Table of Contents

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



FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)    

ý

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

Or

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                                    to                                   

Commission File Number 1-13515

FOREST OIL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  25-0484900
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

707 17th Street, Suite 3600
Denver, Colorado

 

     
80202
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 812-1400

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý Yes    o No

        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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). ý Yes    o No

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes    ý No

        As of October 29, 2010 there were 113,383,660 shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $.10 per share, outstanding.


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FOREST OIL CORPORATION
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
September 30, 2010

Part I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

    1  
 

Item 1—Financial Statements

    1  
   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

    1  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

    2  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

    3  
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

    4  
   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

    5  
 

Item 2—Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    28  
 

Item 3—Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    41  
 

Item 4—Controls and Procedures

    44  

Part II—OTHER INFORMATION

    46  
 

Item 1A.—Risk Factors

    46  
 

Item 2—Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

    46  
 

Item 6—Exhibits

    47  

Signatures

    48  

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        


FOREST OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

 
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

ASSETS

             

Current assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 251,599     467,221  
 

Accounts receivable

    102,709     126,354  
 

Derivative instruments

    91,784     35,643  
 

Deferred income taxes

        7,108  
 

Inventory

    40,445     52,211  
 

Other current assets

    50,858     41,455  
           
   

Total current assets

    537,395     729,992  

Property and equipment, at cost:

             
 

Oil and gas properties, full cost method of accounting:

             
   

Proved, net of accumulated depletion of $7,706,181 and $7,511,661

    1,725,430     1,316,712  
   

Unproved

    808,220     828,645  
           
     

Net oil and gas properties

    2,533,650     2,145,357  
 

Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $47,864 and $54,810

    81,645     113,850  
           
     

Net property and equipment

    2,615,295     2,259,207  

Deferred income taxes

    301,940     393,061  

Goodwill

    256,259     255,908  

Derivative instruments

    24,251     556  

Other assets

    40,290     45,966  
           

  $ 3,775,430     3,684,690  
           

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

             

Current liabilities:

             
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 271,644     284,302  
 

Accrued interest

    34,705     25,755  
 

Derivative instruments

    14,071     41,358  
 

Deferred income taxes

    25,840      
 

Current portion of long-term debt

        156,678  
 

Asset retirement obligations

    1,690     4,853  
 

Other current liabilities

    21,498     22,074  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    369,448     535,020  

Long-term debt

    1,868,453     1,865,836  

Asset retirement obligations

    85,871     88,450  

Derivative instruments

    5,034     826  

Deferred income taxes

    54,329     46,884  

Other liabilities

    73,166     68,520  
           
 

Total liabilities

    2,456,301     2,605,536  

Shareholders' equity:

             
 

Preferred stock, none issued and outstanding

         
 

Common stock, 113,359,349 and 112,337,315 shares issued and outstanding

    11,336     11,234  
 

Capital surplus

    2,675,128     2,652,689  
 

Accumulated deficit

    (1,441,099 )   (1,652,426 )
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    73,764     67,657  
           
 

Total shareholders' equity

    1,319,129     1,079,154  
           

  $ 3,775,430     3,684,690  
           

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  

Revenues:

                         
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 210,181     177,184     639,864     553,473  
 

Interest and other

    206     (42 )   483     602  
                   

Total revenues

    210,387     177,142     640,347     554,075  

Costs, expenses, and other:

                         
 

Lease operating expenses

    30,177     34,938     87,701     114,205  
 

Production and property taxes

    13,376     10,873     37,291     34,359  
 

Transportation and processing costs

    6,210     5,352     17,089     15,918  
 

General and administrative

    18,007     17,316     54,541     49,050  
 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    64,737     65,275     179,495     237,964  
 

Ceiling test write-down of oil and gas properties

                1,575,843  
 

Interest expense

    37,088     42,653     112,240     122,373  
 

Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net

    (59,156 )   (5,665 )   (177,398 )   (112,212 )
 

Other, net

    (6,396 )   (2,060 )   159     5,097  
                   
   

Total costs, expenses, and other

    104,043     168,682     311,118     2,042,597  

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

    106,344     8,460     329,229     (1,488,522 )

Income tax:

                         
 

Current

    (16,814 )       (12,089 )   1,505  
 

Deferred

    54,247     (163,851 )   129,991     (521,706 )
                   
   

Total income tax

    37,433     (163,851 )   117,902     (520,201 )
                   

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 68,911     172,311     211,327     (968,321 )
                   

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

  $ .61     1.53     1.87     (9.46 )
                   

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

  $ .60     1.53     1.86     (9.46 )
                   

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 
  Common Stock    
   
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
 
 
  Capital
Surplus
  Accumulated
Deficit
  Total
Shareholders'
Equity
 
 
  Shares   Amount  

Balances at December 31, 2009

    112,337   $ 11,234     2,652,689     (1,652,426 )   67,657     1,079,154  
 

Exercise of stock options

    223     22     4,293             4,315  
 

Employee stock purchase plan

    52     5     1,125             1,130  
 

Restricted stock issued, net of cancellations

    879     88     (88 )            
 

Amortization of stock-based compensation

            21,042             21,042  
 

Other, net

    (132 )   (13 )   (3,933 )           (3,946 )

Comprehensive earnings:

                                     
 

Net earnings

                211,327         211,327  
 

Unfunded postretirement benefits, net of tax

                    975     975  
 

Foreign currency translation

                    5,132     5,132  
                           
 

Total comprehensive earnings

                                  217,434  
                           

Balances at September 30, 2010

    113,359   $ 11,336     2,675,128     (1,441,099 )   73,764     1,319,129  
                           

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In Thousands)

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  

Operating activities:

             
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 211,327     (968,321 )
 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

             
   

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    179,495     237,964  
   

Ceiling test write-down of oil and gas properties

        1,575,843  
   

Deferred income tax

    129,991     (521,706 )
   

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments, net

    (102,839 )   132,216  
   

Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains, net

    (5,290 )   (15,609 )
   

Unrealized losses on other investments, net

        2,327  
   

Stock-based compensation expense

    14,389     12,948  
   

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    5,441     6,195  
   

Other, net

    1,162     4,201  
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

             
   

Accounts receivable

    24,345     66,143  
   

Other current assets

    1,539     20,622  
   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    (66,123 )   (106,567 )
   

Accrued interest and other current liabilities

    4,870     27,317  
           

Net cash provided by operating activities

    398,307     473,573  

Investing activities:

             
 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment:

             
   

Exploration, development, and leasehold acquisition costs

    (612,453 )   (512,266 )
   

Other fixed assets

    (19,831 )   (30,185 )
 

Proceeds from sales of assets

    156,177     145,691  
 

Other, net

    1,189      
           

Net cash used by investing activities

    (474,918 )   (396,760 )

Financing activities:

             
 

Proceeds from bank borrowings

    101,198     706,551  
 

Repayments of bank borrowings

    (101,198 )   (1,556,174 )
 

Redemption of 73/4% senior notes

    (151,938 )    
 

Repurchases of 7% senior subordinated notes

    (100 )   (970 )
 

Issuance of 81/2% senior notes, net of issuance costs

        559,767  
 

Proceeds from common stock offering, net of offering costs

        256,217  
 

Proceeds from the exercise of options and from employee stock purchase plan

    5,445     1,296  
 

Change in bank overdrafts

    13,852     (36,303 )
 

Other, net

    (5,934 )   (3,665 )
           

Net cash used by financing activities

    (138,675 )   (73,281 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    (336 )   (584 )
           

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (215,622 )   2,948  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    467,221     2,205  
           

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 251,599     5,153  
           

Cash paid during the period for:

             
 

Interest

  $ 103,819     92,711  
 

Income taxes

    67,641     3,783  

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

(1) BASIS OF PRESENTATION

        The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included herein are unaudited and include the accounts of Forest Oil Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Forest" or the "Company"). In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, have been made which are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Forest at September 30, 2010 and the results of its operations, its cash flows, and changes in shareholders' equity for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of expected annual results because of the impact of fluctuations in prices received for liquids (oil, condensate, and natural gas liquids) and natural gas and other factors.

        In the course of preparing the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, management makes various assumptions, judgments, and estimates to determine the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and in the disclosures of commitments and contingencies. Changes in these assumptions, judgments, and estimates will occur as a result of the passage of time and the occurrence of future events and, accordingly, actual results could differ from amounts previously established.

        The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments, and estimates relate to volumes of oil and gas reserves used in calculating depletion, the amount of future net revenues used in computing the ceiling test limitations, and the amount of future capital costs and abandonment obligations used in such calculations, determining impairments of investments in unproved properties, valuing deferred tax assets and goodwill, and estimating fair values of financial instruments, including derivative instruments.

        Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2010 financial statement presentation.

        For a more complete understanding of Forest's operations, financial position, and accounting policies, reference is made to the consolidated financial statements of Forest, and related notes thereto, filed with Forest's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

(2) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS)

Earnings (Loss) per Share

        Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the two-class method by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to common stock by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Under the treasury stock method, diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) adjusted for the effects of certain contracts that provide the issuer or holder with a choice between settlement methods by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding adjusted for the dilutive effect, if any, of potential common shares (e.g. stock options, unvested restricted stock grants, unvested phantom stock units that may be settled in shares, and unvested performance units). No potential common shares shall be included in the computation of any diluted per share amount when a net loss exists.

        The two-class method of computing earnings per share is required for those entities that have participating securities or multiple classes of common stock. The two-class method is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(2) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS) (Continued)


security according to dividends declared (or accumulated) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Holders of restricted stock issued under Forest's stock incentive plans have the right to receive non-forfeitable cash dividends, participating on an equal basis with common stock. Holders of phantom stock units issued to directors under Forest's stock incentive plans also have the right to receive non-forfeitable cash dividends, participating on an equal basis with common stock, while phantom stock units issued to employees do not participate in dividends. Stock options issued under Forest's stock incentive plans do not participate in dividends. Performance units issued under Forest's stock incentive plans do not participate in dividends in their current form. Holders of performance units participate in dividends paid during the performance units' vesting period only after the performance units vest with common shares being earned by the holders of the performance units. Performance units may vest with no common shares being earned, depending on Forest's shareholder return over the performance units' vesting period in relation to the shareholder returns of specified peers. See Note 3 for more information on the performance units. In summary, restricted stock issued to employees and directors and phantom stock units issued to directors are participating securities and earnings are allocated to both common stock and these participating securities under the two-class method. However, these participating securities do not have a contractual obligation to share in Forest's losses. Therefore, in periods of net loss, none of the loss is allocated to these participating securities.

        Unvested restricted stock grants were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. Stock options, unvested restricted stock grants, and unvested phantom stock units that may be settled in shares were not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(2) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS) (Continued)

        The following sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share for the periods presented.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 68,911     172,311     211,327     (968,321 )

Net earnings attributable to participating securities

    (1,427 )   (3,384 )   (4,116 )    
                   

Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stock for basic earnings per share

    67,484     168,927     207,211     (968,321 )

Adjustment for liability-classified stock-based compensation awards

    74     (21 )   250      
                   

Net earnings (loss) for diluted earnings per share

  $ 67,558     168,906     207,461     (968,321 )
                   

Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period for basic earnings per share

    110,992     110,054     110,691     102,366  

Dilutive effects of potential common shares

    786     168     699      
                   

Weighted average common shares outstanding during the period, including the effects of dilutive potential common shares, for diluted earnings per share

    111,778     110,222     111,390     102,366  
                   

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

  $ .61     1.53     1.87     (9.46 )
                   

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

  $ .60     1.53     1.86     (9.46 )
                   

Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

        Comprehensive earnings (loss) is a term used to refer to net earnings (loss) plus other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of revenues, expenses, gains, and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are reported as separate components of shareholders' equity instead of net earnings (loss). Items included in Forest's other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are foreign currency gains and losses related to the translation of the assets and liabilities of Forest's Canadian operations and changes in unfunded postretirement benefits.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(2) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE AND COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS (LOSS) (Continued)

        The components of comprehensive earnings (loss) are as follows:

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 68,911     172,311     211,327     (968,321 )

Other comprehensive income:

                         
 

Foreign currency translation gains

    8,978     18,591     5,132     22,623  
 

Unfunded postretirement benefits, net of tax

    290     316     975     984  
                   

Total comprehensive earnings (loss)

  $ 78,179     191,218     217,434     (944,714 )
                   

(3) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

        The table below sets forth total stock-based compensation recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the remaining unamortized amounts and weighted average amortization period as of September 30, 2010.

 
  Stock
Options
  Restricted
Stock(1)
  Phantom
Stock
Units
  Total(2)  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Three months ended September 30, 2010:

                         
 

Total stock-based compensation costs

  $ 166     6,786     1,230     8,182  
 

Less: stock-based compensation costs capitalized

    (73 )   (2,546 )   (588 )   (3,207 )
                   
 

Stock-based compensation costs expensed

  $ 93     4,240     642     4,975  
                   

Nine months ended September 30, 2010:

                         
 

Total stock-based compensation costs

  $ 396     20,240     3,759     24,395  
 

Less: stock-based compensation costs capitalized

    (169 )   (7,273 )   (1,720 )   (9,162 )
                   
 

Stock-based compensation costs expensed

  $ 227     12,967     2,039     15,233  
                   

Unamortized stock-based compensation costs

  $ 464     39,151     8,112 (3)   47,727  

Weighted average amortization period remaining

    .7 year     2.1 years     2.0 years     2.0 years  

Three months ended September 30, 2009:

                         
 

Total stock-based compensation costs

  $ 196     6,938     972     8,106  
 

Less: stock-based compensation costs capitalized

    (70 )   (2,664 )   (470 )   (3,204 )
                   
 

Stock-based compensation costs expensed

  $ 126     4,274     502     4,902  
                   

Nine months ended September 30, 2009:

                         
 

Total stock-based compensation costs

  $ 533     19,586     1,273     21,392  
 

Less: stock-based compensation costs capitalized

    (222 )   (7,751 )   (623 )   (8,596 )
                   
 

Stock-based compensation costs expensed

  $ 311     11,835     650     12,796  
                   

(1)
Includes performance units.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(3) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

(2)
The Company also maintains an employee stock purchase plan (which is not included in the table) under which $.1 million and $.4 million of compensation cost was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and $.1 million and $.5 million of compensation cost was recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

(3)
Based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on September 30, 2010.

Stock Options

        The following table summarizes stock option activity in the Company's stock-based compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 
  Number of
Options
  Weighted
Average Exercise
Price
  Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(In Thousands)(1)
  Number of
Options
Exercisable
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

    1,818,419   $ 21.26   $ 7,387     1,722,216  

Granted

                       

Exercised

    (223,082 )   19.35     1,674        

Cancelled

    (27,752 )   35.30              
                         

Outstanding at September 30, 2010

    1,567,585   $ 21.29   $ 15,672     1,523,122  
                         

(1)
The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

Restricted Stock and Phantom Stock Units

        The following table summarizes the restricted stock and phantom stock unit activity in the Company's stock-based compensation plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

 
  Restricted Stock(1)   Phantom Stock Units(2)  
 
  Number of
Shares
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Vest Date Fair
Value
(In Thousands)
  Number of
Units
  Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
  Vest Date Fair
Value
(In Thousands)(3)
 

Unvested at January 1, 2010

    2,028,683   $ 39.44           475,063   $ 27.91        

Awarded

    1,253,043     26.04           142,835     25.30        

Vested

    (566,810 )   39.75   $ 17,072     (65,140 )   41.88   $ 1,910  

Forfeited

    (110,020 )   36.15           (52,156 )   35.37        
                                   

Unvested at September 30, 2010

    2,604,896   $ 33.07           500,602   $ 24.57        
                                   

(1)
Includes performance units that were awarded to Forest's officers on May 21, 2010. There were 264,500 performance units awarded, with a grant date fair value of $31.63 each. Under the terms of the award agreements, each performance unit represents a contractual right to receive one share of Forest's common stock; provided that the actual number of shares that may be deliverable under an award will range from 0% to 200% of the number of performance units awarded, depending on Forest's relative total shareholder return in comparison to an identified peer group during the thirty-six month performance period ending on March 31, 2013.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(3) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Continued)

(2)
Of the unvested units of phantom stock at September 30, 2010, 260,985 units can be settled in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of both, while the remaining 239,617 units can only be settled in cash. The phantom stock units have been accounted for as a liability within the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

(3)
Of the 65,140 phantom stock units that vested during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 63,750 units were settled in shares of common stock and 1,390 units were settled in cash.

(4) DEBT

        The components of debt are as follows:

 
  September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009  
 
  Principal   Unamortized
Premium
(Discount)
  Other(1)   Total   Principal   Unamortized
Premium
(Discount)
  Other(1)   Total  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Credit Facilities

  $                              

8% Senior Notes due 2011(2)

    285,000     1,615     1,011     287,626     285,000     2,583     1,638     289,221  

7% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013(3)

    12             12     112     (2 )       110  

81/2% Senior Notes due 2014

    600,000     (19,677 )       580,323     600,000     (24,029 )       575,971  

73/4% Senior Notes due 2014(4)

                    150,000     (1,035 )   7,713     156,678  

71/4% Senior Notes due 2019

    1,000,000     492         1,000,492     1,000,000     534         1,000,534  
                                   

Total long-term debt

    1,885,012     (17,570 )   1,011     1,868,453     2,035,112     (21,949 )   9,351     2,022,514  

Less: current portion of long-term debt(4)

                    (150,000 )   1,035     (7,713 )   (156,678 )
                                   

Long-term portion of long-term debt

  $ 1,885,012     (17,570 )   1,011     1,868,453     1,885,112     (20,914 )   1,638     1,865,836  
                                   

(1)
Represents the unamortized portion of gains realized upon termination of interest rate swaps in 2002 and 2003 that were accounted for as fair value hedges. The gains are being amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the terms of the notes.

(2)
Due December 2011.

(3)
In May 2010, the Company repurchased $.1 million in principal amount of the 7% senior subordinated notes due 2013 at par.

(4)
In December 2009, the Company irrevocably called the 73/4% senior notes due 2014 and redeemed these notes in January 2010 at 101.292% of par and a net gain of $4.6 million was recognized upon redemption. The net gain was recognized due to the write-off of unamortized deferred gains on the termination of interest rate swaps.

Bank Credit Facilities

        As of September 30, 2010, the Company had syndicated bank revolving credit agreements with total lender commitments of $1.8 billion. The credit agreements consist of a $1.65 billion U.S. credit facility through a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the "U.S. Credit Facility") and a $150 million Canadian credit facility through a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch (the "Canadian Credit Facility," and together with the U.S. Credit Facility, the "Credit Facilities"). The Credit Facilities will mature in June 2012. At September 30, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facilities.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(4) DEBT (Continued)

        Forest's availability under the Credit Facilities is governed by a borrowing base (the "Global Borrowing Base"). As of September 30, 2010, the borrowing base under the Credit Facilities was $1.3 billion, which Forest has allocated $1.155 billion to the U.S. Credit Facility and $145 million to the Canadian Credit Facility. The determination of the Global Borrowing Base is made by the lenders in their sole discretion, on a semi-annual basis, taking into consideration the estimated value of Forest's oil and gas properties based on pricing models determined by the lenders at such time, in accordance with the lenders' customary practices for oil and gas loans. The available borrowing amount under the Credit Facilities could increase or decrease based on such redetermination. In October 2010, the lenders reaffirmed the borrowing base at $1.3 billion and the next redetermination is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2011. In addition to the semi-annual redeterminations, Forest and the lenders each have discretion at any time, but not more often than once during a calendar year, to have the Global Borrowing Base redetermined. The Global Borrowing Base is also subject to automatic adjustments if certain events occur.

(5) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Full Cost Method of Accounting

        The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Separate cost centers are maintained for each country in which the Company has operations. During the periods presented, the Company's primary oil and gas operations were conducted in the United States and Canada. All costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration, and development of properties (including costs of surrendered and abandoned leaseholds, delay lease rentals, dry holes, and overhead related to exploration and development activities) and the fair value of estimated future costs of site restoration, dismantlement, and abandonment activities are capitalized. During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Forest capitalized $12.0 million and $11.4 million of general and administrative costs (including stock-based compensation), respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Forest capitalized $34.6 million and $33.5 million of general and administrative costs (including stock-based compensation), respectively. Interest costs related to significant unproved properties that are under development are also capitalized to oil and gas properties. During the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company capitalized $3.0 million and $2.5 million, respectively, of interest costs attributed to unproved properties. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company capitalized $8.9 million and $9.3 million, respectively, of interest costs attributed to unproved properties.

        Investments in unproved properties, including capitalized interest costs, are not depleted pending determination of the existence of proved reserves. Unproved properties are assessed periodically to ascertain whether impairment has occurred. Unproved properties whose costs are individually significant are assessed individually by considering the primary lease terms of the properties, the holding period of the properties, geographic and geologic data obtained relating to the properties, and estimated discounted future net cash flows from the properties. Estimated discounted future net cash flows are based on discounted future net revenues associated with probable and possible reserves, risk adjusted as appropriate. Where it is not practicable to assess individually the amount of impairment of properties for which costs are not individually significant, such properties are grouped for purposes of

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(5) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT (Continued)


assessing impairment. The amount of impairment assessed is added to the costs to be amortized, or is reported as a period expense, as appropriate.

        The Company performs a ceiling test each quarter on a country-by-country basis. The full cost ceiling test is a limitation on capitalized costs prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10. The ceiling test is not a fair value based measurement. Rather, it is a standardized mathematical calculation. The ceiling test provides that capitalized costs less related accumulated depletion and deferred income taxes for each cost center may not exceed the sum of (1) the present value of future net revenue from estimated production of proved oil and gas reserves using current prices (as discussed below), excluding the future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet, at a discount factor of 10%; plus (2) the cost of properties not being amortized, if any; plus (3) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any; less (4) income tax effects related to differences in the book and tax basis of oil and gas properties. Should the net capitalized costs for a cost center exceed the sum of the components noted above, a ceiling test write-down would be recognized to the extent of the excess capitalized costs. The September 30, 2010 ceiling test, which did not result in a write-down, was based on the average of the first-day-of-the-month prices during the twelve-month period prior to September 30, 2010 pursuant to the SEC's "Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting" rule, which was effective beginning with December 31, 2009 reporting. The March 31, 2009 ceiling test, which was based on the March 31, 2009 spot prices, resulted in non-cash write-downs of oil and gas property costs of $1.4 billion in the United States cost center and $199.0 million in the Canada cost center.

        Gain or loss is not recognized on the sale of oil and gas properties unless the sale significantly alters the relationship between capitalized costs and estimated proved oil and gas reserves attributable to a cost center.

        Depletion of proved oil and gas properties is computed on the units-of-production method, whereby capitalized costs, as adjusted for future development costs and asset retirement obligations, are amortized over the total estimated proved reserves. The Company uses its quarter-end reserves estimates to calculate depletion for the current quarter.

(6) ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

        Forest records the fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation in the period in which it is incurred with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Subsequent to initial measurement, the asset retirement obligation is required to be accreted each period to its present value. Capitalized costs are depleted as a component of the full cost pool using the units-of-production method. Forest's asset retirement obligations consist of costs related to the plugging of wells, the removal of facilities and equipment, and site restoration on oil and gas properties.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(6) ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (Continued)

        The following table summarizes the activity for Forest's asset retirement obligations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Asset retirement obligations at beginning of period

  $ 93,303     96,991  

Accretion expense

    5,441     6,195  

Liabilities incurred

    2,083     4,676  

Liabilities settled

    (1,623 )   (2,474 )

Disposition of properties

    (7,377 )   (5,283 )

Revisions of estimated liabilities

    (4,461 )   (2,494 )

Impact of foreign currency exchange rate

    195     1,541  
           

Asset retirement obligations at end of period

    87,561     99,152  

Less: current asset retirement obligations

    (1,690 )   (3,456 )
           

Long-term asset retirement obligations

  $ 85,871     95,696  
           

(7) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

        The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010 are set forth in the table below.

Description
  Using
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)(1)
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Assets:

       
 

Derivative instruments(2)

       
   

Commodity

  $ 89,555  
   

Interest rate

    26,480  
       

Total assets

  $ 116,035  
       

Liabilities:

       
 

Derivative instruments(2)

       
   

Commodity

  $ 19,105  
   

Interest rate

     
       

Total liabilities

  $ 19,105  
       

(1)
The authoritative accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements for assets and liabilities measured at fair value establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. These tiers consist of: Level 1, defined as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs for use when little or no market data exists, therefore

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(7) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

(2)
The Company's derivative assets and liabilities include commodity and interest rate derivatives (see Note 8 for more information on these instruments). The Company utilizes present value techniques and option-pricing models for valuing its derivatives. Inputs to these valuation techniques include published forward prices, volatilities, and credit risk considerations, including the incorporation of published interest rates and credit spreads. All of the significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly; therefore, the Company's derivative instruments are included within the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.

        The following table presents a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company's assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company did not have assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) at any time during 2010.

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
 
  Equity
Securities
  Debt
Securities(1)
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Balance at beginning of period

  $     1,670  

Total losses (realized/unrealized):

             
 

Included in earnings

    (657 )   (1,670 )
 

Included in other comprehensive income

         

Purchases, issuances, sales, and settlements:

             
 

Purchases

         
 

Issuances

         
 

Sales

         
 

Settlements

         
 

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3(2)(3)

    657      
           

Balance at end of period

  $      
           

The amount of total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized gains or losses relating to assets still held at end of period

  $ (657 )   (1,670 )
           

(1)
The Company's debt securities are comprised of a zero coupon senior subordinated note due from Pacific Energy Resources, Ltd. ("PERL") in 2014 at a principal amount at stated maturity of $60.8 million (the "PERL Note") that was received as a portion of the total consideration for the sale of the Company's Alaska assets in 2007. In March 2009, PERL filed voluntary petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Company used its own assumptions as to what market participants would assume regarding future cash flows and risk-adjusted discount rates in valuing the PERL Note, which is currently valued at zero and has been since March 31, 2009.

(2)
The Company's investment in PERL common stock, which the Company also received as a portion of the total consideration for the sale of the Company's Alaska assets in 2007, was transferred from Level 1 to Level 3 in the first quarter of 2009 when PERL's common stock was suspended from trading for failure to meet the continued stock exchange listing requirements. The Company used its own assumptions as to what market participants would

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(7) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Continued)

(3)
The Company's policy is to recognize transfers in and/or out of fair value hierarchy levels as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the event or change in circumstances caused the transfer.

        The table below sets forth losses (realized and unrealized) included in earnings related to the Company's assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, which are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations under "Other, net." The Company did not record any gains or losses (realized and unrealized) related to assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during 2010 or the three months ended September 30, 2009.

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
 
  Equity
Securities
  Debt
Securities
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Total losses included in earnings for the period

  $ 657     1,670  
           

Change in unrealized losses relating to assets still held at end of period

  $ 657     1,670  
           

        The fair values and carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments are summarized below for the periods presented.

 
  September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009  
 
  Carrying
Amount
  Fair
Value(1)
  Carrying
Amount
  Fair
Value(1)
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Assets:

                         
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 251,599     251,599     467,221     467,221  
 

Derivative instruments

    116,035     116,035     36,199     36,199  

Liabilities:

                         
 

Derivative instruments

    19,105     19,105     42,184     42,184  
 

8% senior notes due 2011

    287,626     300,818     289,221     296,400  
 

7% senior subordinated notes due 2013

    12     12     110     112  
 

81/2% senior notes due 2014

    580,323     657,000     575,971     630,000  
 

73/4% senior notes due 2014

            156,678     151,938  
 

71/4% senior notes due 2019

    1,000,492     1,030,000     1,000,534     992,500  

(1)
The Company used various assumptions and methods in estimating the fair values of its financial instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value due to the short original maturities (three months or less) and high liquidity of the cash equivalents. The fair values of the senior notes and senior subordinated notes were estimated based on quoted market prices. The methods used to determine the fair values of the derivative instruments are discussed above. See also Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the derivative instruments.

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(8) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Commodity Derivatives

        Forest periodically enters into derivative instruments such as swap, basis swap, and collar agreements as an attempt to moderate the effects of wide fluctuations in commodity prices on the Company's cash flow and to manage the exposure to commodity price risk. Forest's commodity derivative instruments generally serve as effective economic hedges of commodity price exposure; however, the Company has elected not to designate its derivatives as hedging instruments. As such, the Company recognizes all changes in fair value of its derivative instruments as unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

        The table below sets forth Forest's outstanding commodity swaps and costless collars as of September 30, 2010.

Commodity Swaps and Collars  
 
  Natural Gas
(NYMEX HH)
  Oil
(NYMEX WTI)
  NGLs
(OPIS Refined Products)
 
Remaining Swap Term
  Bbtu
Per Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged Price
per MMBtu
  Barrels
Per Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged Price
per Bbl
  Barrels
Per Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged Price
per Bbl
 

Swaps:

                                     
 

October 2010 - December 2010

    210   $ 6.20     3,000   $ 76.06       $  
 

Calendar 2011

    90     5.86             3,000     36.75  

Collars:

                                     
 

October 2010 - December 2010

            2,000     60.00/98.50 (1)        
 

Calendar 2011

            3,000     75.00/91.87 (1)(2)        

(1)
Represents weighted average hedged floor and ceiling price per Bbl.

(2)
Subsequent to September 30, 2010, in connection with receiving a premium hedged price on a gas swap, Forest lowered the hedged ceiling price on one of its existing Calendar 2011 oil collars that covered 1,000 barrels per day from $95.00 to $90.00 per Bbl.

        In connection with several gas swaps entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Forest granted option instruments (several commodity swaptions and one call option) to the gas swap counterparties in exchange for Forest receiving premium hedged prices on the gas swaps. As of October 29, 2010, none of the options have been exercised by the counterparties. The table below sets forth the outstanding options as of September 30, 2010.

Commodity Options  
 
   
   
  Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)   Oil (NYMEX WTI)  
Instrument
  Option Expiration   Underlying Swap Term   Underlying Swap Bbtu Per Day   Underlying Swap Weighted Average Hedged Price per MMBtu   Underlying Swap Barrels Per Day   Underlying Swap Hedged Price per Bbl  

Gas Swaptions

  December 2010   Calendar 2011     50   $ 5.80       $  

Oil Swaption

  December 2011   Calendar 2012             1,000     90.00  

Oil Call Option

  Monthly in 2011   Monthly in 2011             1,000     90.00  

        Subsequent to September 30, 2010, through October 29, 2010, Forest entered into two additional gas swaps covering 25 Bbtu per day for Calendar 2011 for a weighted average hedged price of $5.03

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(8) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)


per MMBtu. In connection with these swaps, the counterparties were granted the following oil swaptions.

Commodity Options  
 
   
  Oil (NYMEX WTI)  
Option Expiration
  Underlying
Swap Term
  Underlying Swap
Barrels
Per Day
  Underlying Swap
Hedged
Price per Bbl
 

December 2010

  Calendar 2011     1,000   $ 85.00  

December 2011

  Calendar 2012     1,000     90.00  

Forest also uses basis swaps in connection with natural gas swaps in order to fix the price differential between the NYMEX Henry Hub price and the index price at which a portion of its natural gas production is sold. The table below sets forth Forest's outstanding basis swaps as of September 30, 2010.

Basis Swaps  
Remaining Swap Term
  Index   Bbtu
Per Day
  Weighted Average
Hedged Price
Differential
per MMBtu
 

October 2010 - December 2010

  Centerpoint     30   $ (.95 )

October 2010 - December 2010

  Houston Ship Channel     50     (.29 )

October 2010 - December 2010

  Mid Continent     60     (1.04 )

October 2010 - December 2010

  NGPL TXOK     40     (.44 )

Interest Rate Derivatives

        Forest periodically enters into interest rate derivative agreements in an attempt to manage the mix of fixed and floating interest rates within its debt portfolio. The Company has elected not to designate its derivatives as hedging instruments. As such, the Company recognizes all changes in fair value of its derivative instruments as unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table below sets forth Forest's outstanding fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps as of September 30, 2010.

Interest Rate Swaps  
Remaining Swap Term
  Notional
Amount
(In Thousands)
  Weighted Average
Floating Rate
  Weighted
Average
Fixed Rate
 

October 2010 - February 2014

  $ 500,000   1 month LIBOR + 5.89%     8.50 %

Fair Value and Gains and Losses

        The table below summarizes the location and fair value amounts of Forest's derivative instruments reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of the dates indicated. These derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. For financial reporting purposes, Forest does not offset asset and liability fair value amounts recognized for derivative

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(8) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)


instruments with the same counterparty under its master netting arrangements. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the fair values of Forest's derivative instruments.

 
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Assets:

             
 

Commodity derivatives:

             
   

Current assets: derivative instruments

  $ 80,870     35,454  
   

Derivative instruments

    8,685      
 

Interest rate derivatives:

             
   

Current assets: derivative instruments

    10,914     189  
   

Derivative instruments

    15,566     556  
           

Total assets

    116,035     36,199  

Liabilities:

             
 

Commodity derivatives:

             
   

Current liabilities: derivative instruments

    14,071     40,843  
   

Derivative instruments

    5,034      
 

Interest rate derivatives:

             
   

Current liabilities: derivative instruments

        515  
   

Derivative instruments

        826  
           

Total liabilities

    19,105     42,184  
           

Net derivative fair value

  $ 96,930     (5,985 )
           

        The table below summarizes the amount of derivative instrument gains and losses reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as "Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net," for the periods indicated. These derivative instruments are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Commodity derivatives:

                         
 

Realized gains

  $ (27,153 )   (81,395 )   (64,816 )   (237,503 )
 

Unrealized (gains) losses

    (21,222 )   87,857     (75,839 )   135,472  

Interest rate derivatives:

                         
 

Realized gains

    (2,912 )   (3,508 )   (9,743 )   (6,925 )
 

Unrealized gains

    (7,869 )   (8,619 )   (27,000 )   (3,256 )
                   

Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net

  $ (59,156 )   (5,665 )   (177,398 )   (112,212 )
                   

        Due to the volatility of natural gas and liquids prices, the estimated fair values of Forest's commodity derivative instruments are subject to large fluctuations from period to period. Forest has

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(8) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)


experienced the effects of these commodity price fluctuations in both the current period and prior periods and expects that volatility in commodity prices will continue.

Credit Risk

        Forest executes with each of its derivative counterparties an International Swap and Derivatives Association, Inc. ("ISDA") Master Agreement, which is a standard industry form contract containing general terms and conditions applicable to many types of derivative transactions. Additionally, Forest executes, with each of its derivative counterparties, a Schedule, which modifies the terms and conditions of the ISDA Master Agreement according to the parties' requirements and the specific types of derivatives to be traded. All but one of the counterparties is a lender, or an affiliate of a lender, under the Credit Facilities, which provide that any security granted by Forest under the Credit Facilities shall also extend to and be available to those lenders that are counterparties to derivative transactions with Forest. None of these counterparties require collateral beyond that already pledged under the Credit Facilities. The remaining counterparty, a purchaser of Forest's natural gas production, generally is a net debtor to Forest and as a result of these purchases does not require collateral under the ISDA Master Agreement and Schedule it has executed with Forest. Forest is currently evaluating the impact, if any, that the recently enacted Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act will have on the existing derivative transactions under the Company's currently outstanding ISDA Master Agreements and Schedules, as well as Forest's ability to enter into such transactions and agreements in the future.

        The ISDA Master Agreements and Schedules contain cross-default provisions whereby a default under the Credit Facilities will also cause a default under the derivative agreements. Such events of default include non-payment, breach of warranty, non-performance of financial covenants, default on other indebtedness, certain pension plan events, certain adverse judgments, change of control, a failure of the liens securing the Credit Facilities, and an event of default under the Canadian Facility. In addition, bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to Forest or certain of its subsidiaries will result in an automatic acceleration of the indebtedness under the Credit Facilities. None of these events of default are specifically credit-related, but some could arise if there were a general deterioration of Forest's credit. The ISDA Master Agreements and Schedules contain a further credit-related termination event that would occur if Forest were to merge with another entity and the creditworthiness of the resulting entity was materially weaker than that of Forest.

        The vast majority of Forest's derivative counterparties are all financial institutions that are engaged in similar activities and have similar economic characteristics that, in general, could cause their ability to meet contractual obligations to be similarly affected by changes in economic or other conditions. Forest does not require the posting of collateral for its benefit under its derivative agreements. However, Forest's ISDA Master Agreements contain netting provisions whereby if on any date amounts would otherwise be payable by each party to the other, then on such date the party that owes the larger amount will pay the excess of that amount over the smaller amount owed by the other party, thus satisfying each party's obligations. These provisions apply to all derivative transactions with the particular counterparty. If all counterparties failed, Forest would be exposed to a risk of loss equal to this net amount owed to Forest, the fair value of which was $98.1 million at September 30, 2010. If Forest suffered an event of default, each counterparty could demand immediate payment, subject to

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(8) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS (Continued)


notification periods, of the net obligations due to it under the derivative agreements. At September 30, 2010, Forest owed a net derivative liability to two counterparties, the fair value of which was $1.2 million.

(9) INCOME TAXES

        A reconciliation of income tax computed by applying the United States statutory federal income tax rate is as follows:

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Federal income tax at 35% of earnings (loss) before income taxes

  $ 37,220     2,961     115,230     (520,983 )

Change in valuation allowance for deferred tax assets

    (980 )   (163,858 )   (1,158 )   (701 )

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefits

    1,038     (538 )   3,344     (15,195 )

Effect of differing tax rates in Canada

    (942 )   (374 )   (2,096 )   11,501  

Effect of federal, state, and foreign tax on permanent items

    1,488     (848 )   3,525     1,295  

Adjustments for statutory rate reductions and other

    (391 )   (1,194 )   (943 )   3,882  
                   

Total income tax

  $ 37,433     (163,851 )   117,902     (520,201 )
                   

        As of September 30, 2010, the Company had $17.6 million due from the United States Treasury Department, which is included in "Other current assets" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, related to estimated tax payments made in excess of the Company's 2009 income tax liability.

(10) COSTS, EXPENSES, AND OTHER

        The table below sets forth the components of "Other, net" in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains, net

  $ (9,244 )   (9,723 )   (5,290 )   (15,609 )

Unrealized losses on other investments, net

                2,327  

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    1,693     2,014     5,441     6,195  

Gain on debt extinguishment, net

            (4,576 )    

Other, net

    1,155     5,649     4,584     12,184  
                   

  $ (6,396 )   (2,060 )   159     5,097  
                   

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(11) GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS

        At September 30, 2010, Forest conducted operations in one industry segment, oil and gas exploration and production, and had three reportable geographical business segments: United States, Canada, and International. Forest's remaining activities were not significant and therefore were not reported as a separate segment, but have been included as a reconciling item in the information below. The segments were determined based upon the geographical location of operations in each business segment. The segment data presented below was prepared on the same basis as the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
  Oil and Gas Exploration and Production  
 
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2010   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  
 
  United States   Canada   International   Total
Company
  United States   Canada   International   Total
Company
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 174,991     35,190         210,181     529,012     110,852         639,864  

Costs and expenses:

                                                 
 

Lease operating expenses

    23,602     6,575         30,177     69,549     18,152         87,701  
 

Production and property taxes

    12,751     625         13,376     35,419     1,872         37,291  
 

Transportation and processing costs

    3,302     2,908         6,210     9,228     7,861         17,089  
 

Depletion

    47,060     15,708         62,768     127,490     45,040         172,530  
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    1,416     251     26     1,693     4,592     774     75     5,441  
                                   

Segment earnings (loss)

  $ 86,860     9,123     (26 )   95,957     282,734     37,153     (75 )   319,812  
                                   

Capital expenditures(1)

  $ 146,517     18,237     1,230     165,984     477,282     178,118     3,335     658,735  
                                   

Goodwill(2)

  $ 239,420     16,839         256,259     239,420     16,839         256,259  
                                   

Long-lived assets(2)(3)

  $ 1,938,764     586,238     90,293     2,615,295     1,938,764     586,238     90,293     2,615,295  
                                   

Total assets(2)

  $ 3,027,843     656,653     90,934     3,775,430     3,027,843     656,653     90,934     3,775,430  
                                   

(1)
Includes estimated discounted asset retirement obligations of $.4 million and $(2.4) million recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively.

(2)
As of September 30, 2010.

(3)
Consists of net property and equipment.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(11) GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Continued)

        A reconciliation of segment earnings to consolidated earnings before income taxes is as follows:

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2010
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2010
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Segment earnings

  $ 95,957     319,812  

Interest and other income

    206     483  

General and administrative expense

    (18,007 )   (54,541 )

Depreciation and amortization expense

    (1,969 )   (6,965 )

Interest expense

    (37,088 )   (112,240 )

Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net

    59,156     177,398  

Other, net

    8,089     5,282  
           

Earnings before income taxes

  $ 106,344     329,229  
           

 

 
  Oil and Gas Exploration and Production  
 
  Three Months Ended September 30, 2009   Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
 
  United States   Canada   International   Total
Company
  United States   Canada   International   Total
Company
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 151,239     25,945         177,184     471,787     81,686         553,473  

Costs and expenses:

                                                 
 

Lease operating expenses

    28,334     6,604         34,938     93,202     21,003         114,205  
 

Production and property taxes

    9,969     904         10,873     31,887     2,472         34,359  
 

Transportation and processing costs

    3,334     2,018         5,352     9,719     6,199         15,918  
 

Depletion

    48,050     14,067         62,117     186,592     42,758         229,350  
 

Ceiling test write-down of oil and gas properties

                    1,376,822     199,021         1,575,843  
 

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    1,737     253     24     2,014     5,397     727     71     6,195  
                                   

Segment earnings (loss)

  $ 59,815     2,099     (24 )   61,890     (1,231,832 )   (190,494 )   (71 )   (1,422,397 )
                                   

Capital expenditures(1)

  $ 69,207     13,775     3,366     86,348     379,765     46,567     5,603     431,935  
                                   

Goodwill(2)

  $ 239,420     16,184         255,604     239,420     16,184         255,604  
                                   

Long-lived assets(2)(3)

  $ 2,441,725     533,463     82,773     3,057,961     2,441,725     533,463     82,773     3,057,961  
                                   

Total assets(2)

  $ 3,287,971     585,781     85,683     3,959,435     3,287,971     585,781     85,683     3,959,435  
                                   

(1)
Includes estimated discounted asset retirement obligations of $3.8 million and $2.2 million recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

(2)
As of September 30, 2009.

(3)
Consists of net property and equipment.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(11) GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTS (Continued)

        A reconciliation of segment earnings (loss) to consolidated earnings (loss) before income taxes is as follows:

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30, 2009
  Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2009
 
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Segment earnings (loss)

  $ 61,890     (1,422,397 )

Interest and other income

    (42 )   602  

General and administrative expense

    (17,316 )   (49,050 )

Depreciation and amortization expense

    (3,158 )   (8,614 )

Interest expense

    (42,653 )   (122,373 )

Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net

    5,665     112,212  

Other, net

    4,074     1,098  
           

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

  $ 8,460     (1,488,522 )
           

(12) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        The Company's 8% senior notes due 2011, 81/2% senior notes due 2014, and 71/4% senior notes due 2019 have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Forest Oil Permian Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Subsidiary Guarantor"). The Company's remaining subsidiaries (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries") have not provided guarantees. Based on this distinction, the following presents condensed consolidating financial information as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 on an issuer (parent company), guarantor subsidiary, non-guarantor subsidiaries, eliminating entries, and consolidated basis. Elimination entries presented are necessary to combine the entities.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(12) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

 
  September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009  
 
  Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated   Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

ASSETS

                                                             

Current assets:

                                                             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 242,115         9,484         251,599     456,978     379     9,864         467,221  
 

Accounts receivable

    36,083     43,699     23,293     (366 )   102,709     79,857     24,406     22,671     (580 )   126,354  
 

Deferred income taxes

                        6,589     519             7,108  
 

Other current assets

    161,235     771     21,081         183,087     115,663     797     12,849         129,309  
                                           
   

Total current assets

    439,433     44,470     53,858     (366 )   537,395     659,087     26,101     45,384     (580 )   729,992  

Property and equipment, at cost

    7,331,703     1,176,716     1,860,921         10,369,340     7,093,082     1,074,610     1,657,986         9,825,678  
 

Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    5,584,022     1,030,670     1,139,353         7,754,045     5,502,530     994,005     1,069,936         7,566,471  
                                           
   

Net property and equipment

    1,747,681     146,046     721,568         2,615,295     1,590,552     80,605     588,050         2,259,207  

Investment in subsidiaries

    370,299             (370,299 )       308,424             (308,424 )    

Note receivable from subsidiary

    224,306             (224,306 )       135,529             (135,529 )    

Goodwill

    216,460     22,960     16,839         256,259     216,460     22,960     16,488         255,908  

Due from (to) parent and subsidiaries

    233,178     (51,171 )   (182,007 )           215,679     (60,884 )   (154,795 )        

Deferred income taxes

    333,264             (31,324 )   301,940     395,519             (2,458 )   393,061  

Other assets

    62,304     6     2,231         64,541     44,087     6     2,429         46,522  
                                           

  $ 3,626,925     162,311     612,489     (626,295 )   3,775,430     3,565,337     68,788     497,556     (446,991 )   3,684,690  
                                           

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

                                                             

Current liabilities:

                                                             
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 227,999     3,050     40,961     (366 )   271,644     238,935     6,825     39,122     (580 )   284,302  
 

Current portion of long-term- debt

                        156,678                 156,678  
 

Other current liabilities

    88,818     425     8,561         97,804     86,633     64     7,343         94,040  
                                           
   

Total current liabilities

    316,817     3,475     49,522     (366 )   369,448     482,246     6,889     46,465     (580 )   535,020  

Long-term debt

    1,868,453                 1,868,453     1,865,836                 1,865,836  

Note payable to parent

            224,306     (224,306 )               135,529     (135,529 )    

Other liabilities

    122,526     2,189     39,356         164,071     121,869     769     35,158         157,796  

Deferred income taxes

        51,678     33,975     (31,324 )   54,329     16,232     4,446     28,664     (2,458 )   46,884  
                                           
   

Total liabilities

    2,307,796     57,342     347,159     (255,996 )   2,456,301     2,486,183     12,104     245,816     (138,567 )   2,605,536  

Shareholders' equity

    1,319,129     104,969     265,330     (370,299 )   1,319,129     1,079,154     56,684     251,740     (308,424 )   1,079,154  
                                           

  $ 3,626,925     162,311     612,489     (626,295 )   3,775,430     3,565,337     68,788     497,556     (446,991 )   3,684,690  
                                           

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(12) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009  
 
  Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated   Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Revenues

                                                             
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 114,416     60,044     35,721         210,181     121,119     29,664     26,401         177,184  
 

Interest and other

    1,197     10     3     (1,004 )   206     3,130         (117 )   (3,055 )   (42 )
 

Equity earnings (losses) in subsidiaries

    40,968             (40,968 )       35,072             (35,072 )    
                                           
     

Total revenues

    156,581     60,054     35,724     (41,972 )   210,387     159,321     29,664     26,284     (38,127 )   177,142  

Costs, expenses, and other:

                                                             
 

Lease operating expenses

    21,271     2,222     6,684         30,177     23,488     4,654     6,796         34,938  
 

Other direct operating costs

    12,037     4,405     3,144         19,586     12,423     1,395     2,407         16,225  
 

General and administrative

    15,032     604     2,371         18,007     14,838     586     1,892         17,316  
 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    32,692     15,760     16,285         64,737     42,165     8,933     14,177         65,275  
 

Interest expense

    34,449     230     3,413     (1,004 )   37,088     39,059     2,261     4,388     (3,055 )   42,653  
 

Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments, net

    (47,022 )   (12,022 )   (112 )       (59,156 )   (7,754 )   2,076     13         (5,665 )
 

Other, net

    1,750     (580 )   (7,566 )       (6,396 )   4,556     181     (6,797 )       (2,060 )
                                           
   

Total costs, expenses, and other

    70,209     10,619     24,219     (1,004 )   104,043     128,775     20,086     22,876     (3,055 )   168,682  
                                           

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

    86,372     49,435     11,505     (40,968 )   106,344     30,546     9,578     3,408     (35,072 )   8,460  
   

Income tax

    17,461     18,679     1,293         37,433     (141,765 )   (19,733 )   (2,353 )       (163,851 )
                                           

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 68,911     30,756     10,212     (40,968 )   68,911     172,311     29,311     5,761     (35,072 )   172,311  
                                           

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(12) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

 

 
  Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009  
 
  Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated   Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations   Consolidated  

Revenues

                                                             
 

Oil and gas sales

  $ 373,620     153,539     112,705         639,864     376,896     93,341     83,236         553,473  
 

Interest and other

    3,964     19     12     (3,512 )   483     9,948     91     (152 )   (9,285 )   602  
 

Equity earnings (losses) in subsidiaries

    100,221             (100,221 )       (259,225 )           259,225      
                                           
     

Total revenues

    477,805     153,558     112,717     (103,733 )   640,347     127,619     93,432     83,084     249,940     554,075  

Costs, expenses, and other:

                                                             
 

Lease operating expenses

    61,388     7,848     18,465         87,701     77,178     15,392     21,635         114,205  
 

Other direct operating costs

    35,155     10,634     8,591         54,380     38,338     4,869     7,070         50,277  
 

General and administrative

    45,092     1,767     7,682         54,541     41,311     1,913     5,826         49,050  
 

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    96,182     36,665     46,648         179,495     159,928     37,404     40,632         237,964  
 

Ceiling test write-down of oil and gas properties

                        1,155,777     218,567     201,499         1,575,843  
 

Interest expense

    107,083     1,308     7,361     (3,512 )   112,240     110,338     7,082     14,238     (9,285 )   122,373  
 

Realized and unrealized gains on derivative instruments, net

    (145,083 )   (31,963 )   (352 )       (177,398 )   (94,946 )   (17,003 )   (263 )       (112,212 )
 

Other, net

    623     (548 )   84         159     10,498     322     (5,723 )       5,097  
                                           
   

Total costs, expenses, and other

    200,440     25,711     88,479     (3,512 )   311,118     1,498,422     268,546     284,914     (9,285 )   2,042,597  
                                           

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

    277,365     127,847     24,238     (100,221 )   329,229     (1,370,803 )   (175,114 )   (201,830 )   259,225     (1,488,522 )
   

Income tax

    66,038     47,597     4,267         117,902     (402,482 )   (63,339 )   (54,380 )       (520,201 )
                                           

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 211,327     80,250     19,971     (100,221 )   211,327     (968,321 )   (111,775 )   (147,450 )   259,225     (968,321 )
                                           

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FOREST OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

(Unaudited)

(12) CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)

 
  Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009  
 
  Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Consolidated   Parent
Company
  Guarantor
Subsidiary
  Combined
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Consolidated  

Operating activities:

                                                 
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 111,106     80,250     19,971     211,327     (709,096 )   (111,775 )   (147,450 )   (968,321 )
 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

                                                 
   

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    96,182     36,665     46,648     179,495     155,823     37,404     44,737     237,964  
   

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments, net

    (85,415 )   (17,234 )   (190 )   (102,839 )   109,290     22,575     351     132,216  
   

Deferred income tax

    78,127     47,597     4,267     129,991     (403,987 )   (63,339 )   (54,380 )   (521,706 )
   

Ceiling test write-down of oil and gas properties

                    1,155,777     218,567     201,499     1,575,843  
   

Other, net

    21,261     187     (5,746 )   15,702     25,760     250     (15,948 )   10,062  
 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                                                 
   

Accounts receivable

    43,774     (19,293 )   (136 )   24,345     50,143     6,306     9,694     66,143  
   

Other current assets

    9,183     26     (7,670 )   1,539     21,688     (366 )   (700 )   20,622  
   

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    (60,479 )   (2,384 )   (3,260 )   (66,123 )   (76,611 )   (6,952 )   (23,004 )   (106,567 )
   

Accrued interest and other current liabilities

    (4,765 )   (48 )   9,683     4,870     29,431     (402 )   (1,712 )   27,317  
                                   

Net cash provided by operating activities

    208,974     125,766     63,567     398,307     358,218     102,268     13,087     473,573  

Investing activities:

                                                 
 

Capital expenditures for property and equipment

    (333,616 )   (102,712 )   (195,956 )   (632,284 )   (385,045 )   (85,492 )   (71,914 )   (542,451 )
 

Proceeds from sales of assets

    126,596     1,489     28,092     156,177     81,636     57,588     6,467     145,691  
 

Other, net

            1,189     1,189                  
                                   

Net cash used by investing activities

    (207,020 )   (101,223 )   (166,675 )   (474,918 )   (303,409 )   (27,904 )   (65,447 )   (396,760 )

Financing activities:

                                                 
 

Issuance of 81/2% senior notes, net of issuance costs

                    559,767             559,767  
 

Proceeds from bank borrowings

            101,198     101,198     605,000         101,551     706,551  
 

Repayments of bank borrowings

            (101,198 )   (101,198 )   (1,477,000 )       (79,174 )   (1,556,174 )
 

Proceeds from common stock offering, net of offering costs

                    256,217             256,217  
 

Redemption and repurchase of notes

    (152,038 )           (152,038 )   (970 )           (970 )
 

Net activity in investments from subsidiaries

    (79,225 )   (23,925 )   103,150         35,879     (71,033 )   35,154      
 

Other, net

    14,446     (997 )   (86 )   13,363     (34,273 )   (3,319 )   (1,080 )   (38,672 )
                                   

Net cash (used) provided by financing activities

    (216,817 )   (24,922 )   103,064     (138,675 )   (55,380 )   (74,352 )   56,451     (73,281 )

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

            (336 )   (336 )           (584 )   (584 )
                                   

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

    (214,863 )   (379 )   (380 )   (215,622 )   (571 )   12     3,507     2,948  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    456,978     379     9,864     467,221     1,226     74     905     2,205  
                                   

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 242,115         9,484     251,599     655     86     4,412     5,153  
                                   

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Item 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

        Forest Oil Corporation is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of natural gas and liquids primarily in North America. Forest was incorporated in New York in 1924, as the successor to a company formed in 1916, and has been a publicly held company since 1969. Unless the context otherwise indicates, references in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q to "Forest," "we," "ours," "us," or like terms refer to Forest Oil Corporation and its subsidiaries.

        We currently conduct our operations in three geographical segments: the United States, Canada, and International. Our core operational areas are the Texas Panhandle area, the East Texas / North Louisiana area, and the Canadian Deep Basin area in Alberta and British Columbia. Our total estimated proved reserves as of December 31, 2009 were approximately 2,121 Bcfe. At December 31, 2009, approximately 83% of our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves were in the United States, approximately 15% were in Canada, and approximately 2% were in Italy. Approximately 80% of our estimated proved reserves were natural gas as of December 31, 2009. See Note 11 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about our geographical segments.

        The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Forest's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, the information under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" below, and the information included or incorporated by reference in Forest's 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K under the headings "Risk Factors," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates, Judgments, and Assumptions."

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2010 Summary

        Forest's third quarter and year-to-date 2010 highlights and other significant items were as follows:

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        Forest reported net earnings of $69 million in the third quarter of 2010, or $.60 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $172 million, or $1.53 per diluted share, in the third quarter 2009. The decrease in net earnings in the third quarter 2010 compared to the third quarter 2009 was primarily due to a $164 million reduction of a valuation allowance on a portion of our deferred tax assets during the third quarter 2009. Earnings before income taxes increased $98 million between the two quarterly periods due to increased commodity prices and an increase in net realized and unrealized gains on commodity derivative instruments. Forest reported net earnings of $211 million in the first nine months of 2010, or $1.86 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $968 million, or $9.46 per diluted share, in the first nine months of 2009. The increase in net earnings in the first nine months of 2010 is primarily due to a $1.6 billion non-cash ceiling test write-down recorded in the first quarter 2009, which was caused by the significant decline in spot natural gas prices at March 31, 2009, as well as due to increased commodity prices and an increase in net realized and unrealized gains on commodity derivative instruments.

        Forest's earnings before interest expense; income taxes; depletion, depreciation, and amortization expense; and certain other items ("Adjusted EBITDA"), were $176 million and $193 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and were $528 million and $586 million for the first nine months of 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA in the 2010 periods as compared to the 2009 periods is primarily driven by decreases in realized gains on derivative instruments somewhat offset by increases in revenues and lower production expense, each as discussed below. Adjusted EBITDA is not considered a performance measure under U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and reference should be made to "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" at the end of this Item 2 for further explanation of this performance measure, as well as a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Discussion of the components of the changes in our quarterly and year-to-date results follows.

Oil and Gas Production and Revenues

        Oil and gas production volumes, revenues, and average sales prices by product and location for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are set forth in the tables below.

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009  
 
  Gas   Oil   NGLs   Total   Gas   Oil   NGLs   Total  
 
  (MMcf)
  (MBbls)
  (MBbls)
  (MMcfe)
  (MMcf)
  (MBbls)
  (MBbls)
  (MMcfe)
 

Production volumes:

                                                 
 

United States

    25,687     597     971     35,095     27,337     810     682     36,289  
 

Canada

    5,493     217     29     6,969     6,246     149     54     7,464  
                                   

Totals

    31,180     814     1,000     42,064     33,583     959     736     43,753  
                                   

Revenues (in thousands):

                                                 
 

United States

  $ 101,268     44,071     29,652     174,991     80,810     52,768     17,661     151,239  
 

Canada

    19,396     14,156     1,638     35,190     15,912     8,531     1,502     25,945  
                                   

Totals

  $ 120,664     58,227     31,290     210,181     96,722     61,299     19,163     177,184  
                                   

Average sales price per unit:

                                                 
 

United States

  $ 3.94     73.82     30.54     4.99     2.96     65.15     25.90     4.17  
 

Canada

    3.53     65.24     56.48     5.05     2.55     57.26     27.81     3.48  
                                   

Totals

  $ 3.87     71.53     31.29     5.00     2.88     63.92     26.04     4.05  
                                   

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  Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009  
 
  Gas   Oil   NGLs   Total   Gas   Oil   NGLs   Total  
 
  (MMcf)
  (MBbls)
  (MBbls)
  (MMcfe)
  (MMcf)
  (MBbls)
  (MBbls)
  (MMcfe)
 

Production volumes:

                                                 
 

United States

    75,791     1,734     2,503     101,213     89,533     2,626     2,274     118,933  
 

Canada

    16,019     648     108     20,555     17,746     480     175     21,676  
                                   

Totals

    91,810     2,382     2,611     121,768     107,279     3,106     2,449     140,609  
                                   

Revenues (in thousands):

                                                 
 

United States

  $ 317,114     128,746     83,152     529,012     283,748     136,825     51,214     471,787  
 

Canada

    61,941     43,348     5,563     110,852     53,988     22,776     4,922     81,686  
                                   

Totals

  $ 379,055     172,094     88,715     639,864     337,736     159,601     56,136     553,473  
                                   

Average sales price per unit:

                                                 
 

United States

  $ 4.18     74.25     33.22     5.23     3.17     52.10     22.52     3.97  
 

Canada

    3.87     66.90     51.51     5.39     3.04     47.45     28.13     3.77  
                                   

Totals

  $ 4.13     72.25     33.98     5.25     3.15     51.38     22.92     3.94  
                                   

        Net oil and gas production in the third quarter 2010 decreased 4% to 457 MMcfe per day from 476 MMcfe per day in the third quarter 2009. Net oil and gas production in the first nine months of 2010 decreased 13% to 446 MMcfe per day from 515 MMcfe per day in the first nine months of 2009. The decrease in oil and gas production for the comparable three and nine month periods was due to non-core oil and gas property divestitures that occurred primarily in late 2009. Oil and gas revenues were $210 million in the third quarter 2010, a 19% increase as compared to $177 million in the third quarter 2009. Oil and gas revenues were $640 million in the first nine months of 2010, a 16% increase as compared to $553 million in the first nine months of 2009. The increase in oil and gas revenues between the comparable three and nine month periods was primarily due to a 23% and 33% increase in average realized sales prices, respectively, partially offset by the decrease in production discussed above.

Oil and Gas Production Expense

        The table below sets forth the detail of oil and gas production expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands, Except Per Mcfe Data)
 

Production expense:

                         
 

Lease operating expenses

  $ 30,177     34,938     87,701     114,205  
 

Production and property taxes

    13,376     10,873     37,291     34,359  
 

Transportation and processing costs

    6,210     5,352     17,089     15,918  
                   

Production expense

  $ 49,763     51,163     142,081     164,482  
                   

Production expense per Mcfe:

                         
 

Lease operating expenses

  $ .72     .80     .72     .81  
 

Production and property taxes

    .32     .25     .31     .24  
 

Transportation and processing costs

    .15     .12     .14     .11  
                   

Production expense per Mcfe

  $ 1.18     1.17     1.17     1.17  
                   

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        Lease operating expenses in the third quarter 2010 were $30 million, or $.72 per Mcfe, compared to $35 million, or $.80 per Mcfe, in the third quarter 2009. Lease operating expenses in the first nine months of 2010 were $88 million, or $.72 per Mcfe, compared to $114 million, or $.81 per Mcfe, in the first nine months of 2009. The $5 million and $27 million decrease in lease operating expense between the comparable three and nine month periods, respectively, was primarily due to the non-core oil and gas property divestitures that occurred during late 2009. Lease operating expenses on a per-Mcfe basis also decreased between the periods presented due to cost reduction initiatives and the sale of non-core oil and gas properties in late 2009 that had higher average per-unit operating costs as compared to the properties we retained.

        Production and property taxes, which primarily consist of severance taxes paid on the value of the oil and gas produced, generally fluctuate proportionately to our oil and gas revenues. As a percentage of oil and natural gas revenue, production and property taxes were 6.4% and 6.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and 5.8% and 6.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Normal fluctuations occur in the percentage between periods based upon the timing of approval of incentive tax credits in Texas, changes in tax rates, and changes in the assessed values of property and equipment for purposes of ad valorem taxes.

        Transportation and processing costs in the third quarter 2010 were $6 million, or $.15 per Mcfe, compared to $5 million, or $.12 per Mcfe, in the third quarter 2009. Transportation and processing costs in the first nine months of 2010 were $17 million, or $.14 per Mcfe, compared to $16 million, or $.11 per Mcfe, in the first nine months of 2009. Transportation and processing costs increased between comparable periods primarily due to higher transportation costs in Canada.

General and Administrative Expense

        The following table summarizes the components of general and administrative expense incurred during the periods indicated.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Stock-based compensation costs

  $ 8,312     8,241     24,801     21,876  

Other general and administrative costs

    21,686     20,512     64,316     60,661  

General and administrative costs capitalized

    (11,991 )   (11,437 )   (34,576 )   (33,487 )
                   

General and administrative expense

  $ 18,007     17,316     54,541     49,050  
                   

        General and administrative expense in the third quarter 2010 was $18 million compared to $17 million in the third quarter 2009. General and administrative expense in the first nine months of 2010 was $55 million compared to $49 million in the first nine months of 2009. The increase in general and administrative expense between the nine month periods was primarily due to higher employee incentive compensation costs, including stock-based incentive compensation. The percentage of general and administrative costs capitalized under the full cost method of accounting was relatively consistent between each of the periods presented, ranging from 39% to 41%.

Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization

        Depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense ("DD&A") in the third quarter 2010 was $65 million, or $1.54 per Mcfe, compared to $65 million, or $1.49 per Mcfe, in the third quarter 2009. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, DD&A was $179 million, or $1.47 per Mcfe, compared to $238 million, or $1.69 per Mcfe, for the first nine months of 2009. The decrease of $.22

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per Mcfe between the nine-month periods was primarily due to a $1.6 billion non-cash ceiling test write-down recorded in the first quarter 2009.

Ceiling Test Write-Down of Oil and Gas Properties

        In the first quarter 2009, Forest recorded a $1.6 billion ceiling test write-down related to its United States and Canadian cost centers pursuant to the ceiling test limitation prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") for companies using the full cost method of accounting. The write-down was primarily a result of a significant decline in natural gas prices in the first quarter of 2009. The March 31, 2009 spot price for natural gas was $3.63 per MMBtu compared to $5.71 at December 31, 2008. We have not incurred a ceiling test write-down since March 31, 2009. Our ceiling test calculations have been calculated based on the twelve month average natural gas and oil prices since December 31, 2009.

Interest Expense

        The following table summarizes interest expense incurred during the periods indicated.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Interest costs

  $ 40,107     45,153     121,169     131,685  

Interest costs capitalized

    (3,019 )   (2,500 )   (8,929 )   (9,312 )
                   

Interest expense

  $ 37,088     42,653     112,240     122,373  
                   

        Interest expense in the third quarter 2010 totaled $37 million compared to $43 million in the third quarter 2009. Interest expense was $112 million and $122 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Although our outstanding debt decreased to $1.9 billion as of September 30, 2010 from $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2009, interest expense did not decrease proportionately given the fact that the majority of the debt reduction was attributable to a reduction of borrowings under our bank credit facilities (which had a variable interest rate that averaged less than 2% in the first nine months of 2009).

        In order to effectively reduce the concentration of fixed-rate debt anticipated after the completion of our 2009 oil and gas property divestiture program and the related reduction in outstanding debt, Forest entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps under which it has swapped, as of September 30, 2010, $500 million in notional amount at an 8.5% fixed rate for an equal notional amount at a weighted-average rate equal to the 1-month LIBOR plus approximately 5.9%. Forest recognized realized gains under its interest rate swaps of $3 million and $9 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and $3 million during both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. These gains are recorded as realized gains on derivatives rather than as a reduction to interest expense since Forest has not elected to use hedge accounting. See Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our interest rate derivatives.

Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses on Derivative Instruments

        The table below sets forth realized and unrealized gains and losses on derivatives recognized under "Costs, expenses, and other" in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods

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indicated. See Note 7 and Note 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our derivative instruments.

 
  Three Months Ended September 30,   Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Realized losses (gains) on derivatives, net:

                         
 

Oil

  $ 41     (299 )   1,306     (14,596 )
 

Gas

    (27,194 )   (81,096 )   (66,122 )   (222,907 )
 

Interest

    (2,912 )   (3,508 )   (9,743 )   (6,925 )
                   

Subtotal realized gains on derivatives, net

    (30,065 )   (84,903 )   (74,559 )   (244,428 )

Unrealized losses (gains) on derivatives, net:

                         
 

Oil

    7,302     (4,119 )   430     27,566  
 

Gas

    (30,453 )   91,976     (78,198 )   107,906  
 

NGLs

    1,929         1,929      
 

Interest

    (7,869 )   (8,619 )   (27,000 )   (3,256 )
                   

Subtotal unrealized (gains) losses on derivatives, net

    (29,091 )   79,238     (102,839 )   132,216  
                   

Realized and unrealized gains on derivatives, net

  $ (59,156 )   (5,665 )   (177,398 )   (112,212 )
                   

Other, Net

        The table below sets forth the components of "Other, net" in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods indicated.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains, net

  $ (9,244 )   (9,723 )   (5,290 )   (15,609 )

Unrealized losses on other investments, net

                2,327  

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    1,693     2,014     5,441     6,195  

Gain on debt extinguishment, net

            (4,576 )    

Other, net

    1,155     5,649     4,584     12,184  
                   

  $ (6,396 )   (2,060 )   159     5,097  
                   

Foreign Currency Exchange

        Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains and losses relate to outstanding intercompany indebtedness and advances, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, between Forest Oil Corporation and our wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary.

Unrealized Loss on Other Investments

        Unrealized losses on other investments relate to fair value adjustments to the shares of Pacific Energy Resources, Ltd. ("PERL") common stock and the zero coupon senior subordinated note from PERL due 2014, which were received as a portion of the total consideration for the sale of our Alaska assets in August 2007. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on these investments.

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Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations

        Accretion of asset retirement obligations is the expense recognized to increase the carrying amount of the liability associated with our asset retirement obligations as a result of the passage of time. See Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our asset retirement obligations.

Gain on Debt Extinguishment

        The net gain on debt extinguishment for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 includes the net gain related to the January 2010 redemption of all $150 million of our 73/4% senior notes due 2014 at 101.292% of par. The net gain was recognized due to the write-off of unamortized deferred gains on the termination of interest rate swaps. This gain is offset by the loss on debt extinguishment related to the write-off of the unamortized discount associated with the $.1 million of 7% senior subordinated notes due 2013 that were repurchased during the second quarter of 2010 at par. See Note 4 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our debt.

Current and Deferred Income Tax

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands, Except Percentages)
 

Current income tax

  $ (16,814 )       (12,089 )   1,505  

Deferred income tax

    54,247     (163,851 )   129,991     (521,706 )
                   

Total income tax

  $ 37,433     (163,851 )   117,902     (520,201 )
                   

Effective tax rate

    35 %   (1,937 )%   36 %   35 %

        Our combined U.S. and Canadian effective tax rate should generally approximate 35% to 36% of pre-tax income but will fluctuate based on the percentage of pre-tax income generated in the U.S. versus Canada. Our effective income tax rate was 35% and 36% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and (1,937)% and 35% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The significant variance in our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was due to the valuation allowance placed on a portion of our deferred tax assets in the United States during that period. See Note 9 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of our income taxes at the statutory U.S. federal rate to income taxes at our effective rate for each period presented. The current income tax credit of $16.8 million and $12.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is due to a $17.0 million reduction in our 2009 federal income tax liability recorded in the third quarter of 2010.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        Our exploration, development, and acquisition activities require us to make significant operating and capital expenditures. Historically, we have used cash flow from operations and our bank credit facilities as our primary sources of liquidity. To fund large and other exceptional transactions, such as acquisitions and debt refinancing transactions, we have looked to the private and public capital markets as another source of financing and, as market conditions have permitted, we have engaged in asset monetization transactions.

        Changes in the market prices for oil and natural gas directly impact our level of cash flow generated from operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, natural gas accounted for approximately 75% of our total oil and gas production and, as a result, our operations and cash flow are more sensitive to fluctuations in the market price for natural gas than to fluctuations in the market

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price for oil. We employ a commodity hedging strategy as an attempt to moderate the effects of wide fluctuations in commodity prices on our cash flow. As of October 29, 2010, we had hedged, via commodity swaps and collar instruments, approximately 86 Bcfe of our total 2010 production and 55 Bcfe, excluding outstanding swaptions and call options, of our total 2011 production. We expect that this level of hedging will provide a measure of certainty of the cash flow that we will receive for a portion of our production in 2010 and 2011. For further information concerning our derivative contracts, see Item 3—"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Commodity Price Risk" below.

        The other primary source of liquidity is our combined U.S. and Canadian credit facilities, which had an aggregate borrowing base of $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2010. These facilities are used to fund daily operations and to fund acquisitions and refinance debt, as needed and if available. The credit facilities are secured by a portion of our assets and mature in June 2012. See—"Bank Credit Facilities" below for further details. We had no amounts drawn on our credit facilities as of September 30, 2010 and October 29, 2010.

        The public and private capital markets have historically served as our primary source of financing to fund large acquisitions and other exceptional transactions. In the past, we have issued debt and equity in both the public and private capital markets. For example, in February 2009, we issued $600 million principal amount of 81/2% senior notes due 2014 in a private offering for net proceeds of $560 million and in May 2009, we issued approximately 14 million shares of common stock for net proceeds of $256 million. Our ability to access the debt and equity capital markets on economic terms is affected by general economic conditions, the domestic and global financial markets, the credit ratings assigned to our debt by independent credit rating agencies, our operational and financial performance, the value and performance of our equity and debt securities, prevailing commodity prices, and other macroeconomic factors outside of our control.

        We also have engaged in asset dispositions as a means of generating additional cash to fund expenditures and enhance our financial flexibility. For example, during 2009, we sold certain non-strategic assets for approximately $1.1 billion, a portion of which proceeds were used to pay off the outstanding balances under our credit facilities in 2009 and redeem our 73/4% senior notes due 2014 in January 2010. During the first nine months of 2010 we have sold additional non-strategic assets for total proceeds of $156 million.

        We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents, cash flows provided by operating activities, and $1.3 billion of funds available under our credit facilities will be sufficient to fund our normal recurring operating needs, anticipated capital expenditures, and our contractual obligations, including the redemption of our $285 million principal amount of senior notes that are due in December 2011. However, if our revenue and cash flow decrease in the future as a result of a deterioration in domestic and global economic conditions or a significant decline in commodity prices, we may elect to reduce our planned capital expenditures. We believe that this financial flexibility to adjust our spending levels will provide us with sufficient liquidity to meet our financial obligations should economic conditions deteriorate.

Bank Credit Facilities

        Our bank credit facilities consist of a $1.65 billion U.S. credit facility (the "U.S. Facility") with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and a $150 million Canadian credit facility (the "Canadian Facility," and together with the U.S. Facility, the "Credit Facilities") with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch. The Credit Facilities will mature in June 2012.

        Our availability under the Credit Facilities is governed by a borrowing base (the "Global Borrowing Base"), which was $1.3 billion as of September 30, 2010. We currently have allocated

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$1.155 billion to the borrowing base under the U.S. Facility and $145 million to the borrowing base under the Canadian Facility. The determination of the Global Borrowing Base is made by the lenders in their sole discretion, on a semi-annual basis, taking into consideration the estimated value of our oil and gas properties based on pricing models determined by the lenders at such time, in accordance with the lenders' customary practices for oil and gas loans. The available borrowing amount under the Credit Facilities could increase or decrease based on such redetermination. In October 2010, the lenders reaffirmed the borrowing base at $1.3 billion and the next redetermination is expected to occur in the second quarter of 2011. In addition to the semi-annual redeterminations, Forest and the lenders each have discretion at any time, but not more often than once during a calendar year, to have the Global Borrowing Base redetermined. The Global Borrowing Base is also subject to automatic adjustments if certain events occur.

        As of September 30, 2010 and October 29, 2010, there were no outstanding borrowings under our Credit Facilities. We had used the Credit Facilities for approximately $2 million in letters of credit at September 30, 2010.

        From time to time, we engage in other transactions with a number of the lenders under the Credit Facilities. Such lenders or their affiliates may serve as underwriters or initial purchasers of our debt and equity securities, act as agent or directly purchase our production, or serve as counterparties to our commodity and interest rate derivative agreements. As of October 29, 2010, our primary derivative counterparties are lenders and their affiliates, with six such lenders accounting for approximately 78 Bcfe, or 91% of our 2010 hedged production and approximately 40 Bcfe, or 73% of our 2011 hedged production, excluding outstanding swaptions and call options. Our obligations under our existing derivative agreements with our lenders are secured by the security documents executed by the parties under our Credit Facilities. See Part 3—"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk—Commodity Price Risk," below for additional details concerning our derivative arrangements.

Historical Cash Flow

        Net cash provided by operating activities, net cash used by investing activities, and net cash used by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 398,307     473,573  

Net cash used by investing activities

    (474,918 )   (396,760 )

Net cash used by financing activities

    (138,675 )   (73,281 )

        Net cash provided by operating activities is primarily affected by production volumes, commodity prices, the effects of settlements of our derivative contracts, and changes in working capital. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was primarily due to lower realized gains on our derivative contracts and an increased investment in net operating assets (i.e., working capital) offset somewhat by higher average realized prices for oil and gas. Adjusted discretionary cash flow, which is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that management uses to evaluate cash flow from operations before changes in working capital, was $417 million and $466 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease in adjusted discretionary cash flow between the nine-month periods was primarily driven by a decrease in realized gains on oil and gas derivative instruments of $173 million offset by an increase in oil and gas revenues of $86 million and a decrease in production and interest expenses of $22 million and $10 million, respectively. Reference should be made to "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" at the end of this Item 2 for further explanation of this

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non-GAAP liquidity measure, as well as a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP measure.

        Net cash used by investing activities is primarily comprised of expenditures for the exploration and development of oil and gas properties and leasehold acquisition costs net of proceeds from the dispositions of oil and gas properties and other capital assets. The increase in net cash used by investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period of 2009 was primarily due to increased exploration, development, and leasehold acquisition costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009. The major components of cash used by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 were as follows:

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Exploration, development, and leasehold acquisition costs(1)

  $ (612,453 )   (512,266 )

Proceeds from sale of assets

    156,177     145,691  

Acquisition of other fixed assets

    (19,831 )   (30,185 )

Other, net

    1,189      
           

Net cash (used) by investing activities

  $ (474,918 )   (396,760 )
           

        Net cash used by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included the redemption of the 73/4% senior notes for $152 million. Net cash used by financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 included net repayments of bank borrowings of $850 million, partially offset by net proceeds of $560 million for the issuance of the 81/2% senior notes and net proceeds of $256 million for the issuance of common stock.

Capital Expenditures

        Expenditures for property exploration, development, and leasehold acquisition costs were as follows:

 
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Exploration, development, and leasehold acquisition costs:

             
 

Direct costs:

             
   

Exploration and development

  $ 510,625     376,030  
   

Leasehold acquisition costs

    104,605     13,106  
 

Overhead capitalized

    34,576     33,487  
 

Interest capitalized

    8,929     9,312  
           

Total capital expenditures(1)

  $ 658,735     431,935  
           

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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

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

        We believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, but we can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. We caution you that these forward-looking statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production, and sale of oil and gas. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements described under the heading "Risk Factors" included or incorporated in Part I of our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as the risks described in Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, and in this Form 10-Q.

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

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

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP MEASURES

Adjusted EBITDA

        In addition to reporting net earnings as defined under GAAP, Forest also presents adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization ("Adjusted EBITDA"), which is a non-GAAP performance measure. Adjusted EBITDA consists of net earnings (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, and amortization, as well as other items such as ceiling test write-downs of oil and gas properties, unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments, unrealized and realized foreign currency exchange losses (gains), unrealized losses on other investments, accretion of asset retirement obligations, and other items presented in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent and should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measurements, such as net earnings (loss) (its most comparable GAAP financial measure), and Forest's calculations thereof may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. By eliminating interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and other items, Forest believes the result is a useful measure across time in evaluating its fundamental core operating performance. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to manage its business, including in preparing its annual operating budget and financial projections. Forest believes that Adjusted EBITDA is also useful to investors because similar measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors, and other interested parties in their evaluation of companies in similar industries. As indicated, Adjusted EBITDA does not include interest expense on borrowed money or depletion and depreciation expense on capital assets or the payment of income taxes, which are necessary elements of Forest's operations. Because Adjusted EBITDA does not account for these and other expenses, its utility as a measure of Forest's operating performance has material limitations. Because of these limitations, Forest's management does not view Adjusted EBITDA in isolation and also uses other measurements, such as net earnings (loss) and revenues to measure operating performance. The following table provides a

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reconciliation of net earnings (loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 68,911     172,311     211,327     (968,321 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

    37,433     (163,851 )   117,902     (520,201 )

Unrealized (gains) losses on derivative instruments, net

    (29,091 )   79,238     (102,839 )   132,216  

Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains, net

    (9,244 )   (9,723 )   (5,290 )   (15,609 )

Unrealized losses on other investments, net

                2,327  

Interest expense

    37,088     42,653     112,240     122,373  

Gain on debt extinguishment, net

            (4,576 )    

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

    1,693     2,014     5,441     6,195  

Ceiling test write-down of oil and gas properties

                1,575,843  

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization

    64,737     65,275     179,495     237,964  

Stock-based compensation

    4,658     4,764     14,389     12,948  
                   

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 176,185     192,681     528,089     585,735  
                   

Adjusted Discretionary Cash Flow

        In addition to reporting cash provided by operating activities as defined under GAAP, Forest also presents adjusted discretionary cash flow, which is a non-GAAP liquidity measure. Adjusted discretionary cash flow consists of cash provided by operating activities before changes in working capital items. Management uses adjusted discretionary cash flow as a measure of liquidity and believes it provides useful information to investors because it assesses cash flow from operations for each period before changes in working capital, which fluctuates due to the timing of collections of receivables and the settlements of liabilities. This measure does not represent the residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures, since Forest has mandatory debt service requirements and other non-discretionary expenditures that are not deducted from the measure. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to adjusted discretionary cash flow for the periods presented.

 
  Three Months Ended
September 30,
  Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 152,348     185,651     398,307     473,573  

Changes in working capital:

                         
 

Accounts receivable

    (18,445 )   (4,982 )   (24,345 )   (66,143 )
 

Other current assets

    12,818     (5,147 )   (1,539 )   (20,622 )
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    19,546     (7,909 )   66,123     106,567  
 

Accrued interest and other current liabilities

    (8,486 )   (16,091 )   (4,870 )   (27,317 )
 

2009 current income tax credit(1)

    (16,984 )       (16,984 )    
                   

Adjusted discretionary cash flow

  $ 140,797     151,522     416,692     466,058  
                   

(1)
The current income tax credit of $17.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 is due to a $17.0 million reduction in our 2009 federal income tax liability recorded in the third quarter of 2010.

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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, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates as discussed below.

Commodity Price Risk

        We produce and sell natural gas, crude oil, and natural gas liquids for our own account in the United States and Canada. As a result, our financial results are affected when prices for these commodities fluctuate. Such effects can be significant. In order to reduce the impact of fluctuations in commodity prices, or to protect the economics of property acquisitions, we make use of a commodity hedging strategy. Under our hedging strategy, we enter into commodity swaps, collars, basis swaps, and other derivative instruments with counterparties who, in general, are participants in our credit facilities. These arrangements, which are typically based on prices available in the financial markets at the time the contracts are entered into, are settled in cash and do not require physical deliveries of hydrocarbons.

Swaps

        In a typical commodity swap agreement, we receive the difference between a fixed price per unit of production and a price based on an agreed upon published, third-party index if the index price is lower than the fixed price. If the index price is higher, we pay the difference. By entering into swap agreements, we effectively fix the price that we will receive in the future for the hedged production. Our current swaps are settled in cash on a monthly basis. As of September 30, 2010, we had entered into the following swaps:

Commodity Swaps  
 
  Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)   Oil (NYMEX WTI)   NGLs (OPIS Refined Products)  
Remaining Swap Term
  Bbtu
per
Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged
Price
per MMBtu
  Fair Value
(In
Thousands)
  Barrels
per Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged
Price
per Bbl
  Fair Value
(In
Thousands)
  Barrels
per Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged
Price
per Bbl
  Fair Value
(In
Thousands)
 

Oct 2010 - Dec 2010

    210   $ 6.20   $ 43,425     3,000   $ 76.06   $ (1,414 )     $   $  

Calendar 2011

    90     5.86     46,044                 3,000     36.75     (1,929 )

        Subsequent to September 30, 2010, through October 29, 2010, Forest entered into additional gas swaps. See "Commodity Swaptions" below for further information on these swaps.

Collars

        We also enter into collar agreements with third parties. A collar agreement is similar to a swap agreement, except that we receive the difference between the floor price and the index price only if the index price is below the floor price and we pay the difference between the ceiling price and the index

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price only if the index price is above the ceiling price. As of September 30, 2010, we had entered into the following collars:

Oil Collars (NYMEX WTI)  
Remaining Collar Term
  Barrels
Per Day
  Weighted Average
Hedged Floor and
Ceiling Price per Bbl
  Fair Value
(In Thousands)
 

October 2010 - December 2010

    2,000   $ 60.00/98.50   $ (19 )

Calendar 2011

    3,000     75.00/91.87 (1)   (1,117 )

Commodity Swaptions

        In connection with several gas swaps entered into during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we granted option instruments (several commodity swaptions and one call option) to the gas swap counterparties in exchange for us receiving premium hedged prices on the gas swaps. As of October 29, 2010, none of the options have been exercised by the counterparties. The table below sets forth the outstanding options as of September 30, 2010:

Commodity Options  
 
   
   
  Natural Gas (NYMEX HH)   Oil (NYMEX WTI)  
Instrument
  Option
Expiration
  Underlying
Swap Term
  Underlying
Swap Bbtu
Per Day
  Underlying
Swap
Weighted
Average
Hedged Price
per MMBtu
  Fair Value
(In
Thousands)
  Underlying
Swap
Barrels
Per Day
  Underlying
Swap
Hedged
Price per
Bbl
  Fair Value
(In
Thousands)
 

Gas Swaptions

  December 2010   Calendar 2011     50   $ 5.80   $ (248 )     $   $  

Oil Swaption

  December 2011   Calendar 2012                 1,000     90.00     (3,182 )

Oil Call Option

  Monthly in 2011   Monthly in 2011                 1,000     90.00     (2,425 )

        Subsequent to September 30, 2010, through October 29, 2010, we entered into two additional gas swaps covering 25 Bbtu per day for Calendar 2011 for a weighted average hedged price of $5.03 per MMBtu. In connection with these swaps, the counterparties were granted the following oil swaptions:

Commodity Options  
 
   
  Oil (NYMEX WTI)  
Option Expiration
  Underlying
Swap Term
  Underlying Swap
Barrels
Per Day
  Underlying Swap
Hedged
Price per Bbl
 

December 2010

  Calendar 2011     1,000   $ 85.00  

December 2011

  Calendar 2012     1,000     90.00  

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Basis Swaps

        We also use basis swaps in connection with natural gas swaps in order to fix the price differential between the NYMEX Henry Hub price and the index price at which a portion of our natural gas production is sold. As of September 30, 2010, we had entered into the following basis swaps:

Basis Swaps  
Remaining Swap Term
  Index   Bbtu
Per Day
  Weighted
Average
Hedged Price
Differential
per MMBtu
  Fair Value
(In Thousands)
 

October 2010—December 2010

  Centerpoint     30   $ (.95 ) $ (1,989 )

October 2010—December 2010

  Houston Ship Channel     50     (.29 )   (1,299 )

October 2010—December 2010

  Mid Continent     60     (1.04 )   (4,308 )

October 2010—December 2010

  NGPL TXOK     40     (.44 )   (1,089 )

        The estimated fair value of all our commodity derivative instruments based on various inputs, including published forward prices, at September 30, 2010 was a net asset of approximately $70.5 million.

Interest Rate Risk

        We periodically enter into interest rate derivative agreements in an attempt to manage the mix of fixed and floating interest rates within our debt portfolio. As of September 30, 2010, we had entered into the following interest rate swaps:

Interest Rate Swaps  
Remaining Swap Term
  Notional
Amount
(In Thousands)
  Weighted Average
Floating Rate
  Weighted
Average
Fixed
Rate
  Fair Value
(In Thousands)
 

October 2010—February 2014

  $ 500,000   1 month LIBOR + 5.89%     8.50 % $ 26,480  

        The estimated fair value of all our interest rate derivative instruments was a net asset of approximately $26.5 million as of September 30, 2010.

Derivative Fair Value Reconciliation

        The table below sets forth the changes that occurred in the fair values of our open derivative contracts during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, beginning with the fair value of our derivative contracts on December 31, 2009. It has been our experience that commodity prices are subject to large fluctuations, and we expect this volatility to continue. Due to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, the estimated fair values of our commodity derivative instruments are subject to large fluctuations from period to period. Actual gains and losses recognized related to our commodity derivative instruments will likely differ from those estimated at September 30, 2010 and will depend

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exclusively on the price of the commodities on the specified settlement dates provided by the derivative contracts.

 
  Fair Value of Derivative Contracts  
 
  Commodity   Interest Rate   Total  
 
  (In Thousands)
 

As of December 31, 2009

  $ (5,389 )   (596 )   (5,985 )

Premiums received

        (984 )   (984 )

Net increase in fair value

    140,655     37,803     178,458  

Net contract gains realized

    (64,816 )   (9,743 )   (74,559 )
               

As of September 30, 2010

  $ 70,450     26,480     96,930  
               

Interest Rates on Borrowings

        The following table presents principal amounts and related interest rates by year of maturity for Forest's debt obligations at September 30, 2010.

 
  2011   2013   2014   2019   Total  
 
  (Dollar Amounts in Thousands)
 

Long-term debt:

                               

Fixed rate debt

  $ 285,000     12     600,000     1,000,000     1,885,012  

Coupon interest rate

    8.00 %   7.00 %   8.50 %   7.25 %   7.76 %

Effective interest rate(1)

    7.25 %   7.49 %   9.47 %   7.24 %   7.95 %

(1)
The effective interest rates on the senior notes differ from the coupon interest rates due to the amortization of related discounts or premiums on the notes. The effective interest rate on the 8% senior notes due 2011 is further reduced from the coupon rate as a result of amortization of deferred gains related to interest rate swaps terminated in 2002.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

        We conduct business in several foreign currencies and thus are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk on cash flows related to sales, expenses, financing, and investing transactions. We have not entered into any foreign currency forward contracts or other similar financial instruments to manage this risk. Expenditures incurred relative to the foreign concessions held by Forest outside of North America have been primarily United States dollar-denominated, as have cash proceeds related to property sales and farmout arrangements. Substantially all of our Canadian revenues and costs are denominated in Canadian dollars. While the value of the Canadian dollar does fluctuate in relation to the U.S. dollar, we believe that any currency risk associated with our Canadian operations would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Item 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

        We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to Forest and its consolidated subsidiaries is made known to the Officers who certify Forest's financial reports and the Board of Directors.

        Our Chief Executive Officer, H. Craig Clark, and our Chief Financial Officer, Michael N. Kennedy, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a—15(e) and 15d—15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of the end of the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 (the "Evaluation Date"). Based on this evaluation, they believe that as of the Evaluation Date our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports

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we file or submit under the Exchange Act (i) is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms; and (ii) is accumulated and communicated to Forest's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

        There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        The following risk factor updates the Risk Factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 ("Annual Report"). Except as set forth below, and under Part II, Item 1A, "Risk Factors," in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, there have been no material changes to the risks described in Part I, Item 1A, of the Annual Report.

        In August 2007, we closed on the sale of our oil and gas assets in Alaska (the "Alaska Assets") to Pacific Energy Resources, Ltd ("PERL"). In March 2009, PERL filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. PERL requested, and the bankruptcy court has approved, abandonment of PERL's interests in certain of the Alaska Assets. The remaining working interest owners in the Alaska Assets previously made the assertion that, in its role as assignor of the Alaska Assets, Forest should be held liable for any contractual obligations of PERL with respect to the Alaska Assets, including obligations related to operating costs and for costs associated with the final plugging and decommissioning of wells and production facilities. More recently, PERL has asserted during its bankruptcy case that the Alaska Assets were worth less than what PERL paid for them in August 2007, and that Forest may face liability under creditors' rights laws or other laws in connection with the transaction. Forest disagrees with both the working interest owners' assertion and PERL's assertion and, to the extent necessary, will vigorously oppose any efforts to hold Forest liable for PERL's unsatisfied obligations or for the sale of the Alaska Assets to PERL. We cannot predict, however, whether we would be successful in avoiding all such liabilities.

Item 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities

        There were no sales of unregistered equity securities during the period covered by this report.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

        The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock during the third quarter 2010. The shares repurchased represent shares of our common stock that employees elected to surrender to Forest to satisfy their tax withholding obligations upon the vesting of shares of restricted stock and phantom stock units that are settled in shares. Forest does not consider this a share buyback program.

Period
  Total # of Shares
Purchased
  Average Price
Paid Per Share
  Total # of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
  Maximum # (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares that
May Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs
 

July 2010

    4,716   $ 28.57          

August 2010

    8,638     27.73          

September 2010

    3,500     29.29          
                   

Third Quarter Total

    16,854   $ 28.29          
                   

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Item 6.   EXHIBITS

  3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Forest Oil Corporation dated October 14, 1993, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 1993 (File No. 0-4597).
  3.2   Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of July 20, 1995, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(a) to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 0-4597).
  3.3   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of July 26, 1995, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(b) to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 0-4597).
  3.4   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated as of January 5, 1996, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(c) to Forest Oil Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-64949).
  3.5   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated as of December 7, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(d) to Form 10-K for Forest Oil Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 001-13515).
  3.6   Bylaws of Forest Oil Corporation Restated as of February 14, 2001, as amended by Amendments No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (File No. 001-13515).
  10.1*   Form of 2010 Severance Agreement for Senior Vice President.
  10.2*   Form of 2010 Severance Agreement for Vice President.
  31.1*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  31.2*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  32.1+   Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
  32.2+   Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
  101.INS++   XBRL Instance Document.
  101.SCH++   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
  101.CAL++   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
  101.LAB++   XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
  101.PRE++   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
  101.DEF++   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition.

*
Filed herewith.

+
Not considered to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.

++
The documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are deemed not filed as part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act, are deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.

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SIGNATURES

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

  FOREST OIL CORPORATION
(Registrant)

November 3, 2010

 

By:

 

/s/ MICHAEL N. KENNEDY


Michael N. Kennedy
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(on behalf of the Registrant and as
Principal Financial Officer)



 

By:

 

/s/ VICTOR A. WIND

Victor A. Wind
Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer
and Corporate Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

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Exhibit Index

  3.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Forest Oil Corporation dated October 14, 1993, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 1993 (File No. 0-4597).
  3.2   Certificate of Amendment of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of July 20, 1995, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(a) to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 0-4597).
  3.3   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation, dated as of July 26, 1995, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(b) to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 (File No. 0-4597).
  3.4   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated as of January 5, 1996, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(c) to Forest Oil Corporation Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-64949).
  3.5   Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation dated as of December 7, 2000, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(d) to Form 10-K for Forest Oil Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000 (File No. 001-13515).
  3.6   Bylaws of Forest Oil Corporation Restated as of February 14, 2001, as amended by Amendments No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and No. 4, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 10-Q for Forest Oil Corporation for the quarter ended June 30, 2008 (File No. 001-13515).
  10.1*   Form of 2010 Severance Agreement for Senior Vice President.
  10.2*   Form of 2010 Severance Agreement for Vice President.
  31.1*   Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  31.2*   Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation as required by Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
  32.1+   Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Forest Oil Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
  32.2+   Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Forest Oil Corporation pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350.
  101.INS++   XBRL Instance Document.
  101.SCH++   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
  101.CAL++   XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.
  101.LAB++   XBRL Label Linkbase Document.
  101.PRE++   XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document.
  101.DEF++   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition.

*
Filed herewith.

+
Not considered to be "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section.


++
The documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) and attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are deemed not filed as part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act, are deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.

49