii) governed and construed under the laws of the State of Oklahoma.
12. Captions. The captions of specific provisions of this Agreement are for convenience and reference only, and in no way define, describe, extend or limit the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all purposes, but all of which taken together shall form but one agreement.
14. Code Section 409A.
(a) General. This Agreement and the Restricted Stock Units granted hereunder are intended to comply with Code Section 409A. The Agreement and the Restricted Stock Units shall be administered, interpreted, and construed in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A. Should any provision of the Plan or the Agreement be found not to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, such provision shall be modified and given effect (retroactively if necessary), in the sole discretion of the Committee, and without the consent of the Participant, in such manner as the Committee determines to be necessary or appropriate to comply with Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under the Plan or this Agreement comply with Code Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by the Participant on account of non-compliance with Code Section 409A. The Participant acknowledges that there may be adverse tax consequences upon the vesting or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or the disposition of the underlying shares of Common Stock and that the Participant has been advised, and hereby is advised, to consult a tax advisor prior to such vesting, settlement or disposition.
(b) Payment Restrictions. Other provisions of this Agreement notwithstanding, the following payment restrictions shall apply to Restricted Stock Units:
(i) Separation from Service. Any payment in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units that is triggered by a separation of service hereunder will occur only at such time as Participant has had a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
(ii) Six-Month Delay Rule. The “six-month delay rule” will apply to 409A Restricted Stock Units if the following four conditions exist:
1. The Participant has a separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h));
2. A payment is triggered by the separation from service (but not due to death);
3. The Participant is a “specified employee” under Code Section 409A; and
4. The payment in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units would otherwise occur within six months after the separation from service.
If the six-month delay rule applies, payment in settlement of the Restricted Stock Units shall instead be made on the first business day after the date that is six months following the Participant's separation from service (or death, if earlier), with interest from the date such payment would otherwise have been made at the short-term applicable federal rate, compounded semi-annually, as determined under Section 1274 of the Code, for the month in which payment would have been made but for the delay in payment. During the six-month delay period, accelerated payment will be permitted in the event of the Participant’s death and for no other reason (including no acceleration upon a Change of Control) except to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A.
(iii) Change of Control Rule. Any payment in settlement of Restricted Stock Units triggered by a Change of Control will be made only if, in connection with the Change of Control, there occurs a change in the ownership of the Company, a change in the effective control of the Company, or a change in ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company as all such terms are defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). In the event payment in settlement of Restricted Stock Units is not allowed by operation of this subparagraph (iii), the payment related to such Restricted Stock Units will be made within sixty (60) days of the earlier to occur of (A) the applicable payment date set forth in the Notice, death or separation from service regardless of the fact that vesting has been accelerated under the Agreement as a result of the Change of Control, or (B) the occurrence of a permissible time or event that could trigger a payment without violating Code Section 409A.
(c) Other Compliance Provisions. The following provisions also apply to Restricted Stock Units:
(i) The settlement of Restricted Stock Units may not be accelerated by the Company except to the extent permitted under Code Section 409A.
(ii) If any mandatory term required to avoid tax penalties under Code Section 409A is not otherwise explicitly provided under this document or other applicable documents, such term is hereby incorporated by reference and fully applicable as though set forth at length herein.
(iii) Each payment tranche of Restricted Stock Units set forth in the Notice shall be deemed a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.
| Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement | Chesapeake Energy Corporation ID: 73-1395733 6100 N. Western Avenue Oklahoma City, OK 73118 | |||||||
| <NAME> <ADDRESS> <ADDRESS> | Award Number: Plan: 2021 LTIP | |||||||
Effective <Date>, you have been granted an award of <#> Restricted Stock Units. These Restricted Stock Units entitle you to receive a payment in the form of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Restricted Stock Units to be paid on the payment date.
The current total value of the award is <$>.
The Restricted Stock Units will vest and be paid on the earlier of (i) May 20, 2022 and (ii) the date of the Company’s 2022 annual shareholder meeting (the “Vesting Date”).
By your signature and the Company's signature below, you and the Company agree that this award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Company's 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan and the Agreement, all of which are attached and made a part of this document.
| By: | ||||||||||||||
| Chesapeake Energy Corporation | Participant | |||||||||||||
| Date: | Date: | |||||||||||||
Exhibit A
RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS DEFERRAL ELECTION FORM
Please complete this Restricted Stock Units Deferral Election Form (the “Deferral Election Form”) and return a signed copy to Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”), care of Ryan Turner (ryan.turner@chk.com), no later than Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm CT (the “Election Deadline”).
| Name: | |||||
NOTE: This Deferral Election Form will apply to all grants of Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) you may receive from the Company until such time as a new signed Deferral Election Form is received by the Company. Any new signed Deferral Election Form must be received by the Company no later than December 31 of the calendar year preceding the calendar in which the RSUs are granted.
1. Settlement of RSUs
In making this election, the following rules apply:
•Unless otherwise specified, capitalized terms used but not defined in this Deferral Election Form shall have the meanings attributed to them in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) or the Chesapeake Energy Corporation 2021 Long Term Incentive Plan effective as of February 9, 2021, as amended from time to time (the “Plan”), as applicable.
•You must complete this Deferral Election Form by the Election Deadline and select a payment date on which you will receive the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs. If you fail to complete and timely submit this Deferral Election Form, the shares of Common Stock underlying your RSUs will be paid to you at the default time specified in Section 5 of the Agreement.
2. Deferral Election
I hereby irrevocably elect to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to any RSUs granted to me in 2021 and any future calendar years, until such time as a new signed Deferral Election Form is received by the Company, upon (select only one of the following):
☐ (a) The Vesting Date specified in the Agreement.
☐ (b) The date I cease to be a director and do not subsequently directly or indirectly provide services to the Company, a Subsidiary or Affiliated Entity as employee or consultant (the “Termination Date”).
☐ (c) The following anniversary of the Termination Date as circled: [first] [second] [third] [fourth] [fifth].
☐ (d) The date of a Change of Control (the “COC Date”).
☐ (e) The following anniversary of the Vesting Date as circled: [first] [second] [third] [fourth] [fifth].
☐ (f) The earliest of the (i) Termination Date, (ii) COC Date and (iii) the following anniversary of the Vesting Date as circled: [first] [second] [third] [fourth] [fifth].
3. Signature
I understand that my rights to the shares of Common Stock underlying the RSUs are subject to (i) to fluctuations in market prices, which may increase or decrease between the default time specified in the Agreement and the settlement date I elected above and (ii) the rights of the general creditors of the Company in the event of its insolvency. I also understand that cash in respect of any Dividend Equivalents accruing after the vesting of my RSUs will be paid annually in accordance with Section 6 of the Agreement. I further understand that this Deferral Election Form will become effective and irrevocable as of the Election Deadline. Once I have elected the time of settlement of my RSUs by submitting this Deferral Election Form, I understand that (a) the settlement election will be irrevocable and (b) the settlement election will control over any contrary payment time or event specified in Section 5 of the Agreement. I acknowledge that, if I do not complete and timely submit this Deferral Election Form, the shares of Common Stock underlying my RSUs will be paid to me at the default time specified in the Agreement.
By executing this Deferral Election Form, I hereby acknowledge my understanding of, and agreement with, the terms and provisions set forth in this Deferral Election Form, the Notice, the Agreement and the Plan.
| PARTICIPANT | |||||
| Name: | |||||
| Exhibit 31.1 | ||||||||
CERTIFICATION
I, Michael Wichterich, certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Chesapeake Energy Corporation;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| May 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ MICHAEL WICHTERICH | ||||||
| Michael Wichterich | ||||||||
| Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Exhibit 31.2 | ||||||||
CERTIFICATION
I, Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr., certify that:
1.I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Chesapeake Energy Corporation;
2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
(a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
(b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
(c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
(d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
(a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
(b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| May 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ DOMENIC J. DELL’OSSO, JR. | ||||||
| Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. | ||||||||
| Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Exhibit 32.1 | ||||||||
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Michael Wichterich, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| May 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ MICHAEL WICHTERICH | ||||||
| Michael Wichterich Interim Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Exhibit 32.2 | ||||||||
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Quarterly Report of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2021 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
1.The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
2.The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
| May 13, 2021 | By: | /s/ DOMENIC J. DELL’OSSO, JR. | ||||||
| Domenic J. Dell’Osso, Jr. | ||||||||
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
Exhibit 95.1
Mine Safety Disclosures
Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Act") and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) require certain disclosures by companies required to file periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that operate mines regulated under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, the "Mine Act").
Burleson Sand LLC ("Burleson Sand") is a wholly owned subsidiary of Brazos Valley Longhorn, L.L.C. (successor in interest to WildHorse Resource Development Corporation) ("WildHorse"), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Chesapeake Energy Corporation. On January 4, 2018, Burleson Sand acquired surface and sand rights on approximately 727 acres in Burleson County, Texas to construct and operate an in-field sand mine to support WildHorse's exploration and development operations. Burleson Sand began operations in September 2018 and is subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration ("MSHA") under the Mine Act. The MSHA inspects mining facilities on a regular basis and issues citations and orders when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Act.
The MSHA, upon determination that a violation of the Mine Act has occurred, may issue a citation or an order which generally proposes civil penalties or fines upon the mine operator. Citations and orders may be appealed with the potential of reduced or dismissed penalties.
The table below reflects citations, orders, violations and proposed assessments issued to Burleson Sand by MSHA during the three-month period ended March 31, 2021. Due to timing and other factors, the data may not agree with the mine data retrieval systems maintained by MSHA at www.MSHA.gov.
| Burleson Sand Mine 41-05369 | ||||||||
| Section 104 significant and substantial citations | — | |||||||
| Section 104(b) orders | — | |||||||
| Section 104(d) citations and orders | — | |||||||
| Section 110(b)(2) violations | — | |||||||
| Section 107(a) orders | — | |||||||
Total dollar value of MSHA assessments proposed(a) | $ | — | ||||||
| Total number of mining related fatalities | — | |||||||
| Received notice of pattern of violations under section 104(e) | No | |||||||
| Received notice of potential to have pattern under section 104(e) | No | |||||||
| Legal actions pending as of last day of period | 1 | |||||||
| Legal actions initiated during period | — | |||||||
| Legal actions resolved during period | — | |||||||
____________________________________________
a) Represents the total dollar value of all proposed or outstanding assessments, regardless of classification, received from MSHA on or before March 31, 2021, regardless of whether the assessment has been challenged or appealed.
