Equity-Based Compensation

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Equity-Based Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation

(9) Equity-Based Compensation

On June 17, 2020, Antero Resources’ stockholders approved the Antero Resources Corporation 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”), which replaced the Antero Resources Corporation Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”), and the 2020 Plan became effective as of such date. The 2020 Plan provides for grants of stock options (including incentive stock options), stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, RSU awards, vested stock awards, dividend equivalent awards and other stock-based and cash awards. The terms and conditions of the awards granted are established by the Compensation Committee of Antero Resources’ Board of Directors. Employees, officers, non-employee directors and other service providers of the Company and its affiliates are eligible to receive awards under the 2020 Plan. No further awards will be granted under the 2013 Plan on or after June 17, 2020.

The 2020 Plan provides for the reservation of 10,050,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, plus the number of certain shares that become available again for delivery from the 2013 Plan in accordance with the share recycling provisions described below. The share recycling provisions allow for all or any portion of an award (including an award granted under the 2013 Plan that was outstanding as of June 17, 2020) that expires or is cancelled, forfeited, exchanged, settled for cash or otherwise terminated without actual delivery of the shares to be considered not delivered and thus available for new awards under the 2020 Plan. Further, any shares withheld or surrendered in payment of any taxes relating to awards that were outstanding under either the 2013 Plan as of June 17, 2020 or are granted under the 2020 Plan (other than stock options and stock appreciation rights), will again be available for new awards under the 2020 Plan.

A total of 7,059,518 shares were available for future grant under the 2020 Plan as of December 31, 2023.

Antero Midstream Partners’ general partner was authorized to grant up to 10,000,000 common units representing limited partner interests in Antero Midstream Partners under the Antero Midstream Partners LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “AMP Plan”) to non-employee directors of its general partner and certain officers, employees, and consultants of Antero Midstream Partners and its affiliates (which includes Antero Resources). Antero Resources deconsolidated Antero Midstream Partners on March 12, 2019, and on such date, each outstanding phantom unit award under the AMP Plan, was assumed by Antero Midstream and converted into 1.8926 RSUs (all such RSUs, the “Converted AM RSU Awards”) under the Antero Midstream Corporation Long Term Incentive Plan (the “AM Plan”). Each RSU award under the AM Plan represented a right to receive one share of Antero Midstream common stock. As of December 31, 2023, all Converted AM RSU Awards were fully vested.

The Company’s equity-based compensation expense, by type of award, is as follows (in thousands):

	Year Ended December 31,
	2021		2022		2023
RSU awards	$	13,232		18,915		32,744
PSU awards		4,662		14,920		25,322
Converted AM RSU Awards (1)		1,160		209		1
Equity awards issued to directors		1,383		1,399		1,452
Total expense	$	20,437		35,443		59,519

(1) Antero Resources recognized compensation expense for equity awards granted under both the 2013 Plan and the AMP Plan because the awards under the AMP Plan are accounted for as if they are distributed by Antero Midstream Partners to Antero Resources. Antero Resources allocates a portion of equity-based compensation expense related to grants prior March 13, 2019 (date of deconsolidation) to Antero Midstream Partners based on its proportionate share of Antero Resources’ labor costs. As of December 31, 2023, all Converted AM RSU Awards were fully vested, and there is no remaining unamortized expense attributable to these awards

The total fair value of the Company’s vested equity awards for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were $34 million, $158 million and $75 million, respectively.

(a) Restricted Stock Unit Awards

RSU awards vest subject to the satisfaction of service requirements. Expense related to each RSU award is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The grant date fair values of these awards are determined based on the closing price of Antero Resources’ common stock on the date of the grant. The weighted average grant date fair value per share for RSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were $9.63, $35.64 and $25.90, respectively.

A summary of RSU award activity is as follows:

		Weighted
		Average
	Number	Grant Date
	of Units	Fair Value
Total awarded and unvested—December 31, 2022	4,676,219	$	15.29
Granted	1,474,930		25.90
Vested	(2,464,072)		10.92
Forfeited	(166,027)		23.83
Total awarded and unvested—December 31, 2023	3,521,050	$	22.40

As of December 31, 2023, there was $57 million of unamortized equity-based compensation expense related to unvested RSUs. That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

(b) Performance Share Unit Awards

Performance Share Unit Awards Based on Total Shareholder Return

In 2018, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its employees and executive officers, a portion of which would vest based on the Company’s absolute TSR, with target payout achieved if the price per share of Antero Resources’ common stock reaches 125% of the beginning price (as defined in the award agreement) at the end of a three-year performance period (“2018 TSR PSUs”). The number of awards actually earned with respect to the 2018 TSR PSUs were subject to further adjustment based on the TSR of Antero Resources’ common stock relative to the TSR of a peer group of companies over the same period. The number of shares of common stock that could ultimately be earned with respect to the 2018 TSR PSUs ranged from zero to 200% of the target number of 2018 TSR PSUs originally granted. Expense related to the 2018 TSR PSUs was recognized on a straight-line basis over three years. Forfeitures were accounted for as they occurred by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The performance conditions for the 2018 TSR PSUs were not met, and no vesting for these awards was achieved.

In 2019, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its employees and executive officers that vested based on Antero Resources’ absolute TSR, with target payout achieved if the price per share of Antero Resources’ common stock reaches 125% of the beginning price (as defined in the award agreement) at the end of a three-year performance period (“2019 Absolute TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock which could ultimately be earned ranged from zero to 200% of the PSUs granted. Expense related to these PSUs was recognized on a straight-line basis over three years. Forfeitures were accounted for as they occurred by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. During 2022, the market-based performance condition for the 2019 Absolute TSR PSUs was met at 200% of target and were converted into approximately 2 million shares of common stock.

In 2020, the Company granted PSU awards to certain of its executive officers that vested based on Antero Resources’ absolute TSR determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on April 15, 2021, April 15, 2022 and April 15, 2023, and one cumulative three-year performance period ending on April 15, 2023, in each case, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment through April 15, 2023 (“2020 Absolute TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that could ultimately be earned following the end of the cumulative three-year performance period ranged from zero to 150% of the target number of PSUs granted. Expense related to these PSUs was recognized on a graded-vested basis over approximately three years. Forfeitures were accounted for as they occurred by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The performance conditions for each of the performance periods ended April 15, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were met. During 2023, the 2020 Absolute TSR PSUs vested at 112% of target for all four performance periods and were converted into approximately 0.2 million shares of common stock.

Additionally, in 2020, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its executive officers that vested based on Antero Resources’ TSR relative to the TSR of certain peer companies determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on April 15, 2021, April 15, 2022, and April 15, 2023, and one cumulative three-year performance period ending on April 15, 2023, in each case, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment through April 15, 2023 (“2020 Relative TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that could ultimately be earned following the end of the cumulative three-year performance period ranged from zero to 150% of the target number of PSUs granted. Expense related to these PSUs was recognized on a graded-vested basis over approximately three years. Forfeitures were accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The performance condition for each of the performance periods ended April 15, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were met. During 2023, the 2020 Relative TSR PSUs vested at 126% of target for all four performance periods and were converted into approximately 0.2 million shares of common stock.

In 2021, the Company granted PSU awards to certain of its executive officers that vest based on Antero Resources’ absolute TSR determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on April 15, 2022, April 15, 2023, and April 15, 2024, and one cumulative three-year performance period ending on April 15, 2024, in each case, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment through April 15, 2024 (“2021 Absolute TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the cumulative three-year performance period with respect to the 2021 Absolute TSR PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of 2021 Absolute TSR PSUs originally granted. Expense related to these PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The performance condition for the performance period ended April 15, 2022 was met, and 200% vesting was achieved for this award tranche. The performance condition for the performance period ended April 15, 2023 was not met, and as a result, no vesting for this award tranche was achieved.

In 2022, the Company granted PSU awards to certain of its senior management and executive officers that vest based on Antero Resources’ absolute TSR determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on April 15, 2023, April 15, 2024 and April 15, 2025, and one cumulative three-year performance period ending on April 15, 2025, in each case, subject to certain continued employment criteria (“2022 Absolute TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the cumulative three-year performance period with respect to the 2022 Absolute TSR PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of 2022 Absolute TSR PSUs originally granted. Expense related to these PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The performance condition for the performance period ended April 15, 2023 was not met, and as a result, no vesting for this award tranche was achieved.

Additionally, in 2022, the Company granted PSU awards to certain of its senior management and executive officers that vest based on Antero Resources’ absolute TSR determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, and one cumulative three-year performance period ending on December 31, 2025, in each case, subject to certain continued employment criteria (“Special 2022 Absolute TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the cumulative three-year performance period with respect to the Special 2022 Absolute TSR PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of Special 2022 Absolute TSR PSUs originally granted. Expense related to these PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The performance condition for the performance period ended December 31, 2023 was not met, and as a result, no vesting for this award tranche was achieved.

In 2023, the Company granted PSU awards to certain of its senior management and executive officers that vest based on Antero Resources’ absolute TSR determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on March 7, 2024, March 7, 2025 and March 7, 2026, and one cumulative three-year performance period ending on March 7, 2026, in each case, subject to certain continued employment criteria (“2023 Absolute TSR PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the cumulative three-year performance period with respect to the 2023 Absolute TSR PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of 2023 Absolute TSR PSUs originally granted. Expense related to these PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period.

Performance Share Unit Awards Based on Leverage Ratio

In 2021, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its executive officers that vested based on the Company’s total debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by the Company’s Adjusted EBITDAX (as defined in the award agreement) determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on December 31, 2021, December 31, 2022, and December 31, 2023, in each case, subject to the executive officer’s continued employment through December 31, 2023 (“2021 Leverage Ratio PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that could ultimately be earned following the end of the third performance period with respect to the 2021 Leverage Ratio PSUs ranged from zero to 200% of the target number of 2021 Leverage Ratio PSUs originally granted. Expense related to the 2021 Leverage Ratio PSUs was recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period that reflects the number of shares of common stock that are expected to be issued at the end of each measurement period, and such expense is reversed if the likelihood of achieving the performance condition becomes improbable. The performance conditions for the performance periods ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were met at 200% of target. During the first quarter of 2024, the 2021 Leverage Ratio PSUs vested and converted into approximately 0.4 million shares of common stock.

In 2022, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its senior management and executive officers that vest based on the Company’s total debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by the Company’s Adjusted EBITDAX (as defined in the award agreement) determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on December 31, 2022, December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, in each case, subject to certain continued employment criteria (“2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the third performance period with respect to the 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs originally granted. Expense related to the 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period that reflects the number of shares of common stock that are expected to be issued at the end of each measurement period, and such expense is reversed if the likelihood of achieving the performance condition becomes improbable. The performance conditions for the performance periods ended December 31, 2022 and 2023 were met, and 200% vesting was achieved for these award tranches. As of December 31, 2023, the likelihood of achieving the performance conditions related to the 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs was probable.

Additionally, in 2022, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its senior management and executive officers that vest based on the Company’s total debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by the Company’s Adjusted EBITDAX (as defined in the award agreement) determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, in each case, subject to certain continued employment criteria (“Special 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the third performance period with respect to the Special 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of Special 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs originally granted. Expense related to the Special 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period that reflects the number of shares of common stock that are expected to be issued at the end of each measurement period, and such expense is reversed if the likelihood of achieving the performance condition becomes improbable. The performance condition for the performance period ended December 31, 2023 was met, and 200% vesting was achieved for this award tranche. As of December 31, 2023, the likelihood of achieving the performance conditions related to the Special 2022 Leverage Ratio PSUs was probable.

In 2023, the Company granted PSUs to certain of its senior management and executive officers that vest based on the Company’s total debt less cash and cash equivalents divided by the Company’s Adjusted EBITDAX (as defined in the award agreement) determined as of the last day of each of three one-year performance periods ending on December 31, 2023, December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2025, in each case, subject to certain continued employment criteria (“2023 Leverage Ratio PSUs”). The number of shares of common stock that may ultimately be earned following the end of the third performance period with respect to the 2023 Leverage Ratio PSUs ranges from zero to 200% of the target number of 2023 Leverage Ratio PSUs originally granted. Expense related to the 2023 Leverage Ratio PSUs is recognized on a graded-vested basis over the term of each performance period that reflects the number of shares of common stock that are expected to be issued at the end of each measurement period, and such expense is reversed if the likelihood of achieving the performance condition becomes improbable. The performance condition for the performance period ended December 31, 2023 was met, and 200% vesting was achieved for this award tranche. As of December 31, 2023, the likelihood of achieving the performance conditions related to the 2023 Leverage Ratio PSUs was probable.

Summary Information for Performance Share Unit Awards

A summary of PSU activity is as follows:

		Weighted
		Average
	Number	Grant Date
	of Units	Fair Value
Total awarded and unvested—December 31, 2022	1,329,725	$	23.18
Granted	417,466		28.51
Vested (1)	(335,000)		2.97
Total awarded and unvested—December 31, 2023	1,412,191	$	29.54

(1) During the year ended December 31, 2023, the PSUs granted in 2020 that were based on absolute TSR and relative TSR met the performance criteria to achieve vesting at 112% and 126% of target, respectively, and converted into approximately 0.4 million shares of the Company’s common stock.

The grant-date fair values of market-based PSUs were determined using Monte Carlo simulations, which use a probabilistic approach for estimating the fair values of the awards. Expected volatilities were derived from the volatility of the historical stock prices of a peer group of similar publicly-traded companies. The risk-free interest rate was determined using the yield available for zero-coupon U.S. government issues with remaining terms corresponding to the service periods of the PSUs. A dividend yield of zero was assumed. The grant-date fair value for the Adjusted EBITDAX-based PSUs was based on the closing price of Antero Resources’ common stock on the date of the grant, assuming target achievement of the performance condition. The weighted average grant date fair value per share for PSUs granted during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were $9.71, $37.96 and $28.51, respectively.

The following table presents information regarding the weighted average fair values for market-based PSUs, and the assumptions used to determine the fair values:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2021			2022			2023
Dividend yield		—	%		—	%		—	%
Volatility		85	%		87 - 88	%		82	%
Risk-free interest rate		0.32	%		2.65 - 4.49	%		4.61	%
Weighted average fair value of awards granted	$	11.99			49.32			33.96

As of December 31, 2023, there was $19 million of unamortized equity-based compensation expense related to unvested PSUs. That expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

(c) Converted AM RSU Awards

Phantom units granted by Antero Midstream Partners vested subject to the satisfaction of service requirements, upon the completion of which common units in Antero Midstream Partners were delivered to the holder of the phantom units. Phantom units also contained distribution equivalent rights, which entitled the holder of vested common units to receive a “catch up” payment equal to common unit distributions paid by Antero Midstream Partners during the vesting period of the phantom unit award. These phantom units were treated, for accounting purposes, as if Antero Midstream Partners distributed the units to Antero Resources. Antero Resources recognized compensation expense as the units were granted to its employees, and a portion of the expense is allocated to Antero Midstream Partners. Expense related to each phantom unit award was recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. Forfeitures were accounted for as they occurred by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. The grant date fair values of these awards were determined based on the closing price of Antero Midstream Partners’ common units on the date of grant.

On March 12, 2019, the Board of Directors of Antero Midstream adopted the AM Plan, and as a result, each outstanding phantom unit under the AMP Plan was assumed by Antero Midstream and converted into 1.8926 restricted stock units under the AM Plan.

A summary of the Converted AM RSU Awards is as follows:

		Weighted
		Average
	Number	Grant Date
	of Units	Fair Value
Total awarded and unvested—December 31, 2022	2,827	$	12.38
Vested	(2,827)		12.38
Total awarded and unvested—December 31, 2023	—	$	—

As of December 31, 2023, all Converted AM RSU Awards were fully vested resulting in no unamortized equity-based compensation expense related to unvested Converted AM RSU Awards.

(d) Stock Options

Stock options granted under the 2013 Plan have a maximum contractual life of 10 years. Expense related to stock options is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the entire award. Forfeitures are accounted for as they occur by reversing the expense previously recognized for awards that were forfeited during the period. Stock options were granted with an exercise price equal to or greater than the market price of Antero Resources’ common stock on the dates of grant.

A summary of stock option activity is as follows:

				Weighted
		Weighted		Average
		Average		Remaining	Intrinsic
	Number	Exercise		Contractual	Value
	of Options	Price		Life	(in thousands) (1)
Outstanding—December 31, 2022	323,960	$	50.86	2.0	$	—
Expired	(65,264)		54.10	—		—
Outstanding—December 31, 2023	258,696	$	50.04	1.3		—
Vested—December 31, 2023	258,696	$	50.04	1.3	$	—
Exercisable—December 31, 2023	258,696	$	50.04	1.3	$	—

(1) Intrinsic values are based on the exercise price of the options and the closing price of Antero Resources’ common stock on the referenced dates.

A Black-Scholes option-pricing model is used to determine the grant-date fair value of stock options. Expected volatility was derived from the volatility of the historical stock prices of a peer group of similar publicly traded companies’ stock prices as Antero Resources’ common stock had traded for a relatively short period of time at the dates the options were granted. The risk-free interest rate was determined using the implied yield available for zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a remaining term approximating the expected life of the options. A dividend yield of zero was assumed.