10-Q 1 s5312110q.htm FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012 s5312110q.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
 
 x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
   
  or
   
 o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______________ to __________________
 
Commission File Number: 000- 52583

RIDGEWOOD ENERGY U FUND, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
Delaware
20-5464059
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
 
 
14 Philips Parkway, Montvale, NJ 07645
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

(800) 942-5550
(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 x      No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes x      No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) Yes o No x
 
As of May 7, 2012 the Fund had 486.4825 shares of LLC Membership Interest outstanding.

 
 
 
 


PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
  
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ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RIDGEWOOD ENERGY U FUND, LLC
(in thousands, except share data)

   
March 31,
    
December 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
Assets
            
Current assets:
            
Cash and cash equivalents
   $ 5,660     $ 5,352  
Short-term investments in marketable securities
     2,999       4,500  
Production receivable
     191       238  
Other current assets
     42       84  
Total current assets
     8,892       10,174  
Salvage fund
     1,152       1,145  
Oil and gas properties:
                
Advances to operators for working interests and expenditures
     -       235  
Unproved properties
     1,398       7,163  
Proved properties
     13,715       6,585  
Less:  accumulated depletion and amortization
     (3,898 )     (3,693 )
Total oil and gas properties, net
     11,215       10,290  
Total assets
   $ 21,259     $ 21,609  
                 
Liabilities and Members' Capital
                
Current liabilities:
                
Due to operators
   $ 1,214     $ 1,184  
Accrued expenses
     35       33  
Total current liabilities
     1,249       1,217  
Asset retirement obligations
     463       463  
Total liabilities
     1,712       1,680  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
                
                 
Members' capital:
                
Manager:
                
Distributions
     (643 )     (604 )
Accumulated deficit
     (618 )     (627 )
Manager's total
     (1,261 )     (1,231 )
                 
Shareholders:
                
Capital contributions (1000 shares authorized;
                
486.4825 issued and outstanding)
     72,381       72,381  
Syndication costs
     (8,541 )     (8,541 )
Distributions
     (5,935 )     (5,713 )
Accumulated deficit
     (37,097 )     (36,967 )
Shareholders' total
     20,808       21,160  
Total members' capital
     19,547       19,929  
Total liabilities and members' capital
   $ 21,259     $ 21,609  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
 
 
RIDGEWOOD ENERGY U FUND, LLC
(in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
Revenue
            
Oil and gas revenue
   $ 409     $ 912  
                 
Expenses
                
Depletion and amortization
     205       390  
Dry-hole costs
     (11 )     (18 )
Management fees to affiliate (Note 4)
     232       232  
Operating expenses
     48       48  
General and administrative expenses
     55       40  
Total expenses
     529       692  
(Loss) income from operations
     (120 )     220  
Other (loss) income
     (1 )     25  
Net (loss) income
   $ (121 )   $ 245  
                 
Manager Interest
                
Net income
   $ 9     $ 89  
                 
Shareholder Interest
                
Net (loss) income
   $ (130 )   $ 156  
Net (loss) income per share
   $ (267 )   $ 321  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
 
 
RIDGEWOOD ENERGY U FUND, LLC
(in thousands)
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
  
 
  
2012
    
2011
  
             
Cash flows from operating activities
            
Net (loss) income
   $ (121 )   $ 245  
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash
                
   provided by operating activities:
                
Depletion and amortization
     205       390  
Dry-hole costs
     (11 )     (18 )
Derivative instrument loss (income)
     8       (14 )
Derivative instrument settlements
     -       17  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
                
Decrease in production receivable
     47       96  
Decrease (increase) in other current assets
     34       (50 )
Increase (decrease) in due to operators
     2       (50 )
Increase in accrued expenses
     2       10  
Net cash provided by operating activities
     166       626  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities
                
Capital expenditures for oil and gas properties
     (1,091 )     (1,294 )
Proceeds from sale of oil and gas properties
     -       1,750  
Investments in marketable securities
     (2,999 )     -  
Proceeds from maturity of investments
     4,500       -  
Interest reinvested in salvage fund
     (7 )     (7 )
Net cash provided by investing activities
     403       449  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities
                
Distributions
     (261 )     (2,465 )
Net cash used in financing activities
     (261 )     (2,465 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
     308       (1,390 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
     5,352       5,150  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
   $ 5,660     $ 3,760  
                 
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing activities
                
Advances used for capital expenditures in oil and gas
properties reclassified to unproved properties
   $ 235     $ -  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed financial statements.
 
 
RIDGEWOOD ENERGY U FUND, LLC

1.
Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Organization
The Ridgewood Energy U Fund, LLC (the “Fund”), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on August 28, 2006 and operates pursuant to a limited liability company agreement (the “LLC Agreement”) dated as of October 1, 2006 by and among Ridgewood Energy Corporation (the “Manager”) and the shareholders of the Fund.  The Fund was organized to primarily acquire interests in oil and gas properties located in the United States offshore waters of Texas, Louisiana, and Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico.

The Manager has direct and exclusive control over the management of the Fund’s operations.  With respect to project investments, the Manager locates potential projects, conducts due diligence, and negotiates and completes the transactions in which the investments are made. The Manager performs, or arranges for the performance of, the management, advisory and administrative services required for Fund operations.  Such services include, without limitation, the administration of shareholder accounts, shareholder relations and the preparation, review and dissemination of tax and other financial information.  In addition, the Manager provides office space, equipment and facilities and other services necessary for Fund operations.  The Manager also engages and manages the contractual relations with unaffiliated custodians, depositories, accountants, attorneys, broker-dealers, corporate fiduciaries, insurers, banks and others as required.  See Notes 4 and 6.

Basis of Presentation
These unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared by the Fund’s management in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and in the opinion of management, contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the Fund’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in these unaudited interim condensed financial statements.  The results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of future financial results.  These unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s December 31, 2011 financial statements and notes thereto included in the Fund’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  The year-end condensed balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance 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 as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, the Manager reviews its estimates, including those related to the fair value of financial instruments, property balances, determination of proved reserves, impairments and asset retirement obligations. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
All highly liquid investments with maturities, when purchased, of three months or less, are considered cash and cash equivalents. At times, deposits may be in excess of federally insured limits, which, for interest bearing deposits, are $250 thousand per insured financial institution.  Additionally, non-interest bearing deposits are fully insured through December 31, 2012, after which they will be included within the $250 thousand limit.  At March 31, 2012, the Fund’s bank balances exceeded federally insured limits by $5.1 million, all of which was invested in money market accounts that invest solely in U.S. Treasury bills and notes.

Investments in Marketable Securities
At times, the Fund may invest in U.S. Treasury bills and notes. These investments are considered short-term when their maturities are one year or less, and long-term when their maturities are greater than one year. At March 31, 2012, the Fund had short-term, held-to-maturity investments of $3.0 million, which mature in July 2012. Held-to-maturity investments are those securities that the Fund has the ability and intent to hold until maturity, and are recorded at cost plus accrued income, adjusted for the amortization of premiums and discounts, which approximates fair value.
 
 
For all investments, interest income is accrued as earned and amortization of premium or discount, if any, is included in interest income.

Salvage Fund
The Fund deposits in a separate interest-bearing account, or salvage fund, money to provide for the dismantling and removal of production platforms and facilities and plugging and abandoning its wells at the end of their useful lives, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. At March 31, 2012, the Fund had investments in U.S. Treasury securities within its salvage fund that are classified as held-to-maturity of $1.0 million, which mature in May 2012.  Interest earned on the account will become part of the salvage fund.  There are no restrictions on withdrawals from the salvage fund.

Oil and Gas Properties
The Fund invests in oil and gas properties, which are operated by unaffiliated entities that are responsible for drilling, administering and producing activities pursuant to the terms of the applicable operating agreements with working interest owners. The Fund’s portion of exploration, drilling, operating and capital equipment expenditures is billed by operators.

Exploration, development and acquisition costs are accounted for using the successful efforts method. Costs of acquiring unproved and proved oil and natural gas leasehold acreage, including lease bonuses, brokers’ fees and other related costs are capitalized. Costs of drilling and equipping productive wells and related production facilities are capitalized.  Exploratory costs are capitalized pending determination of whether proved reserves have been found. If proved commercial reserves are not found, exploratory drilling costs are expensed as dry-hole costs. Annual lease rentals and exploration expenses are expensed as incurred.

Upon the sale or retirement of a proved property, the cost and related accumulated depletion and amortization will be eliminated from the property accounts, and the resultant gain or loss is recognized. Upon the sale or retirement of an unproved property, gain or loss on the sale is recognized.

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, amounts recorded in due to operators totaling $1.2 million related to capital expenditures for oil and gas properties.

Advances to Operators for Working Interests and Expenditures
The Fund’s acquisition of a working interest in a well or a project requires it to make a payment to the seller for the Fund’s rights, title and interest. The Fund may be required to advance its share of estimated cash expenditures for the succeeding month’s operation. The Fund accounts for such payments as advances to operators for working interests and expenditures. As drilling costs are incurred, the advances are reclassified to unproved or proved properties.

Asset Retirement Obligations
For oil and gas properties, there are obligations to perform removal and remediation activities when the properties are retired. When a project reaches drilling depth and is determined to be either proved or dry, an asset retirement obligation is incurred. Plug and abandonment costs associated with unsuccessful projects are expensed as dry-hole costs. As indicated above, the Fund maintains a salvage fund to provide for the funding of future asset retirement obligations.

Syndication Costs
Syndication costs are direct costs incurred by the Fund in connection with the offering of the Fund’s shares, including professional fees, selling expenses and administrative costs payable to the Manager, an affiliate of the Manager and unaffiliated broker-dealers, which are reflected on the Fund’s balance sheet as a reduction of shareholders’ capital.

Revenue Recognition and Imbalances
Oil and gas revenues are recognized when oil and gas is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if collectability of the revenue is probable. The Fund uses the sales method of accounting for gas production imbalances. The volumes of gas sold may differ from the volumes to which the Fund is entitled based on its interests in the properties. These differences create imbalances that are recognized as a liability only when the properties’ estimated remaining reserves net to the Fund will not be sufficient to enable the underproduced owner to recoup its entitled share through production. The Fund’s recorded liability, if any, would be reflected in other liabilities. No receivables are recorded for those wells where the Fund has taken less than its share of production.

 
Derivative Instruments
The Fund may periodically utilize derivative instruments to manage the price risk attributable to its oil and gas production. Derivative instruments are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and recorded as either an asset or liability. Changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. At this time, the Fund has elected not to use hedge accounting for its derivatives and, accordingly, the derivatives are marked-to-market each quarter with fair value gains and losses recognized currently as other income on the statement of operations. The related cash flow impact of the derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities on the statement of cash flows. See Note 2.  “Derivative Instruments,” for more information.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Fund reviews the value of its oil and gas properties whenever management determines that events and circumstances indicate that the recorded carrying value of properties may not be recoverable. Impairments of producing properties are determined by comparing future net undiscounted cash flows to the net book value at the time of the review.  If the net book value exceeds the future net undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value of the property is written down to fair value, which is determined using net discounted future cash flows from the producing property. The Fund provides for impairments on unproved properties when it determines that the property will not be developed or a permanent impairment in value has occurred.  The fair value determinations require considerable judgment and are sensitive to change.  Different pricing assumptions, reserve estimates or discount rates could result in a different calculated impairment. Given the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, it is reasonably possible that the Fund’s estimate of discounted future net cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves could change in the near term.  If oil and natural gas prices decline significantly, even if only for a short period of time, it is possible that write-downs of oil and gas properties could occur.   
 
Depletion and Amortization
Depletion and amortization of the cost of proved oil and gas properties are calculated using the units-of-production method.  Proved developed reserves are used as the base for depleting capitalized costs associated with successful exploratory well costs, development costs and related facilities. The sum of proved developed and proved undeveloped reserves is used as the base for depleting or amortizing leasehold acquisition costs.

Income Taxes
No provision is made for income taxes in the financial statements. The Fund is a limited liability company, and as such, the Fund’s income or loss is passed through and included in the tax returns of the Fund’s shareholders.

Income and Expense Allocation
Profits and losses are allocated 85% to shareholders in proportion to their relative capital contributions and 15% to the Manager, except for interest income and certain expenses such as dry-hole costs, trust fees, depletion and amortization, which are allocated 99% to shareholders and 1% to the Manager.

Distributions
Distributions to shareholders are allocated in proportion to the number of shares held. Certain shares have early investment incentive and advance distribution rights, as defined in the LLC Agreement, which range from approximately $6 thousand to $12 thousand per share. The Fund began making distributions to eligible early investors during the second quarter 2009.

The Manager determines whether available cash from operations, as defined in the LLC Agreement, will be distributed. Such distributions are allocated 85% to the shareholders and 15% to the Manager, as required by the LLC Agreement.

Available cash from dispositions, as defined in the LLC Agreement, will be paid 99% to shareholders and 1% to the Manager until the shareholders have received total distributions equal to their capital contributions.  After shareholders have received distributions equal to their capital contributions, 85% of available cash from dispositions will be distributed to shareholders and 15% to the Manager.

In January 2011, proceeds from the sale of the Aspen Project were distributed to the Manager and shareholders totaling $17 thousand and $1.7 million, respectively.
 
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
The Fund has considered recent accounting pronouncements and believes that these recent pronouncements will not have a material effect on the Fund’s financial statements.

2.
Derivative Instruments

The Fund periodically enters into derivative contracts relating to its oil or gas production.  During the first quarter 2011, the Fund entered into two eight-month derivative contracts for put options relating to the pricing of gas for a portion of its anticipated production. During the second quarter 2011, the Fund entered into three twelve-month derivative contracts for put options relating to the pricing of oil for a portion of its anticipated production. The use of such derivative instruments limits the downside risk of adverse price movements. Currently, the Fund has elected not to use hedge accounting for its derivatives and consequently, the derivatives are marked-to-market each quarter with fair value gains and losses recognized as other income on the statement of operations. The estimated fair value of these contracts is based upon various factors, including reported prices on the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) and the Intercontinental Exchange (“ICE”), volatility, and the time value of options. See Note 5. “Fair Value Measurements.” The Fund has exposure to credit risk to the extent the derivative instrument counterparty is unable to satisfy its settlement commitment. The Fund actively monitors the creditworthiness of each counterparty and assesses the impact, if any, on its derivative positions.

Derivative instruments are carried at their fair value on the balance sheet within “Other current assets”. The derivative contracts relating to gas pricing are settled based upon reported prices on NYMEX. The derivative contracts relating to oil pricing are settled based upon averaged reported prices on ICE. The Fund recognizes all unrealized and realized gains and losses related to these contracts on a mark-to-market basis in the statement of operations under the caption “Other income.” Settlements of derivative contracts are reflected in operating activities on the statement of cash flows.

At March 31, 2012, the Fund had outstanding derivative contracts with respect to its future production of oil that are not designated for hedge accounting as detailed in the following table.
 
Production Period
  
Type of
Contract
  
Volume in
barrels
    
ICE Contract
Price per
barrel
    
Estimated
 Fair Value
 Asset
  
                   
(in thousands)
  
April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012
  
Put Options
     189     $ 105.00     $ -  
April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012
  
Put Options
     88     $ 112.00     $ -  
April 1, 2012 - April 30, 2012
  
Put Options
     88     $ 100.00     $ -  
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Fund’s derivative instrument income consisted of the following:
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Realized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
   $ (6 )   $ 10  
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
     (2 )     4  
    $ (8 )   $ 14  
 
3.
Oil and Gas Properties

Leasehold acquisition and exploratory drilling costs are capitalized pending determination of whether the well has found proved reserves. Unproved properties are assessed on a quarterly basis by evaluating and monitoring if sufficient progress is made on assessing the reserves. At March 31, 2012, the Fund had no unproved properties with capitalized exploratory well costs in excess of one year.

In December 2010, after determining not to proceed with the completion of the Aspen Project, the Fund entered into an agreement to sell its working interest in the Aspen Project to Stone Energy Corporation, for net proceeds of $1.8 million in cash, which resulted in a loss of $2.7 million. The proceeds from the sale of the Aspen Project, which were classified as a receivable from sale of oil and gas properties on the balance sheet at December 31, 2010, were collected in January 2011.
 
 
Capitalized exploratory well costs are expensed as dry-hole costs in the event that reserves are not found or are not in sufficient quantities to complete the well and develop the field. At times, the Fund receives credits on certain wells from their respective operators upon review and audit of the wells’ costs.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011the Fund received credits to dry-hole costs of $11 thousand and $18 thousand, respectively.

4.
Related Parties

The LLC Agreement provides that the Manager render management, administrative and advisory services. For such services, the Manager is paid an annual management fee, payable monthly, of 2.5% of total capital contributions, net of cumulative dry-hole and related well costs incurred by the Fund. Management fees for each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.2 million.

The Manager is entitled to receive a 15% interest in cash distributions made by the Fund. Distributions paid to the Manager for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $39 thousand and $0.1 million, respectively.

At times, short-term payables and receivables, which do not bear interest, arise from transactions with affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

None of the compensation paid to the Manager has been derived as a result of arm’s length negotiations.

The Fund has working interest ownership in certain projects to acquire and develop oil and natural gas projects with other entities that are likewise managed by the Manager.

5.
Fair Value Measurements

At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments in marketable securities, production receivable, salvage fund and accrued expenses approximate fair value. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, derivative instruments are recorded at fair value based on Level 2 inputs, as the instruments are over-the-counter derivatives with a third party.

6.
Commitments and Contingencies

Capital Commitments
The Fund has entered into multiple agreements for the drilling and development of its investment properties. The estimated capital expenditures associated with these agreements vary depending on the stage of development on a property-by-property basis. As of March 31, 2012, the Fund had committed to spend an additional $7.1 million related to its investment properties, of which $1.9 million is expected to be spent during the next twelve months.

Environmental Considerations
The exploration for and development of oil and natural gas involves the extraction, production and transportation of materials which, under certain conditions, can be hazardous or cause environmental pollution problems. The Manager and operators of the Fund’s properties are continually taking action they believe appropriate to satisfy applicable federal, state and local environmental regulations and do not currently anticipate that compliance with federal, state and local environmental regulations will have a material adverse effect upon capital expenditures, results of operations or the competitive position of the Fund in the oil and gas industry. However, due to the significant public and governmental interest in environmental matters related to those activities, the Manager cannot predict the effects of possible future legislation, rule changes, or governmental or private claims. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no known environmental contingencies that required the Fund to record a liability.

In response to the April 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the United States Congress is considering a number of legislative proposals relating to the upstream oil and gas industry both onshore and offshore. Such proposals could result in significant additional laws or regulations governing the Fund’s operations in the United States, including a proposal to raise or eliminate the cap on liability for oil spill cleanups under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Although it is not possible at this time to predict whether proposed legislation or regulations will be adopted as initially written, if at all, or how legislation or new regulation that may be adopted would impact our business, any such future laws and regulations could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s operating results and cash flows.
 
 
Insurance Coverage
The Fund is subject to all risks inherent in the exploration for and development of oil and natural gas. Insurance coverage as is customary for entities engaged in similar operations is maintained, but losses may occur from uninsurable risks or amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The occurrence of an event that is not insured or not fully insured could have an adverse impact upon earnings and financial position. Moreover, insurance is obtained as a package covering all of the funds managed by the Manager. Claims made by other funds managed by the Manager can reduce or eliminate insurance for the Fund.

7.
Subsequent Events

The Fund has assessed the impact of subsequent events through the date of issuance of its financial statements, and has concluded that there were no such events that require adjustment to, or disclosure in, the notes to the financial statements.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”) and the documents Ridgewood Energy U Fund, LLC (the “Fund”) has incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to the Fund’s business plans, strategies, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. You are therefore cautioned against relying on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by words such as “believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “strategy,” “plan,” “target,” “pursue,” “may,” “will,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions and references to future periods. Examples of events that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated include weather conditions, such as hurricanes, changes in market conditions affecting the pricing of oil and natural gas, the cost and availability of equipment, and changes in governmental regulations. Examples of forward-looking statements made herein include statements regarding future projects, investments and insurance. Forward-looking statements made in this document speak only as of the date on which they are made. The Fund undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The following discussion and analysis of the Fund’s financial condition and operating results is based on its financial statements. The preparation of this Quarterly Report requires the Fund to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Fund’s financial statements, and the reported amount of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates and assumptions.  See “Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements” in Part I of this Quarterly Report for a presentation of the Fund’s significant accounting policies. No changes have been made to the Fund’s critical accounting policies and estimates disclosed in its 2011 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview of the Fund’s Business

The Fund is a Delaware limited liability company formed on August 28, 2006 to primarily acquire interests in oil and natural gas properties located in the United States offshore waters of Texas, Louisiana and Alabama in the Gulf of Mexico.  The Fund’s primary investment objective is to generate cash flow for distribution to its shareholders by generating returns across a portfolio of exploratory or development oil and natural gas projects.  However, the Fund is not required to make distributions to shareholders except as provided in the Fund’s limited liability company agreement (the “LLC Agreement”).

Ridgewood Energy Corporation (the “Manager” or “Ridgewood Energy”) is the Manager, and as such, has direct and exclusive control over the management of the Fund’s operations.  The Manager performs certain duties on the Fund’s behalf including the evaluation of potential projects for investment and ongoing management, administrative and advisory services associated with these projects.  For these services, the Manager receives an annual management fee equal to 2.5% of capital contributions, net of cumulative dry-hole and related well costs incurred by the Fund, payable monthly.  The Fund does not currently, nor is there any plan to, operate any project in which the Fund participates.  The Manager enters into operating agreements with third-party operators for the management of all exploration, development and producing operations, as appropriate.  The Manager also participates in distributions.

Revenues are subject to market pricing for oil and natural gas, which has been volatile, and is likely to continue to be volatile in the future.  This volatility is caused by numerous factors and market conditions that the Fund cannot control or influence. Therefore, it is impossible to predict the future price of oil and natural gas with any certainty. Low commodity prices could have an adverse effect on the Fund’s future profitability.
 
 
Business Update

Information regarding the Fund’s current projects, all of which are located in the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, is provided in the following table.
 
       
Total Spent
          
   
Working
  
through
    
Total Fund
    
Lease Block
  
Interest
  
March 31, 2012
    
Budget
  
Status
       
(in thousands)
    
Non-producing Properties
                  
Diller Project
   0.83%   $ 1,072     $ 3,751  
Acquired interest in May 2010.  Drilling commenced in December 2011.  Discovery in March 2012.
Marmalard Project
   0.83%   $ 326     $ 3,716  
Acquired interest in May 2010.  Drilling permit obtained in February 2012.  Drilling commenced in March 2012.  Drilling results expected second quarter 2012.
Producing Properties
                      
Alpha Project
   3.75%   $ 6,851     $ 7,827  
Well completed and production commenced in April 2012.
Cobalt Project
   5.0%   $ 2,368     $ 2,433  
Production commenced in 2009.   Multiple recompletion efforts planned at an estimated cost of $65 thousand.
Emerald Project well #1
   5.0%   $ 3,312     $ 3,312  
Production commenced in 2009. Work to install a compressor was completed in February 2012  at a cost of $68 thousand.
Emerald Project well #2
   5.0%   $ 757     $ 775  
Production commenced in 2010.  Recompletion efforts to access behind the pipe reserves are planned for 2013 at an estimated cost of $18 thousand.
 
Results of Operations

The following table summarizes the Fund’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements and notes thereto included within Item 1.  “Financial Statements” in Part I in this Quarterly Report.

   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Revenue
            
Oil and gas revenue
   $ 409     $ 912  
                 
Expenses
                
Depletion and amortization
     205       390  
Dry-hole costs
     (11 )     (18 )
Management fees to affiliate
     232       232  
Operating expenses
     48       48  
General and administrative expenses
     55       40  
Total expenses
     529       692  
(Loss) income from operations
     (120 )     220  
Other (loss) income
     (1 )     25  
Net (loss) income
   $ (121 )   $ 245  
 
Overview.  The following table provides information related to the Fund’s oil and gas production and oil and gas revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
Number of wells producing
     3       3  
Total number of production days
     267       258  
Average mcfe per production day
     342       650  
Oil sales (in hundreds of barrels)
     9       25  
Average oil price per barrel
   $ 114     $ 101  
Gas sales (in thousands of mcfs)
     72       143  
Average gas price per mcf
   $ 2.34     $ 4.12  

The increase in production days was principally attributable to the Cobalt Project which had been shut in during the three months ended March 31, 2011 due to ongoing maintenance efforts. The decreases in average production rates and sales volumes were principally attributable to the Emerald and Cobalt projects. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, a compressor installation was completed for the Emerald Project to improve production rates.  The Cobalt Project is continuing to produce out its current zone at lower rates than prior year due to natural declines in well production.  Once the current zone is fully depleted, the Cobalt Project will undergo a recompletion, currently expected for 2014.  See additional discussion in “Business Update” section above.

Oil and Gas Revenue.  Oil and gas revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $0.4 million, a $0.5 million decrease from the three months ended March 31, 2011.  Oil revenue decreased $0.1 million, primarily attributable to decreased oil sales volumes.  Gas revenue decreased $0.4 million, of which $0.3 million is attributable to decreased gas volumes and $0.1 million is attributable to a decrease in gas prices.  See “Overview” above for additional information.

Depletion and Amortization.  Depletion and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was $0.2 million, a decrease of $0.2 million from the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in production volumes. See “Overview” above for additional information.

Dry-hole Costs.  Dry-hole costs are those costs incurred to drill and develop a well that is ultimately found to be incapable of producing either oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to justify completion of the well.  At times, the Fund receives credits on certain wells from their respective operators upon review and audit of the wells’ costs.  During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 the Fund received credits to dry-hole costs of $11 thousand and $18 thousand, respectively.

Management Fees to Affiliate.  Management fees for each of the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were $0.2 million.  An annual management fee, totaling 2.5% of total capital contributions, net of cumulative dry-hole and related well costs incurred by the Fund, is paid monthly to the Manager.

Operating Expenses.  Operating expenses represent costs specifically identifiable or allocable to the Fund’s wells, as detailed in the following table.
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Lease operating expense
   $ 46     $ 44  
Other
     2       4  
    $ 48     $ 48  
 
Lease operating expense relates to the Fund’s producing properties during each period as outlined above in “Overview”.  The average production cost was $0.50 per mcfe during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to $0.26 per mcfe during the three months ended March 31, 2011.

General and Administrative Expenses.  General and administrative expenses represent costs specifically identifiable or allocable to the Fund, as detailed in the following table.
 
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Insurance expense
   $ 31     $ (1 )
Accounting fees
     22       36  
Other
     2       5  
    $ 55     $ 40  

Insurance expense represents premiums related to producing well and control of well insurance, which varies depending upon the number of wells producing or drilling, and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.  Accounting fees represent audit and tax preparation fees, quarterly reviews and filing fees incurred by the Fund.

Other (Loss) Income.  Other (loss) income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is detailed in the following table.
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
  
   
2012
    
2011
  
   
(in thousands)
  
Interest income
   $ 7     $ 11  
Realized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
     (6 )     10  
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments
     (2 )     4  
    $ (1 )   $ 25  
 
Capital Resources and Liquidity

Operating Cash Flows
Cash flows provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were $0.2 million, primarily related to revenue received of $0.5 million, partially offset by management fees of $0.2 million and operating expenses and general and administrative expenses paid of $0.1 million.

Cash flows provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $0.6 million, primarily related to revenue received of $1.0 million, partially offset by management fees of $0.2 million, operating expenses paid of $0.1 million and the purchase of derivative instruments of $0.1 million.

Investing Cash Flows
Cash flows provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were $0.4 million, primarily related to the proceeds received from the maturity of U.S. Treasury securities of $4.5 million, partially offset by investments in U.S. Treasury securities of $3.0 million and capital expenditures for oil and gas properties of $1.1 million.

Cash flows provided by investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $0.4 million, primarily related to the proceeds from the sale of the Aspen Project totaling $1.8 million, partially offset by capital expenditures for oil and gas properties of $1.3 million.

Financing Cash Flows
Cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2012 were $0.3 million, related to manager and shareholder distributions.

Cash flows used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2011 were $2.5 million, related to manager and shareholder distributions.

Estimated Capital Expenditures

The Fund has entered into multiple agreements for the acquisition, drilling and development of its investment properties.  The estimated capital expenditures associated with these agreements can vary depending on the stage of development on a property-by-property basis.  As of March 31, 2012, the Fund had committed to spend an additional $7.1 million related to its investment properties, of which $1.9 million is expected to be spent during the next twelve months.
 
 
When the Manager makes a decision to participate in an exploratory project, it assumes that the well will be successful and allocates enough capital to budget for the completion of that well and the additional development wells and infrastructure anticipated.  If an exploratory well is deemed a dry hole or if it is determined by the Manager to be un-economical, the capital allocated to the completion of that well and to the development of additional wells is then reallocated to a new project or used to make additional investments.

Capital expenditures for investment properties are funded with the capital raised by the Fund in its private placement offering, which is all the capital it will obtain.  The number of projects in which the Fund can invest is limited, and each unsuccessful project the Fund experiences exhausts its capital and reduces its ability to generate revenue.

Liquidity Needs

The Fund’s primary short-term liquidity needs are to fund its operations, inclusive of management fees, and capital expenditures for its investment properties.  Operations are funded utilizing operating income, existing cash on-hand, short-term investments, if any, and income earned therefrom.

The Manager is entitled to receive an annual management fee from the Fund regardless of the Fund’s profitability in that year. Generally, all or a portion of the management fee is paid from operating income.

Distributions, if any, are funded from available cash from operations, as defined in the LLC Agreement, and the frequency and amount are within the Manager’s discretion.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Fund had no off-balance sheet arrangements at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 and does not anticipate the use of such arrangements in the future.

Contractual Obligations

The Fund enters into participation and joint operating agreements with operators.  On behalf of the Fund, an operator enters into various contractual commitments pertaining to exploration, development and production activities.  The Fund does not negotiate such contracts.  No contractual obligations exist at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 other than those discussed in “Estimated Capital Expenditures” above.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Fund has considered recent accounting pronouncements and believes that these recent pronouncements will not have a material effect on the Fund’s financial statements.


Not required.


In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), the Fund’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report.  Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Fund’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2012.

There has been no change in the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting.

 


None.


Not required.


None.


None.


None.


None.


EXHIBIT
NUMBER
 TITLE OF EXHIBIT METHOD OF FILING
     
31.1
Certification of Robert E. Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of
the Fund, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
Filed herewith
     
31.2
Certification of Kathleen P. McSherry, Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of the Fund, pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 13a-14(a)
Filed herewith
     
32
Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
signed by Robert E. Swanson, Chief Executive Officer of the
Fund and Kathleen P. McSherry, Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of the Fund
Filed herewith
     
101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
*
     
101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
*
     
101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
*
     
101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
*
     
101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
*

*  Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.
 
 

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
       
RIDGEWOOD ENERGY U FUND, LLC
  
           
Dated: May 7, 2012
By:
/s/
  
ROBERT E. SWANSON
  
   
Name:
  
Robert E. Swanson
  
   
Title:
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
  
 
           
Dated: May 7, 2012
By:
/s/
  
KATHLEEN P. MCSHERRY
  
   
Name:
  
Kathleen P. McSherry
  
   
Title:
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16