UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

☒  Quarterly report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020

 

or

 

☐  Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from ___________ to ____________

 

Commission File Number: 000-02040

 

CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 26-0818050
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
1700 Broadway, Suite 1170, Denver, CO 80290
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:(720) 407-7030

 

 
(Former name, address and fiscal year, if changed since last report)

  

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which
registered
None    

 

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 Company 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 Regulations 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 definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filerSmaller reporting company
Accelerated filerEmerging growth company
Non-accelerated filer  

 

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 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 ☒

 

At November 8, 2019,August 7, 2020, there were 7,856,8648,304,781 issued and outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.01 par value.

 

 

 

 

  

Carbon Energy CorporationCARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Part I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  
Item 1. Financial Statements1
  
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)1
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)2
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity (unaudited)3
  
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)4
  
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)5
  
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations2217
  
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk33
Item 4. Controls and Procedures3331
  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures31
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings3432
  
Item 1A. Risk Factors3432
  
Item 6. Exhibits3437
  
Signatures3538

  

i

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.Financial Statements

 

CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

  September 30,  December 31, 
(in thousands, except share amounts) 2019  2018 
ASSETS (Unaudited)    
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $3,514  $5,736 
Accounts receivable:        
Revenue  11,632   19,671 
Joint interest billings and other  1,361   1,770 
Insurance receivable (Note 2)  -   522 
Commodity derivative asset (Note 14)  6,722   3,517 
Prepaid expense, deposits and other current assets  2,537   1,645 
Inventory  2,522   1,149 
Total current assets  28,288   34,010 
         
Non-current assets:        
Property and equipment (Note 4)        
Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting:        
Proved, net  243,593   248,455 
Unproved  5,004   5,416 
Other property and equipment, net  16,253   17,563 
 Total property and equipment, net  264,850   271,434 
         
Investments in affiliates  605   598 
Commodity derivative asset – non-current (Note 14)  3,072   3,505 
Right-of-use assets (Note 8)  6,523   - 
Other non-current assets  1,166   1,344 
Total non-current assets  276,216   276,881 
Total assets $304,504  $310,891 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 5) $30,786  $34,816 
Firm transportation contract obligations (Note 15)  5,824   6,129 
Lease liability – current (Note 8)  1,620   - 
Credit facilities and notes payable – current (Note 7)  8,266   11,910 
Total current liabilities  46,496   52,855 
         
Non-current liabilities:        
Firm transportation contract obligations (Note 15)  9,795   12,729 
Lease liability – non-current (Note 8)  4,793   - 
Production and property taxes payable  2,654   2,914 
Asset retirement obligations (Note 6)  18,788   19,211 
Credit facilities and notes payable (Note 7)  96,034   97,228 
Notes payable – related party (Note 7)  44,465   49,919 
Total non-current liabilities  176,529   182,001 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)        
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; liquidation preference of $449 at September 30, 2019 and $224 at December 31, 2018; authorized 1,000,000 shares, 50,000 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018  1   1 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 35,000,000 shares, 7,856,030 and 7,655,759 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively  79   77 
Additional paid-in capital  85,261   84,612 
Accumulated deficit  (31,628)  (36,939)
Total Carbon stockholders’ equity  53,713   47,751 
Non-controlling interests  27,766   28,284 
Total stockholders’ equity  81,479   76,035 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $304,504  $310,891 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1

CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019  2018  2019  2018 
Revenue:            
Natural gas sales $11,963  $4,372  $45,495  $11,835 
Natural gas liquids  10   406   451   1,119 
Oil sales  9,049   11,850   27,940   22,924 
Transportation and handling  304   -   1,361   - 
Marketing gas sales  3,491   -   11,656   - 
Commodity derivative gain (loss)  5,595   (3,902)  4,969   (10,550)
Other income  123   16   820   35 
Total revenue  30,535   12,742   92,692   25,363 
                 
Expenses:                
Lease operating expenses  7,689   4,767   21,784   10,824 
Pipeline operating expenses  2,614   -   8,650   - 
Transportation and gathering costs  1,593   1,433   4,392   3,786 
Production and property taxes  16   743   3,692   1,792 
Marketing gas purchases  3,872   -   14,969   - 
General and administrative  2,852   3,517   11,489   9,007 
General and administrative – related party reimbursement  -   (1,170)  -   (3,383)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  4,112   2,731   11,973   6,202 
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  420   206   1,219   510 
Total expenses  23,168   12,227   78,168   28,738 
                 
Operating income (loss)  7,367   515   14,524   (3,375)
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest expense, net  (3,047)  (1,127)  (9,772)  (3,331)
Warrant derivative gain  -   -   -   225 
Gain on derecognized equity investment in affiliate – Carbon California  -   -   -   5,390 
Investments in affiliates  32   157   73   1,121 
Total other (expense) income  (3,015)  (970)  (9,699)  3,405 
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes  4,352   (455)  4,825   30 
                 
Provision for income taxes  -   -   -   - 
                 
Net income (loss) before non-controlling interests and preferred shares  4,352   (455)  4,825   30 
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests  1,170   270   (486)  (2,234)
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests before preferred shares  3,182   (725)  5,311   2,264 
                 
Net income attributable to preferred shares – preferred return  75   -   225   - 
                 
Net income (loss) attributable to common shares $3,107  $(725) $5,086  $2,264 
                 
Net income (loss) per common share:                
Basic $0.40  $(0.09) $0.65  $0.30 
Diluted $0.38  $(0.10) $0.63  $0.10 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  7,839   7,701   7,780   7,466 
Diluted  8,141   7,701   8,082   7,781 
  June 30,
2020
  December 31,
2019
 
ASSETS      
       
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $1,311  $904 
Restricted cash (Note 3)  4,612   - 
Accounts receivable:        
Revenue  1,846   12,886 
Joint interest billings and other  415   1,552 
Commodity derivative asset (Note 13)  6,129   5,915 
Prepaid expenses, deposits, and other current assets  1,403   2,500 
Inventory  491   2,512 
Total current assets  16,207   26,269 
         
Non-current assets:        
Property and equipment (Note 4)        
Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting:        
Proved, net  114,095   242,144 
Unproved  1,616   4,872 
Other property and equipment, net  1,189   15,984 
Total property and equipment, net  116,900   263,000 
         
Investments in affiliates  67   625 
Commodity derivative asset – non-current (Note 13)  2,871   1,164 
Right-of-use assets  1,949   6,104 
Other non-current assets  2,276   1,092 
Total non-current assets  124,063   271,985 
Total assets $140,270  $298,254 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (Note 5) $12,500  $35,157 
Firm transportation contract obligations (Note 14)  -   5,679 
Lease liability – current  696   1,625 
Commodity derivative liability (Note 13)  -   469 
Credit facilities and notes payable (Note 7)  1,339   5,788 
Total current liabilities  14,535   48,718 
         
Non-current liabilities:        
Firm transportation contract obligations (Note 14)  -   8,905 
Lease liability – non-current  1,179   4,383 
Commodity derivative liability – non-current (Note 13)  -   87 
Production and property taxes payable  -   2,815 
Asset retirement obligations (Note 6)  5,908   17,514 
Credit facilities and notes payable (Note 7)  15,862   94,870 
Notes payable – related party (Note 7)  49,484   44,741 
Total non-current liabilities  72,433   173,315 
         
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)        
         
Stockholders’ equity:        
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; liquidation preference of $674 and $524 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively; authorized 1,000,000 shares, 50,000 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019  1   1 
Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 35,000,000 shares, 8,304,781 and 7,796,085 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively  83   78 
Additional paid-in capital  89,148   85,834 
Accumulated deficit  (63,559)  (35,842)
Total Carbon stockholders’ equity  25,673   50,071 
Non-controlling interests  27,629   26,150 
Total stockholders’ equity  53,302   76,221 
         
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $140,270  $298,254 

 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ EquityOperations

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

 

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020  2019  2020  2019 
Revenue:            
Natural gas sales $4,138  $14,216  $12,572  $33,532 
Natural gas liquids  49   195   201   441 
Oil sales  3,767   9,902   10,982   18,891 
Transportation and handling  274   322   908   1,056 
Marketing gas sales  2,380   3,221   8,698   8,165 
Commodity derivative (loss) gain  (5,647)  8,680   14,067   (627)
Other income  2   305   -   697 
Total revenue  4,963   36,841   47,428   62,155 
                 
Expenses:                
Lease operating expenses  5,086   7,480   12,458   14,095 
Pipeline operating expenses  1,432   2,950   4,125   6,035 
Transportation and gathering costs  1,475   1,130   4,052   2,799 
Production and property taxes  1,136   1,666   1,146   3,676 
Marketing gas purchases  1,329   4,795   4,801   11,097 
General and administrative  5,402   3,947   8,702   8,636 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  2,149   3,881   5,960   7,860 
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  299   405   777   799 
Loss on Appalachia Divestiture  34,463   -   34,463   - 
Total expenses  52,771   26,254   76,484   54,997 
                 
Operating (loss) income  (47,808)  10,587   (29,056)  7,158 
                 
Other income (expense):                
Interest expense, net  (2,774)  (3,445)  (5,647)  (6,725)
Investments in affiliates  -   21   (421)  40 
Other income  104   -   104   - 
Total expense  (2,670)  (3,424)  (5,964)  (6,685)
                 
(Loss) income before income taxes  (50,478)  7,163   (35,020)  473 
                 
Provision for income taxes  -   -   -   - 
                 
Net (loss) income before non-controlling interests and preferred shares  (50,478)  7,163   (35,020)  473 
                 
Net (loss) income attributable to non-controlling interests  (2,542)  934   3,117   (1,656)
                 
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests before preferred shares  (47,936)  6,229   (38,137)  2,129 
                 
Net income attributable to preferred shares – preferred return  75   75   150   150 
                 
Net (loss) income attributable to common shares $(48,011) $6,154  $(38,287) $1,979 
                 
Net (loss) income per common share:                
Basic $(5.91) $0.79  $(4.81) $0.26 
Diluted $(5.91) $0.75  $(4.81) $0.24 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  8,118   7,815   7,964   7,739 
Diluted  8,118   8,157   7,964   8,081 

              Additional  Non-     Total 
  Common Stock  Preferred Stock  Paid-in  Controlling  Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interests  Deficit  Equity 
Balance as of December 31, 2017  6,006  $60   -  $-  $58,813  $1,841  $(44,218) $16,496 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   292   -   -   292 
Restricted stock vested  38   1   -   -   -   -   -   1 
CCC warrant exercise – share issuance  1,528   15   -   -   8,311   16,466   -   24,792 
CCC warrant exercise – liability extinguishment  -   -   -   -   1,792   -   -   1,792 
Non-controlling interests’ distributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   (24)  -   (24)
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   1,115   3,569   4,684 
Balance as of March 31, 2018  7,572  $76   -  $-  $69,208  $19,398  $(40,649) $48,033 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   192   -   -   192 
Restricted stock vested  21   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Performance units vested  108   1   -   -   (1)  -   -   - 
Preferred share issuance (Note 11)  -   -   50   1   4,999   -   -   5,000 
Beneficial conversion feature  -   -   -   -   1,125   -   (1,125)  - 
Deemed dividend  -   -   -   -   71   -   (71)  - 
Non-controlling interests’ contributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   5,498   -   5,498 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (3,619)  (579)  (4,198)
Balance as of June 30, 2018  7,701  $77   50  $1  $75,594  $21,277  $(42,424) $54,525 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   187   -   -   187 
Deemed dividend  -   -   -   -   77   -   (77)  - 
Non-controlling interests’ contributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   4   -   4 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   270   (725)  (455)
Balance as of September 30, 2018  7,701  $77   50  $1  $75,858  $21,551  $(43,226) $54,261 

              Additional  Non-     Total 
  Common Stock  Preferred Stock  Paid-in  Controlling  Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interests  Deficit  Equity 
Balance as of December 31, 2018  7,656  $77   50  $1  $84,612  $28,284  $(36,939) $76,035 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   222   -   -   222 
Restricted stock vested  40   1   -   -   -   -   -   1 
Performance units vested  95   1   -   -   (1)  -   -   - 
Non-controlling interests’ contributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   22   -   22 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (2,590)  (4,100)  (6,690)
Balance as of March 31, 2019  7,791  $79   50  $1  $84,833  $25,716  $(41,039) $69,590 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   224   -   -   224 
Restricted stock vested  25   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Non-controlling interests’ distributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   (16)  -   (16)
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   934   6,229   7,163 
Balance as of June 30, 2019  7,816  $79   50  $1  $85,057  $26,634  $(34,810) $76,961 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   204   -   -   204 
Restricted stock vested  40   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Non-controlling interests’ distributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   (38)  -   (38)
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   1,170   3,182   4,352 
Balance as of September 30, 2019  7,856  $79   50  $1  $85,261  $27,766  $(31,628) $81,479 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
(in thousands) 2019  2018 
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $4,825  $30 
Items not involving cash:        
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  11,973   6,202 
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  1,219   510 
Unrealized commodity derivative (gain) loss  (2,771)  8,381 
Warrant derivative gain  -   (225)
Stock-based compensation expense  650   672 
Investments in affiliates  (57)  (1,121)
Gain on derecognized equity investment in affiliate – Carbon California  -   (5,390)
Amortization of debt costs  644   468 
Interest expense paid-in-kind  1,819   - 
Other  (56)  - 
Net change in:        
Accounts receivable  8,971   (2,975)
Prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets  (982)  456 
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and firm transportation contract obligations  (11,718)  (1,945)
Other non-current items  (395)  (1,751)
Net cash provided by operating activities  14,122   3,312 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Development and acquisition of properties and equipment  (4,226)  (44,681)
Proceeds received – Carbon California Acquisition  -   275 
Distribution from affiliate  50   - 
Proceeds received – disposition of oil and gas properties and other property and equipment  314   - 
Net cash used in investing activities  (3,862)  (44,406)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from credit facilities and notes payable  4,000   34,529 
Proceeds from preferred shares  -   5,000 
Payments on credit facilities and notes payable  (16,396)  (14)
Payments of debt issuance costs  (54)  (586)
(Distributions to) contributions from non-controlling interests, net  (32)  4,992 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities  (12,482)  43,921 
         
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents  (2,222)  2,827 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  5,736   1,650 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $3,514  $4,477 

   

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

              Additional  Non-     Total 
  Common Stock  Preferred Stock  Paid-in  Controlling  Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interests  Deficit  Equity 
Balance as of December 31, 2019  7,796  $78   50  $1  $85,834  $26,150  $(35,842) $76,221 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   204   -   -   204 
Restricted stock vested  20   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Performance units vested  83   1   -   -   (1)  -   -   - 
Non-controlling interests’ distributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   (3)  -   (3)
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   5,659   9,799   15,458 
Balance as of March 31, 2020  7,899  $79   50  $1  $86,037  $31,806  $(26,043) $91,880 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   3,151   -   -   3,151 
Restricted stock vested  380   4   -   -   (4)  -   -   - 
Performance units vested  169   2   -   -   (2)  -   -   - 
Restricted stock and performance units exchanged for tax withholding  (143)  (2)  -   -   (34)  -   -   (36)
Impact of Appalachia Divestiture  -   -   -   -   -   (1,635)  10,420   8,785 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (2,542)  (47,936)  (50,478)
Balance as of June 30, 2020  8,305  $83   50  $1  $89,148  $27,629  $(63,559) $53,302 

              Additional  Non-     Total 
  Common Stock  Preferred Stock  Paid-in  Controlling  Accumulated  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Shares  Amount  Capital  Interests  Deficit  Equity 
                         
Balance as of December 31, 2018  7,656  $77   50  $1  $84,612  $28,284  $(36,939) $76,035 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   222   -   -   222 
Restricted stock vested  40   1   -   -   -   -   -   1 
Performance units vested  95   1   -   -   (1)  -   -   - 
Non-controlling interests’ contributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   22   -   22 
Net loss  -   -   -   -   -   (2,590)  (4,100)  (6,690)
Balance as of March 31, 2019  7,791  $79   50  $1  $84,833  $25,716  $(41,039) $69,590 
Stock-based compensation  -   -   -   -   224   -   -   224 
Restricted stock vested  25   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Non-controlling interests’ distributions, net  -   -   -   -   -   (16)  -   (16)
Net income  -   -   -   -   -   934   6,229   7,163 
Balance as of June 30, 2019  7,816  $79   50  $1  $85,057  $26,634  $(34,810) $76,961 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 
(in thousands) 2020  2019 
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net (loss) income $(35,020) $473 
Items not involving cash:        
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  5,960   7,860 
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  777   799 
Unrealized commodity derivative (gain) loss  (5,626)  396 
Stock-based compensation expense  3,355   446 
Net loss on Appalachia Divestiture  25,527   - 
Loss on sale of affiliate investment  419   - 
Investments in affiliates  9   (40)
Amortization of debt costs  857   405 
Interest expense paid-in-kind  1,052   1,244 
Other  (74)  - 
Net change in:        
Accounts receivable  2,525   7,525 
Prepaid expenses, deposits and other current assets  204   (375)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and firm transportation contract obligations  (9,009)  (8,611)
Inventory and other non-current items  452   (327)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities  (8,592)  9,795 
         
Cash flows from investing activities:        
Development and acquisition of properties and equipment  (3,460)  (1,863)
Distribution from affiliate  -   50 
Proceeds from Appalachia Divestiture  98,121   - 
Proceeds from disposition of oil and gas properties and other property and equipment  922   176 
Proceeds from sale of affiliate investment  131   - 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities  95,714   (1,637)
         
Cash flows from financing activities:        
Proceeds from credit facilities and notes payable  8,839   4,029 
Payments on credit facilities and notes payable  (88,803)  (13,185)
Payments of debt issuance costs  -   (93)
Vested restricted stock and performance units exchanged for tax withholding  (36)  - 
(Distributions to) contributions from non-controlling interests, net  (3)  6 
Net cash used in financing activities  (80,003)  (9,243)
         
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash  7,119   (1,085)
         
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period  904   5,736 
         
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period $8,023  $4,651 

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

 

Carbon Energy Corporation (formerly known as Carbon Natural Gas Company) is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids properties located in the United States.properties. The terms “we”, “us”, “our”, the “Company” or “Carbon” refer to Carbon Energy Corporation and our consolidated subsidiaries (described below). The following is an organization chart of the key subsidiaries as of September 30, 2019 discussed in this report:subsidiaries.

 

Appalachian and Illinois Basin Operations

In the Appalachian and Illinois Basins, operations are conducted by Nytis Exploration Company, LLC (“Nytis LLC”). The following organizational chart illustrates this relationship as of September 30, 2019:

 


In December 2018, weOn May 26, 2020 Carbon Energy Corporation completed the acquisitionits sale of all of the Class A Unitsissued and outstanding membership interests of Carbon AppalachianAppalachia Company, LLC and Nytis Exploration Company LLC. See Note 3 – Divestiture for more information. Following the sale, Carbon’s operations are substantially limited to those in the Ventura Basin through Carbon California Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Carbon AppalachiaCalifornia”), owned by Old Ironside Fund II-A Portfolio Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Old Ironside Fund II-B Portfolio Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, collectively (“Old Ironsides”) for a purchase price of $58.1 million, subject to customary and standard purchase price adjustments (“OIE Membership Acquisition”). As a result of the OIE Membership Acquisition, we now hold all of the issued and outstanding ownership interests of Carbon Appalachia, along with its direct and indirect subsidiaries (Carbon Appalachia Group, LLC, Carbon Tennessee Mining Company, LLC, Carbon Appalachia Enterprises, LLC, Carbon West Virginia Company, LLC, Cranberry Pipeline Corporation, Knox Energy, LLC, Coalfield Pipeline Company and Appalachia Gas Services Company, LLC). 

majority-owned subsidiary.

 

Ventura Basin Operations

 

In California, Carbon California Operating Company, LLC conducts operations on behalf of Carbon California Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Carbon California”). On February 1, 2018, Yorktown Energy Partners XI, L.P. (“Yorktown”) exercised a warrant, collectively resulting in our aggregate sharing percentage in Carbon California increasing from 17.81% to 56.40%. On May 1, 2018, Carbon California closed the acquisition with Seneca Resources Corporation (the “Seneca Acquisition”). Following the exercise of the warrant by Yorktown and the Seneca Acquisition, weCalifornia. We own 53.92% of the voting and profits interests and Prudential Legacy Insurance Company of New Jersey and Prudential Insurance Company of America or its affiliates (collectively, “Prudential”) owns 46.08% of the voting and profits interest in Carbon California. As of February 1, 2018, we consolidate Carbon California for financial reporting purposes. The following organizational chart illustrates this relationship as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019:

2020:

 

 

6

 

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applicable to interim financial statements. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim period. Operating results for the interim periods presented require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes and are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. The condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 20182019 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019. The Company follows the same accounting policies for preparing quarterly and annual reports.

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ourthe Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Upon the closing of the OIE Membership Acquisition on December 31, 2018, we own 100% of Carbon Appalachia. In addition, we own 100% of Nytis USA, which owns approximately 98.11% of Nytis LLC. Nytis LLC holds interests in various oil and gas partnerships.

Partnerships and subsidiaries in which we have a controlling interest are consolidated. We are currently consolidating 46 partnerships, Carbon Appalachia, and Carbon California, and we reflect the non-controlling ownership interest in partnerships and subsidiaries as non-controlling interests on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and also reflect the non-controlling ownership interest in the net assets of the partnerships as non-controlling interests within stockholders’ equity on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

 

In accordance with established practice in the oil and gas industry, our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements also include our pro-rata share of assets, liabilities, income, lease operating costs and general and administrative expenses of the oil and gas partnerships in which we have a non-controlling interest.

 

Non-majority owned investments that do not meet the criteria for pro-rata consolidation are accounted for using the equity method when we have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee. When we do not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of an investee, the cost method is used. All transactions, if any, with investees have been eliminated in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

 

Reclassifications

Certain prior period balances in the consolidated balance sheetsCash and statements of operations have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  Specifically, a portion of credit facilitiesCash Equivalents and notes payable balances as of December 31, 2018 were reclassified from non-current liabilities to current liabilities. This reclassification had no impact on net income, cash flows or stockholders’ equity previously reported.

Insurance Receivable

Insurance receivable is comprised of insurance claims for the loss of property as a result of wildfires that impacted Carbon California in December 2017. The Company filed claims with its insurance provider. In January 2019, we reached a settlement agreement and received an $800,000 final settlement payment from our insurance provider related to the damage caused by the California wildfires. As of September 30, 2019, we were in receipt of all funds associated with the claims.

Revenue

Upon completion of the OIE Membership Acquisition, our revenue recognition policy was amended to account for the additional revenue we receive for transportation and handling and marketing gas sales, as described below.

Transportation and Handling

We generally purchase natural gas from producers at the wellhead or other receipt points, gather the wellhead natural gas through our gathering systems, and then sell the natural gas based on published index market prices. We remit to the producers either an agreed-upon percentage of the actual proceeds that we receive from our sales of natural gas or an agreed-upon percentage of the proceeds based on index related prices for the natural gas, regardless of the actual amount of the sales proceeds we receive. Our revenues under percent-of-proceeds/index arrangements generally correlate to the price of natural gas. Under fee-based arrangements, we receive a fee for storing natural gas. The storage revenues earned are directly related to the volume of natural gas that flows through our systems and are not directly dependent on commodity prices.


Marketing Gas Sales

We sell production purchased from third parties as well as production from our own oil and gas producing properties. Marketing gas sales are recognized on a gross basis as we purchase and take control of the gas prior to sale and are the principal in the transaction.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncement

On January 1, 2019, we adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842Restricted Cash”) (ASU 2016-02), as amended, which supersedes the lease accounting guidance under Topic 840, and generally requires lessees to recognize operating and financing lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets on the balance sheet and to provide enhanced disclosures surrounding the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leasing arrangements. We adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective transition approach by applying the new standard to all leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods. The most significant impact was the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases. See Note 8 for further information on our implementation of this standard.

NOTE 3 – ACQUISITIONS

Majority Control of Carbon Appalachia

On December 31, 2018, we acquired all of Old Ironsides’ Class A Units of Carbon Appalachia for approximately $58.1 million. We paid $33.0 million in cash and delivered promissory notes in the aggregate original principal amount of approximately $25.1 million to Old Ironsides (the“Old Ironsides Notes”). See Note 7 for additional information.

Prior to the closing of the OIE Membership Acquisition, Old Ironsides held 27,195 Class A Units, which equated to a 72.76% aggregate share ownership of Carbon Appalachia and we held (i) 9,805 Class A Units, (ii) 1,000 Class B Units and (iii) 121 Class C Units, which equated to a 27.24% aggregate share ownership of Carbon Appalachia.

The OIE Membership Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations. For assets and liabilities accounted for as business combinations, including the OIE Membership Acquisition, we utilized the assistance of third-party valuation specialists to determine the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired. We primarily used the income approach and made market assumptions as to projections of estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, future production rates, future commodity prices including price differentials as of the date of closing, future operating and development costs, a market participant weighted average cost of capital, and the condition of vehicles and equipment. We used the income approach and made market assumptions as to projections of utilization, future operating costs and a market participant weighted average cost of capital to determine the fair value of the firm transportation obligations as well as the plant facilities. The determination of the fair value of accounts payable and accrued liabilities assumed required significant judgement, including estimates relating to production assets.

 

The following summarizes the estimated fair valuestable provides a reconciliation of the identifiable assets acquiredcash, cash equivalents and liabilities assumed in the acquisition based on their relative fair values at the acquisition date. These estimates of fair value of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed are preliminary, pending final evaluation of certain assets and liabilities, and therefore are subject to revisions that may result in adjustments to the values presented below:

  Amount 
(in thousands)
 
Cash consideration $33,000 
Old Ironsides Notes  25,030 
Fair value of previously held equity interest  14,158 
Fair value of business acquired $72,188 


Assets acquired and liabilities assumed are as follows:

  Amount
(in thousands)
 
Cash $12,283 
Accounts receivable:    
Revenue  12,834 
Trade receivable  1,941 
Commodity derivative asset  198 
Inventory  2,022 
Prepaid expenses, deposits, and other current assets  456 
Oil and gas properties:    
Proved  107,879 
Unproved  1,869 
Other property, plant and equipment, net  15,441 
Other non-current assets  514 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  (20,466)
Due to related parties  (458)
Firm transportation contract obligations  (18,724)
Asset retirement obligations  (5,626)
Notes payable  (37,975)
Total net assets acquired $72,188 

On the date of the acquisition, we derecognized our equity investment in Carbon Appalachia and recognized a gain of approximately $1.3 million based on the fair value of our previously held interest compared to its carrying value.

Consolidation of Carbon Appalachia and OIE Membership Acquisition Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations

Below are unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as though the OIE Membership Acquisition had been completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are reflectedrestricted cash reported in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018  2018 
Revenue $27,681  $82,521 
Net income before non-controlling interests $1,729  $4,495 
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests $270  $(2,234)
Net income attributable to controlling interests before preferred shares $1,459  $6,729 
Net income per share, basic $0.19  $0.90 
Net income per share, diluted $0.18  $0.70 

Consolidation of Carbon California Unaudited Pro Forma Results of Operations

Below are unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as though the Carbon California Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2018. Results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 are reflectedbalance sheet to amounts shown in the unaudited condensed consolidated statementsstatement of operations.cash flows in thousands:

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2018  2018 
Revenue $12,742  $33,256 
Net (loss) income before non-controlling interests $(455) $5,232 
Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests $270  $(2,334)
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests before preferred shares $(725) $7,566 
Net (loss) income per share, basic $(0.09) $1.00 
Net (loss) income per share, diluted $(0.10) $0.96 
  June 30,
2020
 
Cash and cash equivalents $1,311 
Restricted cash  4,612 
Other non-current assets  2,100 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $8,023 

 

NOTE 3 – DIVESTITURE

On April 7, 2020, Carbon Energy Corporation, together with Nytis Exploration (USA) Inc. (the “Sellers”), and certain of the Company’s other direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”) to sell all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Carbon Appalachia Company, LLC (“Carbon Appalachia”) and Nytis Exploration Company LLC (“Nytis LLC”) to Diversified Gas & Oil Corporation (“DGOC”) for $110.0 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments, and a contingent payment of up to $15.0 million (the “Appalachia Divestiture”). The assets sold in the Appalachia Divestiture comprised substantially all of the Company’s assets in the Appalachian and Illinois basin. The transaction closed on May 26, 2020 for net proceeds of $98.1 million based on preliminary estimates of closing adjustments, resulting in a loss of approximately $34.5 million. The contingent payment of up to $15.0 million in the aggregate represents a contingent receivable that is not recorded in our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. The contingent payment will be calculated based on fixed volumes and the average settled natural gas pricing for 2020, 2021, and 2022 as compared to established benchmark pricing. Any payments due will be paid yearly by January 5 of each of 2021, 2022 and 2023 based on the contingent payment calculation for the respective calendar years.

Proceeds from the closing were used to settle all outstanding amounts associated with the 2018 Credit Facility (as defined below) and repay a portion of the Old Ironsides Notes. See Note 7 – Credit Facilities and Notes Payable for more information. We incurred exit costs in conjunction with the divestiture of one-time severance and termination benefits for the affected employees.

The assets, liabilities and equity disposed of are set out in the table below:

  Amount
(in thousands)
 
Assets:   
Accounts receivable $9,651 
Prepaid expenses  892 
Derivative assets  3,159 
Inventory  1,409 
Oil and gas properties  128,993 
Other property and equipment  14,035 
Right-of-use assets  3,406 
Other non-current assets  436 
Liabilities and Equity:    
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities  

(13,355

)
Firm transportation contract obligations  (12,981)
Lease liabilities  (3,406)
Derivative liabilities  (11)
Production and property taxes payable  (3,342)
Asset retirement obligations  

(14,027

)
Equity in subsidiaries  8,785 
Net assets disposed  123,644 
Cash received  98,121 
Transaction costs  (8,940)
Loss on Appalachia Divestiture $34,463 

At June 30, 2020, restricted cash on the condensed consolidated balance sheet of approximately $6.7 million represents amounts held in escrow from the purchase price. The escrow amount will be released to the Company upon satisfaction of certain indemnification obligations and will be released upon the fulfillment of associated release requirements over the 36 months following the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture.

Carbon and DGOC entered into a transition services agreement to provide, on an interim basis, certain services associated with the sold assets. The services commenced on May 26, 2020 and are expected to terminate in November 2020. Billings of approximately $269,000 are recorded as a reduction of general and administrative expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2020.

The following table presents net income before non-controlling interests and net income attributable to controlling interests for the subsidiaries sold for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019:

  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2020  2019  2020  2019 
Net (loss) income before non-controlling interests $(3,000)  $5,003  $1,645  $3,923 
Net (loss) income attributable to controlling interests $(2,737)  $5,309  $1,541  $3,719 

NOTE 4 – PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment, net consists of the following:

 

(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 
          
Oil and gas properties:          
Proved oil and gas properties $349,550 $343,736  $125,006  $351,488 
Unproved properties not subject to depletion 5,004 5,416 
Unproved properties  1,616   4,872 
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment  (105,957)  (95,281)  (10,911)  (109,344)
Net oil and gas properties  248,597  253,871 
Oil and gas properties, net  115,711   247,016 
        
Pipeline facilities and equipment 12,714 12,714   -   12,814 
Base gas 1,937 2,122   -   1,937 
Furniture and fixtures, computer hardware and software, and other equipment 6,733 6,649   2,614   6,762 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization  (5,131)  (3,922)  (1,425)  (5,529)
Net other property and equipment  16,253  17,563 
Other property and equipment, net  1,189   15,984 
             
Property and equipment, net $264,850 $271,434 
Total property and equipment, net $116,900  $263,000 

 

As of September 30, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $5.0 million and $5.4 million, respectively, of unprovedUnproved oil and gas properties not subject to depletion. Such costsdepletion are excluded from the full cost pool until it is determined if reserves can be assigned to the related properties. Subject to industry conditions, evaluation of most of these properties and the inclusion of their costs in the full cost pool is expected to be completed within five years. Unproved properties are assessed for impairment at least annually. During the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020 and 2019, approximately $513,000 and $719,000 ofthere were no expiring or impaired leasehold costs that were reclassified into proved property. There were no expiring leasehold costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018.

 

We capitalized overhead applicable to acquisition, development and exploration activities of approximately $167,000$134,000 and $540,000$372,000 for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, respectively. For the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2018,2019, we capitalized overhead applicable to acquisition, development and exploration activities of approximately $106,000$305,000 and $306,000,$373,000, respectively.

  

Depletion expense related to oil and gas properties for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 was approximately $3.7$1.9 million and $10.7$5.3 million, respectively. Depletion expense related to oil and gas properties for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019 was approximately $2.4$3.5 million and $5.6$7.0 million, respectively.

 

For the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, we did not recognize any ceiling test impairments as our full cost pool did not exceed the ceiling limitations. Future declines in oil and natural gas prices, increases in future operating expenses and future development costs could result in impairments of our oil and gas properties in future periods. Impairment changes are a non-cash charge and accordingly would not affect cash flows but would adversely affect our net income and stockholders’ equity.

 

NOTE 5 – ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 consist of the following:

  

(in thousands) September 30,
2019
  December 31,
2018
 
       
Accounts payable $5,787  $7,670 
Oil and gas revenue suspense  3,044   2,675 
Gathering and transportation payables  1,239   1,774 
Production taxes payable  2,838   1,860 
Accrued operating costs  681   3,155 
Accrued ad valorem taxes – current  5,501   3,474 
Accrued general and administrative expenses  2,285   3,111 
Accrued asset retirement obligation – current  5,035   3,099 
Accrued interest  1,455   955 
Accrued gas purchases  2,035   5,440 
Other liabilities  886   1,603 
         
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $30,786  $34,816 


(in thousands) June 30,
2020
  December 31,
2019
 
       
Accounts payable $3,717  $9,875 
Oil and gas revenue suspense  135   3,620 
Gathering and transportation payables  906   1,877 
Production taxes payable  31   3,212 
Accrued lease operating costs  -   664 
Accrued ad valorem taxes-current  562   4,407 
Accrued general and administrative expenses  2,521   3,260 
Asset retirement obligations-current  3,384   5,021 
Accrued interest  791   1,335 
Accrued gas purchases  -   1,392 
Other liabilities  453   494 
         
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities $12,500  $35,157 

NOTE 6 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONOBLIGATIONS

  

The Company’s asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) relate to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells, removal of equipment and facilities from leased acreage and returning such land to its original condition. The fair value of a liability for an ARO is recorded in the period in which it is incurred, and the cost of such liability is recorded as an increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. The liability is accreted each period and the capitalized cost is depleted on a units-of-production basis as part of the full cost pool. Revisions to the estimated ARO liability result in adjustments to the related capitalized asset and corresponding liability.


The ARO liability is based on estimated economic lives, estimates of the cost to abandon the wells in the future, and federal and state regulatory requirements. The liability is discounted using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate estimated at the time the liability is incurred or adjusted as a result of a reassessment of expected cash flows and assumptions inherent in the estimation of the liability. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimated abandonment costs or well economic lives, or if federal or state regulators enact new requirements regarding the abandonment of wells. 

 

The following table is a reconciliation of ARO:

  

 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019 2018  2020 2019 
Balance at beginning of period $22,310 $7,737  $22,535  $22,310 
Accretion expense 1,219 510   777   799 
Additions and revisions  294  3,590 
Obligations discharged with Appalachia Divestiture  (14,027)  - 
Additions  7   - 
Balance at end of period $23,823 $11,837  $9,292  $23,109 
Less: Current portion  (5,035)  (902)  (3,384)  (3,708)
Non-current portion $18,788 $10,935  $5,908  $19,401 

 

NOTE 7 – CREDIT FACILITIES AND NOTES PAYABLE

 

The table below summarizes the outstanding credit facilities and notes payable:

        

(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 
2018 Credit Facility – revolver $71,150 $69,150  $-  $69,150 
2018 Credit Facility – term note 8,333 15,000   -   5,833 
Old Ironsides Notes 24,826 25,065   15,836   25,675 
Paycheck Protection Program Loan  1,339   - 
Other debt  58  57   26   45 
Total debt 104,367 109,272   17,201   100,703 
Less: unamortized debt discount  (67)  (134)  -   (45)
Total credit facilities and notes payable 104,300 109,138   17,201   100,658 
Current portion of credit facilities and notes payable  (8,266)  (11,910)  (1,339)  (5,788)
Non-current debt, net of current portion and unamortized debt discount $96,034 $97,228  $15,862  $94,870 

 

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

Reclass of non-current portion is open.

In May 2020, the Company received loan proceeds of approximately $1.3 million (“PPP Loan”) under the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”). The PPP, established as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The PPP Loan and accrued interest are forgivable after 24 weeks as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels. For purposes of the PPP Loan, payroll costs exclude cash compensation of an individual employee in excess of $100,000, prorated annually. Not more than 40% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates full-time employees or reduces salaries and wages for employees with salaries of $100,000 or less annually by more than 25% during the 24-week period.

The PPP Loan is evidenced by a promissory note, dated as of May 13, 2020 (the “PPP Note”), which contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults and breaches of representations and warranties, and bears interest at 1.0% per annum. No payments of principal or interest are due during the six-month period beginning on the date of the PPP Note (the “Deferral Period”).

The Company intends to use the proceeds for purposes consistent with the PPP. In order to obtain full or partial forgiveness of the PPP Loan, the Company must request forgiveness and must provide satisfactory documentation in accordance with applicable Small Business Administration (“SBA”) guidelines. Interest payable on the PPP Note may be forgiven only if the SBA agrees to pay such interest on the forgiven principal amount of the PPP Note. The Company will be obligated to repay any portion of the principal amount of the PPP Note that is not forgiven, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon at the rate set forth above, until such unforgiven portion is paid in full. We intend to apply for forgiveness of the PPP Note as soon as we are eligible.

Beginning one month following expiration of the Deferral Period, and continuing monthly until 24 months from the date of the PPP Note (the “Maturity Date”), the Company is obligated to make monthly payments of principal and interest to the Lender with respect to any unforgiven portion of the PPP Note, in such equal amounts required to fully amortize the principal amount outstanding on the PPP Note as of the last day of the Deferral Period by the Maturity Date. The Company is permitted to prepay the PPP Note at any time without payment of any prepayment premium or penalty.


Carbon Appalachia

 

2018 Credit Facility

 

In connection with and concurrently with the closing of the OIE Membership Acquisition,2018, the Company and its subsidiaries amended and restated ourits prior credit facilities and entered into a $500.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility maturing December 31, 2022 and a $15.0 million term loan maturing in 2020 (the“2018 Credit Facility”). The 2018 Credit Facility includes a sublimit of $1.5 million for letters of credit. The borrowers under the 2018 Credit Facility arewere Carbon Appalachia Enterprises, LLC (“CAE”) and various other subsidiaries of the Company (including Nytis Exploration (USA) Inc., a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Nytis USA”), together with CAE, the“Borrowers”). Under the 2018 Credit Facility, Carbon Energy Corporation isthe Company was neither a borrower nor a guarantor. The initial borrowing base under the 2018 Credit Facility was $75.0 million and remained so as of September 30, 2019.

The 2018 Credit Facility is guaranteed by each existing and future direct or indirect subsidiary of the Borrowers and certain other subsidiaries of the Company (subject to various exceptions) and the obligations under the 2018 Credit Facility are secured by essentially all tangible, intangible and real property (subject to certain exclusions).

Interest accrues on borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility at a rate per annum equal to either (i) the base rate plus a margin equal to 0.25% - 0.75% depending on the utilization percentage or (ii) the Adjusted London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) plus a margin equal to 2.75% - 3.75% depending on the utilization percentage, at the Borrowers’ option. The Borrowers are obligated to pay certain fees and expenses in connection with the 2018 Credit Facility, including a commitment fee for any unused amounts of 0.50% and an origination fee of 0.50%.million. Loans under the 2018 Credit Facility may be prepaid without premium or penalty.


The 2018 Credit Facility also provides for a $15.0 million term loan which bearsUsing proceeds from the Appalachia Divestiture, we repaid the outstanding principal balance and accrued interest at a rate of 6.25% and is payable in 18 equal monthly installments beginning February 1, 2019 with the last payment due on July 1, 2020.

The 2018 Credit Facility contains certain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the Borrowers’ ability to (i) incur additional debt; (ii) incur additional liens; (iii) sell, transfer or dispose of assets; (iv) merge or consolidate, wind-up, dissolve or liquidate; (v) make dividends and distribution on, or repurchase of, equity; (vi) make certain investments; (vii) enter into certain transactions with their affiliates; (viii) enter in sale-leaseback transactions; (ix) make optional or voluntary payment of debt other than obligations under the 2018 Credit Facility; (x) changeFacility, including the natureterm loan, of their business; (xi) change their fiscal year or make changes to the accounting treatment or reporting practices; (xii) amend their constituent documents;$72.3 million, and (xiii) enter into certain hedging transactions.

The affirmative and negative covenants are subject to various exceptions, including certain basket amounts and acceptable transaction levels. In addition,terminated the 2018 Credit Facility requires the Borrowers’ compliance, on a consolidated basis, with a maximum Net Debt (all debt of the Borrowing Parties minus all unencumbered cash and cash equivalents of the Borrowers not to exceed $3.0 million) / EBITDAX (as defined) ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and a current ratio, as defined, minimum of 1.00 to 1.00, tested quarterly, commencing with the quarter ending March 31, 2019.May 26, 2020.

 

In August 2019, we amended the 2018 Credit Facility, effective October 1, 2019, to restrict the aging of our accounts payable to 90 days or less, maintain minimum liquidity of $3.0 million and require the sale of certain non-core assets by December 31, 2019. 

As of September 30, 2019, there was approximately $71.2 million in outstanding borrowings and $3.8 million of additional borrowing capacity under the 2018 Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2019, we were in compliance with our financial covenants.

The terms of the 2018 Credit Facility require us to enter into derivative contracts at fixed pricing for a certain percentage of our production. We are party to an International Swaps and Derivatives Association Master Agreements (“ISDA Master Agreements”) with BP Energy Company that establishes standard terms for the derivative contracts and an inter-creditor agreement with LegacyTexas Bank and BP Energy Company whereby any credit exposure related to the derivative contracts entered into by us and BP Energy Company is secured by the collateral and backed by the guarantees supporting the 2018 Credit Facility.

Fees paid in connection with the 2018 Credit Facility totaled approximately $779,000, of which $134,000 was associated with the term loan. The current portion of unamortized fees associated with the credit facility is included in prepaid expense, deposits and other current assets and the non-current portion is included in other non-current assets. The unamortized portion associated with the term loan was $67,000 as of September 30, 2019 and is directly offset against the loan in current liabilities. As of September 30, 2019, we had unamortized deferred issuance costs of approximately $524,000 associated with the 2018 Credit Facility. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we amortized approximately $63,000 and $188,000, respectively, as interest expense associated with the 2018 Credit Facility.

Old Ironsides Notes

 

On December 31, 2018, as partin connection with our acquisition (the “OIE Membership Acquisition”) of all of the OIE Membership Acquisition,Class A Units of Carbon Appalachia from Old Ironside Fund II-A Portfolio Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Old Ironside Fund II-B Portfolio Holding Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, “Old Ironsides”), we delivered unsecured, promissory notes in the aggregate original principal amount of approximately $25.1 million to Old Ironsides (the “Old Ironsides Notes”). The Old Ironsides Notes bear interest at 10.0% per annum and have a term of five years, the first three of which require interest-only payments at the end of each calendar quarter beginning with the quarter ending March 31, 2019. At the end of the three-year interest-only period, the then current outstanding principal balance and interest is to be paid in 24 equal monthly payments. The Old Ironsides Notes also require mandatory prepayments upon the occurrence of certain subsequent liquidity events. A mandatory, one-time principal reduction payment in the aggregate amount of $2.0 million was made to Old Ironsides on February 1, 2019. Subsequent to the closing of the OIE Membership Acquisition, Old Ironsides ceased to be a related party.

 

The interest payable under the Old Ironsides Notes can be paid-in-kind at the election of the Company. This provision allows the Company to increase the principal balance associated with the Old Ironsides Notes. This election creates a second tranche of principal, which bears interest at 12.0% per annum. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, the Company elected payment-in-kind interest of approximately $1.8 million.$662,000.

 


On May 25, 2020, Carbon entered into an Agreement Regarding Payoff and Release or Amendment of Notes (the “Payoff Agreement”) with Old Ironsides. Pursuant to the terms of the Payoff Agreement, Carbon is required to apply certain net proceeds from the Appalachia Divestiture in repayment of the Old Ironsides Notes on specified repayment dates tied to milestones under the MIPA. The initial payment of $10.5 million was paid within three business days after the closing date of the Appalachia Divestiture. The second payment is due within three business days after the settlement and payment of the Final Base Purchase Price (as defined in the MIPA). If the sum of the initial payment and the second payment is at least $20.0 million, the Old Ironsides Notes will be deemed paid in full. If the sum of the initial payment and the second payment is at least $18.0 million but less than $20.0 million, the Old Ironsides Notes will be amended such that the outstanding principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is equal to $21.5 million (less the amount of the initial and second payments) and the Old Ironsides Notes will remain outstanding with no other change to the existing terms. If the sum of the initial payment and the second payment is less than $18.0 million, then Carbon will have the opportunity to make a third payment. 

The third payment would be due within three business days after the first Contingent Payment (as defined in the MIPA). If the sum of the initial payment, the second payment and the third payment is at least $18.0 million, the Old Ironsides Notes will be amended such that the outstanding principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is equal to $23.0 million (less the amount of the initial, second and third payments) and the Old Ironsides Notes will remain outstanding with no other change to the existing terms. If the sum of the initial payment, the second payment and the third payment is less than $18.0 million, the payments made by Carbon as of such date will be considered mandatory prepayments and the Old Ironsides Notes will remain outstanding with a maturity date of December 31, 2023 and no change to the existing terms.

Carbon California

  

The table below summarizes the outstanding notes payable – related party:

 

(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 
Senior Revolving Notes, related party, due February 15, 2022 $32,800  $38,500  $37,200  $33,000 
Subordinated Notes, related party, due February 15, 2024  13,000   13,000   13,390   13,000 
Total principal  45,800   51,500   50,590   46,000 
Less: Deferred notes costs  (185)  (235)  (154)  (175)
Less: unamortized debt discount  (1,150)  (1,346)  (952)  (1,084)
Total notes payable – related party $44,465  $49,919  $49,484  $44,741 

 

9

Senior Revolving Notes, Related Party

 

On February 15, 2017, Carbon California entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “Note Purchase Agreement) for the issuance and sale of Senior Secured Revolving Notes to Prudential with an initial revolving borrowing capacity of $25.0 million which mature on February 15, 2022 (the “Senior Revolving Notes”). Carbon Energy CorporationThe Company is not a guarantor of the Senior Revolving Notes. The closing of the Note Purchase Agreement on February 15, 2017 resulted in the sale and issuance by Carbon California of Senior Revolving Notes in the principal amount of $10.0 million. The maximum principal amount available under the Senior Revolving Notes is based upon the borrowing base attributable to Carbon California’s proved oil and gas reserves which is to be determined at least semi-annually. As of September 30, 2019,On April 1, 2020, the borrowing base was $45.0 million, of which $32.8 million was outstanding.  redetermined and reduced to $40.0 million.  Effective June 30, 2020, and through December 31, 2020, Prudential is no longer obligated to make advances under the Senior Revolving Notes.

   

Carbon California may elect to incur interest at either (i) 5.50% plus LIBOR or (ii) 4.50% plus the Prime Rate (which is defined as the interest rate published daily by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.). As of September 30,December 31, 2019, the effective borrowing rate for the Senior Revolving Notes was 7.60%7.10%. In addition, the Senior Revolving Notes include a commitment fee for any unused amounts at 0.50% as well as an annual administrative fee of $75,000, payable on February 15 each year.

 

The Senior Revolving Notes are secured by all the assets of Carbon California. The Senior Revolving Notes require Carbon California, as of January 1 and July 1 of each year, to hedge its anticipated proved developed production at such time for year one, two and three at a rate of 75%, 65% and 50%, respectively. Carbon California may make principal payments in minimum installments of $500,000. Distributions to equity members are generally restricted.

 

Carbon California incurred fees directly associated with the issuance of the Senior Revolving Notes and amortizes these fees over the life of the Senior Revolving Notes. The current portion of these fees are included in prepaid expenseexpenses and deposits and the long-term portion is included in other non-current assets for a combined value of approximately $669,000.$458,000. For the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Carbon California amortized fees of $70,000 and $202,000,$141,000, respectively.

 

Carbon California may at any time repay the Senior Revolving Notes, in whole or in part, without penalty. Carbon California must pay down Senior Revolving Notes or provide mortgages of additional oil and natural gas properties to the extent that outstanding loans and letters of credit exceed the borrowing base.   

 

Subordinated Notes, Related Party

 

On February 15, 2017, Carbon California entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with Prudential Capital Energy Partners, L.P. for the issuance and sale of Subordinated Notes due February 15, 2024, bearing interest of 12.0% per annum (the “Subordinated Notes”). Carbon Energy CorporationThe Company is not a guarantor of the Subordinated Notes. The closing of the Securities Purchase Agreement on February 15, 2017 resulted in the sale and issuance by Carbon California of Subordinated Notes in the original principal amount of $10.0 million, all of which remains outstanding as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.

  

Prudential received an additional 1,425 Class A Units, representing 5.0% of the total sharing percentage, for the issuance of the Subordinated Notes. Carbon California valued this unit issuance based on the relative fair value by valuing the units at $1,000 per unit and aggregating the amount with the outstanding Subordinated Notes of $10.0 million. The Company then allocated the non-cash value of the units of approximately $1.3 million, which was recorded as a discount to the Subordinated Notes. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Carbon California hashad an outstanding discount of approximately $780,000,$646,000, which is presented net of the Subordinated Notes within Notes payable-related party on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Carbon California amortized $45,000 and $134,000,$89,000, respectively, associated with the Subordinated Notes.

 

The Subordinated Notes require Carbon California, as of January 1 and July 1 of each year, to hedge its anticipated production at such time for year one, two and three at a rate of 67.5%, 58.5% and 45.0%, respectively.

 

Prepayment of the Subordinated Notes is allowed at 100%, subject to a 3.0% fee of outstanding principal. Prepayment is not subject to a prepayment fee after February 17, 2020. Distributions to equity members are generally restricted. 

 


2018 Subordinated Notes, Related Party

 

On May 1, 2018, Carbon California entered into an agreement with Prudential for the issuance and sale of $3.0 million in subordinated notes due February 15, 2024, bearing interest of 12.0% per annum (the “2018 Subordinated Notes”), of which $3.0 million remains outstanding as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.

 

Prudential received 585 Class A Units, representing an approximate 2.0% additional sharing percentage, for the issuance of the 2018 Subordinated Notes. Carbon California valued this unit issuance based on the relative fair value by valuing the units at $1,000 per unit and aggregating the amount with the outstanding 2018 Subordinated Notes of $3.0 million. The Company then allocated the non-cash value of the units of approximately $490,000, which was recorded as a discount to the 2018 Subordinated Notes. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Carbon California had an outstanding discount of $370,000$307,000 associated with these notes, which is presented net of the 2018 Subordinated Notes within Notes payable - related party on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Carbon California amortized $21,000$42,000 and $63,000,$21,000, respectively, associated with the 2018 Subordinated Notes.

 

The 2018 Subordinated Notes require Carbon California, as of January 1 and July 1 of each year, to hedge its anticipated production at such time for year one, two and three at a rate of 67.5%, 58.5% and 45.0%, respectively.

 

Prepayment of the 2018 Subordinated Notes is allowed at 100%, subject to a 3.0% fee of outstanding principal. Prepayment is not subject to a prepayment fee after February 17, 2020. Distributions to equity members are generally restricted.

 


Restrictions and Covenants

 

The Senior Revolving Notes, Subordinated Notes and 2018 Subordinated Notes contain affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit Carbon California’s ability to (i) incur additional debt; (ii) incur additional liens; (iii) sell, transfer or dispose of assets; (iv) merge or consolidate, wind-up, dissolve or liquidate; (v) make dividends and distributions on, or repurchases of, equity; (vi) make certain investments; (vii) enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; (viii) enter into sales-leaseback transactions; (ix) make optional or voluntary payments of debt; (x) change the nature of our business; (xi) change our fiscal year to make changes to the accounting treatment or reporting practices; (xii) amend constituent documents; and (xiii) enter into certain hedging transactions.

 

In December 2019, Carbon California amended the Senior Revolving Notes, the Subordinated Notes and the 2018 Subordinated Notes to amend the total leverage ratio and senior leverage ratio, effective September 30, 2019. The Senior Revolving Notes were also amended to provide a mechanism to determine a successor reference rate to LIBOR.

In July 2020, Carbon California amended the Senior Revolving Notes, the Subordinated Notes and the 2018 Subordinated Notes to restrict additional withdrawals under the Senior Revolving Notes through December 31, 2020, amend the total leverage ratio, senior leverage ratio and interest coverage ratio and provide a waiver for non-compliance with its Senior Revolving Notes/EBITDA ratio at March 31, 2020. Also, the interest payable under the Subordinated Notes and the 2018 Subordinated Notes beginning May 15, 2020 would be paid in kind and added to the outstanding principal amount of each note. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, paid in kind interest was approximately $390,000.

The affirmative and negative covenants are subject to various exceptions, including basket amounts and acceptable transaction levels. In addition, (i) the Senior Revolving Notes require at June 30, 2020 Carbon California’s compliance with (A) a maximum Debt/EBITDA ratio of 4.06.0 to 1.0 (B) a maximum Senior Revolving Notes/EBITDA ratio of 2.54.5 to 1.0 and (C) a minimum interest coverage ratio of 2.01.65 to 1.0 and (D) a minimum current ratio of 1.0 to 1.01 and (ii) the Subordinated Notes require at June 30, 2020 Carbon California’s compliance with (A) a maximum Debt/EBITDA ratio of 4.756.90 to 1.0, (B) a maximum Senior Revolving Notes/EBITDA ratio of 3.05.18 to 1.0, (C) a minimum interest coverage ratio of 1.61.4 to 1.0, (D) an asset coverage test whereby indebtedness may not exceed the product of 0.65 times Adjusted PV-10 of proved developed reserves set forth in the most recent reserve report, (E) maintenance of a minimum borrowing base of $10.0$30.0 million under the Senior Revolving Notes and (F) a minimum current ratio of 0.85 to 1.00.

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, Carbon California was not in compliance with its Senior Revolving Notes/EBITDA ratio. We are currently negotiating an amendment to the covenant requirements with Prudential, a 46.08% owner of Carbon California, and are confident we will be successful in amending thefinancial covenants. While we have historically been successful in renegotiating covenant requirements with our lenders, there can be no assurance that we will be able to do so successfully in the future.

 

NOTE 8 – LEASES

On January 1, 2019, we adopted Topic 842. Results for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2019 are presented in accordance with Topic 842, while prior period amounts are reported in accordance with Topic 840 – Leases. On January 1, 2019, we recognized approximately $7.7 million in right-of-use assets and approximately $7.7 million in lease liabilities, representing the present value of minimum payment obligations associated with compressor, vehicle, and office space operating leases with non-cancellable lease terms in excess of one year. We do not have any finance leases, nor are we the lessor in any leasing arrangements. We have elected certain practical expedients available under Topic 842 including those that permit us to (i) account for lease and non-lease components in our contracts as a single lease component for all asset classes; (ii) not evaluate existing and expired land easements; (iii) not apply the recognition requirements of Topic 842 to leases with a lease term of twelve months or less; and (iv) retain our existing lease assessment and classification. As such, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings required at January 1, 2019.

The lease amounts disclosed herein are presented on a gross basis. A portion of these costs may have been or will be billed to other working interest owners, and our net share of these costs, once paid, are included in lease operating expenses, pipeline operating expenses or general and administrative expenses, as applicable.

Our right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized at their discounted present value on the balance sheet. All leases recognized on our unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet are classified as operating leases, which include leases related to the asset classes reflected in the table below:

(in thousands) Right-of-Use Assets  Lease
Liability
 
Compressors $3,459  $3,459 
Corporate leases  2,225   2,239 
Vehicles  839   715 
Total $6,523  $6,413 


We recognize lease expense on a straight-line basis excluding short-term and variable lease payments which are recognized as incurred. Short-term lease cost represents payments for leases with a lease term of twelve months or less, excluding leases with a term of one month or less. Short-term leases include certain compressors and vehicles that have a non-cancellable lease term of less than one year.

The following table summarizes the components of our gross operating lease costs incurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019:

(in thousands) Three Months Ended
September 30,
2019
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2019
 
Operating lease cost $530  $1,598 
Short-term lease cost  156   473 
Total lease cost $686  $2,071 

We do not have any leases with an implicit interest rate that can be readily determined. As a result, we calculate collateralized incremental borrowing rates to use as discount rates. We utilize the benchmark rates defined in our credit facilities, and adjust for facility utilization and term considerations, to establish collateralized incremental borrowing rates. See Note 7 for additional information on our credit facilities.

Our weighted-average lease term and discount rate used are as follows:

September 30,
2019
Weighted-average lease term (years)3.82
Weighted-average discount rate6.36%

The following table summarizes supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases: 

(in thousands) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2019
 
Cash paid for operating leases $1,707 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations $465 

Minimum future commitments by year for our long-term operating leases as of September 30, 2019 are presented in the table below. Such commitments are reflected at undiscounted values and are reconciled to the discounted present value recognized on the balance sheet as follows:

(in thousands) Amount 
Remainder of 2019 $505 
2020  1,960 
2021  1,902 
2022  1,704 
2023  1,157 
Thereafter  10 
Total future minimum lease payments $7,238 
Less: imputed interest  (825)
Total lease liabilities $6,413 


NOTE 9 – REVENUE

 

The following tables present our disaggregated revenue by primary region within the United States and major product line:

 

For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 (in thousands):

 

 Appalachian and Illinois Basins Ventura Basin Total  Appalachian and Illinois Basins Ventura Basin Total 
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
 Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018  2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 
                          
Natural gas sales $11,962  $3,856  $1  $516  $11,963  $4,372  $4,011  $13,879  $127  $337  $4,138  $14,216 
Natural gas liquids sales  -   -   10   406   10   406   -   -   49   195   49   195 
Oil sales  1,327   3,327   7,722   8,523   9,049   11,850   194   1,558   3,573   8,344   3,767   9,902 
Transportation and handling  304   -   -   -   304   -   274   322   -   -   274   322 
Marketing gas sales  3,491   -   -   -   3,491   -   2,380   3,221   -   -   2,380   3,221 
Total $17,084  $7,183  $7,733  $9,445  $24,817  $16,628  $6,859  $18,980  $3,749  $8,876  $10,608  $27,856 

  

For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 (in thousands):

 

 Appalachian and Illinois Basins Ventura Basin Total  Appalachian and Illinois Basins Ventura Basin Total 
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
 2019 2018 2019 2018 2019 2018  2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 
                          
Natural gas sales $44,633 $10,776 $862 $1,059 $45,495 $11,835  $12,030  $32,671  $542  $861  $12,572  $33,532 
Natural gas liquids sales - - 451 1,119 451 1,119   -   -   201   441   201   441 
Oil sales 4,422 5,952 23,518 16,972 27,940 22,924   1,339   3,095   9,643   15,796   10,982   18,891 
Transportation and handling 1,361 - - - 1,361 -   908   1,056   -   -   908   1,056 
Marketing gas sales  11,656  -  -  -  11,656  -   8,698   8,165   -   -   8,698   8,165 
Total $62,072 $16,728 $24,831 $19,150 $86,903 $35,878  $22,975  $44,987  $10,386  $17,098  $33,361  $62,085 

 

We record revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser, but settlement statements may not be received until 30 to 90 days after the month of production. As such, we estimate the production delivered and the related pricing. The estimated revenue is recorded within Accounts receivable – Revenue on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Any differences between our initial estimates and actuals are recorded in the month payment is received from the customer. These differences have not historically been material. Revenue recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, that related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was immaterial.


NOTE 109 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

 

We have three stock plans, the Carbon 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, the Carbon 2015 Stock Incentive Plan and the Carbon 2019 Long Term Incentive Plan (collectively the “Carbon Plans”). The Carbon 2019 Long Term Incentive Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders in May 2019. The Carbon Plans provide for the issuance of approximately 1.6 million shares of common stock to our officers, directors, employees or consultants eligible to receive the awards under the Carbon Plans. As of June 30, 2020, there were approximately 254,000 shares of common stock available to be granted under the Carbon Plans.

   

The Carbon Plans provide for the granting of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock awards, performance awards and phantom stock awards, or a combination of the foregoing, to employees, officers, directors or consultants, provided that only employees may be granted incentive stock options and directors may only be granted restricted stock awards and phantom stock awards.

The Appalachia Divestiture was a change in control event; therefore, we accelerated the vesting of substantially all outstanding unvested restricted stock and unvested restricted performance units. Any remaining unvested restricted performance units were forfeited due to certain performance measures not achieved.

 

Restricted Stock

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, approximately 748,000847,000 shares of restricted stock have been granted under the terms of the Carbon Plans. Restricted stock awards for employees vest ratably over a three-year service period or cliff vest at the end of a three-year service period. For non-employee directors, the awards vest upon the earlier of a change in control of us or the date their membership on the Board of Directors is terminated other than for cause.cause as defined in the agreement. During the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, approximately 105,000400,000 restricted stock units vested.

 

Compensation costs recognized for these restricted stock grants were approximately $204,000$1.7 million and $607,000$1.9 million for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, respectively, and approximately $187,000$224,000 and $537,000$403,000 for the three and ninesix months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019, there was approximately $1.5 million unrecognized compensation costs related to these restricted stock grants which we expect to be recognized over the next 6.5 years.respectively.

 


Restricted Performance Units

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, approximately 699,000804,000 shares of performance units have been granted under the terms of the Carbon Plans. Performance units represent a contractual right to receive one share of our common stock subject to the terms and conditions of the agreements, including the achievement of certain performance measures relative to a defined peer group or the growth of certain performance measures over a defined period of time as well as, in some cases, continued service requirements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, approximately 95,000 performance units vested.

        

We account for the performance units granted during 2017 through2018 and 2019 at their fair value determined at the date of grant, which were $7.20, $9.80 and $10.00 per share, respectively. The final measurement of compensation cost will be based on the number of performance units that ultimately vest. At SeptemberDuring the six months ended June 30, 2019, we estimated that none of the2020, approximately 251,000 performance units granted in 2017 through 2019 would vest,vested and accordingly, nowe recognized $1.4 million of compensation cost has been recorded for these performance units. We estimated that it was probable that the performance units granted in 2015 and 2016 would vest and therefore compensation costs of approximately $43,000 and $135,000 related to these performance units were recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. As of September 30, 2019, compensation costs related to the performance units granted in 2015 and 2016 have been fully recognized. As of September 30, 2019, if change in control and other performance provisions pursuant to the terms and conditions of these award agreements are met in full, the estimated unrecognized compensation cost related to outstanding performance units would be approximately $3.8 million.costs.

 

NOTE 1110 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders for the period by the basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per common share includes potentially issuable shares consisting primarily of non-vested restricted stock and contingent restricted performance units, using the treasury stock method. In periods when we report a net loss, all common stock equivalents are excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares outstanding because they would have an anti-dilutive effect, meaning the loss per share would be reduced.

 

For the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019, and 2018, approximately 275,000 and 497,000276,000 shares respectively, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, approximately 275,000 and 280,000 shares, respectively, were considered anti-dilutive andof restricted performance units subject to future contingencies were excluded from the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share.

 

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2019  2018  2019  2018 
             
Net income (loss) attributable to controlling interests before preferred shares $3,182  $(725) $5,311  $2,264 
Less: net income attributable to preferred shares – preferred return  75   -   225   - 
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, basic  3,107   (725)  5,086   2,264 
Less: warrant derivative gain  -   -   -   (225)
Less: beneficial conversion feature  -   -   -   (1,125)
Less: deemed dividend for convertible preferred shares  -   (77)  -   (147)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders, diluted  3,107   (802)  5,086   767 
                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic  7,839   7,701   7,780   7,466 
                 
Add dilutive effects of non-vested shares of restricted stock and restricted performance units  302   -   302   315 
                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, diluted  8,141   7,701   8,082   7,781 
                 
Net income (loss) per common share, basic $0.40  $(0.09) $0.65  $0.30 
Net income (loss) per common share, diluted $0.38  $(0.10) $0.63  $0.10 

  Three Months
Ended
June 30,
  Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts) 2020  2019  2020  2019 
             
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders, basic and diluted  (48,011)  6,154   (38,287)  1,979 
                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, basic  8,118   7,815   7,964   7,739 
                 
Add dilutive effects of non-vested shares of restricted stock and restricted performance units  -   342   -   342 
                 
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding, diluted  8,118   8,157   7,964   8,081 
                 
Net (loss) income per common share, basic $(5.91) $0.79  $(4.81) $0.26 
Net (loss) income per common share, diluted $(5.91) $0.75  $(4.81) $0.24 

17


Series B Convertible Preferred Stock - Related Party

 

In connection with the closing of the Seneca Acquisition,May 2018, we raised $5.0 million through the issuance of 50,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Preferred Stock”) to Yorktown. The Preferred Stock converts into common stock at the election of the holder or will automatically convert into shares of our common stock upon completion of a qualifying equity financing event. The number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion is dependent upon the price per share of common stock issued in connection with any such qualifying equity financing but has a floor conversion price equal to $8.00 per share. The conversion ratio at which the Preferred Stock will convert into common stock is equal to an amount per share of $100 plus all accrued but unpaid dividends payable in respect thereof divided by the greater of (i) $8.00 per share or (ii) the price that is 15.0% less than the lowest price per share of shares sold to the public in the next equity financing. Using the floor of $8.00 per share would yield 12.5 shares of common stock for every unit of Preferred Stock. The conversion price will be proportionately increased or decreased to reflect changes to the outstanding shares of common stock, such as the result of a combination, reclassification, subdivision, stock split, stock dividend or other similar transaction involving the common stock. Additionally, after the third anniversary of the issuance of the Preferred Stock, we have the option to redeem the shares for cash.

 

The Preferred Stock accrues cash dividends at a rate of 6.0% of the initial issue price of $100 per share per annum. The holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to the same number of votes of common stock that such share of Preferred Stock would represent on an as converted basis. The holders of the Preferred Stock receive liquidation preference based on the initial issue price of $100 per share plus a preferred return over common stockholders and the holders of any junior ranking stock. The preferred return was approximately $449,000$674,000 as of SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and increased by $225,000$150,000 during the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.

 

Yorktown waived its right to be paid a liquidating distribution of approximately $5.6 million in connection with the Appalachia Divestiture until the restricted payment covenant in the Old Ironsides Notes is waived by Old Ironsides or until the payment in full of the Old Ironsides Notes or the earlier termination or cancellation of the Old Ironsides Notes, at which point the liquidating distribution will become immediately due and payable by Carbon out of Carbon’s assets legally available for distribution to its stockholders. 

NOTE 1211 – INCOME TAXES

 

We recognize deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We have net operating loss carryforwards available in certain jurisdictions to reduce future taxable income. Future tax benefits from net operating loss carryforwards are recognized to the extent that realization of these benefits is considered more likely than not. To the extent that available evidence raises doubt about the realization of a deferred income tax asset, a valuation allowance is established.

 

At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, the Company has established a full valuation allowance against the balance of net deferred tax assets.

 

NOTE 1312 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis by level:

 

(in thousands) Fair Value Measurements Using  Fair Value Measurements Using 
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total 
September 30, 2019         
June 30, 2020         
Assets:                  
Commodity derivatives $-  $9,794  $-  $9,794  $-  $9,000  $-  $9,000 
                                
December 31, 2018                
December 31, 2019                
Assets:                                
Commodity derivatives $-  $7,022  $-  $7,022  $-  $7,079  $-  $7,079 
Liabilities:                
Commodity derivatives $-  $556  $-  $556 

  

Commodity Derivative

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, our commodity derivative financial instruments are comprised of natural gas and oil swaps and costless collars. The fair values of these agreements are determined under an income valuation technique. The valuation model requires a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, published forward prices, volatilities for options and discount rates, as appropriate. Our estimates of fair value of derivatives include consideration of the counterparty’s credit worthiness, our credit worthiness and the time value of money. The consideration of these factors results in an estimated exit-price for each derivative asset or liability under a market placemarketplace participant’s view. All the significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; therefore, our derivative instruments are included within the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.

  


Assets and Liabilities Measured and Recorded at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis

 

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis; however, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. The fair value of each of the following assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a non-recurring basis are based on unobservable pricing inputs and therefore, are included within the Level 3 fair value hierarchy.


The fair value of the non-controlling interests in the partnerships we are required to consolidate was determined based on the net discounted cash flows of the proved developed producing properties attributable to the non-controlling interests in these partnerships.

Firm transportation contracts. We assume, at times, certain firm transportation contracts as part of our acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties. The fair value of the firm transportation contract obligations was determined based upon the contractual obligations assumed by us and discounted based upon our effective borrowing rate. Subsequent to the Appalachia Divestiture, we no longer have any firm transportation contracts.

 

The fair value measurements associated with the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the business combination for the OIE Membership Acquisition of Carbon Appalachia are outlined within Note 3.

Debt DiscountDiscount.

The fair value of the debt discount from the 1,425 and 585 additional Class A Units issued in connection with the Subordinated Notes and 2018 Subordinated Notes was $1.3 million and $490,000, respectively. The debt discount was a Level 3 fair value assessment and was based on the relative fair value of Class A Units. Class A Units were issued contemporaneously at $1,000 per Class A Unit.

 

Asset Retirement ObligationObligations

. The fair value of our asset retirement obligation liability is recorded in the period in which it is incurred or assumed by taking into account the cost of abandoning oil and gas wells ranging from $20,000 to $45,000, which is based on our historical experience and industry expectations for similar work; the estimated timing of reclamation ranging from one to 75 years based on estimates from reserve engineers; an inflation rate between 1.52% to 2.79%; and a credit adjusted risk-free rate between 3.28% to 8.27%, which takes into account our credit risk and the time value of money. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation liability is deemed to use Level 3 inputs. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we did not record any additions to asset retirement obligations. We use the income valuation technique to estimate the fair value of asset retirement obligations using the amounts and timing of expected future dismantlement costs, credit-adjusted risk-free rates and time value of money. 

Class B Units

We received Class B units from Carbon California and Carbon Appalachia as part of the entry into the Carbon California LLC Agreement and Carbon Appalachia LLC Agreement, respectively. We estimated the fair value of the Class B units, in each case, by utilizing the assistance of third-party valuation specialists. The fair values were based upon enterprise values derived from inputs including estimated future production rates, future commodity prices including price differentials as of the dates of closing, future operating and development costs and comparable market participants.

 

NOTE 1413 – COMMODITY DERIVATIVES

 

We historically use commodity-based derivative contracts to manage exposures to commodity price on a portion of our oil and natural gas production. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. We also have entered into, on occasion, oil and natural gas physical delivery contracts to effectively provide commodity price hedges. Because these contracts are not expected to be net cash settled, they are considered to be normal sales contracts and not derivatives. These contracts are not recorded at fair value in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

We have entered into swap and costless collar derivative agreements to hedge a portion of our oil and natural gas production through December 2022. Subsequent to the Appalachia Divestiture, our remaining derivative contracts relate to Carbon California production. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, these derivative agreements consisted of the following:

 

  Natural Gas Swaps*  Natural Gas Collars* 
     Weighted
Average
     Weighted
Average Price
 
Year MMBtu  Price (a)  MMBtu  Range (a) 
             
2019  3,735,000  $2.83   92,000  $2.60 – $3.03 
2020  12,433,000  $2.73   1,128,0000  $2.40 – $2.75 
2021  6,448,000  $2.58   65,000  $2.40 – $2.75 

  Oil Swaps*  Oil Collars*
Year WTI
Bbl
  Weighted
Average
Price (a)
  Brent
Bbl
  Weighted
Average
Price (b)
  Brent
Bbl
  Weighted
Average
Price (b)
2020  41,867  $50.12   123,630  $64.22   30,400  $ 47.00 - $75.00
2021  -  $-   86,341  $67.12   190,000  $ 47.00 - $75.00
2022  -  $-   -  $-   199,900  $ 50.00 - $61.00

 


  Oil Swaps*  Oil Collars* 
Year WTI Bbl  Weighted Average Price (b)  Brent Bbl  Weighted Average Price (c)  WTI Bbl  Weighted Average Price (b)  Brent Bbl  Weighted Average Price (c) 
2019  70,835  $53.36   54,091  $65.45   5,200  $47.50 - $57.35   16,400  $47.00 - $75.00 
2020  121,147  $55.37   162,482  $65.67   28,200  $47.00 - $60.15   57,900  $47.00 - $75.00 
2021  -  $-   86,341  $67.12   49,500  $47.00 - $60.15   130,800  $47.00 - $75.00 
2022  -  $-   -  $-   -  $-   90,800  $50.00 - $61.00 

  

*Includes 100% of Carbon California’s outstanding derivative hedges at SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, and not our proportionate share.

(a)NYMEX Henry Hub Natural Gas futures contract for the respective period.
(b)(a)NYMEX Light Sweet Crude West Texas Intermediate futures contractcontracts for the respective period.

(c)(b)Brent future contracts for the respective period.

 

For our swap instruments, we receive a fixed price for the hedged commodity and pay a floating price to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty. Costless collars are designed to establish floor and ceiling prices on anticipated future oil and gas production. The ceiling establishes a maximum price that the Company will receive for the volumes under contract, while the floor establishes a minimum price.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the derivatives recorded in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. These derivative instruments are not designated as cash flow hedging instruments for accounting purposes:

 

(in thousands) September 30,
2019
 December 31,
2018
  June 30,
2020
 December 31,
2019
 
Commodity derivative contracts:          
Commodity derivative asset $6,722  $3,517  $6,129  $5,915 
Commodity derivative asset – non-current $3,072  $3,505  $2,871  $1,164 
Commodity derivative liability $-  $469 
Commodity derivative liability – non-current $-  $87 

 


The table below summarizes the commodity settlements and unrealized gains and losses related to the Company’s derivative instruments for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018. These2019. Changes in the fair value of commodity derivative settlements and unrealized gains and lossescontracts are recorded and includedrecognized in commodity derivative income or lossrevenues in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations.operations and gains and losses are included within the cash flows from operating activities in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. 

 

  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019  2018  2019  2018 
             
Commodity derivative contracts:            
Settlement gains (losses) $2,429  $(1,108) $2,198  $(2,169)
Unrealized gains (losses)  3,166   (2,794)  2,771   (8,381)
                 
Total settlement and unrealized gains (losses), net $5,595  $(3,902) $4,969  $(10,550)
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2020  2019  2020  2019 
             
Commodity derivative contracts:            
Settlement gain (loss) $5,363  $225  $8,441  $(231)
Unrealized gain (loss)  (11,010)  8,455   5,626   (396)
                 
Total commodity derivative gain (loss) $(5,647) $8,680  $14,067  $(627)

   

Commodity derivative settlement gains and losses are included inwithin the cash flows from operating activities in ourthe unaudited condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

We net our derivative instrument fair value amounts pursuant to ISDA Master Agreements, which provide for the net settlement over the term of the contracts and in the event of default or termination of the contracts. The following table summarizes the effect of netting arrangements for recognized derivative assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements or similar arrangements in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020:

 

     Net      Net 
 Gross   Recognized  Gross   Recognized 
 Recognized Gross Fair Value  Recognized Gross Fair Value 
 Assets/ Amounts Assets/  Assets/ Amounts Assets/ 
Balance Sheet Classification (in thousands) Liabilities Offset Liabilities  Liabilities Offset Liabilities 
              
Commodity derivative assets:              
Commodity derivative asset $7,236  $(514) $6,722  $6,196  $(67) $6,129 
Commodity derivative asset – non-current  4,275   (1,203)  3,072   3,674   (803)  2,871 
Total derivative assets $11,511  $(1,717) $9,794  $9,870  $(870) $9,000 
                        
Commodity derivative liabilities:                        
Commodity derivative liability $(514) $514  $-  $(67) $67  $- 
Commodity derivative liability – non-current  (1,203)  1,203   -   (803)  803   - 
Total derivative liabilities $(1,717) $1,717  $-  $(870) $870  $- 

 

Due to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, the estimated fair value of our derivatives areis subject to fluctuations from period to period.


NOTE 1514 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

Delivery Commitments

 

We have entered intohad firm transportation contracts to ensure the transport for certain of our gas production to purchasers. Firm transportation volumes and the related demand charges for the remaining term of theseThese contracts as of September 30, 2019 are summarized in the table below.

Period Dekatherms
per day
  Demand Charges 
Oct 2019 – Mar 2020  58,871  $0.20 - 0.62 
Apr 2020 – May 2020  57,791  $0.20 - 0.56 
Jun 2020 – Oct 2020  56,641  $0.20 - 0.56 
Nov 2020 – Aug 2022  50,341  $0.20 - 0.56 
Sep 2022 – May 2027  30,990  $0.20 - 0.21 
Jun 2027 – May 2036  1,000  $0.20 

As of September 30, 2019, the remaining commitment related to the firm transportation contractswere assumed in the EXCO Acquisition in October 2016 and the OIE Membership Acquisition is $15.6 millionin December 2018 and were reflected in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet. These contractual obligations are reduced monthlyThe remaining volumes and related demand charges for the remaining term of these contracts were assumed by DGOC as of the Company pays these firm transportation obligations.

closing of the Appalachia Divestiture.

 


Natural gas processing agreement

 

We have entered into an initial five-year gas processing agreement expiring in 2022. We have2022 with an option to extend the term of the agreement by another five years. The related demand charges for volume commitments over the remaining term of the agreement arewere approximately $1.8 million per year. We will paypaid a processing fee of $2.50 per Mcf for the term of the agreement, with a minimum annual volume commitment of 720,000 Mcf.

 

Effective June 1, 2020 we entered into a revised gas processing agreement expiring July 31, 2022.  We will pay a processing fee based on actual midstream expenditures and processed gas volumes for the prior calendar year.  The base fee for calendar year 2020 is $3.50 per Mcf delivered to the processor. An additional fee, ranging from 5% to 15% of the processing fee, is attributable to the price of the residue gas sold by the processor. We will receive 100% of the allocated proceeds for the processor’s sale of our residue gas and natural gas liquids.

Capital Commitments

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, we had no capital commitments.

Litigation

The Company is subject to litigation and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company accrues for such items when a liability is both probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. In the opinion of management, the anticipated results of any pending litigation and claims are not expected to have a material effect on the results of operations, the financial position, or the cash flows of the Company.

  

NOTE 1615 – SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW DISCLOSURE

 

Supplemental cash flow disclosures for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 are presented below:

 

  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019  2018 
       
Cash paid during the period for:      
Interest $6,897  $2,770 
Non-cash transactions:        
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(1,195) $(491)
Adjustments to OIE Membership Acquisition purchase price $1,317  $- 
Increase in asset retirement obligations $-  $3,590 
Non-cash acquisition of Carbon California interests $-  $(18,906)
Carbon California Acquisition on February 1, 2018 $-  $17,114 
Obligations assumed with Seneca asset purchase $-  $330 
Accrued dividend for convertible preferred stock $-  $148 
Beneficial conversion feature for convertible preferred stock $-  $1,125 
Exercise of warrant derivative $-  $(1,792)
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2020  2019 
       
Cash paid for interest $3,445  $4,536 
Non-cash transactions:        
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities $(269) $(39)
Increase in asset retirement obligations $7  $- 
Adjustments to OIE Membership Acquisition purchase price $-  $1,317 
         

NOTE 16 – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On August 7, 2020, we obtained the necessary consent that allowed for the conveyance of certain assets associated with the Appalachia Divestiture that were initially excluded pending receipt of such consent. As a result, approximately $400,000 in escrowed funds were released to Carbon, and pursuant to the MIPA, within 10 business days DGOC is to deliver to Carbon approximately $1.6 million in additional funds that were allocated to the properties as part of the MIPA.


16

ITEM 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The following discussion includes forward-looking statements about our business, financial condition and results of operations, including discussions about management’s expectations for our business. These statements represent projections, beliefs and expectations based on current circumstances and conditions, and you should not construe these statements either as assurances of performance or as promises of a given course of action. Instead, various known and unknown factors may cause our actual performance and management’s actions to vary, and the results of these variances may be both material and adverse. A description of material factors known to us that may cause our results to vary or may cause management to deviate from its current plans and expectations, is set forth under “Risk Factors.” The following discussion should be read in conjunction with “Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the information included or incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182019 (the “20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K”).

 

General Overview

 

Carbon Energy Corporation, a Delaware corporation formed in 2007, is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids properties located in the United States.(“NGLs”) properties. We currently develop and operate oil and gas properties in the Appalachian Basin in Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia, in the Illinois Basin in Illinois and Indiana, and in the Ventura Basin in California through our majority-owned subsidiaries. We own 100% of the outstanding interests ofsubsidiary, Carbon Appalachia and Nytis Exploration (USA) Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Nytis USA”), which in turn owns 98.11% of Nytis LLC. Nytis LLC holds interests in our operating subsidiaries, which include 46 consolidated partnerships and 18 non-consolidated partnerships.California. We own 53.92% of Carbon California which we consolidate for financial reporting purposes as a majority-owned subsidiary. We focus on conventional and unconventional reservoirs, including shale, tight sands and coalbed methane. Our executive offices are in Denver, Colorado and we maintain offices in Lexington, Kentucky, and Santa Paula, California from which we conduct our oil and gas operations.

 

At SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, our proved developed reserves were comprised of 22%84% oil and natural gas liquids (“NGL”)NGLs and 78%16% natural gas. Our current capital expenditure program is focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties in areas where we currently operate. We believe that our asset and lease position, combined with our low operating expense structure and technical expertise, provides us with a portfolio of opportunities for the development of our oil and natural gas properties. Our growth plan is centered on the following activities:

 

 Acquire and develop oil and gas producing properties that deliver attractive risk adjusted rates of return, provide for field development projects, and complement our existing asset base; and
   
 Develop, optimize and maintain a portfolio of low risk, long-lived oil and natural gas properties that provide stable cash flows and attractive risk adjusted rates of return.

 

Reverse Stock Split

As more fully described in proxy materials filed with the SEC, the Board of Directors is proposing to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split at a ratio of 4-for-1 (the “Reverse Stock Split”). If the Reverse Stock Split is approved, the Company will file with the Delaware Secretary of State a certificate of amendment to its Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, at which date (the “effective time”) a stockholder owning fewer than four shares immediately prior to the effective time would only be entitled to a fraction of a share of common stock and will be paid cash in lieu of such fraction of a share, on the basis of $1.00 (the “Cash Payment”), for each share of common stock held by the stockholder (the “Cashed Out Stockholder”) immediately prior to effective time and the Cashed Out Stockholders will no longer be a stockholder of the Company. As of July 16, 2020, 90 shareholders that collectively owned 191 shares of the Company’s common stock owned less than four shares of common stock. If the Reverse Stock Split is approved, the Company would pay $191.00 to these Cashed Out Shareholders. The Company will use its own funds to pay the Cashed Out Stockholders.


The purpose of the Reverse Stock Split is to enable the Company to reduce the number of record holders of its common stock below 300, which is the level below which the Company can suspend its duty to file periodic and current reports and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Board of Directors has determined that the costs of being a public reporting company outweigh the benefits of being a public company. After giving effect to the Reverse Stock Split and other actions required to suspend reporting obligations under the Exchange Act, the Company will no longer be subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act or other requirements applicable to a public company, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes Oxley Act”).

The Company anticipates that after the Reverse Stock Split its common stock will trade on the Pink Non-Current platform of the OTC Markets Group.

Factors That Significantly Affect Our Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Our revenue, profitability and future growth rate depend on many factors which are beyond our control, including but not limited to, economic, political and regulatory developments and competition from other industry participants. Our financial results are sensitive to fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices. Oil and gas prices historically have been volatile and may fluctuate widely in the future due to a variety of factors, including but not limited to, prevailing economic conditions, supply and demand of hydrocarbons in the marketplace, actions by speculators, and geopolitical events such as wars or natural disasters.

COVID-19

Like other oil and gas companies, our business is being adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures being taken to mitigate its impact. The pandemic has resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy and on our employees, customers, suppliers and other parties with whom we have business relations. As the coronavirus pandemic and government responses are rapidly evolving, the extent of the impact on domestic exploration and production companies remains unknown. Further, the impact of the pandemic, including the resulting significant reduction in global demand for oil and gas, coupled with the sharp decline in oil prices following the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and other foreign, oil-exporting countries is expected to continue to lead to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular. We have modified certain business and workforce practices (including those related to employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences) to conform to government restrictions and best practices encouraged by governmental and regulatory authorities. However, the quarantine of personnel or the inability to access our facilities or customer sites could adversely affect our operations. Additionally, currently many of our employees are working remotely. We anticipate that our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted as a result of these developments.

Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and related market conditions, we cannot reasonably estimate the period of time these events will persist or the full impact that COVID-19 or the significant disruption and volatility currently being experienced in the oil and natural gas markets will have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations at this time, due to numerous uncertainties. The ultimate impacts will depend on future developments, including, among others, the consequences of countermeasures taken by governments, businesses and individuals to slow the spread of the pandemic, the ability of pharmaceutical companies to develop effective and safe vaccines and therapeutic drugs, the duration of the outbreak, actions taken by customers, suppliers and other third parties, workforce availability, and the timing and extent to which normal economic and operating conditions resume.

18

Oil Pricing Environment

In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, oil prices declined significantly due to potential increases in supply emanating from the disagreement on production cuts among members of OPEC and certain non-OPEC, oil-producing countries. The resulting supply and demand imbalance is having disruptive impacts on the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry and on other industries that serve exploration and production companies. These industry conditions, coupled with those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, could lead to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular. Although OPEC agreed in April to cut production, there is no assurance that the agreement will continue to be observed by its parties and the responses of oil and gas producers to the lower demand for, and price of, oil, natural gas and NGLs are constantly evolving and remain uncertain. In addition, the dramatic decrease in oil and gas prices could have substantial negative implications for our revenue sources that are related to or underpinned by commodity prices. As a result, these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, future results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

For example, in March 2020, the OPEC price war, together with the decline in demand due to slowed economic conditions attributable to COVID-19, contributed to a decline in the price of crude oil from $61.14 per barrel on December 31, 2019 to $20.48 per Bbl on March 31, 2020. The price of crude oil has since partially recovered to $41.70 on August 4, 2020. The following table highlights the quarterly average of NYMEX oil and natural gas prices for the last eightsix calendar quarters:

 

 2017 2018 2019  2020 2019 
 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3  Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 
                              
Oil (Bbl) $55.39  $62.89  $67.90  $69.50  $58.83  $54.90  $59.96  $56.43  $45.78  $28.00  $54.90  $59.96  $56.43  $56.87 
Natural Gas (MMBtu) $2.87  $3.13  $2.77  $2.88  $3.62  $3.00  $2.57  $2.38  $1.90  $1.89  $3.00  $2.57  $2.38  $2.40 

 

Low oil, NGL and natural gas prices may decrease our revenues, may reduce the amount of oil, NGL and natural gas that we can produce economically and potentially lower our oil and natural gas reserves. Our estimated proved reserves may decrease if the economic life of underlying producing wells is shortened as a result of lower oil, NGL and natural gas prices. A substantial or extended decline in oil, NGL or natural gas prices may result in future impairments of our proved reserves and may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations or liquidity. Lower oil, NGL and natural gas prices may also reduce the amount of borrowing base under our bank credit facilities, which are determined at the discretion of our lenders and may make it more difficult to comply with the covenants and other restrictions under our bank credit facilities. 

 


We use the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas properties and perform a ceiling test quarterly. The ceiling calculation utilizes a rolling 12-month average commodity price. We did not recognize an impairment for the three and ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.

 

Future write downs or impairments, if any, are difficult to predict and will depend not only on commodity prices, but also other factors that include, but are not limited to, incremental proved reserves that may be added each period, revisions to previous reserve estimates, capital expenditures and operating costs. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation of proved reserves and accounting for oil and natural gas properties in subsequent periods.

 

Impairment charges do not affect cash flows from operating activities but do adversely affect net income and stockholders’ equity. An extended decline in oil or natural gas prices may materially and adversely affect our future business, financial condition, cash flows and liquidity.

 

We use commodity derivative instruments, such as swaps and costless collars, to manage and reduce price volatility and other market risks associated with our production. These arrangements are structured to reduce our exposure to commodity price decreases, but they can also limit the benefit we might otherwise receive from commodity price increases.

 

Future property acquisitions or dispositions could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations by increasing or decreasing our reserves, production and revenues as well as expenses and future capital expenditures. We currently anticipate that we would finance any future acquisitions with available borrowings under our credit facilities, sales of properties or the issuance of additional equity or debt.

 

Operational Highlights

 

During 2018 and the first three quarters of 2019,2020, we concentrated our efforts on the acquisition and development of producing properties through the prior acquisitions consummated by Carbon California and Carbon Appalachia. In December 2018, we completed the purchase of Old Ironsides’ interests in Carbon Appalachia, resulting in ownership of 100% of Carbon Appalachia (“OIE Membership Acquisition”).California. Our field development activities have consisted principally of oil-related drilling, remediation and return to production and recompletion projects in California. Since closing these acquisitions, weWe have focused on operating efficiencies and reduction of operating expenses, optimization of natural gas gathering and compression facilities, greater flexibility in movingtransporting our production to markets with more favorable pricing, and the identification of development project opportunities to provide more efficient and lower costlower-cost operations. During the third quartersecond half of 2019, we commencedexecuted a three-welltwo-well drilling program in California, that we expect to complete byand as a result of such drilling program, one well was completed in the endfourth quarter of 2019.2019 and the other was completed during the first quarter of 2020. We also completed one well in June 2020. As a result of the recent volatility and historically low oil prices, our remaining 2020 drilling program in California is under review.

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, we owned working interests in approximately 7,800570 gross wells (7,500(520 net), royalty interests located primarily in California Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia and held leasehold positions in approximately 336,4005,200 net developed acres and approximately 1,274,00011,500 net undeveloped acres. Approximately 70%100% of the undeveloped acreage is held by production and of the remaining undeveloped acreage, approximately 87% have lease terms of greater than five years remaining in the primary term or contractual extension periods.fee owned.

 

Our oil and natural gas assets contain an inventory of field development projects which may provide growth opportunities when oil and natural gas commodity prices warrant capital investment to develop the properties.

Recent Developments and Factors Affecting Comparability

 

We are continually evaluating producing property and land acquisition opportunities in our operating areas which would expand our operations and provide attractive risk adjusted rates of return on invested capital. The drilling of additional oil and natural gas wells is contingent on our expectation of future oil and natural gas prices. 

  

Carbon Appalachia

OIE Membership Acquisition

In December 2018, we completed the acquisition of all of the Class A Units of Carbon Appalachia owned by Old Ironsides for a purchase price of $58.1 million, subject to customary and standard purchase price adjustments. As a result of the OIE Membership Acquisition, we now hold all of the issued and outstanding ownership interests of Carbon Appalachia, along with its direct and indirect subsidiaries (Carbon Appalachia Group, LLC, Carbon Tennessee Mining Company, LLC, Carbon Appalachia Enterprises, LLC, Carbon West Virginia Company, LLC, Cranberry Pipeline Corporation, Knox Energy, LLC, Coalfield Pipeline Company and Appalachia Gas Services Company, LLC). The OIE Membership Acquisition was funded with cash, debt and the issuance of notes to Old Ironsides. See Note 3 – Acquisitions in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for additional information on the OIE Membership Acquisition.

Liberty Acquisition

In July 2018, we completed an acquisition of 54 operated oil and gas wells covering approximately 55,000 gross acres (22,000 net) and the associated mineral interests in the Appalachian Basin for a purchase price of $3.0 million, subject to customary and standard purchase price adjustments (the “Liberty Acquisition”).  The Liberty Acquisition increased our working interest in the acquired wells from 60% to 100%.  The Liberty Acquisition was funded through borrowings under our previous credit facility. The Liberty Acquisition was accounted for as a non-significant asset acquisition.


Carbon California

Seneca Acquisition

In May 2018, but effective as of October 1, 2017, Carbon California acquired 332 operated oil wells and one non-operated oil well covering approximately 6,800 gross acres (6,600 net), and fee interests in and to certain lands, situated in the Ventura Basin, together with associated wells, pipelines, facilities, equipment and other property rights for a purchase price of $43.0 million, subject to customary and standard purchase price adjustments, from Seneca Resources Corporation (the “Seneca Acquisition”). We contributed approximately $5.0 million to Carbon California to fund our portion of the purchase price with the remainder funded by Prudential and debt. We raised $5.0 million through the issuance of 50,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, to Yorktown.

Principal Components of Our Cost Structure

 

 Lease operating expenses. Lease operating expenses are costs incurred to bring oil and natural gas out of the ground, together with the costs incurred to maintain our producing properties. Such costs include maintenance, repairs and workover expenses related to our oil and natural gas properties.

 

 Pipeline operating expenses. Pipeline operating expenses are costs incurred to accept, transport and deliver gas across our midstream assets.

 

 Transportation and gathering costs. Transportation and gathering costs are incurred to bring oil and natural gas to market. Gathering refers to the utilization of low-pressure pipelines to move the oil and natural gas from the wellhead into a transportation pipeline or natural gas processing facility, or in case of oil, into a tank battery or pipeline from which sales of oil are made.

 

Production and property taxes.  Production and property taxes consist of severance, property and ad valorem taxes. Production and severance taxes are paid on oil and natural gas produced based on a percentage of market prices or at fixed rates established by federal, state or local taxing authorities. Ad valorem tax rates, which can fluctuate by year, are determined by individual counties where we have production and are assessed on our sales one or two years in arrears depending on the location of the production.

 

 Marketing gas purchases.  Marketing gas purchases consist of third-party purchases of gas associated with our midstream operations.

 

 Depreciation, amortization and impairment. We use the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. All costs incidental to the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, including costs of undeveloped leasehold, dry holes and leasehold equipment, are capitalized. We perform a quarterly ceiling test based on average first-of-the-month prices during the twelve-month period prior to the reporting date. The full cost ceiling test is a limitation on capitalized costs prescribed by the SEC. The ceiling test is not a fair value-based measurement; rather, it is a standardized mathematical calculation that compares the net capitalized costs of our full cost pool to estimated discounted cash flows. Should the net capitalized cost exceed the sum of the estimated discounted cash flows, a ceiling test write-down would be recognized to the extent of the excess.

 

 Depletion.Depletion is calculated using capitalized costs in the full cost pool, including estimated asset retirement costs and estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing proved reserves, net of estimated salvage values and depleted based on a unit-of-production method.

 

 General and administrative expense.  General and administrative expense includes payroll and benefits for our corporate staff, non-cash stock-based compensation, costs of maintaining our offices, costs of managing our production, marketing, development and acquisition operations, franchise taxes, audit, tax, legal and other professional fees and legal compliance. Certain of these costs are recovered as management reimbursements in place with Carbon California and, prior to the completion of the OIE Membership Acquisition on December 31, 2018, Carbon Appalachia.

 

 Interest expense, net.expense.  We finance a portion of our working capital requirements for drilling and completion activities and acquisitions with borrowings under our bank credit facilities. As a result, we incur interest expense that is affected by both fluctuations in interest rates and our financing decisions. Interest expense, net is net of interest income.

 

 Income tax expense.  We are subject to state and federal income taxes but typically have not been in a tax paying position for regular federal income taxes, primarily due to the current deductibility of intangible drilling costs (“IDC”) and until 2023 tangible drilling costs and net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards. We pay alternative minimum tax, state income or franchise taxes where IDC or NOL deductions do not exceed taxable income or where state income or franchise taxes are determined on another basis. As of December 31, 2018, we have NOL carryforwards of approximately $29.2 million available to reduce future years’ federal taxable income. Federal NOLs incurred through 2017 expire in various years through 2037 while the NOLs incurred during 2018 and in future years will never expire. As of December 31, 2018, we have various state NOL carryforwards available to reduce future years’ state taxable income, which are dependent on apportionment percentages and state laws that can change from year to year and impact the amount of such carryforwards. These state NOL carryforwards will expire in the future based upon each jurisdiction’s specific laws surrounding NOL carryforwards.

 

24

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2018The results of operations are inclusive of the Appalachia Divestiture.

 


The following discussion and analysis relates to items that have affected our results of operations for the three and six months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019. The following table setstables set forth, for the periods presented, selected historical unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and production data. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and the information under “Forward Looking Statementsbelow.

 

  Three Months Ended    
  September 30,  Percent 
(in thousands, except production and per unit data) 2019  2018 (1)  Change 
Revenue:         
Natural gas sales $11,963  $4,372   174%
Natural gas liquids sales  10   406   (98%)
Oil sales  9,049   11,850   (24%)
Transportation and handling  304   -   * 
Marketing gas sales  3,491   -   * 
Commodity derivative loss  5,595   (3,902)  * 
Other income  123   16   663%
Total revenues  30,535   12,742   140%
             
Expenses:            
Lease operating expenses  7,689   4,767   61%
Pipeline operating expenses  2,614   -   * 
Transportation costs  1,593   1,433   11%
Production and property taxes  16   743   (98%)
Marketing gas purchases  3,872   -   * 
General and administrative  2,852   3,517   (19%)
General and administrative – related party reimbursement  -   (1,170)  * 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  4,112   2,731   51%
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  420   206   104%
Total expenses  23,168   12,227   89%
             
Operating income $7,367  $515   * 
             
Other income (expense):            
Interest expense, net  (3,047)  (1,127)  170%
Equity investment income  32   157   * 
Total other (expense) $(3,015) $(970)  * 
             
Production data:            
Natural gas (Mcf)  5,392,453   1,357,350   297%
Oil (Bbl)  147,160   165,427   (11%)
Natural gas liquids (Bbl)  2,000   11,055   (82%)
Combined (Mcfe)  6,287,413   2,416,242   160%
             
Average prices before effects of hedges:            
Natural gas (per Mcf) $2.22  $3.22   (31%)
Oil (per Bbl) $61.49  $71.63   (14%)
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) $4.98  $36.70   (86%)
Combined (per Mcfe) $3.34  $6.88   (51%)
             
Average prices after effects of hedges**:            
Natural gas (per Mcf) $2.67  $3.29   (19%)
Oil (per Bbl) $61.55  $64.29   (4%)
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) $4.98  $36.70   (86%)
Combined (per Mcfe) $3.73  $6.42   (42%)
             
Average costs (per Mcfe):            
Lease operating expenses $1.22  $1.97   (38%)
Transportation costs $0.25  $0.59   (58%)
Production and property taxes $-  $0.31   (100%)
Cash-based general and administrative expense, net of related party reimbursement $0.42  $0.89   (53%)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization $0.65  $1.13   (42%)

Three Months Ended June 30, 2020 Compared to the Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

  Three Months Ended    
  June 30,  Percent 
(in thousands, except production and per unit data) 2020  2019  Change 
Revenue:         
Natural gas sales $4,138  $14,216   (71%)
Natural gas liquids sales  49   195   (75%)
Oil sales  3,767   9,902   (62%)
Transportation and handling  274   322   (15%)
Marketing gas sales  2,380   3,221   (26%)
Commodity derivative gain (loss)  (5,647)  8,680   * 
Other income  2   305   * 
Total revenues  4,963   36,841   (87%)
             
Expenses:            
Lease operating expenses  5,086   7,480   (32%)
Pipeline operating expenses  1,432   2,950   (51%)
Transportation costs  1,475   1,130   31%
Production and property taxes  1,136   1,666   (32%)
Marketing gas purchases  1,329   4,795   (72%)
General and administrative  5,402   3,947   37%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  2,149   3,881   (45%)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  299   405   (26%)
Loss on Appalachia Divestiture  34,463   -   * 
Total expenses  52,771   26,254   101%
             
Operating income $(47,808) $10,587   * 
             
Other income and (expense):            
Interest expense  (2,774)  (3,445)  * 
Investments in affiliates  -   21   * 
Other expense  104   -   * 
Total other expense $(2,670) $(3,424)  * 
             
Production data:            
Natural gas (Mcf)  2,927,911   5,299,644   (45%)
Oil (Bbl)  128,647   150,274   (14%)
Natural gas liquids (Bbl)  11,671   11,780   (1%)
Combined (Mcfe)  3,769,817   6,271,968   (40%)
             
Average prices before effects of hedges:            
Natural gas (per Mcf) $1.41  $2.68   (47%)
Oil (per Bbl) $29.28  $65.89   (56%)
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) $4.22  $16.53   (74%)
Combined (per Mcfe) $2.11  $3.88   (46%)
             
Average prices after effects of hedges**:            
Natural gas (per Mcf) $2.25  $2.72   (17%)
Oil (per Bbl) $51.86  $60.01   (14%)
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) $4.22  $16.53   (74%)
Combined (per Mcfe) $3.53  $3.77   (6%)
             
Average costs (per Mcfe):            
Lease operating expenses $1.35  $1.19   13%
Transportation costs $0.39  $0.18   117%
Production and property taxes $0.30  $0.27   11%
Cash-based general and administrative expenses $0.60  $0.59   0%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization $0.57  $0.62   (8%)

 

*Not meaningful or applicable
**Includes effect of settled commodity derivative gains and losses
(1)Excludes Carbon Appalachia activity during 2018 as Carbon Appalachia did not consolidate until December 31, 2018 upon the closing of the OIE Membership Acquisition. See Recent Developments and Factors Affecting Comparability.

Natural gas sales, natural gas liquids sales, and oil sales –Sales of natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil increaseddecreased approximately 26%$16.4 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in 2018,2019, primarily due to a 160% increase46% decrease in combined product pricing, a 40% decrease in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil sales volumes partially offset by a 51% decrease in combined product pricing. The increases in production were a direct result of the acquisition of Carbon Appalachia and the resultant consolidationimpact from the Appalachia Divestiture.

Transportation and handling – Revenue from transportation and handling correlates to the price of natural gas, which decreased 15% compared to the same period in 2019.

Marketing gas sales – Sales from marketing gas decreased $842,000 primarily due to the sale of storage facilities and related activity forcontracts to DGOC with the three months ended September 30, 2019. Carbon Appalachia operating results are included in each of the three months ended September 30, 2019 whereas no Carbon Appalachia results were included in the three months ended September 30, 2018.Divestiture.

 

Commodity derivative gains and lossesgain (loss)To achieve more predictable cash flows and to reduce our exposure to downward price fluctuations, we enter into derivative contracts including fixed price swap contracts and costless collars. Because weWe do not designate theseour commodity derivatives as cash flow hedges,hedges; therefore, they do not receive hedge accounting treatment and all mark-to-market gains or losses, as well as settlement gains or losses on the derivative instruments, are currently recognized in our results of operations. The unrealized gains and losses represent the changes in the fair value of these contracts as oil and natural gas futures prices fluctuate relative to the fixed price we will receive from these contracts. For the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, we had hedging gainslosses of approximately $5.6 million and hedging lossesgains of approximately $3.9$8.7 million, respectively. Our derivative gain or loss is primarily due to fair market value adjustments caused by market prices being lower or higher than our contracted hedged prices.

 

Lease operating expenses and pipeline operating expenses – Lease operating expenses and pipeline operating expenses decreased $2.4 million and $1.5 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 increased2020, respectively, primarily due to the OIE Membership Acquisition andimpact from the resultant increased production volumes. On a per Mcfe basis, lease operating expenses decreased to $1.22 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.97 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2018. We experience higher costs on a per Mcfe basis associated with the production of oil versus gas. Oil production accounted for approximately 41% of our production mix for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 14% for the three months ended September 30, 2019.Appalachia Divestiture.

 

Transportation costs – Transportation costs increased $345,000 for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 increased2020 primarily due to an increasea one-time benefit in production as a result of the OIE Membership Acquisition. On a per Mcfe basis, these expenses decreased from $0.59 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 20182019 associated with revisions to $0.25 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2019.prior estimates.

 

Production and property taxes – Production and property taxes decreased $530,000 for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 due to decreased ad valorem estimated tax rates.rates and decreases in commodity prices. The decrease was also attributable to a reduction in production tax rates in West Virginia in 2020. Production taxes averaged approximately 3.5%7.8% and 1.9%3.9% of product sales for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively. Production taxes associated with oil production are generally lower on a per Mcfe basis versus gas production. Oil production accounted for approximately 41%20% and 14% of our production mix for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182020 and 14% for2019, respectively.

Marketing gas purchases – Marketing gas purchases decreased $3.5 million primarily due to the three months ended September 30, 2019.decrease in natural gas pricing and the Appalachia Divestiture.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) – DD&A increaseddecreased $1.7 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 primarily due to decreases in our depletable cost base as a result of the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia. On a per Mcfe basis, DD&A decreased from $1.13 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $0.65 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in the depletion rate is primarily attributable to the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia.Appalachia Divestiture.

 

General and administrative expenses– General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020 primarily due to the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia. As a result of the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia during the three months ended September 30, 2019, management reimbursements which offset general and administrative expenses decreased by approximately $1.2 million compared to the three months ended September 30, 2018.


We define the term cash-based general and administrative expense (non-GAAP measure) as consolidated general and administrative expense adjusted to exclude non-cashan increase in stock-based compensation of $3.2 million, offset by $1.7 million due to company-wide focus on cost reductions and related party reimbursements. On a per Mcfe basis, cash-based generalefficiencies, reduced headcount and administrative expenses, net of related party reimbursements, decreased from $0.89 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2018 to $0.42 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2019.reliance on consultants. Cash-based general and administrative expenses for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 are summarized in the following table:

 

General and administrative expenses Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019 2018  2020 2019 
          
General and administrative expenses $2,852  $3,517  $5,402  $3,947 
Adjustments:                
Stock-based compensation  (204)  (187)  (3,151)  (224)
General and administrative – related party reimbursement  -   (1,170)
Cash-based general and administrative expense $2,648  $2,160  $2,251  $3,723 

   

Interest expense netInterest expense, net increaseddecreased $670,000 for the three months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, primarily due to higherlower outstanding debt balances related to borrowings to complete the OIE Membership Acquisition and the Seneca Acquisition in 2018.

Transportation and handling, marketing gas sales, pipeline operating expenses and marketing gas purchases –Subsequent torepayment of debt with proceeds from the OIE Membership Acquisition on December 31, 2018, we consolidate Carbon Appalachia operations. The associated revenues and expenses are presented within our unaudited consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended September 30, 2019. These operations were not presented in our unaudited consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended September 30, 2018.Divestiture.

 

27


Nine

Six Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 Compared to NineSix Months Ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182019

 

The following discussion and analysis relates to items that have affected our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018. The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, selected historical unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and production data.

 Nine Months Ended    Six Months Ended    
 September 30, Percent  June 30,  Percent 
(in thousands, except production and per unit data) 2019 2018 (1) Change  2020  2019  Change 
Revenue:              
Natural gas sales $45,495  $11,835   284% $12,572  $33,532   (63%)
Natural gas liquids sales  451   1,119   (60%)  201   441   (54%)
Oil sales  27,940   22,924   22%  10,982   18,891   (42%)
Transportation and handling  1,361   -   *   908   1,056   (14%)
Marketing gas sales  11,656   -   *   8,698   8,165   7%
Commodity derivative loss  4,969   (10,550)  (147%)
Commodity derivative gain (loss)  14,067   (627)  * 
Other income  820   35   2243%  -   697   * 
Total revenues  92,692   25,363   265%  47,428   62,155   (24%)
                        
Expenses:                        
Lease operating expenses  21,784   10,824   101%  12,458   14,095   (12%)
Pipeline operating expenses  8,650   -   *   4,125   6,035   (32%)
Transportation costs  4,392   3,786   16%  4,052   2,799   45%
Production and property taxes  3,692   1,792   106%  1,146   3,676   (69%)
Marketing gas purchases  14,969   -   *   4,801   11,097   (57%)
General and administrative  11,489   9,007   28%  8,702   8,636   (1%)
General and administrative – related party reimbursement  -   (3,383)  (100%)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization  11,973   6,202   93%  5,960   7,860   (24%)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations  1,219   510   139%  777   799   (3%)
Loss on Appalachia Divestiture  34,463   -   * 
Total expenses  78,168   28,738   172%  76,484   54,997   39%
                        
Operating income (loss) $14,524  $(3,375)  * 
Operating (loss) income $(29,056) $7,158   * 
                        
Other income (expense):            
Interest expense, net  (9,772)  (3,331)  193%
Warrant derivative gain  -   225   * 
Gain on derecognized equity investment in affiliate-Carbon California  -   5,390   * 
Equity investment income  73   1,121   * 
Total other (expense) income $(9,699) $3,405   * 
Other income and (expense):            
Interest expense  (5,647)  (6,725)  * 
Investments in affiliates  (421)  40   * 
Other income  104   -   * 
Total other expense $(5,964) $(6,685)  * 
                        
Production data:                        
Natural gas (Mcf)  16,236,149   4,205,890   286%  8,174,941   10,843,696   (25%)
Oil (Bbl)  444,926   327,028   36%  275,172   297,766   (8%)
Natural gas liquids (Bbl)  26,990   29,454   (8%)  24,034   24,990   (4%)
Combined (Mcfe)  19,067,645   6,344,782   201%  9,970,175   12,780,232   (22%)
                        
Average prices before effects of hedges:                        
Natural gas (per Mcf) $2.80  $2.81   0% $1.54  $3.09   (50%)
Oil (per Bbl) $62.80  $70.10   (10%) $39.91  $63.44   (37%)
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) $16.72  $37.97   (56%) $8.38  $17.66   (53%)
Combined (per Mcfe) $3.87  $5.65   (32%) $2.38  $4.14   (43%)
                        
Average prices after effects of hedges**:                        
Natural gas (per Mcf) $2.95  $2.89   2% $2.20  $3.09   (29%)
Oil (per Bbl) $62.42  $62.51   0% $50.79  $62.85   (19%)
Natural gas liquids (per Bbl) $16.72  $37.97   (56%) $8.38  $17.66   (53%)
Combined (per Mcfe) $3.99  $5.31   (25%) $3.23  $4.12   (22%)
                        
Average costs (per Mcfe):                        
Lease operating expenses $1.14  $1.71   (33%) $1.25  $1.10   14%
Transportation costs $0.23  $0.60   (62%) $0.41  $0.22   86%
Production and property taxes $0.19  $0.28   (32%) $0.11  $0.29   (62%)
Cash-based general and administrative expense, net of related party reimbursement $0.57  $0.78   (27%)
Cash-based general and administrative expenses $0.54  $0.64   (16%)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization $0.63  $0.98   (36%) $0.60  $0.62   (3%)

 

*Not meaningful or applicable
**Includes effect of settled commodity derivative gains and losses
(1)Includes Carbon California activity for the period of consolidation from February 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018 and does not include Carbon Appalachia activity during 2018 as Carbon Appalachia did not consolidate until December 31, 2018 upon the closing of the OIE Membership Acquisition. See Recent Developments and Factors Affecting Comparability.

28

 

Natural gas sales, natural gas liquids sales, and oil sales –Sales of natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil increaseddecreased approximately 106%$29.1 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in 20182019, primarily due to a 201% increase43% decrease in combined product pricing, a 22% decrease in natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil sales volumes partially offset by a 32% decrease in combined product pricing. The increases in production were a direct result of the acquisitions of Carbon Appalachia and Carbon California and the resultant consolidation of the related activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Carbon Appalachia operating results are included in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2019 whereas no Carbon Appalachia results were included in the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Additionally, the December 2017 California wildfires significantly impacted Carbon California results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Carbon California oil production was not impacted during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Finally, the Seneca Acquisition closed May 1, 2018, and therefore operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 include only five months of operationsimpact from the assets acquiredAppalachia Divestiture.


Transportation and handling – Revenue from transportation and handling correlates to the price of natural gas, which decreased 14% compared to their inclusion for all nine months duringthe same period in 2019.

 

Marketing gas sales – Sales from marketing gas increased $533,000 primarily due to the sale of storage facilities and related contracts to DGOC with the Appalachia Divestiture.

Commodity derivative gains and lossesgain (loss) – – To achieve more predictable cash flows and to reduce our exposure to downward price fluctuations, we enter into derivative contracts including fixed price swap contracts and costless collars. Because weWe do not designate theseour commodity derivatives as cash flow hedges,hedges; therefore, they do not receive hedge accounting treatment and all mark-to-market gains or losses, as well as settlement gains or losses on the derivative instruments, are currently recognized in our results of operations. The unrealized gains and losses represent the changes in the fair value of these contracts as oil and natural gas futures prices fluctuate relative to the fixed price we will receive from these contracts. For the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, we had hedging gains of approximately $5.0$14.1 million and hedging losses of approximately $10.6 million,$627,000, respectively. Our derivative gain or loss is primarily due to fair market value adjustments caused by market prices being lower or higher than our contracted hedged prices.

 

Lease operating expenses and pipeline operating expenses – Lease operating expenses and pipeline operating expenses decreased $1.6 million and $1.9 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 increased2020, respectively, primarily due to the OIE Membership Acquisition andimpact from the resultant increased production volumes. Expenses during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 were also lower as a result of the December 2017 California wildfires. On a per Mcfe basis, lease operating expenses decreased to $1.14 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 from $1.71 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. We experience higher costs on a per Mcfe basis associated with the production of oil versus gas. Oil production accounted for approximately 31% of our production mix for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 14% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.Appalachia Divestiture.

 

Transportation costs – Transportation costs increased $1.2 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 increased2020 primarily due to an increasea one-time benefit in production as a result of the OIE Membership Acquisition and a full nine months of Carbon California operations, including Seneca Acquisition assets. On a per Mcfe basis, these expenses decreased from $0.60 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 20182019 associated with revisions to $0.23 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.prior estimates.

 

Production and property taxes – Production and property taxes increaseddecreased $2.5 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 due to increased oil and natural gas sales as a result of the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia and a full nine months of Carbon California production, partially offset2020 due to decreased ad valorem estimated tax rates utilized.and decreases in commodity prices. The decrease was also attributable to a reduction in production tax rates in West Virginia in 2020. Production taxes averaged approximately 3.6%1.8% and 2.2%3.7% of product sales for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively. Production taxes associated with oil production are generally lower on a per Mcfe basis versus gas production. Oil production accounted for approximately 31%17% and 14% of our production mix for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20182020 and 14% for2019, respectively.

Marketing gas purchases – Marketing gas purchases decreased $6.3 million primarily due to the nine months ended September 30, 2019.decrease in natural gas pricing and the Appalachia Divestiture.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) – DD&A increaseddecreased $1.9 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 primarily due to decreases in our depletable cost base as a result of the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia and a full nine months of Carbon California operations, including the Seneca Acquisition assets. On a per Mcfe basis, DD&A decreased from $0.98 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $0.63 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in the depletion rate is primarily attributable to the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia.Divestiture.

29

 

General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses increased $67,000 for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 primarily due to the consolidationan increase in stock-based compensation of Carbon Appalachia and a full nine months of Carbon California operations. As a result of the consolidation of Carbon Appalachia and Carbon California during the nine months ended September 30, 2019, management reimbursements which offset general and administrative expenses, decreased by approximately $3.4 million, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2018. Onoffset by a per Mcfe basis, cash-based generalcompany-wide focus on cost reductions and administrative expenses, net of related party reimbursements,efficiencies, reduced headcount and decreased from $0.78 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 to $0.57 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.reliance on consultants. Cash-based general and administrative expenses for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 and 20182019 are summarized in the following table:

 

General and administrative expenses Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019 2018  2020 2019 
          
General and administrative expenses $11,489  $9,007  $8,702  $8,636 
Adjustments:                
Stock-based compensation  (650)  (672)  (3,355)  (446)
General and administrative – related party reimbursement  -   (3,383)
Cash-based general and administrative expense $10,839  $4,952  $5,347  $8,190 

   

Interest expense net Interest expense, net increaseddecreased $1.1 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020, primarily due to higherlower outstanding debt balances related to borrowings to complete the OIE Membership Acquisition and the Seneca Acquisition in 2018.repayment of debt with proceeds from the Appalachia Divestiture.

 


Transportation and handling, marketing gas sales, pipeline operating expenses and marketing gas purchases –Subsequent to the OIE Membership Acquisition on December 31, 2018, we consolidate Carbon Appalachia operations. The associated revenues and expenses are presented within our unaudited consolidated statements of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. These operations were not presented in our unaudited consolidated statements of operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows from operations and borrowings under our credit facilities and senior revolving notes,Carbon California’s Senior Secured Revolving Notes which mature on February 15, 2022 (the “Senior Revolving Notes”), and on occasion, the sale of non-core assets. Borrowings under the credit facilities and senior revolving notesSenior Revolving Notes may be used to fund field development projects and to fund future complementary acquisitions and for general working capital purposes. We may use other sources of capital, including the issuance of debt or equity securities, to fund acquisitions or maintain financial flexibility.

 

As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, our liquidity was $19.5$1.3 million, consisting of cash on hand, of $3.5excluding restricted cash. On April 1, 2020, the borrowing base on the Senior Revolving Notes was redetermined and reduced to $40.0 million, and $16.0as of June 30, 2020 $37.2 million was outstanding.  Effective June 30, 2020, and through December 31, 2020, Prudential is no longer obligated to make advances under the Senior Revolving Notes.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

In May 2020, the Company received the PPP Loan under the PPP. The PPP, established as part of available borrowing capacitythe CARES Act, provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The PPP Loan and accrued interest are forgivable after 24 weeks as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for documented eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels. For purposes of the PPP Loan, payroll costs exclude cash compensation of an individual employee in excess of $100,000, prorated annually. Not more than 40% of the forgiven amount may be for non-payroll costs. The amount of loan forgiveness will be reduced if the borrower terminates full-time employees or reduces salaries and wages for employees with salaries of $100,000 or less annually by more than 25% during the 24-week period.

The PPP Loan is evidenced by the PPP Note, which contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults and breaches of representations and warranties, and bears interest at 1.0% per annum. No payments of principal or interest are due during the Deferral Period.

The Company intends to use the proceeds for purposes consistent with the PPP. In order to obtain full or partial forgiveness of the PPP Loan, the Company must request forgiveness and must provide satisfactory documentation in accordance with applicable SBA guidelines. Interest payable on our credit facilities.the PPP Note may be forgiven only if the SBA agrees to pay such interest on the forgiven principal amount of the PPP Note. The Company will be obligated to repay any portion of the principal amount of the PPP Note that is not forgiven, together with interest accrued and accruing thereon at the rate set forth above, until such unforgiven portion is paid in full.

Beginning one month following expiration of the Deferral Period, and continuing monthly until the Maturity Date, the Company is obligated to make monthly payments of principal and interest to the Lender with respect to any unforgiven portion of the PPP Note, in such equal amounts required to fully amortize the principal amount outstanding on the PPP Note as of the last day of the Deferral Period by the Maturity Date. The Company is permitted to prepay the PPP Note at any time without payment of any prepayment premium or penalty.


The CARES Act also provides for deferred payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes through the end of 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022.

Appalachia Divestiture and 2018 Credit Facility and Old Ironsides Notes

 

On December 31, 2018, weApril 7, 2020, Carbon Energy Corporation, together with Nytis USA (the “Sellers”) and certain of the Company’s other direct and wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement (“MIPA”) to sell all of the issued and outstanding membership interests of Carbon Appalachia and Nytis LLC to Diversified Gas & Oil Corporation (the “Purchaser” or “DGOC”) for $110.0 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments, and a contingent payment of up to $15.0 million (the “Appalachia Divestiture”). The transaction closed on May 26, 2020. The assets comprised substantially all of the OIE Membership Acquisition. AsCompany’s assets in the Appalachian and Illinois basin.

The Appalachia Divestiture constitutes a result, we nowsale of substantially all of the Company’s assets under the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Company continues to own 100% of allits membership interests in Carbon Appalachia; therefore, we receive 100%California and continues to conduct operations in the Ventura Basin in California. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company’s Board of Directors is continuously evaluating strategic alternatives for the Company’s business in light of current market and industry conditions.

Upon closing of the Appalachia Divestiture, we received net cash flowsproceeds of $98.1 million. We used these proceeds to repay in full the amounts outstanding, including interest, under the 2018 Credit Facility of approximately $72.3 million and we repaid $10.5 million under the Old Ironsides Notes. The 2018 Credit Facility was terminated on May 26, 2020.

Yorktown, as the holder of all of the Series B convertible preferred stock, has waived its right to be paid a liquidating distribution of approximately $5.6 million in connection with the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture until the payment in full of the Old Ironsides Notes or the earlier termination or cancellation of the Old Ironsides Notes, at which point the liquidating distribution will become immediately due and payable by the Company out of Company’s assets legally available for distribution to its stockholders. Ongoing general and corporate operations will be funded by management fees paid to the Company by Carbon California of approximately $1.2 million annually as well as any proceeds received from the contingent payment associated with Carbon Appalachia.the Appalachia Divestiture. The contingent payment of up to $15.0 million in the aggregate will be calculated and paid yearly by January 5 of each of 2021, 2022 and 2023 based on the contingent payment calculation for calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022.

 

PriorAccess to additional capital within the current commodity price environment is limited and the terms of any available capital may not be acceptable to the consolidation of Carbon California and Carbon Appalachia effective February 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, respectively, we generated operating cash flow by providing management services to these unconsolidated subsidiaries. These management service reimbursements were included in general and administrative – related party reimbursement on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. We also received reimbursements of operating expenses, our share of which were included in investments in affiliates on our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. As we now consolidate Carbon California and Carbon Appalachia, these management and operating reimbursements are eliminated in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.Company.

 

Commodity Derivatives

 

Our exploration, development and acquisition activities may require us to make significant operating and capital expenditures. Changes in the market prices for oil and natural gas directly impact our level of cash flow generated from operations. The prices we receive for our production are determined by prevailing market conditions and greatly influence our revenue, cash flow, profitability, access to capital and future rate of growth. We employ a commodity hedging strategy to moderate the effects of commodity price fluctuations on our cash flow.

 

This hedge program mitigates uncertainty regarding cash flow that we will receive with respect to a portion of our expected production through 2022. Future hedging activities may result in reduced income or even financial losses to us.SeeRisk Factors-The use of derivative instruments used in hedging arrangements could result in financial losses or reduce income,” in our 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details of the risks associated with our hedging activities. In the future, we may determine to increase or decrease our hedging positions. See Note 1413 – Commodity Derivatives in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 for more information, including our outstanding derivatives.

 


Sources and Uses of Cash

 

The following table presents net cash provided by or used in operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:activities:

 

  Nine Months Ended 
  September 30, 
(in thousands) 2019  2018 
       
Net cash provided by operating activities $14,122  $3,312 
Net cash used in investing activities $(3,862) $(44,406)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities $(12,482) $43,921 
  Six Months Ended 
  June 30, 
(in thousands) 2020  2019 
       
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $(8,592) $9,795 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $95,714  $(1,637)
Net cash used in financing activities $(80,003) $(9,243)

   

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided byfrom operating activities is primarily affected by production volumes and commodity prices, net of the effects of settlements of our derivative contracts, and changes in working capital. OperatingThe negative operating cash flows increased approximately $10.8 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. This increase2020 was primarily due to increased revenues from the acquisitionimpact of producing oil and natural gas properties in the Appalachian Basin in the fourth quarter of 2018 and increased revenues from the consolidation of Carbon California, including the Seneca Acquisition.Appalachia Divestiture.

 

Investment Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities is primarily comprised of the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, net of dispositions of oil and natural gas properties. Net cash used inprovided by investing activities decreasedincreased approximately $40.5$97.4 million for the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 20192020 as compared to the same period in 2018,2019 primarily due to the Seneca Acquisition.cash proceeds received from the Appalachia Divestiture of $98.1 million and $746,000 in proceeds from the sale of non-core assets, offset by development costs of $1.6 million.

 


Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by or used in financing activities is primarily comprised of activities associated with our credit facilities. During the ninesix months ended SeptemberJune 30, 2020, the Company increased borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility by approximately $2.0 million and increased borrowings under the Senior Revolving Notes by $5.5 million. The Company also received proceeds from a PPP loan in the amount of $1.3 million. These advances were partially offset by payments of $10.5 million in principal associated with the Old Ironsides Notes, payments of approximately $77.0 million in principal associated with the 2018 Credit Facility, and payments of approximately $1.3 million in principal associated with the Senior Revolving Notes. During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company paid $2.0 million in principal associated with the Old Ironsides Notes, paid approximately $8.7$6.2 million in principal associated with the 2018 Credit Facility, and paid approximately $5.7$5.0 million in principal associated with the Senior Revolving Notes. The payments were partially offset by an increase in borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility by approximately $4.0 million. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company increased borrowings by approximately $34.5 million, received $5.0 million in proceeds from the issuance of preferred stock to Yorktown, and received an equity contribution of $5.0 million from Prudential related to the Seneca Acquisition. 

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Capital expenditures incurred for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 are summarized in the following table:

 

 Nine Months Ended
September 30,
  Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
(in thousands) 2019 2018  2020 2019 
          
Drilling and development $4,003  $940  $3,236  $1,792 
Other  223   43,741   224   71 
Total capital expenditures $4,226  $44,681  $3,460  $1,863 

  

Capital expenditures presented in the table above represent cash used for capital expenditures.

 

Due to low natural gas prices, the Company has focused on the optimization of our gathering facilities and marketing arrangements to provide greater flexibility in moving natural gas production to markets with more favorable pricing. Other factorsFactors impacting the level of our capital expenditures include the cost and availability of oil field services, general economic and market conditions, and weather disruptions. We have approximately $3.0 million to $5.0 million in planned capital expenditures for the remainder of 2019 as we complete our oil drilling program in California.


Credit Facilities and Notes Payable

 

For a discussion of our long-term debt, see Note 7 – Credit Facilities and Notes Payable in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020.

 

Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates, Judgments, and Assumptions

 

Our critical accounting policies and estimates are set forth in“Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations- Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates, Judgments, and Assumptions” in our 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. As of SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, there have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since our 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K was filed.  

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

The information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.Act. Forward-looking statements are statements other than statements of historical or present facts, that address activities, events, outcomes, and other matters that the Company plans, expects, intends, assumes, believes, budgets, predicts, forecasts, projects, estimates, or anticipates (and other similar expressions) will, should, or may occur in the future. Generally, the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “future,” “potential,” “continue,” variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions about future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events.

 


These forward-looking statements appear in several places in this report and include statements with respect to, among other things:

 

 

estimates of our oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas reserves;

effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the OPEC price war on our business results;

the timing and effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split and the deregistration of our common stock;

 

 estimates of our future oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas production, including estimates of any increases or decreases in our production;

 

 our future financial condition and results of operations;

 

 our future revenues, cash flows, and expenses;

 

 our access to capital and our anticipated liquidity;

  

 our future business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations and acquisitions;

 

 our outlook on oil, natural gas liquids, and natural gas prices;

 

 the amount, nature, and timing of future capital expenditures, including future development costs;

  

 our ability to access the capital markets to fund capital and other expenditures;

 

 our assessment of our counterparty risk and the ability of our counterparties to perform their future obligations; and

 

 the impact of federal, state and local political, regulatory, and environmental developments in the United States of America

  

We believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, but we can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. We caution you that these forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions and are subject to all the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production, and sale of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading “Risk Factors” included in our 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K.10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020 (the “First Quarter Quarterly Report”).

  

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

 


We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update this information to reflect events or circumstances after the filing of this report with the SEC, except as required by law. All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we may make or persons acting on our behalf may issue.


ITEM 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

As a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide information for this item.

 

ITEM 4.Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  

 

We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to us and our consolidated subsidiaries is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and the Board of Directors.

 

Our Chief Executive Officer and principal executive officer, Patrick R. McDonald, and our Chief Financial Officer, Kevin D. Struzeski,Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting and principal financial officer, Erich W. Kirsch, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, as of SeptemberJune 30, 2019.2020. Based on this evaluation, they believe that as of SeptemberJune 30, 20192020, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms;forms and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,Senior Vice President, Finance and Accounting, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended SeptemberJune 30, 2019,2020, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

33


 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.Legal Proceedings

 

We are subject to legal claims and proceedings in the ordinary course of our business. Management believes that should the controversies be resolved against us, none of the current pending proceedings would have a material adverse effect on us.

 

ITEM 1A.Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changesIn addition to the risk factors disclosedcontained in our 2018the Item 1A. Risk Factors of the 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. 10-K and Item 1A. Risk Factors of the First Quarter Quarterly Report, investors should carefully consider the following risk factors. These risk factors should be read in conjunction with the risk factors set forth in our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K, our First Quarter Quarterly Report and other information contained in this report and our other filings with the SEC, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Carbon’s operations have been curtailed and Carbon has limited sources of revenue after the Appalachia Divestiture, which may negatively impact the value and liquidity of Carbon’s common stock.

Upon the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture, the size of Carbon’s business operations was significantly reduced and its sources of revenue are limited to its operations in the Ventura Basin through Carbon California. Carbon does not intend to use any portion of the proceeds from the Appalachia Divestiture to support the business operations remaining, and there can be no assurance that Carbon will be successful at carrying out the operations of its remaining business or that it will be successful at generating revenue. A failure by Carbon to secure additional sources of revenue could negatively impact the value and liquidity of its common stock.

Carbon is a holding company with no oil and gas operations of its own, and Carbon depends on its subsidiaries for cash to fund certain of its operations and expenses.

Carbon’s operations are conducted entirely through its subsidiaries, and its ability to generate cash to meet its operating obligations is dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from its subsidiaries through distributions or intercompany loans. Carbon California is Carbon’s sole operating subsidiary. Carbon California’s ability to generate adequate cash depends on a number of factors, including development of reserves, successful acquisitions of complementary properties, advantageous drilling conditions, oil and natural gas prices, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and other factors.

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We do not solely control Carbon California.

As of June 30, 2020, we have no significant assets other than our ownership interest in Carbon California, which owns and operates oil, natural gas, and NGLs interests. More specifically:

Carbon California is managed by its governing board. Our ability to influence decisions with respect to its operations varies depending on the amount of control we exercise under the governing agreement;

We do not control the amount of cash distributed by Carbon California. Further, debt facilities at Carbon California currently restrict distributions. We may influence the amount of cash distributed through our board seats on Carbon California’s governing board, but may not ultimately be successful in such efforts;

We may not have the ability to unilaterally require Carbon California to make capital expenditures, and Carbon California may require us to make additional capital contributions to fund operating and maintenance expenditures, as well as to fund expansion capital expenditures, which would reduce the amount of cash otherwise available for dividend payments by us or require us to incur additional indebtedness;

Carbon California may incur additional indebtedness without our consent, which debt payments would reduce the amount of cash that might otherwise be available for distributions; and

The operator of certain of the assets held by Carbon California and the identity of our partners could change, in some cases without our consent. Our dependence on the operators of such assets and other working interest owners for these projects and our limited ability to influence or control the operation and future development of these properties could have a material adverse effect on the realization of our targeted returns on capital or lead to unexpected future costs.

Due to our lack of asset and geographic diversification, adverse developments in our operating areas would reduce our ability to pay dividends on shares of our common stock.

As of June 30, 2020, all of our assets were located exclusively in the Ventura Basin in California. Due to our lack of diversification in asset type and location, an adverse development in the oil and gas business in the Ventura Basin, including those resulting from the impact of regional supply and demand factors, delays or interruptions of production from wells in these areas caused by and costs associated with governmental regulation, processing or transportation capacity constraints, market limitations, water shortages, wildfires or other weather related conditions, interruption of the processing or transportation of oil, NGLs or natural gas and changes in regional and local political regimes and regulations, would have a significantly greater impact on our results of operations and cash available for dividend payments on shares of our common stock than if we maintained more diverse assets and locations.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to manage our business and satisfy our obligations to Old Ironsides and Yorktown.

Following the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture, we have limited remaining sources of cash available to manage our business and pay our liabilities, including the Old Ironsides Notes and the liquidating distribution to Yorktown. Yorktown, as the holder of all of the Series B convertible preferred stock, waived its right to be paid a liquidating distribution of approximately $5.6 million in connection with the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture until the payment in full of the Old Ironsides Notes or the earlier termination or cancellation of the Old Ironsides Notes, at which point the liquidating distribution will become immediately due and payable by the Company out of Company’s assets legally available for distribution to its stockholders.

As of August 4, 2020, approximately $16.4 million in principal and accrued interest was outstanding under the Old Ironsides Notes. Pursuant to the terms of the Payoff Agreement, Carbon is required to apply certain net proceeds from the Appalachia Divestiture in repayment of the Old Ironsides Notes on specified repayment dates tied to milestones under the Purchase Agreement. The initial payment of $10.5 million was paid within three business days after the closing date of the Appalachia Divestiture. The second payment is due within three business days after the settlement and payment of the Final Base Purchase Price (as defined in the purchase agreement for the Appalachia Divestiture). If the sum of the initial payment and the second payment is at least $20.0 million, the Old Ironsides Notes will be deemed paid in full. If the sum of the initial payment and the second payment is at least $18.0 million but less than $20.0 million, the Old Ironsides Notes will be amended such that the outstanding principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is equal to $21.5 million (less the amount of the initial and second payments) and the Old Ironsides Notes will remain outstanding with no other change to the existing terms. If the sum of the initial payment and the second payment is less than $18.0 million, then Carbon will have the opportunity to make a third payment. The third payment would be due within three business days after the first Contingent Payment (as defined in the purchase agreement for the Appalachia Divestiture). If the sum of the initial payment, the second payment and the third payment is at least $18.0 million, the Old Ironsides Notes will be amended such that the outstanding principal balance plus all accrued and unpaid interest is equal to $23.0 million (less the amount of the initial, second and third payments) and the Old Ironsides Notes will remain outstanding with no other change to the existing terms. If the sum of the initial payment, the second payment and the third payment is less than $18.0 million, the payments made by Carbon as of such date will be considered mandatory prepayments and the Old Ironsides Notes will remain outstanding with no change to the existing terms.


Several sources of cash are not yet available to us or are only available to us on a limited basis. One source of cash available to us is our PPP Loan under the PPP, which we received in May 2020. The PPP, established as part of the CARES Act, provides for loans to qualifying businesses for amounts up to 2.5 times the average monthly payroll expenses of the qualifying business. The PPP Loan and accrued interest are forgivable after 24 weeks as long as the borrower uses the loan proceeds for documented eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities, and maintains its payroll levels, and we intend to apply for forgiveness of the PPP Loan as soon as we are eligible. The SBA continues to develop and issue new and updated guidance regarding the PPP loans application process, including guidance regarding required borrower certifications and requirements for forgiveness of loans made under the program. We continue to track the guidance as it is released and assess and re-assess various aspects of its application as necessary based on the guidance. However, given the evolving nature of the guidance and based on our projected ability to use the loan proceeds for qualifying expenses, we cannot give any assurance that our PPP Loan will be forgiven in whole or in part.

Upon the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture and as more fully described in the Company’s proxy statement related to the Appalachia Divestiture, $6.7 million of the purchase price was held in escrow, a portion of which will be released to the Company on the 18-month anniversary of the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture following satisfaction of certain indemnification obligations and the remainder of which will be released to the Company over the 36-month period following the closing of the Appalachia Divestiture if certain release requirements have been met. However, a portion or all of the escrow amount could be distributed to the purchaser in satisfaction of indemnification obligations owed by the Company or if the release requirements are not met.

Further, ongoing general and corporate operations will be funded by management fees paid to the Company by Carbon California of approximately $1.2 million annually as well as any proceeds received from the contingent payment associated with the Appalachia Divestiture. The contingent payment of up to $15.0 million in the aggregate will be calculated and paid yearly by January 5 of each of 2021, 2022 and 2023 based on the contingent payment calculation for calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Also, Carbon and DGOC entered into a transition services agreement to provide, on an interim basis, certain services associated with the divested assets. The services under the transition services agreement commenced on May 26, 2020 and are expected to terminate in November 2020.

Further, Carbon’s operations are conducted entirely through its subsidiaries, and its ability to generate cash to meet its operating obligations is dependent on the earnings and the receipt of funds from its subsidiaries through distributions or intercompany loans. Historically, Carbon California’s distributions have been limited and may continue to be limited and depend on a number of factors, including development of reserves, successful acquisitions of complementary properties, advantageous drilling conditions, oil and natural gas prices, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and other factors, which are outside our control. Access to additional capital within the current commodity price environment is limited and the terms of any available capital may not be acceptable to the Company.

We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be sufficient.

Our sole source of revenue is from Carbon California’s operations. Our ability to service our debt obligations depends on the future operating performance and cash flow from Carbon California. There can be no assurance that our cash from operations will be sufficient to meet continuing debt obligations, and if we are unable to generate sufficient cash through our operations, we could face substantial liquidity problems, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures, sell assets or operations, seek additional capital or refinance our indebtedness. We may not be able to take any of these actions, and these actions may not be successful or permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. Furthermore, these actions may not be permitted under the terms of our existing or future debt agreements.

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We intend to deregister our common stock under the Exchange Act. Deregistration may negatively affect the liquidity and trading prices of our common stock and result in less disclosure about us.

Because of the costs associated with preparing and filing our annual, quarterly and current reports under applicable securities laws, we have taken and will continue to take actions to terminate or suspend our ongoing reporting obligations under the Exchange Act. As more fully described in proxy materials filed with the SEC, the Board of Directors is proposing to amend the Company’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split. If the Reverse Stock Split is approved, it will allow the Company to deregister its common stock and reduce ongoing expenses with respect to filings under the Exchange Act. After the filing of Form 15 to suspend the Company’s reporting obligations under Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will no longer be subject to certain provisions of the Exchange Act. However, if we are required to continue to file annual, quarterly or current reports with the SEC, or if we again become subject to such reporting obligations, we will continue to incur the associated costs and expenses, which are substantial.

Once the deregistration is effective, the Company will no longer file annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K. Accordingly, there will be significantly less information regarding the Company available to stockholders and potential investors. In addition, the Company will no longer be subject to the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and certain of the liability provisions of the Exchange Act, although the Company will still be subject to the antifraud provisions of the Exchange Act and any applicable state securities laws. Following deregistration, the Company’s executive officers, directors and 10% stockholders will no longer be required to file reports relating to their transactions in the common stock with the SEC. The lack of public information could make trading in our shares of common stock more difficult, which may cause the value of our common stock to decrease. The Company anticipates that after the Reverse Stock Split its common stock will trade on the Pink Non-Current platform of the OTC Markets Group.

The recent spread of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, and measures taken to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, are adversely affecting our business, operations and financial condition.

Like other oil and gas companies, our business is being adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and measures being taken to mitigate its impact. The pandemic has resulted in widespread adverse impacts on the global economy and on our employees, customers, suppliers and other parties with whom we have business relations. As the coronavirus pandemic and government responses are rapidly evolving, the extent of the impact on domestic exploration and production companies remains unknown. We are experiencing a sharp and rapid decline in the demand for the oil and natural gas we produce and in the prices we receive for our products as the U.S. and global economy are being negatively impacted as economic activity is curtailed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Official restrictions on non-essential activities have been introduced across the U.S., which may adversely impact our production activities. For example, since mid-March, we have had to restrict access to our administrative offices. There is considerable uncertainty regarding the extent to which COVID-19 will continue to spread and the extent and duration of governmental and other measures implemented to try to slow the spread of the virus, such as large-scale travel bans and restrictions, border closures, quarantines, shelter-in-place orders and business and government shutdowns. Restrictions of this nature have caused, and may continue to cause, us, our suppliers and other business counterparties to experience operational delays, delays in the delivery of materials and supplies that are sourced from around the globe, and have caused, and may continue to cause, milestones or deadlines relating to various projects to be missed. Further, the impact of the pandemic, including the resulting significant reduction in global demand for oil and gas, coupled with the sharp decline in oil prices following the announcement of price reductions and production increases in March 2020 by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries is expected to lead to significant global economic contraction generally and in our industry in particular. We anticipate that our business, financial condition and results of operations may be materially and adversely impacted as a result of these developments.

We have modified certain business and workforce practices (including those related to employee travel, employee work locations, and cancellation of physical participation in meetings, events and conferences) to conform to government restrictions and best practices encouraged by governmental and regulatory authorities. However, the quarantine of personnel or the inability to access our facilities or customer sites could adversely affect our operations. Additionally, currently many of our employees are working remotely. An extended period of remote work arrangements could strain our business continuity plans, introduce operational risk, including but not limited to cybersecurity risks, and impair our ability to manage our business.

Given the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and related market conditions, we cannot reasonably estimate the period of time these events will persist or the full impact that COVID-19 or the significant disruption and volatility currently being experienced in the oil and natural gas markets will have on our business, cash flows, liquidity, financial condition and results of operations at this time, due to numerous uncertainties. The ultimate impacts will depend on future developments, including, among others, the consequences of countermeasures taken by governments, businesses and individuals to slow the spread of the pandemic, the ability of pharmaceutical companies to develop effective and safe vaccines and therapeutic drugs, the duration of the outbreak, actions taken by members of OPEC and other foreign, oil-exporting countries, actions taken by customers, suppliers and other third parties, workforce availability, and the timing and extent to which normal economic and operating conditions resume.

The impact of COVID-19 and the OPEC price war may also exacerbate other risks discussed in Item 1A of the 2019 Annual Report and Item 1A of the First Quarter Quarterly Report, any of which could have a material effect on us. This situation is changing rapidly and additional impacts may arise that we are not aware of currently.


Oil prices are highly volatile. Declines in commodity prices, especially steep declines in the price of oil, have adversely affected, and in the future will adversely affect, our financial condition and results of operations, cash flow, access to the capital markets and ability to grow.

As a result of the Appalachia Divestiture, Carbon will concentrate on the production of oil from its assets in the Ventura Basin. The oil market is highly volatile, and we cannot predict future oil prices. Beginning in February 2020, oil prices have experienced record declines and are currently at record low levels in response to dramatic supply and demand uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the recent announcement of planned production increases by Saudi Arabia. For example, the price of oil fell approximately 20% on March 9, 2020 due to Saudi Arabia’s decision to increase its production to record levels. As of August 5, 2020, the NYMEX WTI oil futures price was $42.19 per Bbl. Although OPEC agreed in April to cut production, the responses of oil and gas producers to the lower demand for, and price of, oil, natural gas and NGLs are constantly evolving and remain uncertain. We cannot anticipate whether or when production will return to normalized levels, and oil and natural gas prices could remain at current levels or decline further, for an extended period of time.

Prices for oil may fluctuate widely in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, such as:

domestic and foreign supply of and demand for oil;

market prices of oil;

level of consumer product demand;

overall domestic and global political and economic conditions;

political and economic conditions in producing countries, including those in the Middle East, Russia, South America and Africa;

global or national health concerns, including the outbreak of pandemic or contagious disease, such as the recent coronavirus, which may reduce demand for crude oil because of reduced global or national economic activity;

actions of the OPEC and other state-controlled oil companies relating to oil price and production controls;

weather conditions;

impact of the U.S. dollar exchange rates on commodity prices;

technological advances affecting energy consumption and energy supply;

domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxation;

impact of energy conservation efforts;

capacity, cost and availability of oil pipelines, processing, gathering and other transportation facilities and the proximity of these facilities to our wells; and

price and availability of alternative fuels.


Our production in the Ventura Basin received an approximate 9.7% premium to the NYMEX WTI benchmark price during 2019. A reduction in this premium would reduce the relative price advantage we receive for a substantial portion of our production in the Ventura Basin.

Our revenue, profitability and cash flow depend upon the prices and demand for oil. A drop in prices would significantly affect our financial results and impede our growth. In particular, a significant or prolonged decline in oil prices will negatively impact:

the value of our reserves, because declines in oil prices would reduce the amount of oil that we can produce economically;

the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures;

our ability to replace our production and future rate of growth;

our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital and our cost of such capital; and

our ability to meet our financial obligations.

Historically, higher oil prices generally result in increased demand and prices for drilling equipment, crews and associated supplies, equipment and services, as well as higher lease operating expenses and increased end-user conservation or conversion to alternative fuels. However, commodity price declines do not result in similarly rapid declines of costs associated with drilling. Accordingly, a high cost environment could adversely affect our ability to pursue our drilling program and our results of operations. 

 

ITEM 6.Exhibits

 

Exhibit No. Description
   
10.12.1** SecondMembership Interest Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 7, 2020, by and among Carbon Energy Corporation, Nytis Exploration (USA) Inc., Diversified Gas & Oil Corporation, Nytis Exploration Company LLC, Carbon Appalachian Company, LLC, and the other entities party thereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Form 8-K filed on April 8, 2020.
10.1Fourth Amendment to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated August 14, 2019,April 30, 2020, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 15, 2019.May 6, 2020.
10.2Agreement Regarding Payoff and Release or Amendment of Notes, dated as of May 25, 2020, by and among Carbon Energy Corporation, Old Ironsides Fund II-A Portfolio Holding Company, LLC and Old Ironsides Fund II-B Portfolio Holding Company, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on May 29, 2020.
10.2*10.3*†† Omnibus Annual Incentive Plan,Consulting Agreement between Carbon Energy Corporation and Kevin D. Struzeski, dated August 9, 2019.May 26, 2020.
10.4*††Consulting Agreement between Carbon Energy Corporation and Mark D. Pierce, dated May 26, 2020.
10.5*Promissory Note between Carbon Energy Corporation and UMB Bank, dated May 13, 2020.
31.1* Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) / Rule 15d-15(e)..
31.2* Certification of Chief Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) / Rule 15(e)/15d-15(e).
32.1† Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2† Certification of Chief Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101* Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T.

 

*Filed herewith
**Certain schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. Carbon Energy Corporation agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any such omitted schedule to the SEC upon request.
Not considered to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

††Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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.

 

 CARBON ENERGY CORPORATION
 (Registrant)
  
Date: November 13, 2019August 14, 2020By:/s/ Patrick R. McDonald
  PATRICK R. MCDONALD,
  Chief Executive Officer
   
Date: November 13, 2019August 14, 2020By:/s/ Kevin D. StruzeskiErich W. Kirsch
  KEVIN D. STRUZESKIERICH W. KIRSCH
  ChiefSenior Vice President, Finance and Accounting
(Principal Financial Officerand Accounting Officer)

 

 

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