The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and assumptions may also affect disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

The Company evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Actual results may differ significantly from the Company’s estimates. Any effects on the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties, accounts receivable, accrued capital expenditures and operating expenses, asset retirement obligations ("ARO"), the fair value determination of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, certain tax accruals and the fair value of derivatives.

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash at financial institutions which may at times exceed federally insured amounts. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on its cash and cash equivalents.

Our receivables arise primarily from the sale of oil, natural gas and NGLs and joint interest owner receivables for properties in which we serve as the operator. Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due, net of an allowance for credit losses, if necessary.

Accounts receivable from oil, natural gas and NGL sales are generally due within 30 to 60 days after the last day of each production month. No interest is charged on past-due balances. Payments made on all accounts receivable are applied to the earliest unpaid items.

To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil, natural gas and NGLs are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the expected sales volume and prices for these properties are estimated and recorded within accounts receivable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Oil is priced based upon prevailing prices published by purchasers with certain adjustments related to oil quality and physical location. Natural gas pricing provisions are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, quality and heat content of natural gas, and prevailing supply and demand conditions. NGLs are priced based upon a market index with certain adjustments for transportation and fractionation. These market indices are determined on a monthly basis.

The Company estimates uncollectible amounts based on the length of time that the accounts receivable has been outstanding, historical collection experience and current and future economic and market conditions, if failure to collect is expected to occur. Allowances for credit losses are recorded as reductions to the carrying values of the accounts receivables included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and are recorded in Administrative costs in the consolidated statements of operations if failure to collect an estimable portion is determined to be probable. The Company had no allowance for credit losses at December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021.

The Company's inventory represents tangible assets such as drilling pipe, tubing, casing and operating supplies used in the Company's future drilling or repair operations. The Company accounts for its inventory using the first-in, first-out method and valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

The Company uses the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and natural gas producing activities. Under this method, all property acquisition costs and costs of development wells are capitalized as incurred. The costs of development wells are capitalized whether producing or non-producing. Costs to drill exploratory wells are capitalized pending the determination of whether proved reserves are found. If an exploratory well is determined to be unsuccessful, the costs of drilling the unsuccessful exploratory well are charged to exploration costs.

Geological and geophysical costs, including seismic studies, are charged to exploration costs as incurred. Expenditures incurred to operate and for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals necessary to maintain our oil and natural gas properties in operating condition are charged to lease operating expenses as incurred.

Capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties are amortized using the units-of-production method based on production and estimates of proved reserve quantities. Leasehold acquisition costs of proved properties are depleted over total estimated proved reserves, and capitalized development costs of wells and related equipment and facilities are depleted over-estimated proved developed reserves.

On the sale or retirement of a complete unit of a proved property or field, the cost and related accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the oil and natural gas property accounts, and the resulting gain or loss is recognized. On the sale of a partial unit of proved property, the unamortized cost of the property is apportioned to the interest sold and the interest retained is accounted for on the basis of the fair value of the retained interests and a gain or loss is recognized if the divestiture significantly affects the depletion rate.

Unproved oil and natural gas properties consist of costs incurred to acquire unproved leases. Unproved lease acquisition costs are capitalized until the leases expire or when we specifically identify leases that will revert to the lessor, at which time we charge the associated unproved lease acquisition costs to exploration costs. Lease acquisition costs related to successful drilling are reclassified to proved oil and natural gas properties.

Upon the sale of an entire interest in an unproved property for cash or cash equivalents, a gain or loss is recognized to the extent of the difference between the proceeds received and the net carrying value of the property. Proceeds from the sale of partial interests in unproved oil and natural gas properties are accounted for as a recovery of costs unless the proceeds exceed the entire cost of the property.

The cost of proved oil and natural gas properties are assessed on a field-by-field basis for impairment at least annually or whenever events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the recoverability of their carrying value may have occurred. The expected undiscounted future cash flows of the oil and natural gas properties are compared to the carrying amount of the oil, natural gas and NGL properties to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the carrying amount of the oil and natural gas properties is adjusted to estimated fair value. Assumptions associated with discounted cash flow models or valuations used in the impairment evaluation include estimates of

future oil, natural gas and NGL prices, production costs, development expenditures, anticipated production of proved reserves, appropriate risk-adjusted discount rates and other relevant data. Unproved oil and natural gas properties are assessed periodically for impairment on a property-by-property basis based on remaining lease terms, drilling results or future plans to develop acreage. See further discussion in Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements.

In accordance with ASC 805 - Business Combinations, the Company accounts for its acquisitions that qualify as a business using the acquisition method. If the set of assets and activities acquired is not considered a business, it is accounted for as an asset acquisition using a cost accumulation model. In the cost accumulation model, the cost of the acquisition, including certain transaction costs, is allocated to the assets acquired on the basis of relative fair values.

The Company includes the results of operations of acquired businesses beginning on the respective acquisition dates. In accordance with the acquisition method, the Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on the estimated fair values. Transaction costs related to the business combination are expensed as incurred. This fair value measurement is based on unobservable (Level 3) inputs. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. The excess value of the net identifiable assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price of an acquired business, if any, is recorded as a bargain purchase gain.

Property and equipment are capitalized and recorded at cost, while maintenance and repairs are expensed. Depreciation of such property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 5 to 39 years. Capitalized costs related to leasehold improvements are depreciated over the life of the lease. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had capitalized property and equipment costs of $5.3 million and $3.6 million, respectively, with $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively, of accumulated depreciation on the consolidated balance sheet. Components of other property and equipment consists of computer equipment, office furniture, tools and equipment, buildings and improvements, and vehicles.

Deferred financing costs include origination, arrangement, legal and other fees to issue or amend the terms of credit facility agreements. These deferred financing costs are reported as other non-current assets and recognized on the consolidated statement of operations as interest expense by amortizing the costs over the related financing using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.

Equity issuance costs include underwriter, legal, accounting, printing and other fees to issue common equity securities. These issuance costs are netted against offering proceeds at the time of issuance and are reported as other non-current assets when related to the issuance of common equity securities. The issuance costs are expensed to the consolidated statement of operations if the issuance is unsuccessful.

Other non-current assets consisted of the following:


	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021


	(In thousands)
Deferred financing costs, net	$	2,556	$	1,345
Prepayments to outside operators	186		690
Right of use assets	1,370		208
Other deposits	63		50

Total other non-current assets, net	$	4,175	$	2,293

The Company incurred $1.9 million in financing costs related to the amendments of its revolving credit facility in April and October 2022. The Company extended certain existing leases and entered into a new lease during the year ended December 31, 2022, which resulted in additions to the right of use assets.


	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021


	(In thousands)
Accrued capital expenditures	$	16,744	$	5,618
Accrued lease operating expenses	4,607		2,534

Accrued general and administrative costs	2,286		3,404




Accrued inventory	6,235		—
Accrued ad valorem tax	3,789		705
Other accrued expenditures	1,921		613
Total accrued liabilities	$	35,582	$	12,874

ARO consist of future plugging and abandonment expenses on oil and natural gas properties. The fair value of the ARO is recorded as a liability in the period in which wells are drilled with a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of oil and natural gas properties. The liability is accreted for the change in its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated using the units-of-production method. The asset and liability are adjusted for changes resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate when deemed necessary. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.


	December 31, 2022		December 31, 2021

	(In thousands)
ARO, beginning balance	$	2,453	$	2,434
Liabilities incurred	358		56

Revision of estimated obligations	326		—
Liability settlements and disposals	(178)		(58)
Accretion	79		21
ARO, ending balance	3,038		2,453
Less: current ARO(1)	(314)		(192)
ARO, long-term	$	2,724	$	2,261

_____________________

Goodwill represents the future economic benefit arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified or separately recognized. Goodwill is initially recognized as the excess of the purchase price of a business combination over the fair value of the net assets acquired and is tested for impairment annually in accordance with ASC 350 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, or more frequently if there is a change in events or circumstances that indicate the carrying value of the goodwill may not be recoverable.

The impairment test should occur at the reporting unit level determined by the Company and an impairment should only exist if the Company has determined the carrying value of the goodwill no longer exceeds the implied fair value. If the Company determines it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, including goodwill, then a quantitative assessment is necessary. An impairment loss is recognized if the carrying value of the reporting unit goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill.

At the closing of the Merger, the Company determined it had two reporting units, and the entire goodwill balance was included in the reporting unit acquired in the Merger (the "Kansas Reporting Unit"). The Company did not fully integrate the Kansas Reporting Unit in the Company's operations as it was deemed to be held for sale upon acquisition. The Company assessed the goodwill balance for impairment since the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement ("PSA") in March 2021 for $3.5 million before closing adjustments. As the carrying value exceeded the implied fair value at the time of the closing of the Merger, the Company concluded the goodwill balance associated with the Kansas Reporting Unit was impaired and recognized a goodwill impairment loss, included within loss from discontinued operations on the consolidated statement of operations, of $18.5 million for the year ended September 30, 2021. See further discussion in Note 12 - Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale.

Under the Company’s oil sales contracts, oil that is produced by the Company is delivered to the purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point at which point the purchaser takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product. Once control has been transferred, the purchaser transports the product to a third party and receives market-based prices from the third party. The Company receives a percentage of proceeds received by the purchaser less transportation costs in accordance with the pricing provisions in the Company's contracts. As transportation costs are incurred after the transfer of control, the costs are included in oil and natural gas sales and represent part of the transaction price of the contract. The pricing provisions also provide quantity requirements and grade and quality specifications. The Company recognizes revenue at the net price received when control transfers to the purchaser.

Under the Company’s natural gas gathering and processing contracts, natural gas is delivered to the purchaser at the inlet of the purchasers' gathering system, at which point title and risk of loss is transferred to the purchaser. The purchaser gathers and processes the natural gas and remits proceeds to the Company for the resulting sales of natural gas and NGLs in accordance

with the pricing provisions of the Company's contracts. As the gathering, processing and transportation activities occur after the transfer of control, these costs are netted against our oil and natural gas sales and represent part of the transaction price of the contract, and may exceed the sales price. The pricing provisions also provide quantity requirements and grade and quality specifications. The Company recognizes revenue on a net basis for amounts expected to be received from third party customers through the marketing process.

Based on the Company’s current product sales contracts, with contract terms ranging from one to ten years, each unit of production is considered a separate performance obligation and therefore future production volumes are wholly unsatisfied and do not require allocation or disclosure of the transaction price to remaining performance obligations.

Under the Company’s product sales contracts, the Company has the right to invoice customers once the performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Company’s product sales contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities under ASC 606.

Revenue is recorded in the month in which production is delivered to the purchaser. However, certain settlement statements for oil, natural gas and NGLs may not be received for thirty to ninety days after the date production is delivered and, as a result, the Company is required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. Differences identified between the Company’s revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the three months ended December 31, 2021, and year ended September 30, 2021, revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material.


	Year Ended December 31, 2022		Three Months Ended December 31, 2021		Year Ended September 30, 2021

	(In thousands)
Oil and natural gas sales:
Oil	$	298,723	$	50,623	$	136,421
Natural gas	10,755		2,705		7,500
Natural gas liquids	9,865		3,322		4,715
Total oil and natural gas sales, net	$	319,343	$	56,650	$	148,636

The Company has contracts with related parties to provide certain contract operating, accounting and back-office support services. Revenue related to these contract services is recognized over time as the services are rendered, and the fee is stated within the contract at a fixed monthly rate. Costs directly attributable to performing these services are also recognized as the services are rendered. Refer to Note 8 - Transactions with Related Parties for a more detailed discussion regarding these contracts.

For certain oil and natural gas properties, where the Company serves as operator, the Company receives production proceeds from the purchaser and further distributes such amounts to other revenue and royalty owners. Production proceeds that the Company has not yet distributed to other revenue and royalty owners are reflected as revenue payable in the consolidated balance sheets.

Lease operating costs, including payroll for field personnel, saltwater disposal, electricity, generator rentals, diesel fuel and other operating expenses, are expensed as incurred and included in lease operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.

The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, which requires the establishment of deferred tax accounts for all temporary differences between: (i) financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, using currently enacted federal and state income tax rates, and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. In addition, deferred tax accounts must be adjusted to reflect new rates if enacted into law.

Realization of deferred tax assets is contingent on the generation of future taxable income. As a result, management considers whether it is more likely than not that all or a portion of such assets will be realized during periods when they are available, and if not, management provides a valuation allowance for amounts not likely to be recognized.

Management periodically evaluates tax reporting methods to determine if any uncertain tax positions exist that would require the establishment of a loss contingency. A loss contingency would be recognized if it were probable that a liability has been incurred as of the date of the financial statements and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The amount recognized is subject to estimates and management’s judgment with respect to the likely outcome of each uncertain tax position. The amount that is ultimately incurred for an individual uncertain tax position or for all uncertain tax positions in the aggregate could differ from the amount recognized. Interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions are included in current income tax expense. There are no unrecorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions related to the Company as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021. See further discussion in Note 11- Income Taxes.

We have financed a portion of our working capital requirements, capital expenditures and certain acquisitions with borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We incur interest expense that is affected by both fluctuations in interest rates and our financing decisions. Interest expense in the consolidated statements of operations reflects interest less amounts allocated to capital expenditures, unused commitment fees paid to our lender, interest rate swap settlements plus the amortization of deferred financing costs (including origination and amendment fees). Interest expense was $1.1 million, $0.9 million, and $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, the three months ended December 31, 2021, and the year ended September 30, 2021, respectively.

Capitalized interest represents interest expense related to wells in process during the period in which the Company is incurring costs and expending resources to get the properties ready for their intended purpose. Capitalized interest is added to the cost of the underlying asset and is amortized over the useful life of the asset in the same manner as the underlying asset.

We sell our production at market prices and to a relatively small number of purchasers, as is customary in the exploration, development and production business. Our purchaser contracts include marketing provisions with our purchasers to market our production. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the three months ended December 31, 2021, and the year ended September 30, 2021, one purchaser accounted for 89%, 87%, and 87%, respectively, of our revenue purchased, with two end customers each accounting for more than 10% of the purchased revenue. During such periods, no other purchaser accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. The loss of this purchaser could materially and adversely affect our revenues in the short-term. However, the end customers include companies with lower credit risk. Further, based on the current demand for oil and natural gas and the availability of other purchasers, we believe that the loss of any of our purchasers would not have a long-term material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations because oil, natural gas and NGLs are marketable products with well-established markets.

We manage credit risk related to accounts receivable through credit approvals, escrow accounts and monitoring procedures. Accounts receivable are generally not collateralized. However, we routinely assess the financial strength of our customers and, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk, establish an allowance for uncollectible accounts, if required. As a result, we believe that our accounts receivable credit risk exposure beyond such allowance is limited.

We are engaged in oil and natural gas exploration and production and may become subject to certain liabilities as they relate to environmental cleanup of well sites or other environmental restoration procedures. In connection with our acquisition of existing or previously drilled well bores, we may not be aware of what environmental safeguards were taken at the time such wells were drilled or during such time the wells were operated. Should it be determined that a liability exists with respect to any environmental cleanup or restoration, we would be responsible for curing such a violation.

We account for environmental contingencies in accordance with the accounting guidance related to accounting for contingencies. Environmental expenditures that relate to current operations are expensed or capitalized as appropriate. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations, which do not contribute to current or future revenue generation, are expensed. Liabilities are recorded when environmental assessments and/or clean-ups are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

Certain financial instruments are reported at fair value on our consolidated balance sheets. Under fair value measurement accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid for the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (i.e., an exit price). To estimate an exit price, a three-level hierarchy is used. The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs, which refer broadly to assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability, into three levels. Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities and have the highest priority. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and have the lowest priority.

The valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value include a market approach, an income approach and a cost approach. A market approach uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. An income approach uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectations, including present value techniques, option-pricing models and the excess earnings method. The cost approach is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). These approaches are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The carrying values of financial instruments comprising cash and cash equivalents, payables, receivables, related party accounts receivable/payable and advances from joint interest owners approximate fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments and are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The carrying value reported for the revolving credit facility approximates fair value because the underlying instruments are at interest rates which approximate current market rates and is considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Assets and liabilities accounted for at fair value on a non-recurring basis in accordance with the fair value hierarchy include the initial recognition of asset retirement obligations, the fair value of oil and natural gas properties, and goodwill when acquired in a business combination or assessed for impairment and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

We report the fair value of derivatives on the consolidated balance sheets in derivative assets and derivative liabilities as either current or non-current based on the timing of the settlement of individual trades. Trades that are scheduled to settle in the next twelve months are reported as current. The Company nets derivative assets and liabilities, in the consolidated balance sheets, whenever it has a legally enforceable master netting agreement with the counterparty to a derivative contract.

For the year ended December 31, 2022, the three months ended December 31, 2021, and year ended September 30, 2021, we have not designated our derivative contracts as hedges for accounting purposes, and therefore changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized in earnings. Cash settlements of contracts are included in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Derivative contracts are settled on a monthly basis.

The fair value of the derivatives is established using index prices, volatility curves and discount factors. The value we report in our consolidated financial statements is as of a point in time and subsequently change as these estimates are revised to reflect actual results, changes in market conditions and other factors.

The use of derivatives involves the risk that the counterparties to such contracts will be unable to meet their obligations under the terms of the agreement. To minimize the credit risk with derivative instruments, it is our policy to enter into derivative contracts primarily with counterparties that are financial institutions that are also lenders within our revolving credit facility. Under the terms of the current counterparties' contracts, only those that are lenders under our revolving credit facility

The Company's current leases include office space and information technology equipment, comprised primarily of printers and copiers. The Company reviews all contracts to determine if a lease exists at contract inception. A lease exists when the Company has the right to obtain substantially all of the economic benefit of a specific asset and to control the use of that asset over the term of the agreement. Identified leases are classified as an operating or finance lease, which determines the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses. As of December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any finance leases. Operating leases are capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet at commencement through a lease right-of-use ("ROU") asset and lease liability representing the present value of lease payments over the lease term. In addition to the present value of lease payments, the operating lease ROU asset includes any lease payments made to the lessor prior to lease commencement less any lease incentives and initial direct costs incurred. Options to extend or terminate leases are included in the lease term when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the option. For operating leases, lease costs are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

The present value of operating lease payments and amortization of the lease liability is calculated using a discount rate. When available, the Company uses the rate implicit in the lease as the discount rate; however, most of the Company’s leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate. In such cases, the Company is required to use its incremental borrowing rate ("IBR"). The Company’s IBR reflects the estimated rate of interest that the Company would pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term and amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The Company is required to reassess the discount rate for any new and modified lease contracts as of the lease effective date. The weighted-average discount rate was 3.18% and 5.17%, respectively, at December 31, 2022 and 2021. The weighted average remaining lease term was 2.4 years and 0.5 years, respectively, at December 31, 2022 and 2021. Lease expense was $0.5 million, $0.1 million, and $0.4 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2022, the three months ended December 31, 2021, and year ended September 30, 2021.

The ROU asset and current lease liability was included in other non-current assets and other current liabilities and non-current lease liabilities, respectively, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Lease expense for the Company was included in general and administrative costs on the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2019-12, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes." This update is intended to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and by clarifying and amending existing guidance and is effective for public business entities beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2021. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”), which provides companies with optional guidance to ease the potential accounting burden associated with transitioning away from reference rates (e.g., London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")) that are expected to be discontinued. ASU 2020-04 allows, among other things, certain contract modifications, such as those within the scope of Topic 470 on debt, to be accounted for as a continuation of the existing contract. The Company adopted this ASU effective concurrent with the amendment of the Company's revolving credit facility in April 2022. See Note 9 - Revolving Credit Facility for additional information on the amendment of the revolving credit facility. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.