form10ka.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-K/A
 
Amendment No. 1
 
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
 
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
 
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file number:  001-12108

CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC.
 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
20-3037840
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
717 Texas Avenue, Suite 2900
Houston, Texas  77002
 
 
77002
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(713) 236-7400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
 
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes o No x
 
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.   Yes o No x
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
 
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 definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
 
As of June 30, 2011, the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $78,042,284 based on the closing sales price of $3.55 of the Registrant’s common stock.  For purposes of this computation, all executive officers, directors and 10% beneficial owners of the registrant are deemed to be affiliates.  Such a determination should not be deemed an admission that such executive officers, directors and 10% beneficial owners are affiliates.
 
On March 5, 2012, there were 45,129,407 shares of common stock outstanding.
 
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
None.

 
 

 

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Crimson Exploration Inc. (the “Registrant”) is filing this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A (“Form 10-K/A”) to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2012 (the “Original Filing”), for the sole purpose of including the identification and signature of the independent public accounting firm on the Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, filed as Exhibit 23.1.  The identification and signature were inadvertently omitted from the electronic version of Exhibit 23.1 filed with the Original Filing.  This Form 10-K/A amends and restates in its entirety Part IV of the Original Filing.

Pursuant to Rule 12b-13 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, currently dated certifications from our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer as required by Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed or furnished herewith, as applicable.

Except as described above, no other changes have been made to the Original Filing and this Form 10-K/A does not modify, amend or update in any way any of the financial or other information contained in the Original Filing.  This Form 10-K/A should therefore be read in conjunction with the Original Filing.  This Form 10-K/A does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the filing date of the Original Filing.


 
2

 


 
PART IV
 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

The following documents are filed as part of this Report:
(1)
Financial Statements:
 
Report of Management
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011 and 2010
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
   
(2)
Financial Statement Schedule:
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
   
(3)
Exhibits:
 Number    Description
 
     
2.1
 
Membership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated May 8, 2007, by and among EXCO Resources, Inc., Southern G Holdings, LLC, Crimson Exploration Inc. and Crimson Exploration Operating Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 15, 2007 File No. 000-21644)
     
2.2
 
Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated April 28, 2008, by and among Smith Production, Inc. and Crimson Exploration Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
3.1
 
Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
     
3.2
 
Bylaws of Crimson Exploration Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
     
3.3
 
Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed August 18, 2006 File No. 000-21644)
     
3.4
 
Certificate of Elimination with Respect to Series I Convertible Preferred Stock of Crimson Exploration Inc. dated August 16, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 File No. 001-12108)
     
4.1
 
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 5, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
     
4.2
 
Letter Agreement by and among GulfWest Energy Inc., a Texas corporation, GulfWest Oil & Gas Company and the investors listed on the signature page thereof, dated April 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 10, 2004 File No. 001-12108)
     
4.3
 
Shareholders Rights Agreement between GulfWest Energy Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC dated February 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(e) of the Schedule 13D, Reg. No. 005-54301, filed on March 10, 2005 File No. 005-54301)

 
3

 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (CONTINUED)

Number
   Description
 
     
4.4
 
Omnibus and Release Agreement among GulfWest Energy Inc., OCM GW Holdings, LLC and those signatories set forth on the signature page thereto, dated as of February 28, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(f) of the Schedule 13D, Reg. No. 005-54301, filed on March 10, 2005 File No. 005-54301)
     
4.5
 
Waiver, Consent and First Amendment to the Shareholders Rights Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2009, between Crimson Exploration Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2009 File No. 001-12108)
     
4.6
 
Termination Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2009, between Crimson Exploration Inc. and OCM GW Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2009 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.1
 
Oil and Gas Property Acquisition, Exploration and Development Agreement with Summit Investment Group-Texas, L.L.C. effective December 1, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-116048 on Form S-1, filed on June 1, 2004 File No. 333-116048)
     
#10.2
 
GulfWest Energy Inc. 2004 Stock Option Incentive Plan. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.3
 
GulfWest Energy Inc. 2005 Stock Option Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.4
 
Form of director and officer restricted stock grant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K  filed on July 21, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.5
 
Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 21, 2005 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.6
 
Form of GulfWest Energy Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan Stock Option Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 of Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 File No. 000-21644)
     
10.7
 
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, among Crimson Exploration Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and The Royal Bank of Scotland, plc, as co-lead arrangers and joint book runners, and each lender from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 6, 2007 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.8
 
Form of executive officer restricted stock grant for grants outside the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed August 7, 2007 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.9
 
Form of Restricted Stock Award used in connection with option exchange and in connection with the Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 11, 2008 File No. 000-21644)


 
4

 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (CONTINUED)

Number
   Description
 
     
#10.10
 
Crimson Exploration Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, Amended and Restated Effective as of August 15, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit A of the Company’s Information Statement on Schedule 14C filed September 25, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.11
 
Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.12
 
Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.13
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Allan D. Keel and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated December 30, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.14
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between E. Joseph Grady and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.15
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Tommy Atkins and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated December 29, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K  for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.16
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Jay S. Mengle and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated December 31, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.17
 
Summary terms of Director Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.18
 
Long Term Performance Plan Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.19
 
Long Term Incentive Performance Plan Form of Stock Option Agreement for Employees (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.20
 
Long Term Incentive Performance Plan Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 File No. 000-21644)
     
#10.21
 
Long Term Incentive Performance Plan Form of Restricted Stock Option Agreement for Executive Officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 File No. 000-21644)
     
10.22
 
First Amendment, dated as of July 31, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, by and among Crimson Exploration Inc., the guarantor party thereto, the lender parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K  filed August 5, 2009 File No. 000-21644)


 
5

 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (CONTINUED)

Number
   Description
 
     
10.23
 
Second Amendment, dated as of November 6, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, among Crimson Exploration Inc., the guarantor party thereto, the lender parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2009 File No. 000-21644)
     
10.24
 
Third Amendment and Limited Waiver, dated as of November 6, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, among Crimson Exploration Inc., the guarantor party thereto, the lender parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 13, 2009 File No. 000-21644)
     
10.25
 
Fourth Amendment, dated as of December 7, 2009, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, among Crimson Exploration Inc., the guarantor party thereto, the lender parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K  filed December 10, 2009 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.26
 
Fifth Amendment dated as of June 9, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, by and among Crimson Exploration Inc., as borrower, the Guarantors party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent for the Lenders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Amendment No. 1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
# 10.27
 
Employment Agreement between Carl Isaac and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated May 10, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.28
 
Subscription Agreement between Crimson Exploration Inc. and America Capital Energy Corporation dated September 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.29
 
Option Agreement between Crimson Exploration Inc. and America Capital Energy Corporation dated October 26, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the  Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 29, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.30
 
Registration Rights Agreement between Crimson Exploration Inc. and America Capital Energy corporation, dated as of December 22, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 28, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.31
 
Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2010, among Crimson Exploration Inc., as borrower, Barclays Bank PLC, as agent, and each lender from time to time party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 28, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
10.32
 
Sixth Amendment, dated as of December 27, 2010, to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2007, among Crimson Exploration Inc., the guarantor party thereto, the lender parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 28, 2010 File No. 001-12108)


 
6

 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (CONTINUED)

Number
   Description
 
     
10.33
 
Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of December 27, 2010, among Crimson Exploration Inc., as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as First Lien Agent, and Barclays Bank PLC, as Second Lien Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 28, 2010 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.34
 
First Amendment to the Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit B to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 13, 2011 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.35
 
Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit C to the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 13, 2011 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.36
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Allan D. Keel and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated June 29, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2011 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.37
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between E. Joseph Grady and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated June 29, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2011 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.38
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Thomas H. Atkins and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated June 29, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2011 File No. 001-12108)
     
#10.39
 
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Jay S. Mengle and Crimson Exploration Inc., dated June 29, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed on July 12, 2011 File No. 001-12108)
     
***21.1
 
Significant Subsidiaries of the Registrant
     
*23.1
 
Consent of Grant Thornton LLP — Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
     
***23.2
 
Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
     
***25.1
 
Power of Attorney (included on signature page)
     
*31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Exchange Rule 13a-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
*31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Exchange Rule 13a-15(e) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
**32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18.U.S.C Section 1350 pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
**32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18.U.S.C Section 1350 pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
***99.1
 
Estimate of Reserves and Future Revenue to the Crimson Exploration Inc. Interest in Certain Oil and Gas Properties located in the United States and in the Gulf of Mexico as of December 31, 2011 provided by Netherland, Sewell and Associates, Inc.

 
7

 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES. (CONTINUED)

Number
   Description
 
     
***101.INS  
 
XBRL Instance Document
     
***101.SCH
 
XBRL Schema Document
     
***101.CAL
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
     
***101.LAB
 
XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
     
***101.PRE
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
     
***101.DEF
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

*
  Filed herewith
**
  Furnished herewith
***
  Filed with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, as originally filed on March 13, 2012
#
  Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement


 

 
8

 

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
 
   
CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC.
     
Date:
May 11, 2012
 
By
/s/ Allan D. Keel
     
Allan D. Keel, President
 
 
 
 
9

 
 
 
CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC.
 
FINANCIAL REPORT
 
DECEMBER 31, 2011
 

 
CONTENTS
 
 
Page
REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
F-1
   
REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
F-2
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets
F-4
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations
F-5
   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
F-6
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
F-7
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-8
   
FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
 
   
Schedule II Valuation And Qualifying Accounts
F-30

All other financial statement schedules have been omitted because they are either inapplicable or the information required is included in the financial statements or the notes thereto.
 


 
 

 

REPORT OF MANAGEMENT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Management of the Company is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the consolidated financial statements appearing in the annual report on form 10-K.  The financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include amounts that are based on management’s best estimates and judgments.
 
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”).  The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.  Our internal control over financial reporting is supported by a program of appropriate reviews by management, written policies and guidelines, careful selection and training of qualified personnel and a written code of business conduct adopted by our Company’s board of directors, applicable to all Company directors and all officers and employees of our Company and subsidiaries.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements and even when determined to be effective, can only provide reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
    Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.  In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control —Integrated Framework.  Based on our assessment, management believes that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011.
 


 
/s/ Allan D. Keel
 
Allan D. Keel
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
   
   
 
/s/ E. Joseph Grady
 
E. Joseph Grady
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   
   

Houston, Texas
March 13, 2012

 
 
F-1

 


Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 


Board of Directors and Shareholders
Crimson Exploration Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Crimson Exploration Inc.  and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
 
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Crimson Exploration Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) and our report dated March 13, 2012 expressed an unqualified opinion that Crimson Exploration Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting.
 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Houston, Texas
March 13, 2012


 
 
F-2

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 

Board of Directors and Shareholders
Crimson Exploration Inc.:

We have audited Crimson Exploration Inc.’s and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Crimson Exploration Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on Crimson Exploration Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
 
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we consider necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
 
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
In our opinion, Crimson Exploration Inc. and subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2011, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by COSO.
 
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Crimson Exploration Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2011, and our report dated March 13, 2012, expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.
 

/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Houston, Texas
March 13, 2012



 
 
F-3

 
PART I.     FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
 
CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $  
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance (see Note 2)
    16,059,667       14,225,932  
Prepaid expenses
    473,616       168,766  
Derivative instruments
    4,538,897       6,836,366  
Deferred tax asset, net
          6,331,152  
Total current assets
    21,072,180       27,562,216  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
               
    Oil and gas properties (successful efforts method of accounting)
    663,414,446       590,248,138  
    Other property and equipment
    3,345,798       3,345,798  
    Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (269,978,945 )     (213,547,504 )
Total property and equipment, net
    396,781,299       380,046,432  
                 
NONCURRENT ASSETS
               
    Deposits
    34,743       34,743  
    Debt issuance cost
    1,140,031       2,364,469  
    Deferred tax asset, net
    17,297,621       2,678,966  
Total noncurrent assets
    18,472,395       5,078,178  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 436,325,874     $ 412,686,826  
 
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
    Accounts payable
  $ 49,539,258     $ 30,795,692  
    Accrued liabilities
    16,131,324       12,799,176  
    Asset retirement obligations
    935,705       732,126  
    Derivative instruments
    290,703       3,043,078  
    Deferred tax liability, net
    189,146        
Total current liabilities
    67,086,136       47,370,072  
                 
NONCURRENT LIABILITIES
               
    Long-term debt, net of current portion
    190,041,933       172,013,490  
    Asset retirement obligations
    9,071,064       9,101,895  
    Other noncurrent liabilities
    621,043       670,398  
Total noncurrent liabilities
    199,734,040       181,785,783  
                 
Total liabilities
    266,820,176       229,155,855  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (see Note 10)
               
                 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock (Par value $0.001; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 45,270,768 and 44,952,405 shares issued and 45,129,407 and 44,857,259 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)
    45,271       44,952  
Additional paid-in capital
    243,484,877       241,488,749  
Retained deficit
    (73,352,170 )     (57,506,788 )
Treasury stock (At cost, 141,361 and 95,146 shares as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively)
    (672,280 )     (495,942 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    169,505,698       183,530,971  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 436,325,874     $ 412,686,826  

The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


 
 
F-4

 


CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
 
                   
   
For the Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
                   
OPERATING REVENUES
                 
Natural gas sales
  $ 56,666,485     $ 59,861,551     $ 71,494,889  
Crude oil sales
    36,760,014       22,021,906       27,283,772  
Natural gas liquids sales
    20,209,534       14,048,766       13,024,103  
Operating overhead and other income
    721,472       609,744       644,882  
Total operating revenues
    114,357,505       96,541,967       112,447,646  
                         
OPERATING EXPENSES
                       
Lease operating expenses
    13,273,760       15,001,954       17,358,670  
Production and ad valorem taxes
    6,732,545       6,061,033       7,131,400  
Exploration expenses
    995,412       967,322       2,723,953  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    56,920,515       45,022,272       53,294,809  
Impairment and abandonment of oil and gas properties
    14,954,633       22,254,059       6,721,215  
General and administrative
    19,068,400       20,480,608       18,757,981  
Loss on sale of assets
          1,069,616       6,847,454  
Total operating expenses
    111,945,265       110,856,864       112,835,482  
                         
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
    2,412,240       (14,314,897 )     (387,836 )
                         
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
                       
Interest expense, net of amount capitalized
    (25,104,073 )     (22,324,535 )     (23,172,082 )
Other financing costs
    (1,706,812 )     (4,311,779 )     (3,341,854 )
Unrealized (loss) gain on  derivative instruments
    454,906       (6,500,825 )     (23,862,580 )
Total other income (expense)
    (26,355,979 )     (33,137,139 )     (50,376,516 )
                         
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES
    (23,943,739 )     (47,452,036 )     (50,764,352 )
                         
Income Tax Benefit
    8,098,357       16,607,139       16,694,362  
                         
NET LOSS
    (15,845,382 )     (30,844,897 )     (34,069,990 )
                         
Dividends on Preferred Stock
                (4,522,645 )
                         
NET LOSS AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
  $ (15,845,382 )   $ (30,844,897 )   $ (38,592,635 )
                         
NET LOSS PER SHARE
                       
Basic
  $ (0.35 )   $ (0.78 )   $ (4.91 )
Diluted
  $ (0.35 )   $ (0.78 )   $ (4.91 )
                         
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
                       
Basic
    44,788,551       39,397,486       7,861,054  
Diluted
    44,788,551       39,397,486       7,861,054  




The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 
 
F-5

 


CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009
 
                                                 
   
NUMBER OF SHARES
                                     
   
OUTSTANDING
                                     
   
PREFERRED STOCK
   
COMMON STOCK
   
PREFERRED STOCK
   
COMMON STOCK
   
ADDITIONAL
PAID-IN CAPITAL
   
RETAINED EARNINGS (DEFICIT)
   
TREASURY STOCK
   
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2008
    82,600       5,787,287      $ 826      $ 5,808      $ 95,676,875      $ 26,189,888      $ (250,594 )    $ 121,622,803  
Current year net loss
                                    (34,069,990 )           (34,069,990 )
Share-based compensation
          661,156             661       2,400,231                   2,400,892  
Preferred G converted
    (80,500 )     8,050,000       (805 )     8,050       (7,245 )                  
Preferred H converted
    (2,100 )     300,001       (21 )     300       (279 )                  
Dividends paid on preferred stock
          3,759,135             3,759       18,778,030       (18,781,789 )            
Common stock issuance
          20,000,000             20,000       92,890,901                   92,910,901  
Treasury stock
          (40,921 )                             (133,718 )     (133,718 )
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2009
          38,516,658             38,578       209,738,513       (26,661,891 )     (384,312 )     182,730,888  
Current year net loss
                                  (30,844,897 )           (30,844,897 )
Share-based compensation
          374,201             374       1,856,771                   1,857,145  
Common stock issuance
          6,000,000             6,000       29,893,465                   29,899,465  
Treasury stock
          (33,600 )                             (111,630 )     (111,630 )
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2010
          44,857,259             44,952       241,488,749       (57,506,788 )     (495,942 )     183,530,971  
Current year net loss
                                  (15,845,382 )           (15,845,382 )
Share-based compensation
          318,363             319       1,996,128                   1,996,447  
Treasury stock
          (46,215 )                             (176,338 )     (176,338 )
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2011
          45,129,407     $     $ 45,271     $ 243,484,877     $ (73,352,170 )   $ (672,280 )   $ 169,505,698  



















The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.


 
F-6

 


CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
       
   
For the Years ended December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                 
Net loss
  $ (15,845,382 )   $ (30,844,897 )   $ (34,069,990 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
                       
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    56,920,515       45,022,272       53,294,809  
Asset retirement obligations
    (392,861 )     (162,668 )     (375,149 )
Stock compensation expense
    1,935,886       1,789,031       2,400,892  
Amortization of financing costs and discounts
    2,321,158       4,192,875       3,167,481  
Deferred charges
                1,324,907  
Deferred income taxes
    (8,098,357 )     (16,378,441 )     (16,572,200 )
Impairment and abandonment of oil and gas properties
    14,954,633       22,254,059       6,721,215  
Loss on sale of assets
          1,069,616       6,847,454  
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments
    (454,906 )     6,500,825       23,862,580  
Provision for bad debts
    445       167,819       239,676  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                       
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net
    (1,534,180 )     379,494       6,065,890  
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses
    (304,849 )     (168,766 )     77,293  
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    22,148,113       14,188,815       (43,329,185 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    71,650,215       48,010,034       9,655,673  
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Capital expenditures
    (87,511,475 )     (54,745,840 )     (21,893,154 )
Acquisition of oil and gas properties
    (954,687 )           493,532  
Sale of assets
          (224,776 )     7,553,480  
Deposits
          69,954        
Net cash used in investing activities
    (88,466,162 )     (54,900,662 )     (13,846,142 )
                         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Payments on debt
    (139,975,774 )     (286,802,034 )     (196,079,649 )
Proceeds from debt
    156,953,711       265,783,020       110,367,869  
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
    60,562       29,967,579       92,910,901  
Debt issuance expenditures
    (46,214 )     (1,946,307 )     (2,874,934 )
Purchase of treasury stock
    (176,338 )     (111,630 )     (133,718 )
Net cash provided by financing activities
    16,815,947       6,890,628       4,190,469  
                         
INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                 
                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
                       
Beginning of year
                 
                         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
                       
End of year
  $     $     $  
                         
Cash paid for interest
  $ 24,618,488     $ 25,982,510     $ 20,092,443  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $     $ 22,233     $ 173,851  



The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these statements.

 
 
F-7

 

CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  1.
Organization and Nature of Operations

Crimson Exploration Inc., together with its subsidiaries, (“Crimson”, “we”, “our”, “us”) is an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploitation, exploration and development of natural gas and crude oil properties.  We have historically focused our operations in the onshore U.S. Gulf Coast and South Texas regions, which are generally characterized by high rates of return in known, prolific producing trends.  We have expanded our strategic focus to include longer reserve life resource plays that we believe provide significant long-term growth potential in multiple formations.  We are also focusing on further developing our oil/liquid weighted assets.

We intend to grow reserves and production by developing our existing producing property base, developing our East Texas and South Texas resource potential, and pursuing opportunistic acquisitions in areas where we have specific operating expertise.  We have developed a significant project inventory of associated with our existing property base.  Our technical team has a successful track record of adding reserves through the drill bit.  Since January 2008, we have drilled 56 gross (26.9 net) wells with an overall success rate of 93%.  At December 31, 2011, we had 4 wells in progress.

As of December 31, 2011, our proved reserves, as estimated by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. (“NSAI”), our independent petroleum engineering firm, in accordance with reserve reporting guidelines mandated by the SEC, were 200.4 Bcfe, consisting of 162.7 Bcf of natural gas and 6.3 MMBbl of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids, with a PV-10 of $266.5 million.  As of December 31, 2011, 81% of our proved reserves were natural gas, 37% were proved developed and 87% were attributed to wells and properties operated by us.  During 2011 we grew proved reserves to 200.4 Bcfe at December 31, 2011 from 166.5 Bcfe at December 31, 2010.  Our average daily production increased to 45.4 MMcfe/d for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 from 35.4 MMcfe/d for the twelve months ended December 31, 2010.

  2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

Our consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our operations are considered to fall within a single industry segment, which is the acquisition, development, exploitation and production of natural gas and crude oil properties in the United States.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.  Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.  Significant policies are discussed below.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investment instruments purchased with remaining maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents for purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows and other statements.  We maintain cash on deposit in non-interest bearing accounts, which, at times, exceed federally insured limits.  We have not experienced any losses on such accounts and believe we are not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and equivalents.
 
Oil and Gas Properties

We use the successful efforts method of accounting for natural gas and crude oil producing activities.  Costs to acquire mineral interests in natural gas and crude oil properties are capitalized.  Costs to drill and develop development wells and costs to drill and develop exploratory wells that find proved reserves are also capitalized.  Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the well has found proved reserves in economically producible quantities.  We assess the status of suspended exploratory well costs on a quarterly basis.
 


 
F-8

 

Costs to drill exploratory wells that do not find proved reserves, delay rentals and geological and geophysical costs are expensed (except those costs used to determine a drill site location).  The costs of unproved leaseholds, including interest costs associated with in-progress period activities incurred prior to bringing those projects to their intended use, are capitalized pending the results of exploration efforts.
 
Gains and losses on disposal or retirements that are significant are included in income from operations on our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
Oil and Gas Reserves

The estimates of proved natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids reserves utilized in the preparation of the financial statements are estimated in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which require that reserve estimates be prepared under existing economic and operating conditions using a 12-month average price with no provision for price and cost escalations in future years except by contractual arrangements.
 
We emphasize that reserve estimates are inherently imprecise.  Accordingly, the estimates are expected to change as more current information becomes available.  Our policy is to deplete capitalized natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids costs on the unit of production method, based upon these reserve estimates.  It is possible that, because of changes in market conditions or the inherent imprecise nature of these reserve estimates, that the estimates of future cash inflows, future gross revenues, the amount of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids reserves, the remaining estimated lives of the natural gas and crude oil properties, or any combination of the above may be increased or reduced.  See Note 17 – “Oil and Gas Reserves (unaudited)” for further information.
 
Other Property and Equipment
 
Other property and equipment consist primarily of furniture and fixtures, field vehicles, office equipment, computer equipment and software.
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
Depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) of capitalized drilling and development costs of producing natural gas and crude oil properties, including related support equipment and facilities and net of salvage value, are computed using the unit-of-production method on a field basis based on total estimated proved developed natural gas and crude oil reserves.  Amortization of producing leaseholds is based on the unit-of-production method using total estimated proved reserves.  Upon sale or retirement of properties, the cost and related accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization are eliminated from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized. Unit-of-production rates are revised whenever there is an indication of a need, but at least annually.  Revisions are accounted for prospectively as changes in accounting estimates.
 
Other property and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which range between 3 and 13 years.
 
Impairment of Oil and Gas Properties

Proved natural gas and crude oil properties are reviewed for impairment on a field basis when events and circumstances indicate a possible decline in the recoverability of the carrying value of such property.  Impairments, measured using fair market value, are recognized whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable and the future undiscounted cash flows attributable to the asset are less than its carrying value.  Estimated fair values are determined using discounted cash flow models. The discounted cash flow models include management’s estimates of future oil and gas production, commodity prices based on forward commodity price curves as of the date of the estimate, operating and development costs, and discount rates.

Unproved properties are regularly assessed on a property-by-property basis for the impairment of individual unproved properties whose acquisition costs are relatively significant. Unproved properties whose acquisition costs are not relatively significant are amortized in the aggregate over the lesser of three years or the average remaining


 
F-9

 

lease term. As exploration work progresses and the reserves on significant properties are proven, capitalized costs of these properties will be subject to depreciation and depletion. If the exploration work is unsuccessful, the capitalized costs of the properties related to the unsuccessful work will be charged to exploration expense. The timing of any write-downs of these unproven properties, if warranted, depends upon the nature, timing and extent of future exploration and development activities and their results.

See Note 4 - "Oil and Gas Properties" for further information.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize an estimated liability for the plugging and abandonment of our natural gas and crude oil wells and associated pipelines and equipment.  The liability and the associated increase in the related long-lived asset are recorded in the period in which the related assets are placed in service or acquired.  The liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depleted over the useful life of the related asset.  The accretion expense is included in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.
 
The estimated liability is based on historical experience in plugging and abandoning wells.  The estimated remaining lives of the wells is based on reserve life estimates and federal and state regulatory requirements.  The liability is discounted using an assumed credit-adjusted risk-free rate.
 
Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimates of plugging and abandonment costs, changes in the risk-free rate or changes in the remaining lives of the wells, or if federal or state regulators enact new plugging and abandonment requirements.  At the time of abandonment, we recognize a gain or loss on abandonment to the extent that actual costs do not equal the estimated costs.  This gain or loss on abandonment is included in impairment and abandonment of oil and gas properties expense.
 
See Note 8 – “Asset Retirement Obligations” for further information.
 
Revenue Recognition and Oil and Gas Imbalances

We follow the “sales” method of accounting for natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids revenues.  Under this method, we recognize revenues on production as it is taken and delivered to its purchasers.  The volumes sold may be more or less than the volumes we are entitled to based on our ownership interest in the property.  These differences result in a condition known in the industry as a production imbalance.  Our crude oil and natural gas imbalances are not significant.

Trade Accounts Receivable

We grant credit to creditworthy independent and major natural gas and crude oil marketing companies for the sale of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids.  In addition, we grant credit to our oil and gas working interest partners.  Receivables from our working interest partners are generally secured by the underlying ownership interests in the properties.

The accounts receivable (“A/R”) balance at year-end primarily relates to A/R Trade (net of allowance for doubtful accounts), A/R joint interest billing (net of legal suspense/prepayments from partners), Accrued revenue (two months for operated properties, three months for non-operated properties), and A/R Other.  Accrued revenue is recorded net to our interest (excludes outside interest holders).

The allowance for doubtful accounts is recognized by management based upon a review of specific customer balances, historical losses and general economic conditions.  The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $579,588 and $579,143, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Accounting guidance establishes a single authoritative definition of fair value based upon the assumptions market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability and creates a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the


 
F-10

 

information used to develop those assumptions.  Additional disclosures are required, including disclosures of fair value measurements by level within the fair value hierarchy.  We incorporate a credit risk assumption into the measurement of certain assets and liabilities.  See Note 5 – “Fair Value Measurements” for further information.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs incurred are capitalized and subsequently amortized over the term of the related debt.

Share-Based Compensation

We measure the grant date fair value of stock options and other stock-based compensation issued to employees and directors and expense the fair value over the requisite service period of the award.  It is our policy to issue new shares for any options exercised.  We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options.

We estimate forfeitures based on historical data in calculating the expense related to stock-based compensation as opposed to recognizing forfeitures as they occur.  All of our unvested options are held by our executive officers, employees and directors.  See Note 11 – “Share-Based Compensation” for further information.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized when items of income and expense are recognized in the financial statements in different periods than when recognized in the applicable tax return. Deferred tax assets arise when expenses are recognized in the financial statements before the tax returns or when income items are recognized in the tax return prior to the financial statements. Deferred tax assets also arise when operating losses or tax credits are available to offset tax payments due in future years. Deferred tax liabilities arise when income items are recognized in the financial statements before the tax returns or when expenses are recognized in the tax return prior to the financial statements. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the date when the change in the tax rate was enacted.

We routinely assess the realizability of our deferred tax assets.  If we conclude that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized under accounting standards, the tax asset is reduced by a valuation allowance.  In addition we routinely assess uncertain tax positions, and accrue for tax positions that are not more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.  See Note 14 - "Income Taxes" for further information.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

     In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”)issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) – Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements”.  The guidance requires disclosure of transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons for the transfers and disclosure of major purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured under Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy. The guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010. We adopted the provisions for the quarter ended March 31, 2010, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which we adopted for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Adopting the disclosure requirements did not have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

    In May 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011—04: “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs”. This accounting update clarifies application of fair value measurement and disclosure requirements and is


 
 
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effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We are currently evaluating the provisions of this accounting update and assessing the impact, if any, it may have on our financial position and results of operations.

   In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011—11 “Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. This accounting update requires that an entity disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position.  The accounting update is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013. We are currently evaluating the provisions of this accounting update and assessing the impact, if any, it may have on our financial position and results of operations.

3.       Use of Estimates

    The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Significant estimates included in the consolidated financial statements are: (1) natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids revenues and reserves; (2) depreciation, depletion and amortization; (3) valuation allowances associated with income taxes and accounts receivables; (4) accrued assets and liabilities; (5) stock-based compensation; (6) asset retirement obligations (“AROs”); (7) valuation of derivative instruments and (8) impairment of oil and gas properties.  Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, changes in facts and circumstances or discovery of new information may result in revised estimates.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

    In July 2011 we changed our lease operating accrual process for direct operating expenses.  The change in the accrual process was a direct result of an in depth analysis of recent historical information combined with better insight and improved judgment in estimating direct operating expenses.  In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification 250 “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections” (“ASC 250”) we have treated the adjustment as a change in accounting estimate.  A change in estimate under ASC 250 is defined as a revision in accounting measurement based on the occurrence of new events, additional experience, subsequent developments, better insight, and/or improved judgment.  As required under ASC 250 regarding changes in accounting estimates, we recorded a $2.3 million reduction to accrued liabilities (and related lease operating expenses) in the “period of change” which we have interpreted to be the third quarter of 2011.

4.
Oil and Gas Properties

The following tables set forth certain information with respect to our oil and gas producing activities (all within the United States) for the periods presented:

The following table sets forth the composition of exploration expenses:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Lease rental expense
  $     $ 70,839     $ 224,258  
Geological and geophysical
    374,782       591,909       1,733,426  
Settled asset retirement obligations
    620,630       304,574       766,269  
    $ 995,412     $ 967,322     $ 2,723,953  

The following table sets forth the composition of impairment and abandonment expenses:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Impairment and abandonment of proved properties
  $     $ 473,105     $ 5,658,898  
Impairment and abandonment of unproved properties
    14,954,633       21,780,954       1,062,317  
    $ 14,954,633     $ 22,254,059     $ 6,721,215  



 
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2011 Asset Impairments. Non-cash impairments of unproved properties include $12.2 million related to our East Texas acreage and $2.8 million related to individually insignificant acreage.

2010 Asset Impairments. Following a change in strategic focus from gas to oil-weighted opportunities, we re-allocated our future capital budget. As a result of this change in strategy, we incurred a $22.3 million non-cash impairment expense primarily related to our East Texas acreage.

2009 Asset Impairments. Due to declines in natural gas prices and recent drilling results, we determined that the carrying amount of certain conventional South Texas and Southwest Louisiana properties were impaired which resulted in a $6.7 million non-cash impairment expense.

The following table shows oil and gas property dispositions:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Oil and gas properties
  $     $ 2,601,997     $ 42,995,459  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairments
          (1,406,066 )     (23,158,221 )
Net oil and gas properties
  $     $ 1,195,931     $ 19,837,238  

The dispositions resulted in a net loss of zero, $1.1 million and $6.8 million for 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
   
    We have capitalized $3.5 million and zero, respectively, in exploratory well costs pending determination of proved reserves for periods less than one year at December 31, 2011 and 2010. We have not capitalized exploratory well costs for periods greater than one year at December 31, 2011 and 2010.

5.
Fair Value Measurements

Certain of our assets and liabilities are reported at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.  The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values for each class of financial instruments:

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.  The carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the short-term nature or maturity of the instruments.

Derivative Instruments.  Our derivative instruments consist of variable to fixed price commodity swaps, costless collars and interest rate swaps.  The fair value measurement of our unrealized natural gas, crude oil and interest rate swaps and collars were obtained from financial institutions and adjusted for non-performance risk, and were evaluated for accuracy using our crude oil, natural gas and interest rate swap and collar agreements and future commodity and interest rate curves.   Differences between management’s calculation and that of the financial institution were evaluated for reasonableness.  See Note 6 – “Derivative Instruments” for further information.

Impairments.  We review proved oil and gas properties for impairment when events and circumstances indicate a decline in the recoverability of the carrying value of such properties, such as a downward revision of the reserve estimates or lower commodity prices.  We estimate the future cash flows expected in connection with the properties and compare such future cash flows to the carrying amounts of the properties to determine if the carrying amounts are recoverable.  The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, estimates of proved and probable reserves, future commodity prices, the timing of future production and capital expenditures and a discount rate commensurate with the risk reflective of the lives remaining for the respective oil and gas properties.  Because these significant fair value inputs are typically not observable, we classify impairments of long-lived assets as a level 3 fair value measure.

Asset Retirement Obligations.  The initial measurement of ARO at fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow techniques and based on internal estimates of future retirement costs associated with oil and gas properties.  The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, plugging costs and reserve lives.



 
 
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Debt.  The fair value of floating-rate debt is estimated to be equivalent to carrying amounts because the interest rates paid on such debt are set for periods of three months or less.  See Note 9 - “Debt” for further information.

FASB guidance established a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels.  The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted market prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).  Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  There have been no transfers between Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3.

Fair value information for financial assets and (liabilities) was as follows at December 31, 2011:

   
Total
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Derivatives
                       
Commodity price contracts
  $ 4,248,194     $     $ 4,248,194     $  

Fair value information for financial assets and (liabilities) was as follows at December 31, 2010:

   
Total
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Derivatives
                       
Commodity price contracts
  $ 5,186,028     $     $ 5,186,028     $  
Interest rate swaps
    (1,392,740 )           (1,392,740 )      
Total
  $ 3,793,288     $     $ 3,793,288     $  
 
Fair value information for non-financial assets and (liabilities) valued on a non-recurring basis was as follows:
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair Value Measurements Using
   
Total Pre-tax (Non-cash) Impairment
 
   
Value (1)
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Loss
 
Year Ended December 31, 2011
                             
Impairment of proved properties
  $     $     $     $      $  
Year Ended December 31, 2010
                                       
Impairment of proved properties
    2,320,977                   1,847,872       473,105  
Year Ended December 31, 2009
                                       
Impairment of proved properties
    8,843,822                   3,184,924       5,658,898  
 
            (1)  Amounts represent carrying value at the time of the assessment.

See Note 4 - “Oil and Gas Properties” for a discussion of the methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values of the impaired assets.

6.
Derivative Instruments

    At the end of each reporting period we record on our balance sheet the mark-to-market valuation of our derivative instruments.  We recorded net assets for derivative instruments of $4.2 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  As a result of these agreements, we recorded a non-cash unrealized gain for unsettled contracts, of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, and non-cash unrealized losses for unsettled contracts of $6.5 million and $23.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The estimated change in fair value of the derivatives is reported in other income (expense) as unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments.  The realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments is included in


 
 
F-14

 

natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids sales for our commodity price hedges and as an (increase) decrease in interest expense for our interest rate swaps.  Our final interest rate swap terminated on May 8, 2011.

    In the past we have entered into, and may in the future enter into, certain derivative arrangements with respect to portions of our natural gas and crude oil production, to reduce our sensitivity to volatile commodity prices, and with respect to portions of our debt, to reduce our sensitivity to volatile interest rates.  None of our derivative instruments are designated as cash flow or fair value hedges.  We believe that these derivative arrangements, although not free of risk, allow us to achieve a more predictable cash flow and to reduce exposure to commodity price and interest rate fluctuations.  However, derivative arrangements limit the benefit of increases in the prices of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids sales and limit the benefit of decreases in interest rates.  Moreover, our derivative arrangements apply only to a portion of our production and our debt and provide only partial protection against declines in commodity prices and increases in interest rates, respectively.  Such arrangements may expose us to risk of financial loss in certain circumstances.  We continuously reevaluate our hedging programs in light of changes in production, market conditions, commodity price forecasts, capital spending, interest rate forecasts and debt service requirements.

   We use a mix of commodity swaps, put options, costless collars and interest rate swaps to accomplish our hedging strategy.  Derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty, subject to contractual terms which provide for net settlement, are reported on a net basis on our consolidated balance sheets.  We have exposure to financial institutions in the form of derivative transactions in connection with our hedges.  These transactions are with counterparties in the financial services industry, and specifically with members of our bank group.  These transactions could expose us to credit risk in the event of default of our counterparties.  We believe our counterparty risk is low in part because of the offsetting relationship we have with each of our counterparties provided for in our revolving credit agreement and various hedge contracts.  See Note 5 - “Fair Value Measurements” for further information.

    The following derivative contracts were in place at December 31, 2011:
 
Crude Oil
     
Volume/Month
 
Price/Unit
 
Fair Value
 
Jan 2012-Dec 2012
 
Collar
 
 5,100 Bbls
 
$80.00-$107.30
$
(133,586
)
Jan 2012-Dec 2012
 
Collar
 
 5,000 Bbls
 
$85.00-$102.70
 
(169,166
)
 Jan 2012-Dec 2012
 
Collar
 
 4,500 Bbls
 
$90.00-$110.46
 
65,659
 
  Jan 2012-Dec 2012
 
Swap
 
11,000 Bbls
 
$101.35
 
75,109
 
  Apr 2012-June 2012
 
Swap
 
  9,000 Bbls
 
$100.75
 
37,480
 
  Jul 2012-Sep 2012
 
Swap
 
  8,000 Bbls
 
  $99.28
 
12,048
 
  Oct 2012-Dec 2012
 
Swap
 
  6,000 Bbls
 
  $98.05
 
2,305
 
                   
Natural Gas
                 
Jan 2012-Dec 2012
 
Put
 
                320,000 Mmbtu
 
   $5.00
 
4,358,345
 
                   
Total net fair value of derivative instruments
$
4,248,194
 

            We entered into the following commodity swaps with a counterparty in our bank group on February 16, 2012:
 
Crude Oil
     
Volume/Month
 
Price/Unit
 
Mar 2012-Jun 2012
 
Swap
 
                     13,000 Bbls
 
$118.30 (1)
 
  Jul 2012-Dec 2012
 
Swap
 
                     10,000 Bbls
 
$114.85 (1)
 
 Jan 2013-Dec 2013
 
Swap
 
                     14,000 Bbls
 
$101.25 (2)
 

            (1)  Commodity derivative based on Brent crude oil
            (2)  Commodity derivative based on West Texas Intermediate crude oil


 
 
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    The following table details the effect of derivative contracts on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

Contract Type
 
Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income
 
       
Twelve months ended December 31,
 
       
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Natural gas contracts
 
Natural gas sales
  $ 11,283,031     $ 19,465,873     $ 30,118,915  
Crude oil contracts
 
Crude oil sales
    (3,531,207       1,446,686       8,664,939  
Natural gas liquids contract
 
Natural gas liquids sales
    (254,220 )            
Interest rate contracts
 
Interest expense
    (1,410,764 )     (4,594,968 )     (4,432,364 )
   
Realized gain (loss)
  $ 6,086,840     $ 16,317,591     $ 34,351,490  
                             
Natural gas contracts
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
  $ (3,637,188 )   $ (8,241,131 )   $ (7,544,562 )
Crude oil contracts
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
    2,699,354       (1,477,423 )     (17,393,075 )
Natural gas liquids contract
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
                 
Interest rate contracts
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
    1,392,740       3,217,729       1,075,057  
   
Unrealized gain (loss)
  $ 454,906     $ (6,500,825 )   $ (23,862,580 )

7.             Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following:

   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Capital drilling and operating costs
  $ 12,708,058     $ 8,188,159  
Accrued compensation
    2,800,000       2,857,000  
Interest and loan fees
    82,604       569,001  
Other
    540,662       1,185,016  
    $ 16,131,324     $ 12,799,176  

8.
Asset Retirement Obligations

We estimate the fair values of asset retirement obligations ("AROs") based on historical experience of plug and abandonment costs by field and, assumptions and judgments regarding such factors as the existence of a legal obligation for an ARO; estimated probabilities, amounts and timing of settlements; the credit-adjusted risk-free rate to be used and inflation rates.

A roll forward of our asset retirement obligation liability is as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Balance beginning of year
  $ 9,834,021     $ 9,702,653  
Accretion expense
    489,077       585,951  
Liabilities incurred
    87,106       59,178  
Liabilities settled
    (404,594 )     (513,761 )
Revisions
    1,159        
Balance end of year
  $ 10,006,769     $ 9,834,021  



 
 
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9.            Debt

Revolving Credit Agreement

On May 8, 2007, we entered into a $400.0 million revolving credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (“Wells Fargo Bank”), as agent, and the lender parties thereto (the “Senior Credit Agreement”) dated as of July 15, 2005, as amended.  Since that time, we have amended and restated this agreement as necessary.  Our Senior Credit Agreement provides for aggregate borrowings of up to $400.0 million for acquisitions of crude oil and gas properties and for general corporate cash requirements.  The Senior Credit Agreement includes usual and customary covenants for credit facilities of the respective types and sizes, including, among others, limitations on liens, hedging, mergers, asset sales or dispositions, payments of dividends, incurrence of additional indebtedness, certain leases and investments outside of the ordinary course of business, as well as events of default.

The Senior Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants, including those currently requiring us to maintain (i) a ratio of current assets (including borrowing base availability and excluding derivative instruments) to current liabilities (excluding current portion of long-term debt and derivative instruments) of at least 1.0 to 1.0, (ii) the ratio of our total debt to Adjusted EBITDAX for any four trailing fiscal quarters which may not be greater than (a) 4.25 to 1.00 as of the end of any fiscal quarter through June 30, 2011, (b) 3.75 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, and (c) 3.50 to 1.00 thereafter, (iii) the ratio of Adjusted EBITDAX to cash interest expense for any four trailing fiscal quarters may not be less than (a) 2.00 through March 31, 2011, (b) 2.25 to 1.00 for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, and (c) 2.50 to 1.00 for the quarters ending March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012 and (d) 2.75 to 1.00 thereafter, and (iv) the ratio of the sum of (a) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans under the revolver plus (b) the aggregate face amount of all undrawn and uncancelled Letters of Credit, plus the aggregate of all amounts drawn under all Letters of Credit and not yet reimbursed, as of such date to EBITDAX for the four fiscal quarters ending on such date to not be greater than 2.25 to 1.00.  EBITDAX represents net income (loss) before net interest expense, taxes, and depreciation, amortization and exploration expenses.  Adjusted EBITDAX, as defined in our credit agreements, represents EBITDAX as further adjusted for (i) unrealized gain or loss on derivative instruments, (ii) non-cash share-based compensation charges, (iii) impaired assets, (iv) other financing costs and (v) gains or losses on the disposition of assets, all of which will be required in determining our compliance with financial covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement and second lien term loan agreement.

Borrowings under our Senior Credit Agreement are subject to a borrowing base limitation based on our proved crude oil and natural gas reserves.  The borrowing base under our Senior Credit Agreement is currently $100.0 million. The next borrowing base re-determination is scheduled for May 1, 2012 and is subject to semi-annual redeterminations, although our lenders may elect to make one additional redetermination between scheduled redetermination dates.  We may also issue up to $200 million in senior unsecured notes.  Any such issuance of senior unsecured notes will reduce our borrowing base by 25% of the net proceeds from such issuance in excess of $150 million.  Our Senior Credit Agreement also provides for the issuance of letters-of-credit up to a $5.0 million sub-limit.  At December 31, 2011, no senior unsecured notes or letters-of-credit were outstanding.  All principal amounts, together with all accrued and unpaid interest outstanding under our Senior Credit Agreement will be due and payable in full on May 31, 2013.  We have started discussions with Wells Fargo Bank to extend our Senior Credit Agreement and expect to finalize these discussions before the debt becomes current on May 31, 2012.

Advances under our Senior Credit Agreement are in the form of either base rate loans or LIBOR loans.  The interest rate on the base rate loans fluctuates based upon the higher of the lender’s “prime rate” and the Federal Funds rate.  The interest rate on the LIBOR loans fluctuates based upon the rate at which Eurodollar deposits in the LIBOR market are quoted for the maturity selected.  Pursuant to our Senior Credit Agreement, the applicable margin is between 2.75% and 3.50%, for LIBOR loans, and between 1.50% and 2.00%, for base rate loans.  The specific interest margin applicable is determined by, in each case, the percent of the borrowing base utilized at the time of the credit extension.  LIBOR loans of one, two, three and six months may be selected.  The commitment fee payable on the unused portion of our borrowing base is 0.50%, which fee accrues and is payable quarterly in arrears.

At December 31, 2011, we had $21.0 million outstanding under our Senior Credit Agreement, with availability of $79.0 million.


 
 
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Second Lien Credit Agreement

We entered into a new second lien credit agreement with Barclays Bank Plc, as agent, and the lender parties thereto, including an affiliate of OCM GW Holdings, LLC (“Oaktree Holdings”), our largest stockholder (the “Second Lien Credit Agreement”) which provided for term loans, made to us in a single draw, in an aggregate principal amount of $175 million on December 27, 2010.  Our Second Lien Credit Agreement replaced our then existing $150 million Second Lien Credit Agreement with Credit Suisse, which was paid off in full and terminated at closing.  Our Second Lien Credit Agreement matures on December 27, 2015.

Advances under our new Second Lien Credit Agreement are in the form of either base rate loans or LIBOR loans.  The interest rate on the base rate loans fluctuates based upon the greatest of (i) 4.00% per annum, (ii) the “prime rate”, (iii) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus ½ of 1% and (iv) the LIBO rate for a one month interest period plus 1.00%.  The applicable margin for base rate loans is 8.50%.  The interest rate on the LIBOR loans fluctuates based upon the higher of (i) 3.0% per annum and (ii) the LIBOR rate per annum.  The applicable margin for LIBOR loans is 9.50%.

In addition to certain of the Senior Credit Agreement covenants described above, the Second Lien Credit Agreement also requires the ratio of PV-10 Value to total Net Debt to be greater than 1.25 to 1.00 as of the end of the second and fourth calendar quarters through June 30, 2012 and 1.50 to 1.00 thereafter.  The PV-10 Value represents the present value of estimated future revenues less severance and ad valorem taxes, operating, gathering, transportation and marketing expenses and capital expenditures from the production of proved reserves on our oil and gas properties as set forth in the most recent reserve reports.  At December 31, 2011, we had a principal amount of $175.0 million outstanding under our Second Lien Credit Agreement, with a discount of $5.9 million using the estimated market value interest rate at the time of issuance, for a net balance of $169.1 million.

Summary

At December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with the covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement and Second Lien Credit Agreement.

Our Senior Credit Agreement and our Second Lien Credit Agreement are secured by liens on substantially all of our assets, including the capital stock of our subsidiaries.  The liens securing the obligations under our Second Lien Credit Agreement are junior to those under our Senior Credit Agreement.  Unpaid interest is payable under our credit agreements as borrowings mature and renew.

Our debt consists of the following:

   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Senior Credit Agreement (weighted average interest rate in effect at December 31, 2011 was 3.14%)
  $ 20,977,937     $ 4,000,000  
                 
Second Lien Credit Agreement (interest rate in effect at December 31, 2011 was 12.50%)
    175,000,000       175,000,000  
      195,977,937       179,000,000  
                 
Less:  current portion unamortized debt discount
    (5,936,004 )     (6,986,510 )
Total long-term debt
  $ 190,041,933     $ 172,013,490  



 
 
F-18

 

Estimated annual maturities for long-term debt are as follows:

   
Long-Term Debt
2012
$
2013
 
20,977,937
2014
 
2015
 
175,000,000
2016
 
 
$
195,977,937

10.
Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Obligations

We currently lease and sublease, through January 31, 2014, 54,939 square feet of executive and corporate office space located at 717 Texas Avenue in downtown Houston, Texas.  Total general and administrative rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, was approximately $1.3 million, $1.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively.  Effective January 1, 2010, we subleased to a subtenant 27,144 square feet of this space for a total rental of approximately $86,000 per month through September 30, 2011.  The sublease rent has been accounted for as a reduction to rent expense.  We have entered into various vehicle leases for periods ranging from 12 to 24 months.  These contracts will expire at various times with the latest contract expiring in November 2012.  We also have various other equipment leases, with the latest contract expiring in August 2012.  Total operational rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, were approximately $2.4 million, $2.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

The following table provides information about our total operating lease obligations as of December 31, 2011:

   
Operating leases
2012
$
1,648,040
2013
 
1,482,127
2014
 
141,335
2015
 
2016
 
Thereafter
 
Total
$
3,271,502

Legal Proceedings

    From time to time, we are involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of our properties or operations or from disputes with vendors in the normal course of business.

    Mineral interest owners in East Texas (Haynesville Shale) filed two causes of action against us on May 26, 2009 and August 26, 2009, respectively, in the District Court for San Augustine County, Texas alleging breach of contract for not paying lease bonuses on certain prospective oil and gas leases that were pursued by our leasing agent but never taken by Crimson.  The damages alleged are currently approximately $3.2 million and we have received approximately $2.0 million in written demands from other mineral interest owners in this area that we believe may contemplate legal proceedings.  We are vigorously defending these lawsuits, and believe we have meritorious defenses.  We do not believe that these claims will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows, although we cannot guarantee that a material adverse effect will not occur.

    The holders of oil and gas leases in South Louisiana filed suit against Crimson and several co-defendants alleging failure to act as a reasonably prudent operator, failure to explore, waste, breach of contract, etc. in connection with two wells in Jefferson Davis Parish, Louisiana.  Many of the alleged improprieties occurred prior to our ownership of an interest in the wells at issue, although we may have assumed liability otherwise attributable to


 
 
F-19

 

our predecessors-in-interest through the acquisition documents relating to the acquisition of our interest in these wells.  The damages currently alleged are approximately $13.4 million.  We and our co-defendants are vigorously defending this lawsuit and we believe that we have meritorious defenses.  We do not believe this suit will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows, although we cannot guarantee that a material adverse effect will not occur.

In November 2010, we and several predecessor operators were named in a lawsuit filed by an entity alleging that it owns a working interest in a productive formation that has not been recognized by us or by predecessor operators to which we have granted indemnification rights.  In dispute is whether ownership rights in specific depths were transferred through a number of decade-old poorly documented transactions.  The maximum amount asserted in the suit filed could be determined at up to approximately $4.9 million.  We are vigorously defending this lawsuit and believe we have meritorious defenses.  We currently do not believe that this claim will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows, although we cannot guarantee that a material adverse effect will not occur.
 
 
Employment Agreements
 
In June 2011, we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with our President/Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President/Chief Financial Officer.  Each agreement has a term of three years with automatic yearly extensions unless we or the executive officer elects not to extend the agreement.  These agreements provide for an annual base salary of $450,000 and $365,000, respectively, subject to increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  If the contracts are terminated by us without cause or by the employee for good reason, and the employee has been in compliance with employee contract terms, the employee may receive a cash payment equal to 2.99 times the sum of the current calendar year’s base salary plus prior year’s annual cash incentive bonus, health insurance benefits for 36 months and acceleration to 100% vested status for all stock, stock option and other equity awards.
 
Also in June 2011, we entered into amended and restated employment agreements with two other Senior Vice Presidents.  Each agreement has a term of two years with automatic yearly extensions unless we or the executive officer elects not to extend the agreement.  These agreements provide for an annual base salary ranging from $220,000 to $230,000, subject to increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  If the contracts are terminated by us without cause or by the employee for good reason, and the employee has been in compliance with the employee contract terms, the employee is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to two times current year base salary plus prior year’s annual cash incentive bonus, health insurance benefits for 24 months and acceleration to 100% vested status for all stock, stock option and other equity awards.
 
In May 2010, we entered into an employment agreement with a new Senior Vice President.  This agreement has a term of two years with automatic yearly extensions unless we or the executive officer elects not to extend the agreement.  This agreement provides for an initial base salary of $230,000 per year, subject to increases at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.  If the contracts are terminated by us without cause or by the employee for good reason, and the employee has been in compliance with the employee contract terms, the employee is entitled to receive a cash payment equal to two times current year base salary plus prior year’s annual cash incentive bonus, health insurance benefits for 24 months and acceleration to 100% vested status for all stock, stock option and other equity awards.
 
11.
Share-Based Compensation

As of December 31, 2011, we had share-based compensation, which includes both stock options and restricted stock awarded to employees and directors that were either performance related or granted upon initial employment.

Incentive Plans
 
In the third quarter 2008, our Board of Directors formally adopted an amendment to our performance based cash bonus plan and adopted a new performance based long term stock bonus plan for the benefit of all employees - the Crimson Cash Incentive Bonus Plan (“CIBP”) and the Crimson Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”), respectively.  Both plans and specific targeted performance measures under those plans, were approved by the Compensation Committee.  Upon achieving the performance levels established each year, bonus awards were
 
 
 
F-20

 
 
 
calculated as a percentage of base salary for the plan year.  The plan awards were disbursed in the first quarter of the following year.  Employees must have been employed by us at the time that final plan awards were dispersed to have been eligible.
 
The CIBP awards are paid out in cash (“Cash Awards”).  The performance targets were evaluated on a quarterly basis and used to estimate the approximate expense earned to date for each year.  The Board of Directors suspended the CIBP for 2009.  However, discretionary cash bonus awards of approximately $1.2 million were approved by the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2009 and were paid in March 2010.  The CIBP was reinstated by the Board of Directors for fiscal year 2010.  Approximately $2.8 million and $2.9 million was recognized as compensation expense related to the Cash Awards for the twelve months ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively and were paid in March 2012 and 2011, respectively.
 
The LTIP bonus awards can be paid in either restricted Common Stock or stock options (“Stock Awards”).  The Stock Awards vest 25% per year, over the first through fourth anniversaries from the date of grant, at which time 100% of all Stock Awards will be vested.  The number of shares of restricted Common Stock and the number of shares underlying the stock options granted as Stock Awards were determined based upon the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of the grant.  The fair value of the stock options to be awarded as part of this plan was determined through use of the Black-Scholes valuation model.  The Stock Awards granted pursuant to this plan were granted under the existing amended and restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.
 
In March 2009, the Board of Directors approved the awarding of approximately 1.1 million shares to our employees under the LTIP for the 2008 calendar year.  Due to the decline in our stock price, the Board of Directors suspended the LTIP in 2009.  The LTIP has not yet been reinstated.  However at the Board of Directors’ discretion, bonus awards may be made in the form of restricted stock or stock options.
 
Stock Options
 
We maintain a 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”) and authorized the issuance of up to approximately 5.8 million shares of Common Stock pursuant to awards under the plan.  In 2007, we also issued 250,000 shares of restricted Common Stock to our executive officers outside of these plans.  Approximately 1.7 million (0.1 million vested) stock options and 1.2 million unvested restricted shares were outstanding at December 31, 2011.  Option awards outstanding have exercise prices ranging from $2.13 to $7.90 per share.  In 2011 and 2010, respectively, 354,051 and 326,364 shares of restricted Common Stock vested, of which 46,215 and 33,600 shares were withheld by us to satisfy the employees’ tax liability resulting from the vesting of these shares, as provided for in the restricted stock agreement, with the remaining shares being released to the employees and associated directors.  At December 31, 2011, we had approximately 2.1 million shares of Common Stock available for future grant under the 2005 Plan.

For stock options, we recorded $0.6 million, $0.3 million and $1.1 million in expense (included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in general and administrative expense) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and an estimated $1.2 million will be expensed over the remaining vesting period.



 
 
F-21

 

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  Assumptions used in the valuation are disclosed in the following table.  Expected volatilities are based on historical volatility of our stock with a look back period based on the expected term.  The expected dividend yield is zero as we have never declared dividends on our Common Stock.  The expected term of options granted represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding.  The risk-free rate is based on U.S. Treasury bills with a duration equal or close to the expected term of the options at the time of grant.  The forfeiture rates are based on historical forfeitures.

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Weighted average fair value of awards
  $ 2.07     $ 2.19     $ 1.41  
Pre-vest forfeiture rate
    6.92 %     5.01 %     3.62 %
Average grant price
  $ 3.35     $ 3.19     $ 2.40  
Expected volatility
    74.47 %     75.38 %     60.98 %
Risk-free rate
    1.65 %     2.55 %     2.48 %
Expected dividend yields
 
None
   
None
   
None
 
Expected term (in years)
    6.34       6.36       6.25  

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the three years ended December 31, 2011:
 
   
Number of Shares Underlying Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Intrinsic Value
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    1,957,529     $ 8.82        
Granted
    189,500       3.16        
Exercised
    (28,381 )     2.40     $ 25,208  
Cancelled/forfeited
    (361,105 )     6.48          
Expired
    (16,000 )     4.50          
Outstanding at December 31, 2010
    1,741,543       8.84          
Granted
    1,453,240       4.79          
Exercised
    (25,036 )     2.42     $ 17,251  
Cancelled/forfeited
    (1,457,286 )     10.18          
Outstanding at December 31, 2011
    1,712,461       4.35     $ 112,857  
Exercisable at December 31, 2011
    144,370       2.71     $ 52,615  

    Restricted Stock Awards

For restricted stock awards, we recorded $1.4 million, $1.5 million and $1.3 million in expense (included on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in general and administrative expense) for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively and an estimated $2.7 million will be expensed over the remaining vesting period.
 
In 2011, we issued 446,725 shares of unvested Common Stock, pursuant to restricted stock awards under the 2005 Stock Plan, of which 43,020 were subsequently forfeited.  The restricted stock will vest over a four year period.  We also issued 39,267 shares of Common Stock pursuant to restricted stock awards to three members of our board of directors as compensation pursuant to the Director Compensation Plan. The fair value of the unvested Common Stock was calculated as approximately $1.8 million on the grant date and will be amortized over the vesting period.

In 2010, we issued 402,859 shares of unvested Common Stock, pursuant to restricted stock awards under the 2005 Stock Plan, of which 22,000 were subsequently forfeited.  The restricted stock will vest over a four year period.  We also issued 31,646 shares of Common Stock pursuant to restricted stock awards to two members of our board of directors as compensation pursuant to the Director Compensation Plan. The fair value of the unvested Common Stock was calculated as approximately $1.2 million on the grant date and will be amortized over the vesting period.

-
 
F-22

 

In 2009, we issued 648,936 shares of unvested Common Stock, pursuant to restricted stock awards under the 2005 Stock Plan, of which 36,366 were subsequently forfeited.  The restricted stock will vest over a four year period.  The fair value of the unvested Common Stock was calculated as approximately $1.6 million on the grant date and will be amortized using the straight-line method over the vesting period.  We also issued 48,586 shares of Common Stock pursuant to restricted stock awards to two members of our board of directors as compensation pursuant to the Director Compensation Plan.

Restricted stock activity for the three years ended December 31, 2011 is summarized below:

         
Weighted-Average
 
         
Grant Date
 
   
Shares
   
Fair Value
 
Non-vested as of December 31, 2009
    1,248,581     $ 3.41  
Granted
    434,505       3.09  
Vested
    (326,364 )     3.71  
Cancelled/forfeited
    (88,685 )     2.53  
Non-vested as of December 31, 2010
    1,268,037       3.28  
Granted
    485,992       3.78  
Vested
    (354,051 )     3.48  
Cancelled/forfeited
    (192,665 )     3.70  
Non-vested as of December 31, 2011
    1,207,313       3.36  

Certain of these restricted stock awards were issued separately from the 2005 Plan.

12.           Income (Loss) Per Common Share

The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used in computing income (loss) per share:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net loss
  $ (15,845,382 )   $ (30,844,897 )   $ (34,069,990 )
Preferred stock dividends
                (4,522,645 )
Net loss available to common stockholders
  $ (15,845,382 )   $ (30,844,897 )   $ (38,592,635 )
Weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock – basic (denominator)
    44,788,551       39,397,486       7,861,054  
Loss per share - basic
  $ (0.35 )   $ (0.78 )   $ (4.91 )
Weighted-average number of shares of Common Stock – diluted (denominator)
    44,788,551       39,397,486       7,861,054  
Loss per share – diluted
  $ (0.35 )   $ (0.78 )   $ (4.91 )

The numerator for basic earnings per share is income (loss) available to common stockholders.  The numerator for diluted earnings per share is net loss available to common stockholders, due to antidilution.

Potential dilutive securities (stock options, stock warrants and convertible preferred stock) have not been considered since we reported a net loss and, accordingly, their effects would be antidilutive.  The potentially dilutive shares would have been 82,634 shares, 95,967 shares and 4,770,404 shares in 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.



 
 
F-23

 

13.          Supplementary Disclosures of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

The following table sets forth non-cash investing and financing activities for the three years ended December 31,:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Liabilities released on property dispositions
  $     $ 351,092     $ 5,309,005  
Conversion of preferred stock dividends
                (18,753,649 )
Promissory note, net of discount
                (1,749,751 )

14.
Income Taxes

Income tax benefit (for 2011, 2010 and 2009 consist of the following:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current tax benefit
  $     $     $ 122,162  
Deferred tax benefit
    8,098,357       16,607,139       16,572,200  
Income tax benefit
  $ 8,098,357     $ 16,607,139     $ 16,694,362  

The following is a reconciliation of effective income tax rates by applying the federal statutory rate of 35% to the income and loss for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes
  $ (23,943,739 )   $ (47,452,036 )   $ (50,764,352 )
                         
Income Tax Benefit (Expense) at Statutory Rate
  $ 8,380,309     $ 16,608,213     $ 17,767,523  
Adjustment to NOL carryforward
          (261,154 )     (1,562,704 )
Effect for Permanent Items
    (17,306 )     (23,699 )     (4,002 )
State Taxes and Other
    (264,646 )     283,779       493,545  
Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
  $ 8,098,357     $ 16,607,139     $ 16,694,362  

As of December 31, 2011, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $169.0 million and $9.5 million, respectively, which are available to reduce future taxable income and the related income tax liability; however, we expect we will not be able to utilize carryforwards of approximately $8.7 million due to the limitations of Internal Revenue Code Section 382.  The net operating loss carryforward expires at various dates beginning in 2012 and ending in 2032.

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

   
December 31,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Deferred tax assets
           
Net operating loss carryforwards
  $ 59,443,480     $ 34,902,077  
Income tax credits
    281,424       283,789  
Deferred compensation
    7,177,942       6,486,831  
Other
    (425,885 )     (213,305 )
Deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
    66,476,961       41,459,392  
Valuation allowance
    (3,238,656 )     (3,387,923 )
Net deferred tax assets
    63,238,305       38,071,469  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities
               
Oil and gas properties
    (44,780,151 )     (27,874,074 )
Derivative instruments
    (1,349,679 )     (1,187,277 )
Deferred tax liabilities
    (46,129,830 )     (29,061,351 )
Net deferred tax assets
  $ 17,108,475     $ 9,010,118  

 
F-24

 
 
 
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences net of a tax-adjusted $3.2 million valuation allowance.  The amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be reduced in the future if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.

ASC 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of income tax positions taken or expected to be taken in an income tax return.  For those benefits to be recognized, an income tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities.  There was not a material impact on our operating results, financial position or cash flows as a result of the adoption of the provisions of ASC 740.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows:

   
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 518,219  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
     
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years
     
Additions due to acquisitions
     
Reductions due to a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations
     
Balance at December 31, 2011
  $ 518,219  

Generally, our income tax years of 2007 through the current year remain open and subject to examination by Federal tax authorities or the tax authorities in Texas, Louisiana and Colorado which are the jurisdictions where we have our principal operations.  These audits can result in adjustments of taxes due or adjustments of the net operating loss carryforwards that are available to offset future taxable income.

Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax benefit (expense) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.  For the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, we recorded no interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits associated with uncertain tax positions recognized in our provision for income taxes.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefit if recognized that would affect the effective tax rate was zero. Our tax returns are subject to periodic audits by the various jurisdictions in which we operate.  These audits can result in adjustments of taxes due or adjustments of the net operating loss carryforwards that are available to offset future taxable income.

We do not anticipate that total unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change due to the settlement of audits and the expiration of statute of limitations prior to December 31, 2011.  However, due to the complexity of the application of tax law and regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of these positions may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates.



 
F-25

 

15.
Disclosure of Major Customers

For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, there were two customers who accounted for more than 10% of revenues:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
Customer 1
  $ 31,727,341     $ 23,224,023     $ 19,411,991    
Customer 2
    22,579,414       10,951,458       (1)  

            (1)  Customer 2 represented less than 10% of revenues for the year ended December 31, 2009
 
16.   
 Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
      
Summary data relating to the results of operations for each quarter for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 follows:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31
   
June 30
   
September 30
   
December 31
 
2011
                       
Net revenues
  $ 27,783,547     $ 29,827,266     $ 29,094,997     $ 27,651,695  
Income (loss) from operations
    (1,471,782 )     363,577       3,100,247       420,198  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
    (8,545,962 )     (2,826,563 )     526,600       (4,999,457 )
Income(loss)per common share (1)
                               
Basic
  $ (0.19 )   $ (0.06 )   $ 0.01     $ (0.11 )
Diluted
  $ (0.19 )   $ (0.06 )   $ 0.01     $ (0.11 )
    Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    44,939,828       45,188,542       45,121,172       43,904,661  
Diluted
    44,939,828       45,188,542       45,166,566       43,904,661  
2010
                               
Net revenues
  $ 22,609,859     $ 21,452,943     $ 24,535,907     $ 27,943,258  
Income (loss) from operations
    1,195,435       402,731       1,714,557       (17,627,620 )
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
    208,815       (6,370,850 )     (3,819,908 )     (20,862,954 )
Income(loss)per common share (1)
                               
Basic
  $ 0.01     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.50 )
Diluted
  $ 0.01     $ (0.16 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.50 )
    Weighted average shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    38,506,160       38,635,725       38,819,780       42,113,808  
Diluted
    38,653,645       38,635,725       38,819,780       42,113,808  

            (1)   Quarterly income (loss) per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the quarter. Because of changes in the number of shares outstanding during the quarters, due to the exercise of stock options and issuance of common stock, the sum of quarterly earnings per share may not equal earnings per share for the year.

17.           Oil and Gas Reserves (unaudited)

All information set forth herein relating to our proved reserves, estimated future net cash flows and present values is taken or derived from reports prepared by NSAI.  The estimates of these engineers were based upon their review of production histories and other geological, economic, ownership and engineering data provided by and relating to us.  No reports on our reserves have been filed with any federal agency.  In accordance with the SEC’s guidelines, our estimates of proved reserves and the future net revenues from which present values are derived beginning with 2009 are based on an unweighted 12-month average of the first-day-of-the-month price for the period January through December for that year held constant throughout the life of the properties.  Operating costs,
 
 
 
F-26

 
 
development costs and certain production-related taxes were deducted in arriving at estimated future net revenues, but such costs do not include debt service, general and administrative expenses and income taxes.

    Proved Oil and Gas Reserve Quantities

The following table sets forth net proved natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids reserves, all within the United States, at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, together with the changes therein.

   
Natural Gas (MMcf)
   
Crude Oil (MBbls)
   
Natural Gas Liquids
(MBbls)
   
Total
(Mcfe)
 
QUANTITIES OF PROVED RESERVES:
                   
Balance December 31, 2009
    69,860       1,964       2,641       97,489  
Revisions (1)
    12,654       137       341       15,526  
Extensions, discoveries and additions
    62,527       335       337       66,559  
Sales (2)
    (80 )     (12 )           (151 )
Production
    (9,286 )     (260 )     (346 )     (12,925 )
Balance December 31, 2010
    135,675       2,164       2,973       166,498  
Revisions (1)
    (18,645 )     2       (165 )     (19,625 )
Extensions, discoveries and additions
    57,311       1,943       154       69,890  
Sales (2)
    35       22             170  
Production
    (11,676 )     (397 )     (418 )     (16,564 )
Balance December 31, 2011
    162,700       3,734       2,544       200,369  
PROVED DEVELOPED RESERVES:
                         
December 31, 2009
    49,075       1,274       1,977       68,581  
December 31, 2010
    60,325       1,403       1,898       80,130  
December 31, 2011
    53,024       1,845       1,637       73,913  
PROVED UNDEVELOPED RESERVES:
                         
December 31, 2009
    20,784       690       664       28,907  
December 31, 2010
    75,350       761       1,075       86,368  
December 31, 2011
    109,676       1,890       907       126,456  

            (1)  Periodic revisions to the estimated reserves and future cash flows may be necessary as a result of a number of factors, including reservoir performance, new drilling, oil and natural gas prices, cost changes, technological advances, new geological or geophysical data, or other economic factors. 
            (2)  Sales are calculated based on the beginning of the year reserves adjusted for current year production with no adjustment for revisions.

    Capitalized Costs Relating to Oil and Gas Producing Activities

   
2011
   
2010
 
Unproved oil and gas properties
  $ 17,799,420     $ 31,885,067  
Proved oil and gas properties
    592,699,504       519,765,781  
Wells and related equipment and facilities
    52,915,523       38,597,290  
      663,414,447       590,248,138  
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization and impairment
    (267,614,210 )     (211,506,271 )
Net capitalized costs
  $ 395,800,237     $ 378,741,867  



 
F-27

 

    Costs Incurred

The following table shows the costs incurred in our crude oil and gas producing activities for the past three years ended December 31, 2011:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Property Acquisitions:
                 
Proved
  $ 1,101,868     $     $ (493,532 )
Unproved
    8,221,361       5,774,043       1,833,949  
Development Costs
    69,595,880       47,973,323       11,398,237  
Exploration Costs
    10,199,440       2,000,941       11,815,450  
     Total
  $ 89,118,549     $ 55,748,307     $ 24,554,104  

These costs include crude oil and gas property acquisition, exploration and development activities regardless of whether the costs were capitalized or charged to expense, including lease rental expenses and geological and geophysical expenses and changes to the long-lived asset related to our asset retirement obligation.

Results of Operations for Oil and Natural Gas Producing Activities

The following table shows the results of operations for oil and natural gas producing activities for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Natural gas, oil and natural gas liquids sales
  $ 106,138,430     $ 75,019,664     $ 73,018,910  
Production costs
    21,001,717       22,030,309       27,214,023  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    56,920,515       45,022,272       53,294,809  
Impairment and abandonment of oil and gas properties
    14,954,633       22,254,059       6,721,215  
Income before income taxes
    13,261,565       (14,286,976 )     (14,211,137 )
Income tax benefit
    (4,568,841 )     (5,000,118 )     (4,673,474 )
Results of operations
  $ 8,692,724     $ (19,287,094 )   $ (18,884,611 )

Sales are based on market prices and exclude the effects of realized derivative hedging gains of $7.5 million, $20.9 million and $38.8 million for the years 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The results of operations for oil and natural gas producing activities exclude general and administrative expenses, interest and other financing charges, gain on sale of assets and the effects of unrealized derivative hedging gains and losses.

Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows

The following table sets forth as of December 31 for each of the preceding three years, the estimated future net cash flow from and Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows (“Standardized Measure”) of our proved reserves, which were prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the Financial Accounting Standards Board.  Future net cash flow represents future gross cash flow from the production and sale of proved reserves, net of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production costs (including production taxes, ad valorem taxes and operating expenses) and future development costs.  The calculations used to produce the figures in this table are based on current cost and price factors at December 31 for each year.  Future income taxes were estimated using future cash inflows, future tax depletion expense on existing producing properties and available net operating loss carryforwards that existed at year-end for all years reported.  At December 31, 2010, the future pretax net cash flows from our proved oil and gas reserves are estimated to be less than the sum of the tax basis of the applicable producing properties and our available net operating loss (“NOLs”) carryforward; therefore, there was zero future tax benefit or expense at December 31, 2010.  We believe it is more likely than not that all of our total available NOLs will be realized within the appropriate carryforward period.  Our operations and all NOLs are attributable to our oil and gas assets.  We cannot assure you that the proved reserves will all be developed within the periods used in the calculations or that those prices and costs will remain constant.  A Standardized Measure is not required to be presented for interim financial presentation dates.


 
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Standardized Measure relating to proved reserves:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Future cash inflows
  $ 1,133,153,500     $ 860,655,250     $ 475,007,800  
Future production and development costs:
                       
Production
    (305,301,493 )     (218,221,203 )     (156,581,500 )
Development
    (299,390,312 )     (195,819,078 )     (55,021,500 )
Future cash flows before income taxes
    528,461,695       446,614,969       263,404,800  
Future income taxes
    (40,347,466 )     (37,624,289 )      
Future net cash flows after income taxes
    488,114,229       408,990,680       263,404,800  
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows
    (232,782,186 )     (182,476,004 )     (86,982,100 )
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows
  $ 255,332,043     $ 226,514,676     $ 176,422,700  

Our calculations of the Standardized Measure include the effect of estimated future income tax expenses for all years reported.  At December 31, 2010, the future pretax net cash flows from our proved oil and gas reserves are estimated to be less than the sum of the tax basis of the applicable producing properties and our available NOLs carryforward; therefore, there was zero future tax benefit or expense at December 31, 2010.  We believe it is more likely than not that all of our total available NOLs will be realized within the appropriate carryforward period.  Our operations and all NOLs are attributable to our oil and gas assets.

The following reconciles the change in the Standardized Measure:

   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
 
Beginning of year
  $ 226,514,676     $ 176,422,700     $ 260,902,233  
                         
Changes from:
                       
Purchases of proved reserves
    226,395              
Sales of producing properties
          (408,190 )     (25,350,512 )
Extensions, discoveries and improved recovery, less related costs
    113,088,953       109,361,697       3,864,603  
Sales of natural gas, crude oil and natural gas liquids produced, net of production costs
    (86,132,123 )     (53,956,677 )     (48,528,840 )
Revision of quantity estimates(1)
    (29,416,407 )     9,476,255       (26,277,363 )
Accretion of discount
    (70,061,524 )     17,642,270       29,094,980  
Change in income taxes
    2,064,758       (13,206,215 )     30,352,367  
Changes in estimated future development costs
    (11,283,184 )     (11,801,896 )     14,712,798  
Development costs incurred that reduced future development costs
    75,258,100       11,788,100       7,085,480  
Change in sales and transfer prices, net of production costs
    35,843,018       (1,102,871 )     (64,108,501 )
Changes in production rates (timing) and other
    (770,619 )     (17,700,499 )     (5,324,545 )
End of year
  $ 255,332,043     $ 226,514,676     $ 176,422,700  

            (1)  Periodic revisions to the quantity estimates may be necessary as a result of a number of factors, including reservoir performance, new drilling, oil and natural gas prices, cost changes, technological advances, new geological or geophysical data, or other economic factors. 
 
This disclosure excludes the effects of realized hedges ($7,497,604 gain in 2011, $20,912,559 gain in 2010; $38,783,854 gain in 2009) which are included in natural gas and crude oil sales on the Statements of Operations.


 
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CRIMSON EXPLORATION INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II – VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2011, 2010 AND 2009

DESCRIPTION
 
BALANCE AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
   
PROVISIONS/ ADDITIONS
   
RECOVERIES/ DEDUCTIONS
   
BALANCE AT END OF PERIOD
 
For the year ended December 31, 2009:
                       
 
                       
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 215,015       239,676       (43,367 )   $ 411,324  
                                 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
  $ 3,260,875                 $ 3,260,875  
                                 
For the year ended December 31, 2010:
                               
 
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 411,324       167,819           $ 579,143  
                                 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
  $ 3,260,875       127,048           $ 3,387,923  
For the year ended December 31, 2011:
                               
 
                               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
  $ 579,143       60,057       (59,612 )   $ 579,588  
                                 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
  $ 3,387,923             (149,267 )   $ 3,238,656  


F-30