W&T Offshore - 10-Q quarterly report FY2018 Q3

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

or

For the transition period from _______________ to ________________

Commission File Number 1-32414

W&T OFFSHORE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(713) 626-8525

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☑    No  ☐

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company.    Yes  ☐    No  ☑  

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

As of October 31, 2018, there were 139,153,798 shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.00001.

W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.  Basis of Presentation

Operations.  W&T Offshore, Inc. (with subsidiaries referred to herein as “W&T,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company”) is an independent oil and natural gas producer with substantially all of its operations offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Company is active in the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties.  Our interests in fields, leases, structures and equipment are primarily owned by W&T Offshore, Inc. (on a stand-alone basis, the “Parent Company”) and its 100%-owned subsidiary, W & T Energy VI, LLC (“Energy VI”) and through our proportionately consolidated interest in Monza Energy LLC (“Monza”), as described in more detail in Note 4.  

Interim Financial Statements.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim periods and the appropriate rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements for annual periods.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Events.  The price we receive for our crude oil, natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and natural gas production directly affects our revenues, profitability, cash flows, liquidity, access to capital, proved reserves and future rate of growth.  The average realized prices of crude oil and NGLs improved during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the average realized prices in the nine months ended September 30, 2017.  

On October 18, 2018, we issued $625.0 million of 9.75% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2023 (the “Senior Second Lien Notes”) which substantially changed our capital structure.  The Senior Second Lien Notes were issued at par and have a maturity date of November 1, 2023.  Concurrently with the issuance of the Senior Second Lien Notes, we entered into the Sixth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, the “New Revolving Credit Agreement”) which provides us with a revolving bank credit facility with an initial borrowing base of $250.0 million (increasing from $150.0 million under our prior facility).  Letters of credit may be issued in amounts up to $30.0 million provided availability exists.  The New Revolving Credit Agreement matures on October 18, 2022.  The proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Second Lien Notes, cash on hand and borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Agreement were used to repurchase and retire, repay or irrevocably redeem all of our existing notes and term loans outstanding and fund debt issuance costs.  We refer to these transactions and the related repurchases and retirements, repayments and redemptions of all of our outstanding notes and term loans collectively as the “2018 Refinancing Transaction.”  See Note 12, Subsequent Events, for additional information.  

We believe we will have adequate available liquidity to fund our operations through November 2019, the period of assessment to qualify as a going concern.  However, we cannot predict the potential changes in commodity prices or future Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) bonding requirements, either of which could affect our operations, liquidity levels and compliance with debt covenants.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

See our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 concerning risks related to our business and events occurring during 2017 and other information and the Notes herein for additional information.  

Accounting Standard Updates Effective January 1, 2018:  

   Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”), became effective for us as of January 1, 2018.  The new guidance is intended to assist with the evaluation of whether a set of transferred assets and activities is a business.  In application of the revised guidance under ASU 2017-01 for our acquisition of a non-operated interest in the Heidelberg field described in Note 5, we determined the transaction should be treated as an asset purchase rather than the purchase of a business.          

Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), became effective for us in the period ending March 31, 2018.  We reviewed our contracts using the five-step revenue recognition model, which did not identify any changes required as to the amount or timing of revenue recognition.  We adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective approach which did not result in any cumulative-effect adjustment on the date of adoption.  The implementation of ASU 2014-09 resulted in a change in our reporting in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations so that we now report revenue streams separately for crude oil, NGLs, natural gas and other revenues in compliance with the new standard.     

Revenue Recognition.  We recognize revenue from the sale of crude oil, NGLs, and natural gas when our performance obligations are satisfied.  Our contracts with customers are primarily short-term (less than 12 months).  Our responsibilities to deliver a unit of crude oil, NGL, and natural gas under these contracts represent separate, distinct performance obligations.  These performance obligations are satisfied at the point in time control of each unit is transferred to the customer.  Pricing is primarily determined utilizing a particular pricing or market index, plus or minus adjustments reflecting quality or location differentials.

Reclassification.  Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial statements to conform to the current presentation as follows:  Within the Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, adjustments were made to certain line items, of which did not change the total amount previous reported.  The adjustments did not affect the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets or the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets.  The amounts recorded are expected to be realized within one year and the major categories are presented in the following table (in thousands):

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Oil and Natural Gas Properties and Other, Net – at cost.  Oil and natural gas properties and equipment are recorded at cost using the full cost method.  There were no amounts excluded from amortization as of the dates presented in the following table (in thousands):

Other Assets (long-term).  The major categories are presented in the following table (in thousands):

Accrued Liabilities.  The major categories are presented in the following table (in thousands):

Other Liabilities (long-term).  The major categories are presented in the following table (in thousands):

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Recent Accounting Developments.  In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”).  Under the new guidance, a lessee will be required to recognize assets and liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months.  Consistent with current GAAP, the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee primarily will depend on its classification as a financing or operating lease.  However, unlike current GAAP, which requires only capital or financing leases to be recognized on the balance sheet, ASU 2016-02 will require both types of leases to be recognized on the balance sheet.  ASU 2016-02 also will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users to better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.  These disclosures include qualitative and quantitative requirements, providing additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements.  ASU 2016-02 does not apply for leases for oil and gas properties, but does apply to equipment used to explore and develop oil and gas resources.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and is to be applied using the modified retrospective approach.  Our current operating leases that will be impacted by ASU 2016-02 are leases for office space, which is primarily in Houston, Texas, although ASU 2016-02 may impact the accounting for leases related to equipment depending on the term of the lease.  We currently do not have any leases classified as financing leases nor do we have any leases recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.  We have not yet fully determined or quantified the effect ASU 2016-02 will have on our financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326) (“ASU 2016-13”).  The new guidance eliminates the probable recognition threshold and broadens the information to consider past events, current conditions and forecasted information in estimating credit losses.  ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.  We have not yet fully determined or quantified the effect ASU 2016-13 will have on our financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) – Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”).  The amendments in ASU 2017-12 require an entity to present the earnings effect of the hedging instrument in the same income statement line in which the earning effect of the hedged item is reported.  This presentation enables users of financial statements to better understand the results and costs of an entity’s hedging program.  Also, relative to current GAAP, this approach simplifies the financial statement reporting for qualifying hedging relationships.  ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020.  Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period.  As we do not designate our commodity derivative instruments as qualifying hedging instruments, our assessment is this amendment will not impact the presentation of the changes in fair values of our commodity derivative instruments on our financial statements.      

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

2.  Long-Term Debt

The components of our long-term debt are presented in the following table (in thousands):

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Debt Issuance, Repayment of Long-Term Debt and the New Revolving Credit Agreement

As described in Note 12, Subsequent Events, on October 18, 2018, we issued the Senior Second Lien Notes and entered into the New Revolving Credit Agreement.  The proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Second Lien Notes, cash on hand and borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Agreement were used to repurchase and retire, repay or irrevocably redeem all of our existing notes and term loans outstanding and fund debt issuance costs.  

The following discussion and descriptions relate to our long-term debt as of September 30, 2018:  

Accounting for Certain Debt Instruments

We accounted for a transaction executed on September 7, 2016 as a Troubled Debt Restructuring pursuant to the guidance under Accounting Standard Codification 470-60, Troubled Debt Restructuring (“ASC 470-60”).  Under ASC 470-60, the carrying value of the 9.00/ 10.75% Second Lien Payment-In-Kind (“PIK”) Toggle Notes, due May 15, 2020, (the “Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes”); the 8.50%/10.00% Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes, due June 15, 2021, (the “Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes”) and the 11.00% 1.5 Lien Term Loan, due November 15, 2019 (the “1.5 Lien Term Loan”) (collectively, the “2016 Restructuring Transactions”) are measured using all future undiscounted payments (principal and interest); therefore, no interest expense has been recorded for the 2016 Restructuring Transactions in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the periods presented.  Additionally, no interest expense related to the 2016 Restructuring Transactions will be recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018 as payments of interest on the 2016 Restructuring Transactions will be recorded as a reduction in the carrying amount; thus, our reported interest expense will be significantly less than the contractual interest payments.  Under ASC 470-60, payments related to the 2016 Restructuring Transactions are reported in the financing section of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

The primary terms of our long-term debt are described below:    

Prior Credit Agreement.  The Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, (the “Prior Credit Agreement”) provided a revolving bank credit facility and would have expired by its term on November 8, 2018.  The primary items of the Prior Credit Agreement are as follows, with certain terms defined under the Prior Credit Agreement:

  As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we did not have any borrowings outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement and had $9.7 million and $0.3 million of letters of credit outstanding, respectively.  Available credit as of September 30, 2018 was $140.3 million.  As of September 30, 2018, we had on deposit $4.7 million with the lead bank in compliance with the terms of the Prior Credit Agreement, as letters of credit are considered borrowings and our unrestricted cash balance exceeded $35.0 million.  On October 18, 2018, the Prior Credit Agreement was replaced by the New Revolving Credit Agreement, as described in Note 12, Subsequent Events.  

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

1.5 Lien Term Loan.  In September 2016, we entered into the 1.5 Lien Term Loan with a maturity date of November 15, 2019.    Interest accrued at 11.00% per annum and is payable quarterly in cash.  The 1.5 Lien Term Loan was secured by a 1.5 priority lien on all of our assets pledged under the Prior Credit Agreement.  The lien securing the 1.5 Lien Term Loan was subordinated to the liens securing the Prior Credit Agreement and has priority above the liens securing the Second Lien Term Loan (defined below), the Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes and the Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes.  All future undiscounted cash flows as of September 30, 2018 have been included in the carrying value under ASC 470-60.  On October 18, 2018, the 1.5 Lien Term Loan was repaid in full, as described in Note 12, Subsequent Events.

Second Lien Term Loan.  In May 2015, we entered into the 9.00% Term Loan (the “Second Lien Term Loan”), which had an annual interest rate of 9.00%.  The Second Lien Term Loan was issued at a 1.0% discount to par with a maturity date of May 15, 2020 and has been recorded at its carrying value consisting of principal, unamortized discount and unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2018.  Interest on the Second Lien Term Loan was payable in arrears semi-annually on May 15 and November 15.  The estimated annual effective interest rate on the Second Lien Term Loan was 9.6%, which included amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts.  The Second Lien Term Loan was secured by a second-priority lien on all of our assets that are secured under the Prior Credit Agreement.  The Second Lien Term Loan was effectively subordinate to the Prior Credit Agreement and the 1.5 Lien Term Loan (discussed above) and was effectively pari passu with the Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes (discussed below).   On October 18, 2018, the Second Lien Term Loan was repaid in full, as described in Note 12, Subsequent Events.    

Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes.  In September 2016, we issued Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes with a maturity date of May 15, 2020.  Interest was payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year.  For the interest period from November 15, 2017 up to and including March 6, 2018, we had the option to pay all or a portion of interest in-kind at the rate of 10.75% per annum, which if so exercised, is added to the principal amount.  After March 6, 2018, interest was payable in cash at the rate of 9.00% per annum.  The Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes were secured by a second-priority lien on all of our assets that are pledged under the Prior Credit Agreement.  The Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes were effectively subordinate to the Prior Credit Agreement and the 1.5 Lien Term Loan and were effectively pari passu with the Second Lien Term Loan.  On October 18, 2018, all of the outstanding Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes were repurchased by the Company and retired or irrevocably called for redemption, as described in Note 12, Subsequent Events.

Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes.  In September 2016, we issued Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes with a maturity date of June 15, 2021.  For the interest periods up to and including September 6, 2018, if we so elected, we had the option to pay all or a portion of interest in-kind at a rate of 10.00% per annum.  If so elected, such in-kind were added to the principal amount.  After September 6, 2018, interest was payable in cash at the rate of 8.50% per annum.  The Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes were secured by a third-priority lien on all of our assets that were secured under the Prior Credit Agreement.  The Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes were effectively subordinate to the Second Lien Term Loan and the Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes.  On October 18, 2018, all of the outstanding Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes were repurchased by the Company and retired or irrevocably called for redemption, as described in Note 12, Subsequent Events.  

Unsecured Senior Notes.  Our 8.500% Unsecured Senior Notes outstanding, which had an annual interest rate of 8.50% and maturity date of June 15, 2019, (the “Unsecured Senior Notes”), were recorded at their carrying value, which includes unamortized debt premium and unamortized debt issuance costs.  Interest on the Unsecured Senior Notes was payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15.  The estimated annual effective interest rate on the Unsecured Senior Notes was 8.4%, which included amortization of premiums and debt issuance costs.  On October 18, 2018, all of the outstanding Unsecured Senior Notes were repurchased by the Company and retired or irrevocably called for redemption, as described in Note 12, Subsequent Events.  

Covenants.  We were in compliance with all applicable covenants for all of our debt instruments as of September 30, 2018.

For information about fair value measurements for our long-term debt, refer to Note 3, Fair Value Measurements.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

3.  Fair Value Measurements  

We measure the fair value of our open derivative financial instruments by applying the income approach, using models with inputs that are classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy.  The fair value of the 1.5 Lien Term Loan was estimated using the carrying value of the principal as only one entity has been the holder of the 1.5 Lien Term Loan.  The fair values of our Second Lien Term Loan, Second Lien PIK Toggle Notes, Third Lien PIK Toggle Notes and Unsecured Senior Notes were based on quoted prices, although the market is not a very active market; therefore, the fair value is classified within Level 2.  

The following table presents the fair value of our long-term debt, all of which are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy (in thousands):

The long-term debt items are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their carrying value as described in Note 2, Long-Term Debt.  See Note 7, Derivative Financial Instruments, for the fair value of our open derivative contracts, which is classified as Level 2 in the reporting hierarchy and is reported in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets using fair value.

4.  Drilling Program Joint Venture

On March 12, 2018, W&T and two other initial members formed and initially funded a limited liability company, Monza Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, that will jointly participate with us in the exploration, drilling and development of up to 14 identified drilling projects (the “JV Drilling Program”) in the Gulf of Mexico over the next three years.  W&T initially contributed 88.94% of its working interest in 14 identified undeveloped drilling projects to Monza and retained 11.06% of its working interest.  The Monza board has approved the substitution of one of these identified undeveloped drilling projects, the Viosca Knoll 823 (“VK 823”) A-14 well, with the VK 823 A-13 well, which is in the process of being contributed to Monza through the conveyance by W&T of 58.71% of its working interest in such well to Monza and retaining 41.29% of its working interest in such well.  The interest in the VK823 A-14 well is in process of being reconveyed to W&T.  Since the initial closing, additional investors have joined as members of Monza and as of September 30, 2018, total commitments by all members, including W&T, are $361.4 million.  Monza has closed off funding from additional investors.  The JV Drilling Program is structured so that we initially receive an aggregate of 30.0% of the revenues less expenses, through both our direct ownership of our working interest in the projects and our indirect interest through our interest in Monza, for contributing 20.0% of the estimated total well costs plus associated leases and providing access to available infrastructure at agreed upon rates.  For one well in the JV Drilling Program, a modification was approved exempting W&T from funding certain cost overruns and W&T is receiving 20% of the revenues less expenses of its prior interest on a combined basis, which removes W&T’s promote in this well.  W&T will be the operator of each well in the JV Drilling Program unless there is already a designated third-party operator.

The members of Monza are made up of third-party investors, W&T and an entity owned and controlled by Mr. Tracy W. Krohn, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  The Krohn entity invested as a minority investor on the same terms and conditions as the third-party investors and its investment is limited to 4.5% of total invested capital within Monza.  The entity affiliated with Mr. Krohn has made a capital commitment to Monza of $14.5 million.  

At the inception of Monza, W&T received a net reimbursement of approximately $20 million for the capital expenditures incurred prior to the close date for projects in the JV Drilling Program.  W&T may be obligated to fund certain cost overruns, subject to certain exceptions, on JV Drilling Program wells above budgeted and contingency amounts.  As of September 30, 2018, members of Monza made partner capital contribution payments to Monza totaling $114.7 million.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Information on the structure and relationship follows:

Board Structure and Authority.  Under the Monza limited liability agreement, the business and affairs of Monza are managed by a board of five directors, which will consist of three directors selected by the third-party investors, Mr. Krohn, and an additional independent director will be selected by a majority of the third-party investors in Monza subject to consent by W&T.  The independent director and one of the directors to be selected by the investors have not yet been selected.  The day-to-day operations of Monza are being managed by W&T, under the direction of the Monza board, pursuant to a services agreement.  W&T has no control over the decisions of the Monza board.  W&T has veto rights for certain decisions, but does not have the ability to unilaterally make decisions for Monza, except for day-to-day decisions as permitted under the services agreement.  The Monza board is responsible for the management of Monza and for making decisions with respect to its interest in the 14 drilling projects, including approval of the budgets.    

Accounting Methodology and Carrying Amounts.  Our interest in Monza is considered to be a variable interest entity that we account for using proportional consolidation.  We do not fully consolidate Monza because we are not considered the primary beneficiary and we utilize proportional consolidation to account for our interest in the Monza properties.  As of September 30, 2018, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, we recorded $7.5 million, net, in oil and natural gas properties, $2.2 million in other assets and $2.6 million, net, increase in working capital in connection with our proportional interest in Monza’s assets and liabilities.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded $2.2 million in revenue, $1.1 million in operating expense and $0.3 million, net, in other expense in connection with our proportional interest in Monza’s operations.

Maximum Exposure. Our contribution to Monza as of September 30, 2018 was $53.5 million, which consisted of cash and the conveyance of the Company’s working interest in the 14 projects.  We may also take responsibility for certain drilling and completion cost overruns, subject to certain limitations and certain exceptions, of which the total exposure cannot be estimated at this time.

5. Acquisitions and Divestitures  

  Heidelberg Field.  On April 5, 2018, we closed on the purchase from Cobalt International Energy, Inc. of a 9.375% non-operated working interest in the Heidelberg field located in Green Canyon blocks 859, 903 and 904.  The gross purchase price was $31.1 million which was adjusted for certain closing items and an effective date of January 1, 2018.  Cash flows generated by the acquired interest between the effective date and the closing date reduced the net purchase price to $16.8 million.  We determined that the assets acquired did not meet the definition of a business; therefore, the transaction was accounted for as an asset acquisition.  In connection with this transaction, we were required to furnish a letter of credit of $9.4 million to a pipeline company as consignee.  We recognized asset retirement obligations (“ARO”) of $3.6 million as a component of the transaction.  In conjunction with the purchase of an interest in the Heidelberg field, we assumed contracts with certain pipeline companies that contain minimum quantities obligations through 2028 resulting in an estimated commitment of $19.6 million.  

Permian Basin.  On September 28, 2018, we closed on the divestiture of all of our ownership in an overriding royalty interests in the Permian Basin.  The net proceeds received were $50.5 million, which was recorded as a reduction to our full-cost pool.  We may receive additional proceeds of up to $6.4 million from the transaction if certain title defects are cured during the 90 days following the closing date.    

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

6.  Asset Retirement Obligations

Our ARO primarily represents the estimated present value of the amount we will incur to plug, abandon and remediate our producing properties at the end of their productive lives.  

A summary of the changes to our ARO is as follows (in thousands):  

7.  Derivative Financial Instruments

Our market risk exposure relates primarily to commodity prices and, from time to time, we use various derivative instruments to manage our exposure to this commodity price risk from sales of our crude oil and natural gas.  Some of the derivative counterparties are also lenders or affiliates of lenders participating in our Prior Credit Agreement.  We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the derivative counterparties; however, we currently anticipate that each of our derivative counterparties will be able to fulfill their contractual obligations.  Additional collateral is not required by us due to the derivative counterparties’ collateral rights as lenders, and we do not require collateral from our derivative counterparties.

We have elected not to designate our commodity derivative contracts as hedging instruments; therefore, all changes in the fair value of derivative contracts were recognized currently in earnings during the periods presented.  The cash flows of all of our commodity derivative contracts are included in Net cash provided by operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

During the second quarter of 2018, we entered into crude oil derivative contracts which relate to a portion of our expected crude oil production from May 2018 to December 2018.  The crude oil contracts are based on West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) crude oil prices as quoted off the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”).  During the first quarter of 2017, we entered into commodity contracts for crude oil and natural gas, all of which had expired as of December 31, 2017.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

As of September 30, 2018, our open crude oil derivative contracts were as follows:  

The swap and two-way collars were “cost-less” contracts, in that no premiums were paid or received.  For the put option contract, the $2.1 million premium is being amortized over the life of the contract and recorded in Prepaid and other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.  See Note 1, Basis of Presentation.

Our open and closed (not settled) commodity derivative contracts were recorded within the line Accrued liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet summarized in the following table (in thousands):

Changes in the fair value and settlements of our commodity derivative contracts were as follows (in thousands):

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

Cash receipts (payments), net, on commodity derivative closed contracts are included within Net cash provided by operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and were as follows (in thousands):

Offsetting Commodity Derivatives

All our commodity derivative contracts permit netting of derivative gains and losses upon settlement.  In general, the terms of the contracts provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between us and the counterparty, at the election of both parties, for transactions that occur on the same date and in the same commodity.  If an event of default were to occur causing an acceleration of payment under our Prior Credit Agreement, that event may also trigger an acceleration of settlement of some of our derivative instruments.  If we were required to settle all of our open derivative contracts, we would be able to net payments and receipts per counterparty pursuant to the derivative contracts.  Although our derivative contracts allow for netting, which would allow for recording assets and liabilities per counterparty on a net basis, we have historically accounted for our derivative contracts on a gross basis per contract as either an asset or liability.  As of September 30, 2018, there would have been no difference in the presentation of our commodity derivatives on a gross or net basis.

8.  Share-Based Compensation and Cash-Based Incentive Compensation

Awards to Employees.  In 2010, the W&T Offshore, Inc. Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Plan”) was approved by our shareholders.  During 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the Plan to certain of its employees.  RSUs are a long-term compensation component and are granted to certain employees, and are subject to satisfaction of certain predetermined performance criteria and adjustments at the end of the applicable performance period based on the results achieved.  In addition to share-based awards, the Company may grant to its employees cash-based incentive awards under the Plan, which are both a short-term and long-term compensation component and are subject to satisfaction of certain predetermined performance criteria.

As of September 30, 2018, there were 13,342,827 shares of common stock available for issuance in satisfaction of awards under the Plan.  The shares available for issuance are reduced on a one-for-one basis when RSUs are settled in shares of common stock, which shares of common stock may be issued net of withholding tax if an awardee elects to satisfy his or her tax liability through the withholding of shares.  The Company has the option following vesting to settle RSUs in stock or cash, or a combination of stock and cash.  The Company expects to settle RSUs that vest in the future using shares of common stock.  

RSUs currently outstanding relate to the 2018, 2017 and 2016 grants, which are subject to predetermined performance criteria applied against the applicable performance period.  These RSUs continue to be subject to employment-based criteria and vesting generally occurs in December of the second year after the grant.  See the table below for anticipated vesting by year.

We recognize compensation cost for share-based payments to employees over the period during which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the award.  Compensation cost is based on the fair value of the equity instrument on the date of grant.  The fair values for the RSUs granted during 2018, 2017 and 2016 were determined using the Company’s closing price on the grant date.  We are also required to estimate forfeitures, resulting in the recognition of compensation cost only for those awards that are expected to actually vest.

All RSUs awarded are subject to forfeiture until vested and cannot be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of during the restricted period.  

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

A summary of activity related to RSUs during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is as follows:

For the RSUs that vested during 2018, the aggregate fair value at the grant dates was $0.1 million and the aggregate fair value at the vesting date was $0.2 million.

For the outstanding RSUs issued to the eligible employees as of September 30, 2018, vesting is expected to occur as follows (subject to any forfeitures):  

Awards to Non-Employee Directors.  Under the W&T Offshore, Inc. 2004 Directors Compensation Plan (as amended from time to time, the “Director Compensation Plan”), shares of restricted stock (“Restricted Shares”) have been granted to the Company’s non-employee directors.  Grants to non-employee directors were made during 2018, 2017 and 2016.  As of September 30, 2018, there were 128,980 shares of common stock available for issuance in satisfaction of awards under the Director Compensation Plan.  The shares available are reduced on a one-to-one basis when Restricted Shares are granted.  

We recognize compensation cost for share-based payments to non-employee directors over the period during which the recipient is required to provide service in exchange for the award.  Compensation cost is based on the fair value of the equity instrument on the date of grant.  The fair values for the Restricted Shares granted were determined using the Company’s closing price on the grant date.   No forfeitures were estimated for the non-employee directors’ awards.

The Restricted Shares are subject to service conditions and vesting occurs at the end of specified service periods unless approved by the Board of Directors.  Restricted Shares cannot be sold, transferred or disposed of during the restricted period.  The holders of Restricted Shares generally have the same rights as a shareholder of the Company with respect to such Restricted Shares, including the right to vote and receive dividends or other distributions paid with respect to the Restricted Shares.

A summary of activity related to Restricted Shares is as follows:

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

For the Restricted Shares that vested during 2018, the aggregate fair value at the grant dates was $0.3 million and the aggregate fair value at the vesting date was $0.7 million.

For the outstanding Restricted Shares issued to the non-employee directors as of September 30, 2018, vesting is expected to occur as follows (subject to any forfeitures):

Share-Based Compensation.  Share-based compensation expense is recorded in the line General and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Share-based compensation was lower in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the prior year period due to timing of the grant date and changes in the 2018 program.  A summary of incentive compensation expense under share-based payment arrangements and the related tax benefit is as follows (in thousands):

Unrecognized Share-Based Compensation.  As of September 30, 2018, unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to our awards of RSUs and Restricted Shares was $8.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  Unrecognized share-based compensation expense will be recognized through November 2020 for RSUs and April 2021 for Restricted Shares.  

Cash-Based Incentive Compensation. In addition to share-based awards, cash-based awards were granted under the Plan to eligible employees in 2018, 2017 and 2016.  For 2018, there are two cash-based awards consisting of a long-term award and a short-term award.  All cash-based awards are performance-based awards consisting of predetermined performance criteria applied against the applicable performance period.  The 2018 long-term, cash-based awards will be eligible for payment on December 14, 2020 subject to participants meeting certain performance criteria.  The 2018 short-term, cash-based awards will be eligible for payment on or about March 15, 2019 subject to participants meeting certain eligibility criteria.  The cash-based awards for the 2018 short-term program, the 2017 program and the 2016 program include an additional financial condition requiring Adjusted EBITDA less reported Interest Expense Incurred (as defined in the awards) for any fiscal quarter plus the three preceding quarters to exceed defined levels measured over defined time periods for each cash-based award as described below.  Expense for each program is recognized over the service period once the applicable financial condition is expected to be met, and the business criteria and individual performance criteria can be reasonably estimated for the applicable period.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

A summary of compensation expense related to share-based awards and cash-based awards is as follows (in thousands):

9.  Income Taxes  

Our income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively.  Our income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $5.5 million and our income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $11.1 million.  Our effective tax rate was not meaningful for the periods presented.  Based on a full year forecast, we are not expecting any current income tax expense.  In addition, immaterial deferred income tax expense was recorded due to dollar-for-dollar offsets by our valuation allowance.  The income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017 relates to revisions under GAAP using the annualized effective tax rate method in computing income tax expense or benefit for interim periods and the income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 relates to net operating loss carryback claims made pursuant to Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 172(f) (related to rules for “specified liability losses”), which permit certain platform dismantlement, well abandonment and site clearance costs to be carried back 10 years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we did not receive any income tax refunds and made no income tax payments of significance.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 we received $11.9 million of income tax refunds and made $0.2 million of income tax payments.          

As of September 30, 2018, we recorded current income taxes receivable of $65.2 million.  As of December 31, 2017, the balance sheet reflected current income taxes receivable of $13.0 million and non-current income taxes receivable of $52.1 million.  The receivable primarily relates to a net operating loss claim carried back for 2017 and net operating loss claims for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014 that were carried back to prior years.  These carryback claims are made pursuant to IRC Section 172(f) described above.  The refund claims require a review by the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation.

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W&T OFFSHORE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(Unaudited)

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, our valuation allowance was $148.3 million and $171.5 million, respectively, related to federal and state deferred tax assets.  Net deferred tax assets were recorded related to NOLs and temporary differences between the book and tax basis of assets and liabilities expected to produce tax deductions in future periods.  The realization of these assets depends on recognition of sufficient future taxable income in specific tax jurisdictions in which those temporary differences or net operating losses are deductible.  In assessing the need for a valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of them will not be realized.  Although our net deferred tax assets and the related valuation allowance reflect the provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”), due to the timing and the complexity of the provisions of the TCJA, further adjustments may be required during 2018 in determination of the final effect in our financial statements.  

The tax years 2013 through 2017 remain open to examination by the tax jurisdictions to which we are subject.   

10.  Earnings Per Share

The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):