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Emergence from Bankruptcy and Fresh Start Accounting
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Reorganizations [Abstract]  
Emergence from Bankruptcy and Fresh Start Accounting
Emergence from Bankruptcy and Fresh Start Accounting

On January 11, 2016 (the “Petition Date”), Arch and substantially all of its wholly owned domestic subsidiaries (the “Filing Subsidiaries” and, together with Arch, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions for reorganization (collectively, the “Bankruptcy Petitions”) under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the U.S. Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri (the “Court”). The Debtor’s Chapter 11 Cases (collectively, the “Chapter 11 Cases”) were jointly administered under the caption In re Arch Coal, Inc., et al. Case No. 16-40120 (lead case). During the bankruptcy proceedings, each Debtor operated its business as a “debtor in possession” under the jurisdiction of the Court and in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code and the orders of the Court.

For periods subsequent to filing the Bankruptcy Petitions, the Company applied the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, “Reorganizations”, in preparing its consolidated financial statements. ASC 852 requires that financial statements distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, certain revenues, expenses, realized gains and losses and provisions for losses that are realized or incurred in the bankruptcy proceedings have been recorded in a reorganization line item on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, the pre-petition obligations that may be impacted by the bankruptcy reorganization process were classified on the balance sheet as liabilities subject to compromise.

On September 13, 2016, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order, Docket No. 1324, confirming the Debtors’ Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code dated as of September 11, 2016 (the “Plan”), which order was amended on September 15, 2016, Docket No. 1334.

On October 5, 2016, Arch Coal satisfied the closing conditions contemplated by the Plan, which became effective on that date (the “Effective Date”).

On the Plan Effective Date, the Company applied fresh start accounting which requires the Company to allocate its reorganization value to the fair value of assets and liabilities in conformity with the guidance for the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. In addition to fresh start accounting, the Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect all impacts of the transactions contemplated by the Plan. Under the provisions of fresh start accounting, a new entity has been created for financial reporting purposes. The Company selected an accounting convenience date of October 1, 2016 for purposes of applying fresh start accounting as the activity between the convenience date and the Effective Date does not result in a material difference in the results. References to “Successor” in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes are in reference to reporting dates on or after October 2, 2016; references to “Predecessor” in the financial statements and accompanying footnotes are in reference to reporting dates through October 1, 2016 which includes the impact of the Plan provisions and the application of fresh start accounting. As such, the Company’s financial statements for the Successor will not be comparable in many respects to its financial statements for periods prior to the adoption of fresh start accounting and prior to the accounting for the effects of the Plan.

The following is a summary of certain provisions of the Plan, as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to the Confirmation Order, and is not intended to be a complete description of the Plan.

Treatment of Claims

The Plan contemplates that:

Holders of allowed administrative expense claims, priority claims (other than administrative expense claims and priority tax claims) and secured claims (other than claims arising under priority claims, the prepetition first lien credit facility and prepetition second lien notes) will be paid in full.

Holders of allowed claims arising under the Debtors’ prepetition first lien credit facility (“First Lien Credit Facility”) will receive their pro rata distribution of (i) total cash payments equal to the greater of (A) $144.8 million less the amount of the adequate protection payments and (B) $30 million; (ii) $326.5 million in principal amount of New First Lien Debt Facility; and (iii) 94% of the common stock of Reorganized Arch Coal (the “New Common Stock”), subject to dilution on account of (a) any Class A Common Stock (as defined below) issued upon exercise of the warrants (the “New Warrants”) issued pursuant to the Plan to purchase up to 12% of the fully diluted Class A Common Stock as of the Effective Date and exercisable at any time for a period of 7 years from the Effective Date at a strike price calculated based on a total equity capitalization of $1.425 billion ($57 per share) and (b) the issuance of New Common Stock in an amount of up to 10% of the New Common Stock, on a fully diluted basis, pursuant to a management incentive plan (the “Management Incentive Plan”).

Holders of allowed claims on account of prepetition second lien or unsecured notes (the “Prepetition Notes”) will receive their pro rata distribution of (i) $22.636 million in cash, (ii) at such holder’s election, either (A) such holder’s pro rata share of the New Warrants or (B) such holder’s pro rata share of $25 million in cash and (iii) 6% of the New Common Stock (subject to dilution on account of any exercise of the New Warrants and pursuant to the Management Incentive Plan).

Holders of allowed general unsecured claims against Debtors (other than claims on account of the First Lien Credit Facility or Prepetition Notes) will receive their pro rata distribution of $7.364 million cash, less fees and expenses incurred by any professionals retained by a claims oversight committee up to $200,000.

The Reorganized Debtors will waive and release any claims or causes of action that they have, had, or may have that are based on sections 502(d), 544, 545, 547, 548, 549, 550, 551, 553(b) and 724(a) of the Bankruptcy Code and analogous non-bankruptcy law for all purposes against (i) prepetition trade creditors and (ii) officers, directors, employees or representatives of the Debtors or the Reorganized Debtors and all agents and representatives of all of the foregoing. However, the Reorganized Debtors will retain the right to assert any said claims as defenses or counterclaims in any cause of action brought by any creditor.

New First Lien Debt Facility

For information related to the New First Lien Debt Facility, see Note 13, “Debt and Financing Arrangements.”

Securitization Facility

For information related to the Securitization Facility, see Note 13, “Debt and Financing Arrangements.”

Warrant Agreement

On the Effective Date, the Company entered into a warrant agreement (the “Warrant Agreement”) with American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC as warrant agent and, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, issued warrants (“Warrants”) to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,914,856 shares of Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Arch Coal (the “Class A Common Stock”) to holders of claims arising under the Cancelled Notes (as defined below). Each Warrant expires on October 5, 2023, and is initially exercisable for one share of Class A Common Stock at an initial exercise price of $57.00 per share. The Warrants are exercisable by a holder paying the exercise price in cash or on a cashless basis, at the election of the holder. The Warrants contain anti-dilution adjustments for stock splits, reverse stock splits, stock dividends, dividends and distributions of cash, other securities or other property, spin-offs and tender and exchange offers by Arch Coal or its subsidiaries to purchase Class A Common Stock at above-market prices.

If, in connection with a merger, recapitalization, business combination, transfer to a third party of substantially all of Arch Coal’s consolidated assets or other transaction that results in a change to the Class A Common Stock (each, a “Transaction”), (i) the Transaction is consummated prior to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date and the Transaction consideration to holders of Class A Common Stock is 90% or more listed common stock or common stock of a company that provides publicly available financial reporting, and holds management calls regarding the same, no less than quarterly (“Reporting Stock”) or (ii) regardless of the consideration, the Transaction is consummated on or after the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date, the Warrants will be assumed by the surviving company and will become exercisable for the consideration that the holders of Class A Common Stock receive in such Transaction; provided that if the consideration such holders receive consists solely of cash, then upon the consummation of such Transaction, Arch Coal will pay for each Warrant an amount of cash equal to the greater of (i) (x) the amount of cash payable with respect to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Warrant minus (y) the exercise price per share then in effect multiplied by the number of shares of Class A Common Stock underlying the Warrant and (ii) $0.

If a Transaction is consummated prior to the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date in which the Transaction consideration is less than 90% Reporting Stock, a portion of the Warrants corresponding to the portion of the Transaction consideration that is Reporting Stock will be assumed by the surviving company and will become exercisable for the Reporting Stock consideration that the holders of Class A Common Stock receive in such Transaction, and the portion of the Warrants corresponding to the portion of the Transaction consideration that is not Reporting Stock will, at the option of each holder, (i) be assumed by the surviving company and will become exercisable for the consideration that the holders of Class A Common Stock receive in such Transaction or (ii) be redeemed by Arch Coal for cash in an amount equal to the Black Scholes Payment (as defined in the Warrant Agreement).

Termination of Material Definitive Agreements

On the Effective Date, by operation of the Plan, all outstanding obligations under the following notes issued by Arch Coal and guaranteed by certain subsidiary guarantors, (collectively, the “Cancelled Notes”) were cancelled and the indentures governing such obligations were cancelled except as necessary to (a) enforce the rights, claims and interests of the applicable trustee vis-a-vis any parties other than the Debtors, (b) allow each trustee to receive distributions under the Plan and to distribute them to the holders of the Cancelled Notes in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture, (c) preserve any rights of the applicable trustee to compensation, reimbursement and indemnification under each of the applicable indentures solely as against any money or property distributable to holders of Cancelled Notes, (iv) permit each of the trustees to enforce any obligation owed to them under the Plan and (v) permit each of the trustees to appear in the Chapter 11 cases or in any proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court or any other court:

7.000% Senior Notes due 2019, issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of June 14, 2011, by and among Arch Coal, as issuer, UMB Bank National Association, as trustee, and the guarantors named therein, as amended, supplemented or revised thereafter;

7.250% Senior Notes due 2020, issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of August 9, 2010, by and among Arch Coal, as issuer, U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee, and the guarantors named therein, as amended, supplemented or revised thereafter;

7.250% Senior Notes due 2021, issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of June 14, 2011, by and among Arch Coal, as issuer, UMB Bank National Association, as trustee, and the guarantors named therein, as amended, supplemented or revised thereafter;

9.875% Senior Notes due 2019, issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of November 21, 2012, by and among Arch Coal, as issuer, UMB Bank National Association, as trustee, and the guarantors named therein, as amended, supplemented or revised thereafter; and

8.000% Second Lien notes due 2019, issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of December 17, 2013, by and among Arch Coal, as issuer, Wilmington Savings Fund Society, as trustee and collateral agent as successor to UMB Bank National Association, and the guarantors named therein, as amended, supplemented or revised thereafter.

On the Effective Date, by operation of the Plan, all outstanding obligations under the following credit agreement (the “Prepetition Credit Agreement”) entered into by Arch Coal and guaranteed by certain of Arch Coal’s subsidiaries and the related collateral, guaranty and other definitive agreements relating to the Prepetition Credit Agreement were cancelled and the Prepetition Credit Agreement was cancelled except as necessary to (i) enforce the rights, claims and interests of the Prepetition Agent (as defined below) and any predecessor thereof vis-a-vis the Lenders and any parties other than the Debtors, (ii) to allow the Prepetition Agent to receive distributions under the Plan and to distribute them to the lenders under the Prepetition Credit Agreement and (iii) preserve any rights of the Prepetition Agent and any predecessor thereof as against any money or property distributable to holders of claims arising out of the Prepetition Credit Agreement or any related transaction documents, including any priority in respect of payment and the right to exercise any charging lien:

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 14, 2011 (as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of May 16, 2012, the Second Amendment, dated as of November 20, 2012, the Third Amendment, dated as of November 21, 2012 and the Fourth Amendment, dated as of December 17, 2013), among Arch Coal, Inc., as borrower, the lenders from time to time party thereto, Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacities as term loan facility administrative agent (as successor to Bank of America, N.A. in such capacity) and collateral agent (as successor to PNC Bank, National Association in such capacity) (in such capacities, the “Prepetition Agent”)

On the Effective Date, all outstanding obligations under the following credit agreement (the “DIP Credit Agreement”) other than contingent and/or unliquidated obligations were paid in cash in full, all commitments under the DIP Credit Agreement and the related transaction documents referred to therein as the “Loan Documents” were terminated, all liens on property of the Debtors arising out of or related to the DIP Facility terminated and the Loan Documents were cancelled except with respect to (a) contingent and and/or unliquidated obligations under the Loan Documents which survive the Effective Date and continue to be governed by the Loan Documents and (b) the relationships among the DIP Agent (as defined below) and the lenders under the DIP Credit Agreement, as applicable, including but not limited to, those provisions relating to the rights of the DIP Agent and the lenders to expense reimbursement, indemnification and other similar amounts, certain reinstatement obligations set forth in the DIP Credit Agreement and any provisions that may survive termination or maturity of the credit facility governed by the DIP Credit Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof:

Superpriority Secured Debtor-In-Possession Credit Agreement, dated as of January 21, 2016 (as amended by the Waiver and Consent and Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 4, 2016, Amendment No. 2, dated as of March 28, 2016, Amendment No. 3, dated as of April 26, 2016, Amendment No. 4, dated as of June 10, 2016, Amendment No. 5, dated as of June 23, 2016, Amendment No. 6, dated as of July 20, 2016, and Amendment No. 7, dated as of September 28, 2016) among Arch Coal, Inc., as borrower, certain subsidiaries of Arch Coal, Inc., as guarantors, the lenders from time to time party there and Wilmington Trust, National Association, in its capacity as administrative agent and as collateral agent (in such capacities, the “DIP Agent”).

Equity Securities

Under the Plan, 24,589,834 shares of Class A Common Stock and 410,166 shares of Class B Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, (“Class B Common Stock” and together with Class A Common Stock, “Common Stock”) were distributed to the secured lenders and to certain holders of general unsecured claims under the Plan on the Effective Date. In addition, on the Effective Date, Arch Coal issued Warrants to purchase up to an aggregate of 1,914,856 shares of Class A Common Stock. Arch Coal relied, based on the confirmation order it received from the Bankruptcy Court, on Section 1145(a)(1) of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code to exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (i) the offer and sale of Common Stock to the secured lenders and to the general unsecured creditors, (ii) the offer and sale of the Warrants to the holders of claims arising under the Cancelled Notes and (iii) the offer and sale of the Class A Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. Section 1145(a)(1) of the Bankruptcy Code exempts the offer and sale of securities under a plan of
reorganization from registration under Section 5 of the Securities Act and state laws if three principal requirements are satisfied:

the securities must be offered and sold under a plan of reorganization and must be securities of the debtor, of an affiliate participating in a joint plan of reorganization with the debtor or of a successor to the debtor under the plan of reorganization;

the recipients of the securities must hold claims against or interests in the debtor; and

the securities must be issued in exchange, or principally in exchange, for the recipient’s claim against or interest in the debtor.

Reorganization Value

Fresh start accounting provides, among other things, for a determination of the value to be assigned to the equity of the emerging company as of a date selected for financial reporting purposes. In conjunction with the bankruptcy proceedings, a third party financial advisor provided an enterprise value of the Company of approximately $650 million to $950 million. The final equity value of $687.5 million was based upon the approximate high end of the enterprise value established by the third party valuation plus excess cash of $64 million less the fair value of debt related to the New First Lien Debt Facility of $326.5 million. The high end of the enterprise value assumed a minimum cash balance at emergence of $250 million.

The enterprise value of the Company was estimated using various valuation methods including: (i) comparable public company analysis, (ii) discounted cash flow analysis (“DCF”) and (iii) sum-of-the-parts analysis. The comparable public company analysis is based on the enterprise value of selected publicly traded companies that have operating and financial characteristics comparable in certain respects to the Company, for example, operational requirements and risk and profitability characteristics. Selected companies are comprised of coal mining companies with primary operations in the United States. Under this methodology, certain financial multiples and ratios that measure financial performance and value are calculated for each selected company and then applied to the Company’s financials to imply an enterprise value for the Company.

The DCF analysis is a forward-looking enterprise valuation methodology that estimates the value of an assets or business by calculating the present value of expected future cash flows by that asset or business. The basis of the DCF analysis was the Company’s prepared projections which included a variety of estimates and assumptions, such as pricing and demand for coal. The Company’s pricing was based on its view of the market taking into account third party forward pricing curves adjusted for the quality of products sold by the Company. While the Company considers such estimates and assumptions reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control and, therefore, may not be realized. Changes in these estimates and assumptions may have a significant effect on the determination of the Company’s enterprise value. The assumptions used in the calculations for the DCF analysis included projected revenue, cost and cash flows for the years ending December 31, 2016 through each respective mine life and represented the Company’s best estimates at the time the analysis was prepared. The DCF analysis was completed using discount rates at a range of estimated weighted average costs of capital ranging from 13.25% to 15.25% . The DCF analysis involves complex considerations and judgments concerning appropriate discount rates. Due to the unobservable inputs to the valuation, the fair value would be considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

The sum-of-the-parts analysis is a more detailed market multiples approach the values each part of a company’s business separately based upon the enterprise values of selected publicly traded companies that have operating and financial characteristics comparable in certain respects to each part of the reorganized Company. Under this methodology, certain financial multiples and ratios that measure financial performance and value are calculated for each selected comparable company and then applied to the relevant segment of the Company’s financials to imply an enterprise value for the Company.

Accounting Impact of Emergence

Upon emergence in accordance with ASC 852, the Company applied fresh start accounting to its consolidated financial statements as of October 1, 2016 because (i) the reorganization value of the assets of the emerging entity immediately before the date of confirmation was less than the total of all postpetition liabilities and allowed claims and (ii) the holders of the existing voting shares immediately before confirmation received less than 50 percent of the voting shares of the emerging entity. Upon adoption of fresh start accounting, the Company became a new entity for financial reporting purposes reflecting the Successor capital structure. As such, a new accounting basis in the identifiable assets and liabilities assumed was established with no retained earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“OCI”).

The following balance sheet illustrates the impacts of the implementation of the Plan and the application of fresh start accounting, which results in the opening balance sheet of the Successor company.

As of October 1, 2016 (In thousands)
Predecessor (a)
 
Effect of Plan (b)
 
Fresh Start Adjustments (c)
 
Successor
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
400,205

 
$
(199,718
)
(d)
$

 
$
200,487

Short term investments
111,451

 

 

 
111,451

Restricted cash
81,563

 

 

 
81,563

Trade accounts receivable
165,522

 

 

 
165,522

Other receivables
17,227

 

 
779

(j)
18,006

Inventories
159,410

 

 
(21,078
)
(k)
138,332

Prepaid royalties
4,805

 

 

 
4,805

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

Coal derivative assets
2,180

 

 

 
2,180

Other current assets
36,960

 
6,367

 
53,851

(l)
97,178

Total current assets
979,323

 
(193,351
)
 
33,552

 
819,524

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment, net
3,434,941

 

 
(2,363,829
)
(m)
1,071,112

Other assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Prepaid royalties
20,997

 

 
(20,997
)
(n)

Equity investments
164,232

 

 
(61,606
)
(o)
102,626

Other noncurrent assets
58,569

 
34,495

(e)
37,503

(p)
130,567

Total other assets
243,798

 
34,495

 
(45,100
)
 
233,193

Total assets
$
4,658,062

 
$
(158,856
)
 
$
(2,375,377
)
 
$
2,123,829

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities not subject to compromise
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
74,595

 
$

 
$
(250
)
(q)
$
74,345

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
225,739

 
(36,331
)
(f)
26,644

(r)
216,052

Current maturities of debt
3,397

 
3,265

(g)

 
6,662

Total current liabilities
303,731

 
(33,066
)
 
26,394

 
297,059

Long-term debt
30,037

 
323,235

(g)

 
353,272

Asset retirement obligations
394,699

 

 
(60,570
)
(s)
334,129

Accrued pension benefits
23,716

 

 
24,565

(t)
48,281

Accrued other postretirement benefits
87,123

 

 
24,836

(t)
111,959

Accrued workers’ compensation
119,828

 

 
74,520

(u)
194,348

Deferred income taxes

 

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities
96,410

 

 
888

(v)
97,298

Total liabilities not subject to compromise
1,055,544

 
290,169

 
90,633

 
1,436,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities subject to compromise
5,278,612

 
(5,278,612
)
(h)

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total liabilities
6,334,156

 
(4,988,443
)
 
90,633

 
1,436,346

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity (deficit)
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
Common stock, predecessor
2,145

 
(2,145
)
(i)

 

Common stock, successor

 
250

(b)

 
250

Paid-in capital, predecessor
3,056,307

 
(3,056,307
)
(i)

 

Paid-in capital, successor

 
687,233

(b)

 
687,233

Treasury stock, at cost
(53,863
)
 
53,863

(i)

 

Accumulated earnings (deficit)
(4,678,977
)
 
7,146,693

(i)
(2,467,716
)
 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,706
)
 

 
1,706

 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)
(1,676,094
)
 
4,829,587

 
(2,466,010
)
 
687,483

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit)
$
4,658,062

 
$
(158,856
)
 
$
(2,375,377
)
 
$
2,123,829



(a)
Represents the Predecessor consolidated balance sheet as of October 1, 2016.

(b)
Represents amounts recorded for the implementation of the Plan on the Effective Date. This includes the settlement of liabilities subject to compromise through a combination of cash payments, the issuance of new common stock and warrants and the issuance of new debt. The following is the calculation of the total pre-tax gain on the settlement of the liabilities subject to compromise:
 
 
In thousands
Liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
5,278,612

Less amounts issued to settle claims:
 
 
Common stock (at par) Successor
 
(250
)
Warrants Successor
 
(14,822
)
Paid-in capital Successor
 
(672,411
)
Issuance of Term Loan Successor
 
(326,500
)
Cash payment to settle claims and professional fees
 
(122,525
)
 
 
 
Total pre-tax gain on plan effects
 
$
4,142,104


(c)
Represents the fresh start accounting adjustments required to record the assets and liabilities of the Company at fair value.

(d)
The following table reflects the use of cash at emergence:
 
 
In thousands
Payment to secured lenders
 
$
43,496

Payments to unsecured creditors
 
42,399

Final adequate protection payment
 
36,331

Collateral requirements
 
31,665

Professional fees
 
31,630

Other
 
14,197

 
 
 
Total cash outflow at emergence
 
$
199,718


(e)
Represents amounts paid for required collateral deposits.

(f)
Represents the final adequate protection payments made to the secured lenders.

(g)
Represents the fair value of the $326.5 million new term loan of which $3.3 million is shown within current maturities of debt.

(h)
Liabilities subject to compromise include unsecured or under-secured liabilities incurred prior to the Chapter 11 filing; and consists of the following:

Previously Reported Balance Sheet Line
 
In thousands
Debt
 
$
5,026,806

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
 
136,295

Accounts payable
 
106,297

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
9,214

 
 
 
Total liabilities subject to compromise
 
$
5,278,612


  
(i)
Reflects the impacts of the reorganization adjustments:
 
 
In thousands
Total pre-tax gain on settlement of claims
 
$
4,142,104

Cancellation of predecessor common stock
 
2,145

Cancellation of predecessor paid-in capital
 
3,056,307

Cancellation of predecessor treasury stock
 
(53,863
)
 
 
 
Net impact on accumulated earnings (deficit)
 
$
7,146,693


(j)
Represents adjustments to record other receivables at fair value which includes an $0.8 million short-term receivable related to insurance coverage for self-insured workers’ compensation obligations.
 
(k)
Represents the following fair value adjustments: a $7.3 million increase related to coal inventory which was fair valued at estimated selling prices less the sum of selling costs, shipping costs and a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort offset by a $28.4 million reduction in critical spare parts inventory. During fresh start accounting, the Company changed its accounting policy with respect to critical spare parts with long lead times; previously these items were valued within inventory, but prospectively, these items will be capitalized within property, plant and equipment when purchased and depreciated over the life of the related equipment.

(l)
Represents the short-term portion of above market coal sales contracts of $71.1 million offset by $11.3 million in reductions related to prepaid balances. The fair value of sales contracts was estimated using a discounted cash flow model and will be amortized into earnings as the coal is shipped throughout the term of the associated contracts.

(m)
Represents a $2.4 billion reduction in property, plant and equipment to estimated fair value as discussed below:

 
Predecessor
Fresh Start Adjustments
Successor
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Net Coal Properties
$
2,358,779

$
(1,971,314
)
$
387,465

Net Plant & Equipment
812,888

(405,259
)
407,629

Net Deferred Charges
263,274

12,744

276,018

 
 
 
 
 
$
3,434,941

$
(2,363,829
)
$
1,071,112


The fair value of coal properties was established at $387.5 million utilizing a discounted cash flow model and the market approach. The market approach was used to provide a starting value of the coal mineral reserves without consideration for economic obsolescence. The DCF model was based on assumptions market participants would use in the pricing of these assets as well as projections of revenues and expenditures that would be incurred to mine or maintain these coal reserves through the life of mine. The basis of the DCF analysis was the Company’s prepared projections which included a variety of estimates and assumptions, such as pricing and demand for coal. The Company’s pricing was based on its view of the market taking into account third party forward pricing curves adjusted for the quality of products sold by the Company.

The fair value of plant and equipment was set at $407.6 million utilizing both market and cost approaches. The market approach was used to estimate the value of assets where detailed information for the asset was available and an active market was identified with a sufficient number of sales of comparable property that could be independently verified through reliable sources. The cost approach was utilized where there were limitations in the secondary equipment market to derive values from. The first step in the cost approach is the estimation of the cost required to replace the asset via construction or purchasing a new asset with similar utility adjusting for depreciation due to physical deterioration, functional obsolescence due to technology changes and economic obsolescence due to external factors such as regulatory changes. Useful lives were assigned to all assets based on remaining future economic benefit of each asset.

The fair value of deferred charges represents the corresponding asset related to the asset retirement obligation discussed in item (q) below.

(n)
Represents a fair value adjustment to a long-term prepaid royalty balance that the Company has concluded should not be assigned value based on market conditions and after considering economic obsolescence.

(o)
Represents a fair value adjustment to the Company’s equity investments in Knight Hawk Holdings, LLC, a coal producer in the Illinois Basin; and Dominion Terminal Associates which operates a ground storage-to-vessel coal trans-loading facility in Newport News, Virginia. Equity investments were fair valued in a manner similar to the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries using a discounted cash flow model and comparable company approach. The discount rate selected was 14% and due to the unobservable nature of the inputs, the fair values are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

(p)
Represents the long-term portion of above market coal sales contracts of $26.0 million and $18.6 million related to a long-term insurance receivable related to insurance coverage for self-insured workers’ compensation obligations partially offset by $13.2 million in reductions related to prepaid balances. The fair value of sales contracts was estimated using a discounted cash flow model and will be amortized into earnings as the coal is shipped throughout the term of the associated contracts.

(q)
Represents a fair value adjustment to miscellaneous accounts payable.

(r)
Represents fair value adjustments for the following: a $27.8 million increase related to the short-term portion of below market sales contracts offset by fair value adjustments to establish the current portion of pension, postretirement and workers’ compensation liabilities. The fair value of sales contracts was estimated using a discounted cash flow model and will be amortized into earnings as the coal is shipped throughout the term of the associated contracts.

(s)
Represents the fair value adjustment related to the Company’s asset retirement obligations which was calculated using discounted cash flow models based on current mine plans using the guidance provided within Accounting Standard Codification 410-20, “Asset Retirement Obligations.” The discount rates ranged from 7.06% to 9.08%.

(t)
Pension and postretirement benefits were fair valued based on plan assets and employee benefit obligations at October 1, 2016. The benefit obligations were computed using the applicable October 1, 2016 discount rates. In conjunction with fresh start accounting, the Company updated its mortality rate table assumptions and corridor assumption.

(u)
Represents fair value adjustments for workers’ compensation benefits, including occupational disease benefits, that were actuarially determined using the guidance provided within Accounting Standard Codification 712, “Non-retirement Post-employment Benefits.” Upon emergence, the Company’s accounting policy is to actuarially calculate this liability. Prior to emergence, the Company had accounted for its liability based on outstanding reserves calculated per third party administrators.

(v)
Represents the following fair value adjustments: $3.9 million increase related to the long-term portion of below market sales contracts partially offset by $3.1 million reduction in miscellaneous noncurrent liabilities. The fair value of sales contracts was estimated using a discounted cash flow model and will be amortized into earnings as the coal is shipped throughout the term of the associated contracts.

Reorganization Items, Net

In accordance with ASC 852, the statement of operations shall portray the results of operations of the reporting entity while it is in Chapter 11. Revenues, expenses (including professional fees), realized gains and losses, and provisions for losses resulting from reorganization and restructuring of the business shall be reported separately as reorganization items.

The Company’s reorganization items, net for the respective periods are as follows:

 
Successor
Predecessor
 
October 2 through December 31, 2016
January 1 through October 1, 2016
Year Ended December 31, 2015
Year Ended December 31, 2014
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
Gain on settlement of claims (per above)
$

$
4,142,104

$

$

Fresh start adjustments, net (per above)

(2,466,010
)


Professional fees
(759
)
(46,053
)


 
 

 
 
 
$
(759
)
$
1,630,041

$

$



Professional fees directly related to the reorganization include fees associated with advisors to the Company, certain secured creditors and the Creditors’ Committee. During the Successor period ended December 31, 2016, the Company continued to incur costs related to professional fees that are directly attributable to the reorganization.

Contractual Interest Expense During Bankruptcy

Upon the filing of bankruptcy, the Company discontinued recording interest expense on unsecured debt that was classified as a liability subject to compromise. Actual interest expense recorded on the Predecessor debt subsequent to the Petition Date was $135.9 million for the period January 1 through October 1, 2016; contractual interest during this time was $300.9 million.