Leases (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]

Adoption of ASC Topic 842, Leases

On January 1, 2019, QEP adopted ASC Topic 842, Leases, using the modified retrospective approach, which was applied to historical leases that were still effective as of January 1, 2019. Results for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2019, are presented in accordance with ASC Topic 842, while prior period amounts are reported in accordance with historical accounting treatment under ASC Topic 840, Leases.

In accordance with the adoption of ASC Topic 842, QEP now records a net operating lease right-of-use (ROU) asset and operating lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all operating leases with a contract term in excess of 12 months. Prior to the adoption of ASC Topic 842, these same leases were treated as operating leases under ASC Topic 840 and therefore were not recorded on the December 31, 2018 Consolidated Balance Sheet. There was no impact to retained earnings and no significant impact on the Consolidated Statements of Operations or the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as a result of adopting ASC Topic 842.

Lease Recognition

QEP enters into contractual lease arrangements to rent office space, compressors, generators, drilling rigs and other equipment from third-party lessors. ROU assets represent QEP’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent QEP’s obligation to make future lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recorded at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognizes lease expense for these short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. With the exception of generators, QEP does not account for lease components separately from the non-lease components. The contractual consideration provided under QEP's leased generators is allocated between lease components, such as equipment, and non-lease components, such as maintenance service fees, based on estimated costs from the vendor. QEP uses the implicit interest rate when readily determinable. However, most of QEP's lease agreements do not provide an implicit interest rate. As such, QEP uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date of the contract in determining the present value of future lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is calculated using a risk-free interest rate adjusted for QEP's risk. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease incentives received in the recognition of the present value of future lease payments. Certain of QEP's leases may also include escalation clauses or options to extend or terminate the lease. These options are included in the present value recorded for the leases when it is reasonably certain that QEP will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

QEP determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of the contract and records the resulting operating lease asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Operating lease right-of-use assets, net” with offsetting liabilities recorded as “Current operating lease liabilities” and “Operating lease liabilities.” QEP recognizes a lease in the financial statements when the arrangement either explicitly or implicitly involves property, plant, or equipment (PP&E), the contract terms are dependent on the use of the PP&E, and QEP has the ability or right to operate the PP&E or to direct others to operate the PP&E and receive the majority of the economic benefits of the assets. As of December 31, 2019, QEP does not have any financing leases.

Lease costs represent the straight-line lease expense of ROU assets and short-term leases. The components of lease cost are classified as follows:



	As of December 31,
	2019 ⁽¹⁾
	(in millions)
Lease Cost included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
Property, Plant and Equipment acquisitions ⁽²⁾	$	13.8

	Year Ended December 31,
	2019 ⁽¹⁾
	(in millions)
Lease Cost included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations
Lease operating expense	$	11.9
Gathering and other expense	7.7
General and administrative	5.7

Total lease cost	$	25.3

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⁽¹⁾	Prior periods are not presented as prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective method for the new lease recognition rule, ASC Topic 842. Refer to Note 1 – Basis of Presentation for additional information.


⁽²⁾	Represents short-term lease capital expenditures related to drilling rigs for the twelve months ended December 31, 2019. These costs are capitalized as a part of "Proved properties" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Lease term and discount rate related to the Company's leases are as follows:



	December 31, 2019 ⁽¹⁾
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)	5.4
Weighted-average discount rate	8.0	%

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⁽¹⁾

Prior periods are not presented as prior period amounts have not been adjusted under the modified retrospective method for the new lease recognition rule, ASC Topic 842. Refer to Note 1 – Basis of Presentation for additional information.