UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


 
FORM 10-Q

 
ýQUARTERLY REPORT UNDERPURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2017March 31, 2020
OR
o

TRANSITION REPORT UNDERPURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number 001-36505
 
Viper Energy Partners LP
(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified in Its Charter)
 
 
DelawareDE 46-5001985
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(IRSI.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
  
500 West Texas
Suite 1200
Midland, TexasTX 79701
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)principal executive offices) (Zip Code)code)
(432) (432) 221-7400
(Registrant Telephone Number, Including Area Code)Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common UnitsVNOMThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(NASDAQ Global Select Market)

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 pastpreceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YesýNo¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YesýNo¨


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large Accelerated Filer o Accelerated Filer ý
   
Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company o
       
    Emerging Growth Company ý

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ý


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes¨     Noý


As of October 20, 2017, 113,882,045May 1, 2020, the registrant had outstanding 67,831,342 common units representing limited partner interests and 90,709,946 Class B units of the registrant were outstanding.representing limited partner units.








VIPER ENERGY PARTNERS LP
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017MARCH 31, 2020
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 Page
  
  
  
  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
  
  
  






i






GLOSSARY OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS TERMS
The following is a glossary of certain oil and gas terms that are used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “report”):
BasinA large depression on the earth’s surface in which sediments accumulate.
BblStock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used in this report in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
BOEBarrels of oil equivalent, with six thousand cubic feet of natural gas being equivalent to one barrel of oil.
BOE/dBOE per day.
British Thermal Unit or BtuThe quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.
CompletionCondensateThe process of treating a drilled well followed by the installation of permanent equipment forLiquid hydrocarbons associated with the production of a primarily natural gas or oil, or in the case of a dry hole, the reporting of abandonment to the appropriate agency.reserve.
Crude oilLiquid hydrocarbons retrieved from geological structures underground to be refined into fuel sources.
Gross acres or gross wellsFracturingThe total acresprocess of creating and preserving a fracture or wells, assystem of fractures in a reservoir rock typically by injecting a fluid under pressure through a wellbore and into the case may be, in which a working interest is owned.targeted formation.
Horizontal wellsWells drilled directionally horizontal to allow for development of structures not reachable through traditional vertical drilling mechanisms.
MBblsThousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
MBOEOne thousand barrels of crude oil equivalent, determined using a ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one Bbl of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids.
McfThousand cubic feet of natural gas.
Mineral interestsThe interests in ownership of the resource and mineral rights, giving an owner the right to profit from the extracted resources.
MMBtuMillion British Thermal Units.
Net royalty acres or net wellsThe sum ofGross acreage multiplied by the fractional working interest owned in gross acres.average royalty interest.
Oil and natural gas propertiesTracts of land consisting of properties to be developed for oil and natural gas resource extraction.
OperatorThe individual or company responsible for the exploration and/or production of an oil or natural gas well or lease.
ProspectA specific geographic area which, based on supporting geological, geophysical or other data and also preliminary economic analysis using reasonably anticipated prices and costs, is deemed to have potential for the discovery of commercial hydrocarbons.
Proved reservesThe estimated quantities of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be commercially recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.
ReservesThe estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be economically producible, as of a given date, by application of development projects to known accumulations. In addition, there must exist, or there must be a reasonable expectation that there will exist, the legal right to produce or a revenue interest in the production, installed means of delivering oil and natural gas or related substances to the market and all permits and financing required to implement the project. Reserves are not assigned to adjacent reservoirs isolated by major, potentially sealing, faults until those reservoirs are penetrated and evaluated as economically producible. Reserves should not be assigned to areas that are clearly separated from a known accumulation by a non-productive reservoir (i.e., absence of reservoir, structurally low reservoir or negative test results). Such areas may contain prospective resources (i.e., potentially recoverable resources from undiscovered accumulations).
ReservoirA porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible natural gas and/or oil that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is separate from other reservoirs.
Royalty interestAn interest that gives an owner the right to receive a portion of the resources or revenues without having to carry any costs of development.development, which may be subject to expiration.
WellboreWTIThe hole drilled by the bit that is equipped for oil or natural gas production on a completed well.
Working interestAn operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and receive a share of production and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.West Texas Intermediate.






ii






GLOSSARY OF CERTAIN OTHER TERMS
The following is a glossary of certain other terms that are used in this report:
DiamondbackDiamondback Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Exchange ActThe Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
GAAPAccounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
General PartnerViper Energy Partners GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and the General Partner of the Partnership.
IPOThe Partnership’s initial public offering.
LTIPViper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan.
NYMEXNew York Mercantile Exchange.
Operating CompanyViper Energy Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a consolidated subsidiary of Viper Energy Partners LP.
PartnershipViper Energy Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Partnership agreementThe first amended and restated agreement of limited partnership, dated June 23, 2014, entered into by the General Partner and Diamondback in connection with the closing of the IPO.
PredecessorViper Energy Partners LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership.
SECUnited States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Securities ActThe Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Wells FargoWells Fargo Bank, National Association.




iii






CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


Various statements contained in this report that express a belief, expectation, or intention, or that are not statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this report, the words “could,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “may,” “continue,” “predict,” “potential,” “project,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. In particular, the factors discussed in this report, including those detailed underPart II. Item 1A. Risk Factors in this report, could affect our actual results and cause our actual results to differ materially from expectations, estimates or assumptions expressed, forecasted or implied in such forward-looking statements.


Forward-looking statements may include statements about:
our ability to execute our business strategies;
the volatility of realized oil and natural gas prices;prices and the extent and duration of price reductions and increased production by OPEC members and other oil exporting nations;
the threat, occurrence, potential duration or other implications of epidemic or pandemic diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, or any government responses to such occurrence or threat;
logistical challenges and the supply chain disruptions during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
general economic, business or industry conditions;
conditions in the capital, financial and credit markets;
conditions of U.S. oil and natural gas industry and the effect of U.S. energy, monetary and trade policies;
U.S. and global economic conditions and political and economic developments, including the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and resulting energy and environmental policies;
our ability to execute our business and financial strategies;
the level of production on our properties;
regional supply and demand factors, delays or interruptions of production;production, and any government order, rule or regulation that may impose production limits on properties in which we have mineral and royalty interest;
our ability to replace our oil and natural gas reserves;
our ability to identify, complete and integrate acquisitions of properties or businesses, including our recent and pending acquisitions;
general economic, business or industry conditions;businesses;
competition in the oil and natural gas industry;
the ability of our operators to obtain capital or financing needed for development and exploration operations;
title defects in the properties in which we invest;
uncertainties with respect to identified drilling locations and estimates of reserves;
the availability or cost of rigs, equipment, raw materials, supplies, oilfield services or personnel;
restrictions on the use of water;
the availability of transportation, pipeline and storage facilities;
the ability of our operators to comply with applicable governmental laws and regulations and to obtain permits and governmental approvals;
federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing;
future operating results;
exploration and development drilling prospects, inventories, projects and programs;
operating hazards faced by our operators; and
the ability of our operators to keep pace with technological advancements.



iv



All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report or, if earlier, as of the date they were made. We do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements unless required by securities laws. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for our management to predict all risks, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements we may make. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements we make in this report are reasonable, we can give no assurance that these plans, intentions or expectations will be achieved or occur, and actual results could differ materially and adversely from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.



ivv

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION



ITEM 1.     CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

Viper Energy Partners LP
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)




 September 30,December 31,
 20172016
   
 (In thousands, except unit amounts)
Assets  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$4,438
$9,213
Restricted cash
500
Royalty income receivable17,199
10,043
Royalty income receivable—related party3,646
3,470
Other current assets147
187
Total current assets25,430
23,413
Property and equipment:  
Oil and natural gas interests, full cost method of accounting ($487,899 and $252,232 excluded from depletion at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively)1,065,392
760,818
Accumulated depletion and impairment(177,534)(148,948)
Oil and natural gas interests, net887,858
611,870
Other assets34,929
35,266
Total assets$948,217
$670,549
Liabilities and Unitholders’ Equity  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$110
$1,780
Other accrued liabilities2,747
371
Total current liabilities2,857
2,151
Long-term debt35,500
120,500
Total liabilities38,357
122,651
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

Unitholders’ equity:  
Common units (113,882,045 units issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and 87,800,356 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2016 )909,860
547,898
Total unitholders’ equity909,860
547,898
Total liabilities and unitholders’ equity$948,217
$670,549














 March 31,December 31,
 20202019
 (In thousands, except unit amounts)
Assets  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$40,271
$3,602
Royalty income receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts)37,960
58,089
Royalty income receivable—related party
10,576
Derivative instruments776

Other current assets334
397
Total current assets79,341
72,664
Property:  
Oil and natural gas interests, full cost method of accounting ($1,587,992 and $1,551,767 excluded from depletion at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)2,933,085
2,868,459
Land5,688
5,688
Accumulated depletion and impairment(351,116)(326,474)
Property, net2,587,657
2,547,673
Derivative instruments62

Deferred tax asset (net of allowance)
142,466
Other assets12,421
22,823
Total assets$2,679,481
$2,785,626
Liabilities and Unitholders’ Equity  
Current liabilities:  
Accounts payable$324
$
Accounts payable—related party
150
Accrued liabilities16,623
13,282
Derivative instruments7,362

Total current liabilities24,309
13,432
Long-term debt, net664,040
586,774
Derivative instruments965

Total liabilities689,314
600,206
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)


Unitholders’ equity:  
General partner869
889
Common units (67,831,342 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and 67,805,707 units issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019)756,408
929,116
Class B units (90,709,946 units issued and outstanding March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019)1,105
1,130
Total Viper Energy Partners LP unitholders’ equity758,382
931,135
Non-controlling interest1,231,785
1,254,285
Total equity1,990,167
2,185,420
Total liabilities and unitholders’ equity$2,679,481
$2,785,626
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


1

Table of Contents
Viper Energy Partners LP
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
20172016 2017201620202019
(In thousands, except per unit amounts)(In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Operating income:    
Royalty income$42,211
$19,992
 $110,194
$50,914
$76,829
$60,428
Lease bonus322
5
 2,613
309
Lease bonus income1,622
1,160
Other operating income241
2
Total operating income42,533
19,997
 112,807
51,223
78,692
61,590
Costs and expenses:    
Production and ad valorem taxes2,825
1,429
 7,668
4,134
6,147
3,692
Gathering and transportation205
70
 492
247
Depletion11,068
6,751
 28,587
21,485
24,642
16,199
Impairment

 
47,469
General and administrative expenses1,368
1,153
 5,064
4,109
2,666
1,695
Total costs and expenses15,466
9,403
 41,811
77,444
33,455
21,586
Income (loss) from operations27,067
10,594
 70,996
(26,221)
Income from operations45,237
40,004
Other income (expense):    
Interest expense(859)(658) (2,114)(1,544)
Other income399
266
 526
612
Total other income (expense), net(460)(392) (1,588)(932)
Net income (loss)$26,607
$10,202
 $69,408
$(27,153)
Interest expense, net(8,963)(4,549)
Loss on derivative instruments, net(7,942)
(Loss) gain on revaluation of investment(10,120)3,592
Other income, net404
656
Total other expense, net(26,621)(301)
Income before income taxes18,616
39,703
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes142,466
(34,608)
Net (loss) income(123,850)74,311
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest18,319
40,532
Net (loss) income attributable to Viper Energy Partners LP$(142,169)$33,779
    
Net income attributable to common limited partners per unit:   
Basic and Diluted$0.24
$0.12
 $0.69
$(0.33)
Weighted average number of limited partner units outstanding:   
Net (loss) income attributable to common limited partner units: 
Basic110,377
84,996
 101,095
81,496
$(2.10)$0.61
Diluted110,424
85,003
 101,143
81,496
$(2.10)$0.61
Weighted average number of common limited partner units outstanding: 
Basic67,822
55,448
Diluted67,823
55,475


































See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


2

Table of Contents
Viper Energy Partners LP
Consolidated Statements of Unitholders' Equity
(Unaudited)




 Limited Partners
 Common  
 Units Amount
   (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 201579,726
 $495,144
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units - public6,050
 93,564
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units - Diamondback2,000
 31,200
Unit-based compensation24
 2,974
Distributions to public
 (6,397)
Distributions to Diamondback
 (40,253)
Net loss
 (27,153)
Balance at September 30, 201687,800
 $549,079
    
Balance at December 31, 201687,800
 $547,898
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units - public25,175
 369,896
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units - Diamondback700
 10,067
Common units issued for acquisition175
 3,050
Unit-based compensation32
 2,039
Distributions to public
 (27,640)
Distributions to Diamondback
 (64,858)
Net income
 69,408
Balance at September 30, 2017113,882
 $909,860
 Limited Partners General Partner Non-Controlling Interest  
 Common   Class B   Amount Amount  
 Units Amount Units Amount   Total
 (In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 201967,806
 $929,116
 90,710
 $1,130
 $889
 $1,254,285
 $2,185,420
Unit-based compensation42
 387
   
 
 
 387
Distribution equivalent rights payments  (20)   
 
 
 (20)
Distributions to public  (30,194)   
 
 
 (30,194)
Distributions to Diamondback  (329)   (25) 
 (40,819) (41,173)
Distributions to General Partner  
   
 (20) 
 (20)
Units repurchased for tax withholding(17) (383)   
 
 
 (383)
Net (loss) income  (142,169)   
 
 18,319
 (123,850)
Balance at March 31, 202067,831
 $756,408
 90,710
 $1,105
 $869
 $1,231,785
 $1,990,167




Balance at December 31, 201851,654
 $540,112
 72,419
 $990
 $1,000
 $694,940
 $1,237,042
Net proceeds from the issuance of common units - public10,925
 340,648
   
 
 
 340,648
Unit-based compensation60
 405
   
 
 
 405
Distributions to public  (25,970)   
 
 
 (25,970)
Distributions to Diamondback  (392)   
 
 (36,934) (37,326)
Distributions to General Partner  (20)   
 
 
 (20)
Change in ownership of consolidated subsidiaries, net  (71,195)   
 
 90,120
 18,925
Units repurchased for tax withholding(11) (353)   
 
 
 (353)
Net income  33,779
   
 
 40,532
 74,311
Balance at March 31, 201962,628
 $817,014
 72,419
 $990
 $1,000
 $788,658
 $1,607,662









































See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


3

Table of Contents
Viper Energy Partners LP
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)




Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017201620202019
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:  
Net income (loss)$69,408
$(27,153)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: 
Net (loss) income$(123,850)$74,311
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: 
Provision for (benefit from) deferred income taxes142,466
(34,655)
Depletion28,587
21,485
24,642
16,199
Impairment
47,469
Change in fair value of derivative instruments7,489

Loss (gain) on revaluation of investment10,120
(3,592)
Amortization of debt issuance costs434
280
574
216
Non-cash unit-based compensation2,039
2,974
387
405
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:  
Restricted cash500

Royalty income receivable(7,156)(549)20,129
740
Royalty income receivable—related party(176)
10,576
(3,887)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities3,665
(3,289)
Accounts payable—related party
(4)(150)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities367
1,707
Income tax payable
47
Other current assets54
345
63
(44)
Net cash provided by operating activities94,057
46,554
96,111
46,451
Cash flows from investing activities:  
Acquisition of mineral interests(301,133)(137,786)
Acquisitions of oil and natural gas interests(64,626)(81,923)
Net cash used in investing activities(301,133)(137,786)(64,626)(81,923)
Cash flows from financing activities:  
Proceeds from borrowings under credit facility220,500
98,000
92,000
59,500
Repayment on credit facility(305,500)(78,000)(15,000)(313,500)
Debt issuance costs(180)(35)(26)(50)
Proceeds from public offerings380,412
125,580

340,860
Public offering costs(433)(444)
(212)
Distributions to partners(92,498)(46,650)
Units purchased for tax withholding(383)(353)
Distributions to General Partner(20)(20)
Distributions to public(30,214)(25,970)
Distributions to Diamondback(41,173)(37,326)
Net cash provided by financing activities202,301
98,451
5,184
22,929
Net increase (decrease) in cash(4,775)7,219
36,669
(12,543)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period9,213
539
3,602
22,676
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$4,438
$7,758
$40,271
$10,133
  
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:  
Interest paid, net of capitalized interest$1,781
$1,251
Interest paid$1,617
$4,908


















See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



4

Table of Contents
Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)






1.    ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION


Organization


Viper Energy Partners LP (the “Partnership”) is a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership, the common units of which are listed on the NASDAQNasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “VNOM”. The Partnership was formed by Diamondback Energy, Inc. (“Diamondback”) on February 27, 2014 to, among other things, own, acquire and exploit oil and natural gas properties in North America. The Partnership is currently focused on owning and acquiring mineral interests and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin.Basin and Eagle Ford Shale. Since May 10, 2018, the Partnership has been treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Unless the context requires otherwise, references to “we,” “us,” “our” or “the Partnership” are intended to mean the business and operations of Viper Energy Partners LPthe Partnership and its consolidated subsidiary, Viper Energy Partners LLC.LLC (the “Operating Company”).


As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, Viper Energy Partners GP LLC (the “General Partner”), held a 100% non-economic general partner interest in the Partnership and Diamondback had an approximate 64%58% limited partner interest in the Partnership. Diamondback owns and controls the General Partner.


Basis of Presentation


The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto were prepared in conformity with GAAP. All material intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.


These financial statements have been prepared by the Partnership without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. They reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods, on a basis consistent with the annual audited financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Certain information, accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Partnership believes the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. This Quarterly Report on Form 10–Q should be read in conjunction with the Partnership’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10–K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2019, which contains a summary of the Partnership’s significant accounting policies and other disclosures.


2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Use of Estimates


Certain amounts included in or affecting the Partnership’s financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated by management, requiring certain assumptions to be made with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts the Partnership reports for assets and liabilities and the Partnership’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements.


Making accurate estimates and assumptions are particularly difficult as the oil and gas industry experiences challenges resulting from negative pricing pressure from the effects of a decline in worldwide economic conditions. The decline in worldwide economic conditions is the result of a global COVID-19 pandemic announced in March 2020, which has reduced economic activity and resulted in a significant decline in the short term demand for oil and gas production. Companies in the oil and gas industry are beginning to change near term business plans in response to changing market conditions. The aforementioned circumstances generally increases the estimation uncertainty in our accounting estimates, particularly the accounting estimates involving financial forecasts.

The Partnership evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Partnership considers reasonable in theeach particular circumstances.circumstance. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the Partnership’s estimates. Any effects on the Partnership’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas interests, fair value estimates of commodity derivatives, and unit–based compensation.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This update supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition requirements in GAAP and requires (i) an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services and (ii) requires expanded disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and certainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers. The standard will be effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, early application permitted for annual reporting period beginning after December 31, 2016. The standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning


5

Table of Contents
Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(unaudited)(Unaudited)






the standard is applied to all periods presented in the financial statements, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only
Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of receivables from oil and natural gas sales. The operators remit payment for production directly to the mostPartnership. Most payments for production are received within three months after the production date. Payments on new wells added organically or through acquisition can take a few months longer due to title opinion work which is required to be completed by the operator before payments are released.

The Partnership adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13 and the subsequent applicable modifications to the rule on January 1, 2020. Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from purchasers, net of an allowance for expected losses as estimated by the Partnership when the Partnership believes collection is doubtful. The Partnership determines its allowance by considering a number of factors, including the Partnership’s previous loss history, the debtor’s current period presented. ability to pay its obligation to the Partnership, the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Partnership writes off specific accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for expected losses. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not result in a material change to the Partnership’s allowance. As the adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not result in a material allowance, no cumulative-effect adjustment was made to beginning unitholders’ equity. At March 31, 2020, the Partnership recorded an allowance for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million related to royalty income receivable. The Partnership did 0t record an allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2019.

Derivative Instruments

The Partnership is currently evaluating the impact of this standard; however, the Partnership has reviewedrequired to recognize its various contracts and has not identified any revenue that would be materially impacted and therefore does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impactderivative instruments on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity. The Partnership anticipates using the modified retrospective adoption.

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, “Financial Instruments–Overall”. This update applies to any entity that holds financialconsolidated balance sheets as assets or owes financial liabilities. This update requires equity investments (except for those accounted for under the equity method or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measuredliabilities at fair value with such amounts classified as current or long-term based on their anticipated settlement dates. The accounting for the changes in fair value recognized in net income. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities should apply the amendments by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment toderivative depends on the balance sheet asintended use of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.derivative and resulting designation. The Partnership will be required to markhas not designated its cost method investmentderivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes and, as a result, marks its derivative instruments to fair value withand recognizes the adoption of this update.

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, “Leases”. This update applies to any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exemptions. Under this update, a lessee should recognizecash and non-cash change in fair value on derivative instruments for each period in the statementconsolidated statements of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. While there were no major changes to the lessor accounting, changes were made to align key aspects with the revenue recognition guidance. This update will be effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Entities will be required to recognize and measure leases at the beginningoperations.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The Partnership believes the primary impact of adopting this standard will be the recognition of assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for current operating leases. The Partnership is still evaluating the impact of this standard.following:

 March 31, December 31,
 2020 2019
 (In thousands)
Interest payable$13,438
 $6,718
Ad valorem taxes payable2,329
 5,632
Other856
 932
Total accrued liabilities$16,623
 $13,282

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation". This update applies to all entities that issue equity-based payment awards to their employees. Under this update, there were several areas that were simplified including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update was effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Partnership prospectively adopted this standard effective January 1, 2017. The Partnership elected to account for forfeitures as they occur as a result of adopting this standard.

In April 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing”. This update clarifies two principles of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: identifying performance obligations and the licensing implementation guidance. This standard has the same effective date as Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, the revenue recognition standard discussed above. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In May 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-12, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients”. This update applies only to the following areas from Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606: assessing the collectability criterion and accounting for contracts that do not meet the criteria for step 1, presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, non-cash consideration, contract modification at transition, completed contracts at transition and technical correction. This standard has the same effective date as Accounting Standards Update 2016-08, the revenue recognition standard discussed above. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership's financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”. This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affects loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Partnership


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Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(unaudited)(Unaudited)






doesRecent Accounting Pronouncements

The Partnership considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not believe the adoptionlisted below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or clarifications of this standard will haveASUs previously disclosed. The following table provides a material impact onbrief description of recent accounting pronouncements and the Partnership’s financial statements since the Partnership does not have a history of credit losses.

In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash”. This update affects entities that have restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. This update will be effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. This update will be applied retrospectively. The Partnership does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2017-01, “Business Combinations - Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This update apples to all entities that must determine whether they acquired or sold a business. This update provides a screen to determine when a set is not a business. The screen requires that when substantially allanalysis of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set is not a business. This update will be effective foreffects on its financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. This update should be applied prospectively on or after the effective date. This update is not expected to have a material impact on the Partnership’s financial statements or results of operations. The adoption of this update will change the process that the Partnership uses to evaluate whether the Partnership has acquired a business or an asset. This update will be applied prospectively and will not have an effect on prior acquisitions.statements:

StandardDescriptionDate of AdoptionEffect on Financial Statements or Other Significant Matters
Recently Adopted Pronouncements
ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses”This update affects entities holding financial assets and net investment in leases that are not accounted for at fair value through net income. The amendments affect loans, debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases, off-balance sheet credit exposures, reinsurance receivables, and any other financial assets not excluded from the scope that have the contractual right to receive cash.Q1 2020
The Partnership adopted this update effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity since it does not have a history of credit losses.

ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”This update modifies the fair value measurement disclosure requirements specifically related to Level 3 fair value measurements and transfers between levels.Q1 2020The Partnership adopted this update effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity since it does not have transfers between fair value levels.
ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal - Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract”This update requires the capitalization of implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract for internal-use software. Training and certain data conversion costs cannot be capitalized. The entity is required to expense the capitalized implementation costs over the term of the hosting agreement.Q1 2020The Partnership adopted this update prospectively effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
ASU 2019-05, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326)”This update allows a fair value option to be elected for certain financial assets, other than held-to-maturity debt securities, that were previously required to be measured at amortized cost basis.Q1 2020The Partnership adopted this update effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
ASU 2020-04, “Rate Reform (Topic 848)”This update provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR.Q1 2020The Partnership adopted this update upon issuance and elected to use the optional expedient for contracts that reference LIBOR. The amendments in this update expire on December 31, 2022. The adoption of this update did not have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes”This update is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and by clarifying and amending existing guidance.Q1 2021This update is effective for public business entities beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Partnership does not believe the adoption of this standard will have an impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.


3.    REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Royalty income represents the right to receive revenues from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales obtained by the operator of the wells in which the Partnership owns a royalty interest. Royalty income is recognized at the point control of the product is transferred to the purchaser. Virtually all of the Partnership’s contracts’ pricing provisions are tied to a market index.


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Royalty income from oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales

The Partnership’s oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales contracts are generally structured whereby the producer of the properties in which the Partnership owns a royalty interest sells the Partnership’s proportionate share of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production to the purchaser and the Partnership collects its percentage royalty based on the revenue generated by the sale of the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. In this scenario, the Partnership recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the wellhead or at the gas processing facility based on the Partnership’s percentage ownership share of the revenue, net any deductions for gathering and transportation.

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations

The Partnership’s right to royalty income does not originate until production occurs and, therefore, is not considered to exist beyond each days’ production. Therefore, there are no remaining performance obligations under any of the Partnership’s royalty income contracts.

Contract balances

Under the Partnership’s royalty income contracts, it would have the right to receive royalty income once production has occurred, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Partnership’s royalty income contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under Accounting Standards Codification 606.

Prior-period performance obligations

The Partnership records revenue in the month production is delivered. However, settlement statements for certain natural gas and natural gas liquids sales may not be received for 30 to 90 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, the Partnership is required to estimate the amount of royalty income to be received based upon the Partnership’s interest. The Partnership records the differences between its estimates and the actual amounts received for royalties in the month that payment is received from the producer. The Partnership has existing internal controls for its revenue estimation process and related accruals, and any identified differences between its revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material. The Partnership believes that the pricing provisions of its oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids contracts are customary in the industry. To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas sales are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the royalties related to expected sales volumes and prices for those properties are estimated and recorded.

4.    ACQUISITIONS


2020 Activity

During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the Partnership acquired, from unrelated third-party sellers, mineral and royalty interests underlying 2,769representing 4,948 gross (410 net royalty) acres in the Permian Basin for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $63.4 million, subject to post-closing adjustments and, as of March 31, 2020, had mineral and royalty interests representing 24,714 net royalty acres. The Partnership funded these acquisitions with cash on hand and borrowings under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility.

2019 Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Partnership acquired, from unrelated third-party sellers, mineral and royalty interests representing 627 net royalty acres for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $304.6$82.7 million and, as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, had mineral and royalty interests underlying 9,173representing 15,469 net royalty acres. The Partnership funded these acquisitions primarily with borrowings under its revolving credit facility, withcash on hand, a portion of the net proceeds from its January and July 2017 offeringsFebruary 2019 offering of common units and withborrowings under the issuance of 174,513 common units to a seller in a private placement in May 2017.Operating Company’s revolving credit facility.



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5.    OIL AND NATURAL GAS INTERESTS


Oil and natural gas interests include the following:
 March 31,December 31,
 20202019
   
 (in thousands)
Oil and natural gas interests:  
Subject to depletion$1,345,093
$1,316,692
Not subject to depletion1,587,992
1,551,767
Gross oil and natural gas interests2,933,085
2,868,459
Accumulated depletion and impairment(351,116)(326,474)
Oil and natural gas interests, net2,581,969
2,541,985
Land5,688
5,688
Property, net of accumulated depletion and impairment$2,587,657
$2,547,673
   
Balance of costs not subject to depletion:  
Incurred in 2020$54,062
 
Incurred in 2019827,680
 
Incurred in 2018459,094
 
Incurred in 2017247,156
 
Total not subject to depletion$1,587,992
 

 September 30,December 31,
 20172016
   
 (in thousands)
Oil and natural gas interests:  
Subject to depletion$577,493
$508,586
Not subject to depletion487,899
252,232
Gross oil and natural gas interests1,065,392
760,818
Accumulated depletion and impairment(177,534)(148,948)
Oil and natural gas interests, net$887,858
$611,870
   
Balance of acquisition costs not subject to depletion  
Incurred in 2017$250,227
 
Incurred in 2016$162,984
 
Incurred in 2015$32,067
 
Incurred in 2014$42,621
 
Total not subject to depletion$487,899
 


Costs associated with unevaluated interests are excluded from the full cost pool until a determination as to the existence of proved reserves is able tocan be made. The inclusion of the Partnership’s unevaluated costs into the amortization base is expected to be completed within three to five years.


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Under the full cost method of accounting, the Partnership is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The test determines a limit, or ceiling, on the book value of the proved oil and gas interests. Net capitalized costs are limited to the lower of unamortized cost or the cost center ceiling. The cost center ceiling is defined as the sum of (a) estimated future net revenues,revenue including estimated expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves, discounted at 10% per annum, from proved reserves, based on the trailing 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month price, adjusted for any contract provisions or financial derivatives, if any, that hedge the Partnership’s oil and natural gas revenue, (b) the cost of interests not being amortized, if any, and (c) the lower of cost or market value of unproved interests included in the cost being amortized. If the net book value exceeds the ceiling, an impairment or non-cash write down is required.


As a result ofAfter performing the decline in prices,ceiling test for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, the Partnership recorded a non-cash impairment forwas not required to record an impairment. If the nine months ended September 30, 2016 of $47.5 million, which is included in accumulated depletion and impairment. There was no impairment recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. For 2016, the impairment charge affected the Partnership’s reported net loss but did not reduce its cash flow. In addition totrailing 12-month commodity prices continue to fall as compared to the Partnership’s production rates, levels of proved reserves, transfers of unevaluated properties and other factorscommodity prices used in prior quarters, the Partnership will determine its actual ceiling test limitations and impairment analysishave material write downs in future periods.subsequent quarters.


5.6.    DEBT


Credit Agreement-Wells Fargo Bank
 March 31, December 31,
 2020 2019
 (in thousands)
5.375 % Senior Notes due 2027$500,000
 $500,000
Revolving credit facility173,500
 96,500
Unamortized debt issuance costs(2,380) (2,458)
Unamortized discount costs(7,080) (7,268)
Total long-term debt$664,040
 $586,774



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2027 Senior Notes
On October 16, 2019, the Partnership completed an offering (the “Notes Offering”) of $500.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”). The Partnership received net proceeds of approximately $490.0 million from the Notes Offering. The Partnership loaned the gross proceeds to the Operating Company. The Operating Company used the proceeds from the Notes Offering to pay down borrowings under its revolving credit facility.

The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Partnership, initially are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Operating Company and pay interest semi-annually. Neither Diamondback nor the General Partner guarantee the Notes. In the future, each of the Partnership’s restricted subsidiaries that either (1) guarantees any of its or a guarantor’s other indebtedness or (2) is partya domestic restricted subsidiary and is an obligor with respect to a secured revolvingany indebtedness under any credit agreement,facility will be required to guarantee the Notes.

Intercompany Promissory Note

In connection with and upon closing of the Notes Offering, the Partnership loaned the gross proceeds from the Notes Offering to the Operating Company under the terms of that certain subordinated promissory note, dated as of October 16, 2019, by the Operating Company in favor of the Partnership (the “Intercompany Promissory Note”). The Intercompany Promissory Note requires the Operating Company to repay the underlying loan to the Partnership on the same terms and in the same amounts as the Notes and has the same maturity date, interest rate, change of control repurchase and redemption provisions. The Partnership’s right to receive payment under the Intercompany Promissory Note is contractually subordinated to the Operating Company’s guarantee of the Notes and is structurally subordinated to all of the Operating Company’s secured indebtedness (including all borrowings and other obligations under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility) to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

The Operating Company’s Revolving Credit Facility

On July 8, 2014,20, 2018, the Partnership, as guarantor, entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with the Operating Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo National Bank (“Wells Fargo”), as administrative agent, and the other lenders. The credit agreement, as amended with Wells Fargo, asto the administrative agent, sole book runner and lead arranger. The credit agreementdate hereof, provides for a revolving credit facility in the maximum credit amount of $500.0$2.0 billion and a borrowing base based on the Operating Company’s oil and natural gas reserves and other factors (the ‘‘borrowing base’’) of $775.0 million, subject to scheduled semi-annual and other elective collateral borrowing base redeterminations based on the Partnership’s oil and natural gas reserves and other factors.redeterminations. The borrowing base is scheduled to be re-determined semi-annually with effective dates of AprilMay 1st and OctoberNovember 1st. In addition, the PartnershipOperating Company and Wells Fargo each may request up to three additional3 interim redeterminations of the borrowing base during any 12-month period. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the borrowing base was set at $315.0$775.0 million and the PartnershipOperating Company had $35.5$173.5 million inof outstanding borrowings and $601.5 million available for future borrowings under itsthe Operating Company’s revolving credit agreement.facility. In connection with the regularly scheduled (semi-annual) spring 2020 redetermination, the administrative agent has recommended that the borrowing base be decreased to $580.0 million, which is expected to be effective mid May 2020. The decrease is subject to approval by the requisite lenders under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility. Under the new expected borrowing base, the Operating Company would have had $406.5 million of availability for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.


The outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a rate elected by the PartnershipOperating Company that is equal to an alternative base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.50% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 1.00%0.75% to 2.00%1.75% per annum in the case of the alternative base rate and from 2.00%1.75% to 3.00%2.75% per annum in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of the loanloans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment, which is defined as the lesser of the maximum credit amount and the borrowing base. The PartnershipOperating Company is obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the borrowing base,commitment, which fee is also dependent on the amount of the loanloans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the borrowing base.commitment. Loan principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage), and is required to be repaid (a) to the extent that the loan amount exceeds the commitment or the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period), (b) in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from the sale of property when a borrowing base deficiency or event of default exists under the credit agreement and (b)(c) at the maturity date of July 8, 2019.November 1, 2022. The loan is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Partnership and its subsidiary.the Operating Company.


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Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)




The credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, purchases of margin stock, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements, and require the maintenance of the financial ratios described below.below:


Financial Covenant Required Ratio
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreementNot greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreementNot less than 1.0 to 1.0



The covenant prohibiting additional indebtedness allows for the issuance of unsecured debt of up to $250.0 million$1.0 billion in the form of senior unsecured notes and, in connection with any such issuance, the reduction of the borrowing base by 25% of the stated principal amount of each such issuance. A borrowing base reduction in connection with such issuance may require a portion of the outstanding principal of the loan to be repaid.


As of March 31, 2020, the Operating Company was in compliance with the financial maintenance covenants under its credit agreement. The lenders may accelerate all of the indebtedness under the Partnership’srevolving credit agreementfacility upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default. The Partnership’s credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy and change of control. ThereWith certain specified exceptions, the terms and provisions of the credit agreement generally may be amended with the consent of the lenders holding a majority of the outstanding loans or commitments to lend.

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Notes to Financial Statements - (Continued)
(unaudited)



are no cure periods for events of default due to non-payment of principal and breaches of negative and financial covenants, but non-payment of interest and breaches of certain affirmative covenants are subject to customary cure periods.


6.7.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS


Partnership Agreement


In connection with the closing of the IPO, the General Partner and Diamondback entered into the firstThe second amended and restated agreement of limited partnership, dated June 23, 2014as of May 9, 2018, as amended as of May 10, 2018 (the “Partnership Agreement”). The Partnership Agreement, requires the Partnership to reimburse the General Partner for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or paid on the Partnership’s behalf and all other expenses allocable to the Partnership or otherwise incurred by the General Partner in connection with operating the Partnership’s business. The Partnership Agreement does not set a limit on the amount of expenses for which the General Partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for the Partnership or on the Partnership’s behalf and expenses allocated to the General Partner by its affiliates. The General Partner is entitled to determine the expenses that are allocable to the Partnership. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020 and 2019, the General Partner allocated $0.6$0.9 million and $1.8$0.6 million, respectively, to the Partnership. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, no expenses were allocated to the Partnership by the General Partner.

Advisory Services Agreement

In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership and General Partner entered into an advisory services agreement with Wexford Capital LP (“Wexford”) dated as of June 23, 2014 (the “Advisory Services Agreement”), under which Wexford provides the Partnership and the General Partner with general financial and strategic advisory services related to the Partnership’s business in return for an annual fee of $0.5 million, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. The Advisory Services Agreement has an initial term of two years commencing on June 23, 2014, and continues for additional one-year periods unless terminated in writing by either party at least ten days prior to the expiration of the then current term. It may be terminated at any time by either party upon 30 days prior written notice. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, the Partnership did not pay any costs under the Advisory Services Agreement.


Tax Sharing


In connection with the closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a tax sharing agreement with Diamondback, dated June 23, 2014, pursuant to which the Partnership agreed to reimburse Diamondback for its share of state and local income and other taxes for which the Partnership’s results are included in a combined or consolidated tax return filed by Diamondback with respect to taxable periods including or beginning on June 23, 2014. The amount of any such reimbursement is limited to the tax the Partnership would have paid had it not been included in a combined group with Diamondback. Diamondback may use its tax attributes to cause its combined or consolidated group, of which the Partnership may be a member for this purpose, to owe less or no tax. In such a situation, the Partnership agreed to reimburse Diamondback for the tax the Partnership would have owed had the tax attributes not been available or used for the Partnership’s benefit, even though Diamondback had no cash tax expense for that period. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Partnership did 0t accrue any state income tax expense. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Partnership accrued state income tax expense of $47,364 for its share of Texas margin tax for which the Partnership’s results are included in a combined tax return filed by Diamondback.



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Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Lease Bonus


During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, Diamondback, did not pay the Partnership any lease bonus payments. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Diamondbackeither directly or through its consolidated subsidiaries, paid the Partnership $0.1$0.3 million in lease bonus payments to extend the term of two leases, reflecting an average1 lease and $1.3 million in lease bonus of $7,459 per acre.payments for 1 new lease. During the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2019, Diamondback paid the Partnership $5,000$198 in lease bonus payments to extend the term of two1 lease and $3,101 in lease bonus payments for 2 new leases.

Surface Use

Diamondback periodically pays the Partnership for surface use charges and right of way easements related to properties that Diamondback leases reflecting an average bonus of $200 per acre.from the Partnership. During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2020 and 2019, Diamondback paid the Partnership $0.3$0.1 million respectively, in lease bonus payments to extend the term of six leases, reflecting an average bonus of $1,371 per acre.and less than $0.1 million, respectively.

7.8.    UNIT-BASED COMPENSATION


In connection with the IPO, the board of directors of the General Partner adopted the Viper Energy Partners LP Long Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), effective June 17, 2014, for employees, officers, consultants and directors of the General Partner and any of its affiliates, including Diamondback, who perform services for the Partnership. The LTIP provides for the grant of unit options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, unit awards, phantom units, distribution equivalent rights, cash awards, performance awards, other unit-based awards and substitute awards. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, a total of 9,070,3568,867,283 common units

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Notes to Financial Statements - (Continued)
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had been reserved for issuance pursuant to the LTIP. Common units that are cancelled, forfeited or withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding obligations will be available for delivery pursuant to other awards. The LTIP is administered by the board of directors of the General Partner or a committee thereof.


For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the Partnership incurred $0.5 million and $2.0$0.4 million of unit–based compensation.


Phantom Units


Under the LTIP, the board of directors of the General Partner is authorized to issue phantom units to eligible employees and non-employee directors. The Partnership estimates the fair value of phantom units as the closing price of the Partnership’s common units on the grant date of the award, which is expensed over the applicable vesting period. Upon vesting the phantom units entitle the recipient to one common unit of the Partnership for each phantom unit.


The following table presents the phantom unit activity under the LTIP for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017:March 31, 2020:
 Phantom
Units
 Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 201995,248
 $26.87
Vested(42,814) $23.24
Unvested at March 31, 202052,434
 $29.83

 Phantom
Units
 Weighted Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Unvested at December 31, 201621,048
 $16.23
Granted103,190
 $16.79
Vested(32,176) $16.49
Unvested at September 30, 201792,062
 $16.77


The aggregate fair value of phantom units that vested during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was $0.5$1.0 million. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested phantom units was $1.4$1.1 million. Such cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.31.41 years.


During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Partnership modified certain of the phantom units to include distribution equivalent rights during the vesting period. This modification effected 21 awards and resulted in 0 incremental compensation costs to be recognized.

8.9.    UNITHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND PARTNERSHIP DISTRIBUTIONS


The Partnership has general partner and common unit partnership interests. The generallimited partner interest is a non-economic interest and is not entitled to any cash distributions.

units. At September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the Partnership had a total of 113,882,04567,831,342 common units issued and outstanding and 90,709,946 Class B units issued and outstanding, of which 73,150,000731,500 common units and 90,709,946 Class B units were owned by Diamondback, representing approximately 64%58% of the total Partnership’s units outstanding. The Operating Company units and the Partnership’s Class B units owned by Diamondback are exchangeable from time to time

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Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



for the Partnership’s common units (that is, one Operating Company unit and one Partnership Class B unit, together, will be exchangeable for one Partnership common units outstanding.unit).


The following table summarizes changes in the number of the Partnership’s common units:
 Common Units
Balance at December 31, 2016201987,800,35667,805,707
Common units issued in public offerings25,875,000

Common units vested and issued under the LTIP32,17625,635
Common units issued for acquisition174,513

Balance at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020113,882,04567,831,342




The Partnership had a total of 90,709,946 Class B units outstanding as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

In March 2019, the Partnership completed an underwritten public offering of 10,925,000 common units, which included 1,425,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters. Following this offering, Diamondback owned approximately 54% of the total Partnership units then outstanding. The Partnership received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $340.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses. The Partnership used the net proceeds to purchase units of the Operating Company. The Operating Company in turn used the net proceeds to repay a portion of the outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility and finance acquisitions during the period.

The board of directors of the General Partner has adopted a policy for the Partnership to distribute all available cash generated on a quarterly basis beginning withall available cash it receives from the quarter ended September 30, 2014.Operating Company.


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The following table presents information regarding cash distributions approved by the board of directors of the General Partner for the periods presented:
  Amount per Common Unit Declaration Date Unitholder Record Date Payment Date
Q4 2019 $0.45
 February 7, 2020 February 21, 2020 February 28, 2020

  Amount per Common Unit Declaration Date Unitholder Record Date Payment Date
Q4 2016 $0.258
 February 3, 2017 February 17, 2017 February 24, 2017
Q1 2017 $0.302
 April 28, 2017 May 18, 2017 May 25, 2017
Q2 2017 $0.332
 July 28, 2017 August 17, 2017 August 24, 2017


Cash distributions will be made to the common unitholders of record on the applicable record date, generally within 60 days after the end of each quarter. Available cash for each quarter will be determined by the board of directors of the General Partner following the end of such quarter. Available cash for each quarter will generally equal Adjusted EBITDA reduced for cash needed for debt service and other contractual obligations and fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors of the General Partner deems necessary or appropriate, if any.


Amendment to LLC Agreement - Tax Allocation Placeholder

On March 30, 2020, the Partnership, as managing member of the Operating Company, entered into the First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Operating Company (the “Amendment”) to extend the remaining period of special allocations to Diamondback of the Operating Company’s income and gains over losses and deductions (but before depletion) from two to four years.

9.10.    EARNINGS PER UNIT


The net (loss) income per common unit on the consolidated statements of operations is based on the net (loss) income (loss) of the Partnership for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, since this is the amount of net (loss) income (loss) that is attributable to the Partnership’s common units.


The Partnership’s net (loss) income (loss) is allocated wholly to the common units as the General Partner does not have an economic interest.units. Payments made to the Partnership’s unitholders are determined in relation to the cash distribution policy described in Note 8—Unitholders’9—Unitholders' Equity and Partnership Distributions.



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Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Basic net (loss) income per common unit is calculated by dividing net (loss) income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common units outstanding during the period. Diluted net (loss) income per common unit gives effect, when applicable, to unvested common units granted under the LTIP.
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20202019
 (In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net (loss) income attributable to the period$(142,169)$33,779
Less: net income allocated to participating securities(1)
(20)(42)
Net (loss) income attributable to common unitholders$(142,189)$33,737
Weighted average common units outstanding: 
Basic weighted average common units outstanding67,822
55,448
Effect of dilutive securities:  
Potential common units issuable1
27
Diluted weighted average common units outstanding67,823
55,475
Net (loss) income per common unit, basic$(2.10)$0.61
Net (loss) income per common unit, diluted$(2.10)$0.61

(1)Distribution equivalent rights granted to employees are considered participating securities.
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20172016 20172016
 (In thousands, except per unit amounts)
Net income (loss) attributable to the period26,607
10,202
 69,408
(27,153)
Weighted average common units outstanding     
Basic weighted average common units outstanding110,377
84,996
 101,095
81,496
Effect of dilutive securities:     
Potential common units issuable47
7
 48

Diluted weighted average common units outstanding110,424
85,003
 101,143
81,496
Net income per common unit, basic$0.24$0.12 $0.69$(0.33)
Net income per common unit, diluted$0.24$0.12 $0.69$(0.33)


For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,March 31, 2020 , there were 1,35618,169 common units and 1,514,069that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common units, respectively,unit and for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,March 31, 2019, there were 43,4140 common units and 1,583,376 common units, respectively, that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common unit because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented but could potentially dilute basic earnings per common unit in future periods.


10.11.    INCOME TAXES

The Partnership’s effective income tax rates were 765.3% and (87.2)% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Total income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 differed from amounts computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rate to pre-tax income for the period primarily due to net income attributable to the non-controlling interest and the impact of recording a valuation allowance on the Partnership’s deferred tax assets. Total income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2019 differed from amounts computed by applying the United States federal statutory rate to pre-tax income for the period primarily due to net income attributable to the non-controlling interest and the revision of estimated deferred taxes recognized as a result of the Partnership’s change in tax status.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Partnership recorded a discrete income tax expense of approximately $142.5 million related to application of a full valuation allowance on the Partnership’s beginning-of-the-year deferred tax assets, which consist primarily of its investment in the Operating Company and federal net operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance was also applied against the year-to-date tax benefit resulting from the Partnership’s projected pretax loss for the year. The determination to record a valuation allowance was based on its assessment of all available evidence, both positive and negative, supporting realizability of the Partnership’s deferred tax assets, as required by applicable financial accounting standards.  In light of those criteria for recognizing the tax benefit of deferred tax assets, the Partnership’s assessment resulted in recording a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Partnership recorded a discrete income tax benefit of approximately $35.2 million related to the revision of estimated deferred taxes on the Partnership’s investment in the Operating Company arising from the change in the Partnership’s federal tax status. Under federal income tax provisions applicable to the Partnership’s change in tax status, the Partnership’s basis for federal income tax purposes in its interest in the Operating Company consisted primarily of the sum of the Partnership’s unitholders’ tax basis in their interests in the Partnership on the date of the tax status change. The Partnership prepared its best estimate of the resultant tax basis in the Operating Company for purposes of the Partnership’s income tax provision for the period of the change, but information necessary for the partnership to finalize its determination was not available until unitholders’ tax basis information was fully reported and the Partnership finalized its federal income tax computations for 2018. Based on information available as of March 31, 2019, the Partnership revised its estimate of the difference between its

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Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



tax basis and its basis for financial accounting purposes in the Operating Company on the date of the tax status change, resulting in deferred income tax benefit of $35.2 million included in the Partnership’s income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2019.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020. This legislation included a number of provisions applicable to U.S. income taxes for corporations, including providing for carryback of certain net operating losses, accelerated refund of minimum tax credits, and modifications to the rules limiting the deductibility of business interest expense. The Partnership has considered the impact of this legislation in the period of enactment and concluded there was not a material impact to the Partnership’s current or deferred income tax balances.

12.    DERIVATIVES

All derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. The Partnership has not designated its derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes and, as a result, marks its derivative instruments to fair value and recognizes the cash and non-cash changes in fair value in the combined consolidated statements of operations under the caption “Loss on derivative instruments, net.”
Commodity Contracts

The Partnership uses fixed price swap contracts, fixed price basis swap contracts and costless collars with corresponding put and call options to reduce price volatility associated with certain of its royalty income. With respect to the Partnership’s fixed price swap contracts and fixed price basis swap contracts, the counterparty is required to make a payment to the Partnership if the settlement price for any settlement period is less than the swap or basis price, and the Partnership is required to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is greater than the swap or basis price. The Partnership has fixed price basis swaps for the spread between the Cushing crude oil price and the Midland crude oil price as well as the spread between the Henry Hub natural gas price and the Waha Hub natural gas price.

Under the Partnership’s costless collar contracts, each collar has an established floor price and ceiling price. When the settlement price is below the floor price, the counterparty is required to make a payment to the Partnership and when the settlement price is above the ceiling price, the Partnership is required to make a payment to the counterparty. When the settlement price is between the floor and the ceiling, there is no payment required.

The Partnership’s derivative contracts are based upon reported settlement prices on commodity exchanges, with crude oil derivative settlements based on New York Mercantile Exchange West Texas Intermediate pricing (Cushing and Midland-Cushing) and with natural gas derivative settlements based on the New York Mercantile Exchange Henry Hub and Waha Hub pricing.

By using derivative instruments to economically hedge exposure to changes in commodity prices, the Partnership exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Partnership, which creates credit risk. The Partnership’s counterparties are participants in the secured second amended and restated credit agreement, which is secured by substantially all of the assets of the guarantor subsidiaries; therefore, the Partnership is not required to post any collateral. The Partnership does not require collateral from its counterparties. The Partnership has entered into derivative instruments only with counterparties that are also lenders in our credit facility and have been deemed an acceptable credit risk.

As of March 31, 2020, the Partnership had the following outstanding derivative contracts. When aggregating multiple contracts, the weighted average contract price is disclosed.
 2020
SwapsVolume (Bbls/MMBtu) Fixed Price Swap (per Bbl/MMBtu)
Oil Swaps - WTI Cushing275,000
 $27.45
Oil Basis Swaps - WTI (Midland-Cushing)1,100,000
 $(2.60)
Natural Gas Basis Swaps - Waha Hub6,875,000
 $(2.07)


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Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Collars - WTI (Cushing)2020 2021
Volume (Bbls)3,850,000 3,650,000
Floor price (per Bbl)$28.86
 $30.00
Ceiling price (per Bbl)$32.33
 $43.05


Balance sheet offsetting of derivative assets and liabilities

The fair value of swaps is generally determined using established index prices and other sources which are based upon, among other things, futures prices and time to maturity. These fair values are recorded by netting asset and liability positions that are with the same counterparty and are subject to contractual terms which provide for net settlement.

The following tables present the gross amounts of recognized derivative assets and liabilities, the amounts offset under master netting arrangements with counterparties and the resulting net amounts presented in the Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
 March 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 (in thousands)
Gross amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet$25,105
$
Amounts netted in the Consolidated Balance Sheet(24,267)
Net amounts of assets presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet$838
$
   
Gross amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet$32,594
$
Amounts netted in the Consolidated Balance Sheet(24,267)
Net amounts of liabilities presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet$8,327
$


The net amounts are classified as current or noncurrent based on their anticipated settlement dates. The net fair value of the Partnership’s derivative assets and liabilities and their locations on the consolidated balance sheet are as follows:
 March 31, 2020December 31, 2019
 (in thousands)
Current assets: derivative instruments$776
$
Noncurrent assets: derivative instruments62

Total assets$838
$
Current liabilities: derivative instruments$7,362
$
Noncurrent liabilities: derivative instruments965

Total liabilities$8,327
$


None of the Partnership’s derivatives have been designated as hedges. As such, all changes in fair value are immediately recognized in earnings. The following table summarizes the gains and losses on derivative instruments included in the consolidated statements of operations:
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20202019
 (in thousands)

  
Change in fair value of open non-hedge derivative instruments$(7,489)$
Loss on settlement of non-hedge derivative instruments(453)
Loss on derivative instruments$(7,942)$


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Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



13.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The Partnership’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Partnership uses appropriate valuation techniques based on available inputs to measure the fair values of its assets and liabilities.
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the reporting date.

Level 2 - Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. These are inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data and may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Certain assets and liabilities are reported at fair value on a recurring basis, including the Partnership’s derivative instruments and cost method investment. The investment is a Level 1 classification in the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of the Partnership’s fixed price swaps, fixed price basis swaps and costless collars are measured internally using established commodity futures price strips for the underlying commodity provided by a reputable third party, the contracted notional volumes, and time to maturity. These valuations are Level 2 inputs.

The following table provides fair value measurement information for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019:
 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3 Level 1Level 2Level 3
 (in thousands)
Assets:       
Investment$9,237
$
$
 $19,357
$
$
Derivative Instruments
838

 


Liabilities:       
Derivative Instruments$
$8,327
$
 $
$
$



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Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following table provides the fair value of financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:

 March 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
 Carrying Value Fair Value Carrying Value Fair Value
 (in thousands)
Debt:       
Revolving credit facility$173,500
 $173,500
 $96,500
 $96,500
5.375% Senior Notes due 2027(1)
$490,540
 $420,150
 $490,274
 $521,100
(1) The carrying value includes associated deferred loan costs and any discount.

The fair value of the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility approximates the carrying value based on borrowing rates available to the Partnership for bank loans with similar terms and maturities and is classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the Senior Notes was determined using the March 31, 2020 quoted market price, a Level 1 classification in the fair value hierarchy.

14.    COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES


The Partnership could be subjectis a party to various possible loss contingencies whichlegal proceedings, disputes and claims from time to time arising in the course of its business, including those that arise primarily from interpretation of federal and state laws and regulations affecting the crude oil and natural gas industry. These proceedings, disputes and crude oil industry. Such contingenciesclaims may include differing interpretations as to the prices at which crude oil and natural gas and crude oil sales may be made, the prices at which royalty owners may be paid for production

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from their leases, title claims, environmental issues and other matters. ManagementWhile the ultimate outcome of the pending proceedings, disputes or claims, and any resulting impact on the Partnership, cannot be predicted with certainty, the Partnership believes it has complied withthat none of these matters, if ultimately decided adversely, will have a material adverse effect on the various lawsPartnership’s financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. The Partnership’s assessment is based on information known about the pending matters and regulations, administrative rulingsits experience in contesting, litigating and interpretations.settling similar matters. Actual outcomes could differ materially from the Partnership’s assessment. The Partnership records reserves for contingencies related to outstanding legal proceedings, disputes or claims when information available indicates that a loss is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.


11.15.    SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


Cash Distribution


On October 16, 2017,April 30, 2020, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution for the thirdfirst quarter of 20172020 of $0.337$0.10 per common unit, payable on November 14, 2017,May 21, 2020, to eligible unitholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2017.May 14, 2020. This distribution represents 25% of total cash available for distribution with the remaining cash flow expected to be retained to strengthen the Partnership’s balance sheet. The board of directors of the General Partner intends to review this distribution policy quarterly.


The Partnership’s Credit Facility

In connection with the Partnership’s regularly scheduled (semi-annual) spring 2020 redetermination, the administrative agent has recommended that the Partnership’s borrowing base be decreased to $580.0 million, which is expected to be effective mid May 2020. The decrease is subject to approval by the requisite lenders under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility. Under the new expected borrowing base, the Operating Company would have $406.5 million of availability for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.


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Viper Energy Partners LP
Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Current Commodity Environment

Oil prices dropped sharply in early March 2020 and then continued to decline reaching levels below zero dollars per barrel. This was a result of multiple factors affecting supply and demand in global oil and natural gas markets, including the announcement of price reductions and production increases by OPEC members and other oil exporting nations and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of changes in oil and natural gas production, inventories and demand, as well as national and international performance. The Partnership cannot predict when prices will improve and stabilize.


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ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto presented in this report as well as our audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019. The following discussion contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs, and expected performance. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. See “Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”


Overview


We are a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership formed by Diamondback on February 27, 2014 to, among other things, own, acquire and exploit oil and natural gas properties in North America. The Partnership isWe are currently focused on owning and acquiring mineral interests and royalty interests in oil and natural gas properties in the Permian Basin. Basin and the Eagle Ford Shale. We operate in one reportable segment. Since May 10, 2018, we have been treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, our general partner heldhad a 100% non-economic general partner interest in us, and Diamondback had an approximate 64% limited partner interest in us.owned 731,500 common units and all of our 90,709,946 outstanding Class B units, representing approximately 58% of our total units outstanding. Diamondback also owns and controls our general partner.


In January 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering of 9,775,000 common units, which included 1,275,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to
Recent Developments

COVID-19 and Recent Collapse in Commodity Prices

On March 11, 2020, the underwriters. We received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $147.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, of which $120.5 million was used to repayWorld Health Organization characterized the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and the balance was used for general partnership purposes, which included additional acquisitions.
In July 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering of 16,100,000 common units, which included 2,100,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters. Diamondback purchased 700,000 common units, an affiliate of our general partner purchased 3,000,000 common units and certain officers and directors of Diamondback and our general partner purchased an aggregate of 114,000 common units, in each case directly from the underwriters. Following this offering, Diamondback had an approximate 64% limited partner interest in us. We received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $232.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, of which we used $152.8 million to repay allglobal outbreak of the then-outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facilitynovel strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, as a “pandemic.” To limit the spread of COVID-19, governments have taken various actions including the issuance of stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines, causing some businesses to suspend operations and a reduction in demand for many products from direct or ultimate customers. Such actions have resulted in a swift and unprecedented reduction in international and U.S. economic activity which, in turn, has adversely affected the balance was used to fund a portion of the purchase pricedemand for acquisitions and for general partnership purposes, which included additional acquisitions.
We operate in one reportable segment engaged in the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties. Our assets consist primarilyand caused significant volatility and disruption of producingthe financial markets.

In early March 2020, oil prices dropped sharply, and then continued to decline reaching levels below zero dollars per barrel. This was a result of multiple factors affecting the supply and demand in global oil and natural gas interests principally located inmarkets, including the Permian Basinannouncement of West Texas.

Sources of Our Income

Our income is derived from royalty payments we receive from our operators based onprice reductions and production increases by OPEC members and other exporting nations and the sale of oil and natural gas production, as well as the sale of natural gas liquids that are extracted from natural gas during processing. Royalty payments may vary significantly from period to period as a result ofongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The commodity prices production mix and volumes of production sold by our operators.


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The following table presents the breakdown of our royalty income for the following periods:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20172016 20172016
Royalty income     
Oil sales85%90% 88%91%
Natural gas sales7%4% 6%4%
Natural gas liquid sales8%6% 6%5%
 100%100% 100%100%

As a result, our income is more sensitiveare expected to fluctuations in oil prices than is itcontinue to fluctuations in natural gas liquids or natural gas prices. Our income may vary significantly from period to periodbe volatile as a result of changes in volumes of production sold or changes in commodity prices. Oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas prices have historically been volatile.

During 2016, West Texas Intermediate posted prices ranged from $26.19 to $54.01 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas ranged from $1.49 to $3.80 per MMBtu. During the first nine months of 2017, West Texas Intermediate posted prices ranged from $42.48 to $54.48 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas ranged from $2.44 to $3.71 per MMBtu. On September 29, 2017, the West Texas Intermediate posted price for crude oil was $51.67 per Bbl and the Henry Hub spot market price of natural gas was $2.94 per MMBtu. Lower prices may not only decrease our income, but also potentially the amount of oil and natural gas thatproduction, inventories and demand, as well as national and international economic performance. We cannot predict when prices will improve and stabilize.

As a result of the reduction in crude oil demand caused by factors discussed above, Diamondback and other operators on properties in which we have mineral and royalty interests lowered their 2020 capital budgets and production guidance, curtailed near term production and reduced their rig count, all of which may be subject to further reductions or curtailments if the commodity markets and macroeconomic conditions do not improve. These actions have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our operators can produce economically. Lowerbusiness, financial results and cash flows.

Although after performing the ceiling test for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we were not required to record an impairment on our proved oil and natural gas interests, if the commodity prices continue to fall, we will be required to record impairments in future periods and such impairments may also result in a reductionbe material. In addition, the administrative agent under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility has recommended that our borrowing base be decreased to $580.0 million, which is expected to be effective mid May 2020. The decrease is subject to approval by the requisite lenders. Under the new expected borrowing base, the Operating Company would have had $406.5 million of availability for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020. If commodity prices continue at current levels or decrease further, our production, proved reserves and cash flows will be adversely impacted. Our business may be further adversely impacted by any government rule, regulation or order that may impose production limits in the borrowing base under our credit agreement, which may be redetermined at the discretionPermian Basin or Eagle Ford Shale, as well as pipeline capacity and storage constraints.


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Contents
Recent Acquisitions


Acquisitions Update

During the thirdfirst quarter of 2017,2020, we acquired 1,677mineral and royalty interests, from unrelated third-party sellers’, representing 4,948 gross (410 net royaltyroyalty) acres in the Permian Basin for an aggregate purchase price of $178.9approximately $63.4 million, subject to post-closing adjustments bringing our totaland, as of March 31, 2020, had mineral and royalty interests to 9,173representing 24,714 net royalty acres asacres. We funded these acquisitions with cash on hand and borrowings under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility.

Cash Distribution Policy Update

On April 30, 2020, the board of September 30, 2017.directors of our general partner declared a cash distribution for the three months ended March 31, 2020 of $0.10 per common unit. The distribution is payable on May 21, 2020 to eligible common unitholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2020. This distribution represents 25% of total cash available for distribution with the remaining cash flow expected to be retained to strengthen our balance sheet. The board of directors of our general partner intends to review this distribution policy quarterly.


Production and Operational Update


Our average daily production during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172020 was 12,61127,575 BOE/d (68%(63% oil), and oura 6% increase from the average daily oil production during the first quarter of 2019. Our operators received an average of $45.33$45.49 per Bbl of oil, $19.10$8.94 per Bbl of natural gas liquids and $2.55$0.13 per Mcf of natural gas, for an average realized price of $36.38$30.62 per BOE. The average realized price of $0.13 per Mcf of natural gas was primarily due to the pricing terms under our operators’ natural gas delivery contracts, which are generally tied to NYMEX price quoted at Henry Hub. Actual volumetric prices realized from the sale of natural gas, however, differ from the quoted NYMEX price as a result of quality and location differentials. During the first quarter of 2020, natural gas sold at the WAHA Hub in Pecos County, Texas averaged a differential of $(1.60) relative to the NYMEX price quoted at Henry Hub. Our operators may have varying terms under which they sell their natural gas, but we are mostly impacted by location differences resulting from supply and demand imbalances and limited takeaway capacity within the Permian Basin.


During the thirdfirst quarter of 2017,2020, we estimate that 192 gross (4.6 net 100% royalty interest) horizontal wells, in which we have an average royalty interest of 2.4% were turned to production on our existing acreage position with an average lateral length of 9,306 feet. Of these 192 gross wells, Diamondback is the operatorsoperator of our Spanish Trail mineral interests brought online nine78, in which we have an average royalty interest of 3.8%, and the remaining 114 gross wells, in which have an average royalty interest of 1.4%, are operated by third parties. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2020, we acquired 410 net royalty acres for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $63.4 million, which added a further 92 gross (0.6 net 100% royalty interest) producing horizontal wells with an average royalty interest of 12.2%, consisting0.6%. In total, as of three Lower Spraberry, four Wolfcamp A, one Wolfcamp B and one Middle Spraberry wells. As of September 30, 2017, there were approximately 24 horizontal wells with an average royalty interest of 21.2% in various stages of drilling or completion on this acreage. Additionally, there is active development activity on our mineral acreage outside of Spanish Trail in Loving, Reeves, Midland, Pecos, Ward, Martin, Howard and Glasscock counties.  As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had 7362,454 vertical wells and 4784,309 horizontal wells producing on our acreage. Asacreage with a combined average net royalty interest of October 20, 2017,3.7%.

Despite the dramatic decline in oil prices, there continues to be active development across our asset base and we currently expect our full year 2020 acreage daily production to be between 22,500 to 27,000 Boe/d. Given the recent extreme weakness in commodity prices and forward pricing uncertainty, our current 2020 production guidance does not account for the potential effect of further production curtailments. Near-term activity is expected to be driven primarily by Diamondback’s operations. To that end, there are 77 gross horizontal wells operated by Diamondback currently in the process of development on our royalty acreage, in which we expect to own an average 6.6% net royalty interest (5.1 net 100% royalty interest wells). These wells currently in the process of active development include various wells being drilled by the 12 active Diamondback rigs which were on our acreage as of April 22, 2020, in addition to other wells currently waiting to be completed, actively in the process of being completed or waiting to be turned to production. Additionally, based on Diamondback’s current completion schedule, we have line-of-sight to a further 50 gross (4.1 net 100% royalty interest) wells for which the process of active development has not yet begun, but for which we have visibility to the potential of future development in coming quarters. There is currently less visibility into third party operators’ anticipated activity levels and well completion cadence given the current commodity price environment. Existing permits or active development of our royalty acreage does not ensure that those wells will be turned to production given the current depressed oil prices and tight physical markets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, third parties continue to operate on our asset base. There are 492 gross horizontal wells operated by third parties in the process of active development, in which we expect to own an average 0.9% net royalty interest (4.4 net 100% royalty interest wells). Additionally, there are 379 gross (4.2 net 100% royalty interest) wells operated by third parties that have been permitted but not yet begun the process of active development. In total, as of April 22, 2020, between Diamondback and third party operators, there were 22569 (9.5 net 100% royalty interest) wells currently in the process of active development, including 37 active rigs, and 319a further 429 gross (8.2 net 100% royalty interest) line-of-sight wells which have not yet begun the process of active horizontal drilling permits on our acreage. We intend to continue to be active in acquiring mineral interests with near term visibility and accretive cash flow growth.

We declared a cash dividend fordevelopment. The acquisitions that we closed during the thirdfirst quarter of 2017 of $0.337 per common unit, payable on November 14, 2017, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2017.

Principal Components of Our Cost Structure

Production and Ad Valorem Taxes

Production taxes are paid on produced oil and natural gas based on a percentage of revenues from products sold at fixed rates established by federal, state or local taxing authorities. Where available, we benefit from tax credits and exemptions in our various taxing jurisdictions. We are also subject to ad valorem taxes2020 contributed 39 gross (0.2 net 100% royalty interest) horizontal wells in the counties where our production is located. Ad valorem taxes are generally based onprocess of active development out of the valuation of our oil and gas interests.total 569



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General and Administrative

In connection with the closingcurrently in our portfolio. Further, these recent acquisitions also contributed 18 gross (0.1 net 100% royalty interest) permits out of the IPO, our general partner and Diamondback entered into the first amended and restated agreement of limited partnership, dated as of June 23, 2014. The partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses incurred or paid on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. The partnership agreement does not set a limit on the amount of expensestotal 429 total gross line-of-sight wells for which our general partner and its affiliates may be reimbursed. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. Our general partner is entitled to determine the expenses that are allocable to us.process of active development has not yet begun.


In connection with the closing of the IPO, we and our general partner entered into an advisory services agreement with Wexford, pursuant to which Wexford provides general financial and strategic advisory services to us and our general partner in exchange for a $0.5 million annual fee and certain expense reimbursement.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Under the full cost accounting method, we capitalize costs within a cost center and then systematically expense those costs on a units of production basis based on proved oil and natural gas reserve quantities. We calculate depletion on all capitalized costs, other than the cost of investments in unproved interests and major development projects for which proved reserves cannot yet be assigned, less accumulated amortization.

Income Tax Expense

We are organized as a pass-through entity for income tax purposes. As a result, our partners are responsible for federal income taxes on their share of our taxable income.

We are subject to the Texas margin tax. Diamondback does not expect any Texas margin tax to be due for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 or 2016.


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Results of Operations


The following table summarizes our revenue and expenses and production data for the periods indicated.indicated:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20172016 20172016
 (unaudited, in thousands, except production data)
Operating Results:     
Operating income:     
Royalty income$42,211
$19,992
 $110,194
$50,914
Lease bonus322
5
 2,613
309
Total operating income42,533
19,997
 112,807
51,223
Costs and expenses:     
Production and ad valorem taxes2,825
1,429
 7,668
4,134
Gathering and transportation205
70
 492
247
Depletion11,068
6,751
 28,587
21,485
Impairment

 
47,469
General and administrative expenses1,368
1,153
 5,064
4,109
Total costs and expenses15,466
9,403
 41,811
77,444
Income (loss) from operations27,067
10,594
 70,996
(26,221)
Other income (expense):     
Interest expense(859)(658) (2,114)(1,544)
Other income399
266
 526
612
Total other income (expense), net(460)(392) (1,588)(932)
Net income (loss)$26,607
$10,202
 $69,408
$(27,153)
      
Production Data:     
Oil (Bbls)794,375
430,732
 2,077,570
1,236,003
Natural gas (Mcf)1,236,349
315,030
 2,460,535
1,008,745
Natural gas liquids (Bbls)159,806
92,221
 393,913
221,582
Combined volumes (BOE)1,160,239
575,458
 2,881,572
1,625,709
Daily combined volumes (BOE/d)12,611
6,255
 10,555
5,933
% Oil68%75% 72%76%
      
Average sales prices:     
Oil, realized ($/Bbl)$45.33
$41.97
 $46.51
$37.64
Natural gas realized ($/Mcf)2.55
2.39
 2.62
1.89
Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl)19.10
12.56
 18.07
11.25
Average price realized ($/BOE)36.38
34.74
 38.24
31.32
      
Average Costs ($/BOE)     
Production and ad valorem taxes$2.43
$2.48
 $2.66
$2.54
Gathering and transportation expense0.18
0.12
 0.17
0.15
General and administrative - cash component0.75
0.19
 1.05
0.70
Total operating expense - cash$3.36
$2.79
 $3.88
$3.39
      
General and administrative - non-cash component$0.43
$1.81
 $0.71
$1.83
Interest expense0.74
1.14
 0.73
0.95
Depletion9.54
11.73
 9.92
13.22
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20202019
 (in thousands)
Operating Results:  
Operating income:  
Royalty income$76,829
$60,428
Lease bonus income1,622
1,160
Other operating income241
2
Total operating income78,692
61,590
Costs and expenses:  
Production and ad valorem taxes6,147
3,692
Depletion24,642
16,199
General and administrative expenses2,666
1,695
Total costs and expenses33,455
21,586
Income from operations45,237
40,004
Other income (expense):  
Interest expense, net(8,963)(4,549)
Loss on derivative instruments, net(7,942)
(Loss) gain on revaluation of investment(10,120)3,592
Other income, net404
656
Total other expense, net(26,621)(301)
Income before income taxes18,616
39,703
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes142,466
(34,608)
Net (loss) income(123,850)74,311
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest18,319
40,532
Net (loss) income attributable to Viper Energy Partners LP$(142,169)$33,779




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 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20202019
  
Production Data:  
Oil (MBbls)1,587
1,147
Natural gas (MMcf)2,658
1,872
Natural gas liquids (MBbls)479
254
Combined volumes (MBOE)2,509
1,714
   
Average daily oil volumes (BO/d)17,441
12,750
Average daily combined volumes (BOE/d)27,575
19,042
   
Average sales prices:  
Oil ($/Bbl)$45.49
$45.31
Natural gas ($/Mcf)(1)
$0.13
$2.05
Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl)$8.94
$18.09
Combined ($/BOE)$30.62
$35.26
   
Oil, hedged ($/Bbl)(2)
$45.49
$45.31
Natural gas, hedged ($/MMbtu)(2)
$(0.04)$2.05
Natural gas liquids ($/Bbl)(2)
$8.94
$18.09
Combined price, hedged ($/BOE)(2)
$30.44
$35.26
   
Average Costs ($/BOE):  
Production and ad valorem taxes$2.45
$2.15
General and administrative - cash component0.91
0.75
Total operating expense - cash$3.36
$2.90
   
General and administrative - non-cash component$0.15
$0.24
Interest expense, net$3.57
$2.65
Depletion$9.82
$9.45
(1)The average realized price of $0.13 per Mcf of natural gas was primarily due to the pricing terms under our operators’ natural gas delivery contracts, which are generally tied to NYMEX price quoted at Henry Hub. Actual volumetric prices realized from the sale of natural gas, however, differ from the quoted NYMEX price as a result of quality and location differentials. During the first quarter of 2020, natural gas sold at the WAHA Hub in Pecos County, Texas averaged a differential of $(1.60) relative to the NYMEX price quoted at Henry Hub. Our operators may have varying terms under which they sell their natural gas, but we are mostly impacted by location differences resulting from supply and demand imbalances and limited takeaway capacity within the Permian Basin.
(2)Hedged prices reflect the effect of our commodity derivative transactions on our average sales prices. Our calculation of such effects includes gains and losses on cash settlements for commodity derivatives, which we do not designate for hedge accounting. We did not have any derivative contracts prior to February of 2020.


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Comparison of the Three Months Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019


Royalty Income


Our royalty income for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 was $42.2$76.8 million and $20.0$60.4 million, respectively. Our royalty income is a function of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production volumes sold and average prices received for those volumes.


In addition to the increaseThe decrease in average prices received during the three months ended September 30, 2017, we also benefited fromMarch 31, 2020 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019 was partially offset by a 101.6%46% increase in combined volumes sold by our operators as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019.


Change in prices
Production volumes(1)
Total net dollar effect of changeChange in prices
Production volumes(1)
Total net dollar effect of change
 (in thousands) (in thousands)
Effect of changes in price:  
Oil$3.36
794,375
$2,669
$0.19
1,587
$294
Natural gas$(1.92)2,658
(5,109)
Natural gas liquids6.54
159,806
1,045
$(9.15)479
(4,383)
Natural gas0.16
1,236,349
198
Total income due to change in price $3,912
 $(9,198)
  
Change in production volumes(1)
Prior period average pricesTotal net dollar effect of change
Change in production volumes(1)
Prior period average pricesTotal net dollar effect of change
 (in thousands) (in thousands)
Effect of changes in production volumes:  
Oil363,643
$41.97
$15,256
440
$45.31
$19,919
Natural gas787
$2.05
1,614
Natural gas liquids67,585
12.56
849
225
$18.09
4,066
Natural gas921,319
2.39
2,202
Total income due to change in production volumes 18,307
 25,599
Total change in income $22,219
 $16,401
(1)Production volumes are presented in BblsMBbls for oil and natural gas liquids and McfMMcf for natural gas.


Lease Bonus Income


Lease bonus income increased by $0.3$0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019. During the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we received $0.3 million in lease bonus payments to extend the term of one lease reflectingand $1.3 million for two new leases. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we received $44,688 in lease bonus payments to extend the term of five leases and $1.1 million for six new leases.


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Production and Ad Valorem Taxes

Production taxes per unit of production for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were $1.43 and $1.75, respectively. The decrease in production taxes per unit of production during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to a higher percentage increase in production volumes as compared to production taxes. Ad valorem taxes per unit of production for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were $1.02 and $0.40, respectively. The increase in ad valorem taxes per unit of production during the three months ended March 31, 2020 was primarily due to an average bonusincrease in production volumes from wells drilled and acquired in 2019, along with an increase in the valuation of $10,000 per acre.oil and natural gas interests year over year.


 Three Months Ended March 31,
 2020 2019
 Amount
(in thousands)
 Per BOE Amount
(in thousands)
 Per BOE
Production taxes$3,575
 $1.43
 $3,008
 $1.75
Ad valorem taxes2,572
 1.02
 684
 0.40
Total production and ad valorem taxes$6,147
 $2.45
 $3,692
 $2.15

Depletion

Depletion expense increased by $8.4 million to $24.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 from $16.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase resulted primarily from higher production levels and an increase in net book value on new reserves added.

General and Administrative Expenses


The general and administrative expenses primarily reflect costs associated with us being a publicly traded limited partnership, unit-based compensation and the amounts reimbursed to our general partner under our partnership agreement. For the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, we incurred general and administrative expenses of $1.4$2.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively. The increase of $0.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to the reimbursement of expenses to the General Partner under the Partnership Agreement, partially offset by a decrease in unit-based compensation expense.

Net Interest Expense

The net interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 reflects the interest incurred under our credit agreement. Net interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $0.9 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The increase of $0.2 million was due to a higher interest rate and increased borrowings during the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.


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Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 and 2016

Royalty Income

Our royalty income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 was $110.2 million and $50.9 million, respectively. Our royalty income is a function of oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas production volumes sold and average prices received for those volumes.

In addition to the increase in average prices received during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we also benefited from a 77.3% increase in combined volumes sold by our operators as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

 Change in prices
Production volumes(1)
Total net dollar effect of change
   (in thousands)
Effect of changes in price:   
Oil$8.87
2,077,570
$18,433
Natural gas liquids6.82
393,913
2,686
Natural gas0.73
2,460,535
1,796
Total income due to change in price  $22,915
    
 
Change in production volumes(1)
Prior period average pricesTotal net dollar effect of change
   (in thousands)
Effect of changes in production volumes:   
Oil841,567
$37.64
$31,682
Natural gas liquids172,331
11.25
1,939
Natural gas1,451,790
1.89
2,744
Total income due to change in production volumes  36,365
Total change in income  $59,280
(1)Production volumes are presented in Bbls for oil and natural gas liquids and Mcf for natural gas.

Lease Bonus Income

Lease bonus income increased by $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we received $2.6 million in lease bonus payments to extend the term of six leases, reflecting an average bonus of $3,333 per acre.

Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded an impairment of oil and gas properties of $47.5 million as a result of the significant decline in commodity prices. No impairment was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

General and Administrative Expenses

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we incurred general and administrative expenses of $5.1 million and $4.1$1.7 million, respectively. The increase of $1.0 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 was primarily due to the reimbursement ofan increase in expenses toallocated from the General Partner under the Partnership Agreement, partially offset by a decreasean increase in unit-based compensation expense.software expenses, bad debt expense and additional professional service fees attributable to acquisitions.


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Net Interest Expense


The net interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 reflects the interest incurred under our credit agreement. Net interest expense for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 20162019 was $2.1$9.0 million and $1.5$4.5 million, respectively. The increase of $0.6$4.4 million in net interest expense for three months ended March 31, 2020 as compared to 2019 was due to a higher interest rate and increased borrowings and our senior notes issued in October 2019.

Derivatives

We recorded a loss on derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2020 of $7.9 million. We had no derivatives during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2019. We are required to recognize all derivative instruments on our balance sheet as comparedeither assets or liabilities measured at fair value. We have not designated our derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes. As a result, we mark our derivative instruments to fair value and recognize the cash and non-cash changes in fair value on derivative instruments in our consolidated statements of operations under the line item captioned “Loss on derivative instruments, net.”

Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $142.5 million and income tax benefit of $34.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in our income tax provision was primarily due to the nineapplication of a valuation allowance on the our deferred tax assets during the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020, and the revision during the three months ended March 31, 2019 of estimated deferred taxes recognized as a result of our change in federal income tax status. Total income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2020 differed from amounts computed by applying the federal statutory tax rate to pre-tax income for the period primarily due to impact of recording a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets and net income attributable to the non-controlling interest.



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Adjusted EBITDA


Adjusted EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure used by management and external users of our financial statements, such as industry analysts, investors, lenders and rating agencies. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is useful because it allows us to more effectively evaluate our operating performance and compare the results of our operations period to period without regard to our financing methods or capital structure. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate cash flow available to pay distributions to our common unitholders.


We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus interest expense, net, non-cash unit-based compensation expense, depletion expense, (loss) gain on revaluation of investment, non-cash loss (gain) on derivative instruments and impairment expense.provision for (benefit from) income taxes. Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of net (loss) income (loss) as determined by GAAP. We exclude the items listed above from net (loss) income (loss) in arriving at Adjusted EBITDA because these amounts can vary substantially from company to company within our industry depending upon accounting methods and book values of assets, capital structures and the method by which the assets were acquired. Certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding and assessing a company’s financial performance, such as a company’s cost of capital and tax structure, as well as historic costs of depreciable assets, none of which are components of Adjusted EBITDA.


Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, net income, royalty income, cash flow from operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Our computations of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.


The following table presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), our most directly comparable GAAP financial measure for the periods indicated.indicated:
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20172016 20172016
 (In thousands)
Net income (loss)$26,607
$10,202
 $69,408
$(27,153)
Interest expense859
658
 2,114
1,544
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense503
1,044
 2,039
2,974
Depletion11,068
6,751
 28,587
21,485
Impairment

 
47,469
Adjusted EBITDA$39,037
$18,655
 $102,148
$46,319
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20202019
 (In thousands)
Net (loss) income$(123,850)$74,311
Interest expense, net8,963
4,549
Non-cash unit-based compensation expense387
405
Depletion24,642
16,199
(Loss) gain on revaluation of investment10,120
(3,592)
Non-cash loss on derivative instruments, net7,489

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes142,466
(34,608)
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA70,217
57,264
EBITDA attributable to non-controlling interest(40,175)(30,708)
Adjusted EBITDA attributable to Viper Energy Partners LP$30,042
$26,556


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Gross oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids sales and net sales prices

Revenues and gathering and transportation expenses related to production are reported net in our financial statements under GAAP. This impacts the comparability of certain operating metrics, such as per-unit sales prices, as those metrics are prepared in accordance with GAAP using the net presentation for some revenues and the gross presentation for other metrics. In order to provide metrics consistent with management’s assessment of our operating results, we have presented both net (GAAP) and gross (non-GAAP) oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquid sales and the gross sales price. The gross sales price (non-GAAP), is calculated by using the net oil, natural gas, and natural liquid gas net revenues plus gathering and transportation expenses divided by the sales volumes. We believe presenting our gross revenues and sales prices allows for a useful comparison of net and gross sales prices for prior periods.


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The following table presents a reconciliation of net oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales (GAAP) to gross oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales (non-GAAP) for the periods indicated:

 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
(in thousands)Oil Natural gas Natural gas liquids Total Oil Natural gas Natural gas liquids Total
Net oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales (GAAP)$72,200
 $344
 $4,285
 $76,829
 $51,987
 $3,839
 $4,602
 $60,428
Plus: Gathering and transportation expenses287
 414
 380
 1,081
 234
 305
 249
 788
Gross oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids sales (non-GAAP)$72,487
 $758
 $4,665
 $77,910
 $52,221
 $4,144
 $4,851
 $61,216
Sales volumes (MBbl/MMcf/MBbl/MBOE)1,587
 2,658
 479
 2,509
 1,147
 1,872
 254
 1,714
Gross sales price (non-GAAP)$45.67
 $0.29
 $9.74
 $31.05
 $45.51
 $2.21
 $19.07
 $35.72

Liquidity and Capital Resources


Overview


Our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operations, proceeds from equity offerings and borrowings under our credit agreement, and our primary uses of cash have been, and are expected to continue to be, distributions to our unitholders and replacement and growth capital expenditures, including the acquisition of mineral interests and royalty interests in oil and natural gas interests.properties. We intend to finance potential future acquisitions through a combination of cash on hand, borrowings under our credit agreement, issuance of common units to the sellers and, subject to market conditions and other factors, proceeds from one or more capital market transactions, which may include debt or equity offerings. Our ability to generate cash is subject to a number ofseveral factors, some of which are beyond our control, including commodity prices and general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors, including weather. Continued prolonged volatility in the capital, financial and/or credit markets due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the depressed commodity markets and/or adverse macroeconomic conditions, may limit our access to, or increase our cost of, capital or make capital unavailable on terms acceptable to us or at all.


Our partnership agreement does not require us to distribute any of the cash we generate from operations. We believe, however, that it is inHowever, the best interests of our unitholders if we distribute a substantial portion of the cash we generate from operations. The board of directors of our general partner has adopted a policy pursuant to which the Operating Company will distribute an amount equalall of the available cash it generates each quarter to its unitholders (including us), and we, in turn, will distribute all of the available cash we generate each quarterreceive from the Operating Company to our common unitholders.

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On October 16, 2017, the board of directors of the General Partner approved a cash distribution for the third quarter of 2017 of $0.337 per common unit, payable on November 14, 2017, to unitholders of record at the close of business on November 7, 2017.


Cash distributions are made to the common unitholders of record on the applicable record date, generally within 60 days after the end of each quarter. Available cash for us and the Operating Company for each quarter is determined by the board of directors of our general partner following the end of such quarter. Available cash for the Operating Company for each quarter will generally equalsequal its Adjusted EBITDA reduced for cash needed for debt service and other contractual obligations and fixed charges and reserves for future operating or capital needs that the board of directors of our general partner deems necessary or appropriate, if any, and our available cash will generally equal our Adjusted EBITDA (which will be our proportionate share of the available cash distributed to us by the Operating Company), less, as a result of the our election to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes effective, May 10, 2018, cash needed for the payment of income taxes payable by us, if any.


January 2017 PublicOn April 30, 2020, the board of directors of our general partner approved a cash distribution for the first quarter of 2020 of $0.10 per common unit, payable on May 21, 2020, to eligible unitholders of record at the close of business on May 14, 2020.


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2019 Equity Offering


In January 2017,March 2019, we completed an underwritten public offering of 9,775,00010,925,000 common units, which included 1,275,0001,425,000 common units issued pursuant to an option to purchase additional common units granted to the underwriters. Following this offering, Diamondback owned approximately 54% of our total units then outstanding. We received net proceeds from this offering of approximately $147.5$340.6 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses, of which $120.5 million wasexpenses. We used to repay the outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and the balance was used for general partnership purposes, which included additional acquisitions.
July 2017 Public Offering
In July 2017, we completed an underwritten public offering of 16,100,000 common units, which included 2,100,000 common units issued pursuant to an optionnet proceeds to purchase additional common units granted toof the underwriters. We receivedOperating Company. The Operating Company in turn used the net proceeds from this offering of approximately $232.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commission and estimated offering expenses, of which $152.8 million was used to repay all of the then-outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and the balance was used to fund a portion of the purchase price for acquisitions and for general corporate purposes, which included additional acquisitions.
Our Credit Agreement

We are party to a $500.0 million secured revolving credit agreement, dated as of July 8, 2014, as amended, with Wells Fargo as the administrative agent, sole book runner and lead arranger, and certain other lenders party thereto. The credit agreement matures on July 8, 2019. As of September 30, 2017, the borrowing base was set at $315.0 million and we had $35.5 million in outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement.

The outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a rate elected by us that is equal to an alternative base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.50% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 1.00% to 2.00% in the case of the alternative base rate and from 2.00% to 3.00% in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of the loan outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. We are obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the borrowing base, which fee is also dependent on the amount of the loan outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. Loan principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage), and is required to be repaid (a) to the extent that the loan amount exceeds the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period) and (b) at the maturity date of July 8, 2019. The loan is secured by substantially all of our assets and our subsidiaries’ assets.

The credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, purchases of margin stock, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements and require the maintenance of the financial ratios described below.
Financial CovenantRequired Ratio
Ratio of total debt to EBITDAXNot greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreementNot less than 1.0 to 1.0

The covenant prohibiting additional indebtedness allows for the issuance of unsecured debt of up to $250.0 million in the form of senior unsecured notes and, in connection with any such issuance, the reduction of the borrowing base by 25% of the

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stated principal amount of each such issuance. A borrowing base reduction in connection with such issuance may require a portion of the outstanding principal of the loan to be repaid.

The lenders may accelerate all of the indebtednessborrowings under the Operating Company’s revolving credit agreement upon the occurrencefacility and finance acquisitions during the continuance of any event of default. The credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy and change of control. There are no cure periods for events of default due to non-payment of principal and breaches of negative and financial covenants, but non-payment of interest and breaches of certain affirmative covenants are subject to customary cure periods.period.


Cash Flows


The following table presents our cash flows for the period indicated.indicated:
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20172016
   
 (in thousands)
Cash Flow Data:  
Net cash flows provided by operating activities$94,057
$46,554
Net cash flows used in investing activities(301,133)(137,786)
Net cash flows provided by financing activities202,301
98,451
Net increase (decrease) in cash$(4,775)$7,219
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20202019
   
 (in thousands)
Cash Flow Data:  
Net cash provided by operating activities$96,111
$46,451
Net cash used in investing activities(64,626)(81,923)
Net cash provided by financing activities5,184
22,929
Net increase (decrease) in cash$36,669
$(12,543)


Operating Activities


Our operating cash flow is sensitive to many variables, the most significant of which are the volatility of prices for oil and natural gas and the volume of oil and natural gas sold by our producers. Prices for these commodities are determined primarily by prevailing market conditions. Regional and worldwide economic activity, weather and other substantially variable factors influence market conditions for these products. These factors are beyond our control and are difficult to predict.


Investing Activities


Net cash used in investing activities was $301.1$64.6 million and $137.8$81.9 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016,2019, respectively, and related to acquisitions of mineral interests.oil and natural gas interests and land.


Financing Activities


Net cash provided by financing activities was $202.3$5.2 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, primarily related to net proceedsborrowing activity under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility of $380.0$77.0 million from our public offerings of common units,and partially offset by the repayment of $85.0 million net of borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and distributions of $92.5$71.4 million to our unitholders during the period. Net cash provided by financing activities was $98.5$22.9 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2019, primarily related to $20.0 million of net borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and net proceeds of $125.1 million from our public offering of common units of $340.6 million, partially offset by $46.7net repayments on borrowings of $254.0 million under the revolving credit facility and distributions of distributions$63.3 million to our unitholders during that period.


The Operating Company’s Revolving Credit Facility

On July 20, 2018, we, as guarantor, entered into an amended and restated credit agreement with the Operating Company, as borrower, Wells Fargo, as administrative agent, and the other lenders. The credit agreement, as amended to the date hereof, provides for a revolving credit facility in the maximum credit amount of $2.0 billion and a borrowing base based on our oil and natural gas reserves and other factors of $725.0 million, subject to scheduled semi-annual and other borrowing base redeterminations. The borrowing base is scheduled to be re-determined semi-annually with effective dates of May 1st and November 1st. In addition, the Operating Company and Wells Fargo each may request up to three interim redeterminations of the borrowing base during any 12-month period. As of March 31, 2020, the borrowing base was set at $775.0 million and the Operating Company had $173.5 million of outstanding borrowings and $601.5 million available for future borrowings under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility. In connection with our regularly scheduled (semi-annual) spring 2020 redetermination, our administrative agent has recommended that our borrowing base be decreased to $580.0 million, which is expected to be effective

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mid May 2020. The decrease is subject to approval by the requisite lenders under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility. Under the new expected borrowing base, the Operating Company would have had $406.5 million of availability for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.

The outstanding borrowings under the credit agreement bear interest at a per annum rate elected by us that is equal to an alternate base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.50% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 0.75% to 1.75% per annum in the case of the alternate base rate and from 1.75% to 2.75% per annum in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment, which is defined as the lesser of the maximum credit amount and the borrowing base. We are obligated to pay a quarterly commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.500% per year on the unused portion of the commitment, which fee is also dependent on the amount of loans and letters of credit outstanding in relation to the commitment. Loan principal may be optionally repaid from time to time without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage), and is required to be repaid (a) to the extent the loan amount exceeds the commitment or the borrowing base, whether due to a borrowing base redetermination or otherwise (in some cases subject to a cure period), (b) in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from the sale of property when a borrowing base deficiency or event of default exists under the credit agreement and (c) at the maturity date of November 1, 2022. The loan is secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiary’s assets.

The credit agreement contains various affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants. These covenants, among other things, limit additional indebtedness, additional liens, sales of assets, mergers and consolidations, dividends and distributions, transactions with affiliates and entering into certain swap agreements, and require the maintenance of the financial ratios described below:

Financial CovenantRequired Ratio
Ratio of total net debt to EBITDAX, as defined in the credit agreementNot greater than 4.0 to 1.0
Ratio of current assets to liabilities, as defined in the credit agreementNot less than 1.0 to 1.0

The covenant prohibiting additional indebtedness allows for the issuance of unsecured debt of up to $1.0 billion in the form of senior unsecured notes and, in connection with any such issuance, the reduction of the borrowing base by 25% of the stated principal amount of each such issuance. A borrowing base reduction in connection with such issuance may require a portion of the outstanding principal of the loan to be repaid.

As of March 31, 2020, the Operating Company was in compliance with the financial maintenance covenants under its credit agreement. The lenders may accelerate all of the indebtedness under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any event of default. The credit agreement contains customary events of default, including non-payment, breach of covenants, materially incorrect representations, cross-default, bankruptcy and change of control. With certain specified exceptions, the terms and provisions of our credit agreement generally may be amended with the consent of the lenders holding a majority of the outstanding loans or commitments to lend.

Notes Offering
On October 16, 2019, we issued our 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 in the aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million (which we refer to as the Notes) in a notes offering (which we refer to as the Notes Offering) under an indenture, dated as of October 16, 2019, among the Partnership, as issuer, the Operating Company, as guarantor and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, which we refer to as the Indenture. We received net proceeds of approximately $490.0 million from the Notes Offering. We loaned the gross proceeds of the Notes Offering to the Operating Company. The Operating Company used the proceeds from the Notes Offering to repay then outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility. Interest on the Notes accrues at a rate of 5.375% per annum on the outstanding principal amount thereof from October 16, 2019, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 2020. The Notes will mature on November 1, 2027.


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The Operating Company guaranteed the Notes pursuant to the Indenture. Neither Diamondback nor the General Partner guarantees the Notes. The Indenture contains restrictive certain covenants that, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue certain redeemable or preferred equity, make certain investments, declare or pay dividends or make distributions on equity interests or redeem, repurchase or retire equity interests or subordinated indebtedness, transfer or sell assets including equity of restricted subsidiaries, agree to payment restrictions affecting our restricted subsidiaries, consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets, enter into transactions with affiliates, incur liens and designate certain of our subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. Certain of these covenants are subject to termination upon the occurrence of certain events. We may use cash on hand to repurchase a portion of the Notes in privately negotiated transactions, open market purchases or otherwise, but we are under no obligation to do so.

Intercompany Promissory Note

In connection with and upon closing of the Notes Offering, we loaned the gross proceeds from the Notes Offering to the Operating Company under the terms of that certain subordinated promissory note, dated as of October 16, 2019, by the Operating Company in favor of us, which we refer to as the Intercompany Promissory Note. The Intercompany Promissory Note requires the Operating Company to repay the underlying loan to us on the same terms and in the same amounts as the Notes and has the same maturity date, interest rate, change of control repurchase and redemption provisions. Our right to receive payment under the Intercompany Promissory Note is contractually subordinated to the Operating Company’s guarantee of the notes and is structurally subordinated to all of the Operating Company’s secured indebtedness (including all borrowings and other obligations under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility) to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness.

Contractual Obligations


There were no material changes in our contractual obligations and other commitments as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.


Critical Accounting Policies


There have been no changes to our critical accounting policies from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements


We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


We are exposed to market risk, including the effects of adverse changes in commodity prices and interest rates as described below. The primary objective of the following information is to provide quantitative and qualitative information about our potential exposure to market risks. The term “market risk” refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in oil and natural gas prices and interest rates. The disclosures are not meant to be precise indicators of expected future losses, but rather indicators of reasonably possible losses.


Commodity Price Risk


Our major market risk exposure is in the pricing applicable to the oil and natural gas production of our operators. Realized pricing isprices are driven primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and spot market prices applicable to ourfor natural gas production.in the United States. Both crude oil and natural gas realized prices are also impacted by the quality of the product, supply and demand balances in local physical markets and the availability of transportation to demand centers. Pricing for oil and natural gas production has been historically volatile and unpredictable particularly duringand the past two years, and we expect this volatility to continue in the future. The prices that our operators receive for production depend on many factors outside of our or their control. Oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas prices have historically been volatile. Further, oil prices dropped sharply in early March 2020 and then continued to decline reaching levels below zero dollars per barrel. This was as a result of multiple factors affecting supply and demand in the global oil and gas markets, including the announcement of price reductions and production increases by OPEC members and other oil exporting nations and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of changes in oil and natural gas production, inventories and demand, as well as national and international performance. We cannot predict when prices will improve and stabilize.



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We use fixed price swap contracts, fixed price basis swap contracts and costless collars with corresponding put and call options to reduce price volatility associated with certain of its royalty income. With respect to our fixed price swap contracts and fixed price basis swap contracts, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us if the settlement price for any settlement period is less than the swap or basis price, and we are required to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is greater than the swap or basis price. We have fixed price basis swaps for the spread between the Henry Hub natural gas price and the Waha Hub natural gas price.

At March 31, 2020, we had a net liability derivative position related to our commodity price derivatives of $7.5 million, related to our price swap, price basis swap derivatives and costless collars. We did not have any derivative contracts prior to February 2020. Utilizing actual derivative contractual volumes under our fixed price swaps as of March 31, 2020, a 10% increase in forward curves associated with the underlying commodity would have increased the net liability position to $13.3 million, an increase of $5.8 million, while a 10% decrease in forward curves associated with the underlying commodity would have decreased the net liability derivative position to $1.7 million, an decrease of $5.8 million. However, any cash derivative gain or loss would be substantially offset by a decrease or increase, respectively, in the actual sales value of production covered by the derivative instrument.

Credit Risk


We are subject to risk resulting from the concentration of royalty income in producing oil and natural gas interests and receivables with several significant purchasers.purchasers and producers. For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, twoMarch 31, 2020, three purchasers each accounted for more than 10% of our royalty income: Trafigura Trading LLC (28%), Vitol Midstream Pipeline LLC (16%) and Shell Trading (US) Company (48%) and RSP Permian LLC (23%(16%). For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016, twoMarch 31, 2019, three purchasers each accounted for more than 10% of our royalty income: Trafigura Trading LLC (38%), Concho Resources, Inc. (13%) and Shell Trading (US) Company (63%) and RSP Permian LLC (28%(11%). We do not require collateral and do not believe the lossinability of any singleour significant purchasers to meet their obligations to us or their insolvency or liquidation may adversely affect our financial results. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, depressed commodity pricing environment and adverse macroeconomic conditions may enhance our purchaser would materially impact our operating results, as crude oil and natural gas are fungible products with well-established markets and numerous purchasers.credit risk.


Interest Rate Risk


We are subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates on our indebtedness under our credit agreement. The terms of our credit agreement provide for interest on borrowings at a floating rate equal to an alternative base rate (which is equal to the greatest of the prime rate, the Federal Funds effective rate plus 0.50% and 3-month LIBOR plus 1.0%) or LIBOR, in each case plus the applicable margin. The applicable margin ranges from 1.00%0.75% to 2.00%1.75% in the case of the alternative base rate and from 2.00%1.75% to 3.00%2.75% in the case of LIBOR, in each case depending on the amount of the loan outstanding in relation to the borrowing base. We entered into this credit agreement on July 8, 2014, as subsequently amended, and as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, we had $35.5$173.5 million in outstanding borrowings. Our weighted average interest rate on borrowings under our revolving credit facility was 3.24%2.78%. An increase or decrease of 1% in the interest rate would have a corresponding decreaseincrease or increasedecrease in our interest expense of approximately $0.4$1.7 million based on the $35.5$173.5 million outstanding in the aggregate under our credit agreement.


ITEM 4.          CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Disclosure Control and Procedures. Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner, we have established disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. The disclosure controls and procedures are also intended to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.


As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) under the Exchange Act. Based upon the evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of our general partner have concluded that as of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.




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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal controls over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


ITEM 1.     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


Due to the nature of our business, we are, from time to time, involved in routine litigation or subject to disputes or claims related to our business activities. In the opinion of our management, none of the pending litigation, disputes or claims against us, if decided adversely, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations. See Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies.


ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS


Our business faces many risks. Any of the risks discussed in this report and our other SEC filings could have a material impact on our business, financial position or results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also materially impair our business operations, financial condition or future results.


In addition to the information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10–K for the year ended December 31, 20162019 and in subsequent filings we make with the SEC. ThereSEC, as well as risk factors set forth below.

Our business has been and will likely continue to be adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak
The spread of COVID-19 caused, and is continuing to cause, severe disruptions in the worldwide and U.S. economy, including the global and domestic demand for oil and natural gas, which could have been noan adverse effect on our operators and, in turn, on our business, financial condition and cash flows. Moreover, since the beginning of January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruption in the financial markets both globally and in the United States. The continued spread of COVID-19 could also negatively impact the availability of key personnel necessary to conduct our business. If COVID-19 continues to spread or the response to contain the COVID-19 pandemic is unsuccessful, we could continue to experience material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Due to the rapid development and fluidity of this situation, we cannot make any prediction as to the ultimate material adverse impact of the COVID -19 pandemic on our business, financial condition and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
The sharp decline in oil and natural gas prices and continued volatility in the oil and natural gas markets have negatively impacted, and are likely to continue to negatively impact, exploration and production activities of our operators and, as a result, our revenue and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
Oil prices dropped sharply in early March 2020 and then continued to decline reaching levels below zero dollars per barrel. This was a result of multiple factors affecting the supply and demand in global oil and gas markets, including the announcement of price reductions and production increases by OPEC members and other oil exporting nations and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Oil and natural gas prices are expected to continue to be volatile as a result of changes in oil and natural gas production, inventories and demand, as well as national and international economic performance. We cannot predict when prices will improve and stabilize.
Other significant factors that are likely to continue to affect commodity prices in current and future periods include, but are not limited to, actions by OPEC members and other oil exporting nations, the effect of U.S. energy, monetary and trade policies, U.S. and global economic conditions, U.S. and global political and economic developments, including the outcome of the U.S. presidential election and resulting energy and environmental policies, the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and conditions in the U.S. oil and gas industry, all of which are beyond our riskcontrol.
The current prices of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, as well as ongoing volatility, have had an adverse impact on the level of drilling and exploration and production activity of our operators, which could continue to materially and adversely affect. As a result of the reduction in crude oil demand caused by factors from those describeddiscussed above, Diamondback and other operators on properties in which we have mineral and royalty interests lowered their 2020 capital budgets and production guidance, curtailed near term production and reduced their rig count; all of which may be subject to further reductions or curtailments if the commodity markets and macroeconomic conditions do not improve. These actions have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our Annual Report on Form 10–Kbusiness, financial results and cash flows and, given the recent extreme weakness in commodity prices and forward pricing uncertainty, our current production guidance does not account for the yearpotential effect of further production curtailments. Lower commodity prices may also adversely impact estimates of our proved reserves.

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Although after performing the ceiling test for the quarter ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.2020, we were not required to record an impairment on our proved oil and natural gas interests, if the commodity prices continue to fall, we will be required to record impairments in future periods and such impairments may be material. In addition, the administrative agent under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility has recommended that our borrowing base be decreased to $580.0 million and is expected to be effective mid May 2020, subject to approval by the requisite lenders under the Operating Company’s revolving credit facility. Under the new expected borrowing base, the Operating Company would have had $406.5 million of availability for future borrowings under the revolving credit facility as of March 31, 2020.

Our business may be also adversely impacted by any future government rule, regulation or order that may impose production limits, as well as pipeline capacity and storage constraints, in the Permian Basin or Eagle Ford Shale where we have mineral and royalty interests.
We cannot predict the ultimate impact of these factors on our business, financial condition and cash available for distribution to our unitholders.

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ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS
Exhibit NumberDescription
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
4.1
4.2
10.1+
31.1*
31.2*
32.1**
101.INS*101XBRL Instance Document.The following financial information from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Consolidated Statement of Changes in Unitholders’ Equity, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
101.SCH*104.0Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CAL*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101.DEF*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LAB*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
101.PRE*XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.and contained in Exhibit 101).
*Filed herewith.
**The certifications attached as Exhibit 32.1 accompany this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and shall not be deemed “filed” by the Registrant for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
+Management contract, compensatory plan or arrangement.


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SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.




  VIPER ENERGY PARTNERS LP
   
  By:VIPER ENERGY PARTNERS GP LLC
   its General Partner
    
Date:October 25, 2017May 7, 2020By:/s/ Travis D. Stice
   Travis D. Stice
   Chief Executive Officer
   
Date:October 25, 2017May 7, 2020By:/s/ Teresa L. Dick
   Teresa L. Dick
   Chief Financial Officer






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