Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

10. Fair Value Measurements

In accordance with ASC 820—Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, fair value measurements are based upon inputs that market participants use in pricing an asset or liability, which are classified into two categories: observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs represent market data obtained from independent sources, whereas unobservable inputs reflect a company's own market assumptions, which are used if observable inputs are not reasonably available without undue cost and effort. We prioritize the inputs used in measuring fair value into the following fair value hierarchy:

•	Level 1—quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
•	Level 2—quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.
•	Level 3—unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The fair value input hierarchy level to which an asset or liability measurement in its entirety falls is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the measurement in its entirety.

The following tables present the Company's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, for each fair value hierarchy level:

	Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
	(In thousands)
December 31, 2014
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	—	$	252,485		$	—	$	252,485
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives		—		—			—		—
Interest rate derivatives		—		(789	)		—		(789	)

Total	$	—	$	251,696		$	—	$	251,696


December 31, 2013
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives	$	—	$	(11,017	)	$	—	$	(11,017	)
Interest rate derivatives		—		(2,734	)		—		(2,734	)

Total	$	—	$	(13,751	)	$	—	$	(13,751	)

The book values of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximate fair value based on Level 1 inputs. Joint interest billings, oil sales and other receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. Our long-term receivables, if any, after any allowances for doubtful accounts approximate fair value. The estimates of fair value of these items are based on Level 2 inputs.

Commodity Derivatives

Our commodity derivatives represent crude oil three-way collars, purchased puts and swaps with calls for notional barrels of oil at fixed Dated Brent oil prices. The values attributable to our oil derivatives are based on (i) the contracted notional volumes, (ii) independent active futures price quotes for Dated Brent, (iii) a credit-adjusted yield curve applicable to each counterparty by reference to the CDS market and (iv) an independently sourced estimate of volatility for Dated Brent. The volatility estimate was provided by certain independent brokers who are active in buying and selling oil options and was corroborated by market-quoted volatility factors. The deferred premium is included in the fair market value of the commodity derivatives. See Note 9—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information regarding the Company's derivative instruments.

Provisional Oil Sales

The value attributable to the provisional oil sales derivative is based on (i) the sales volumes subject to provisional pricing and (ii) an independently sourced forward curve over the term of the provisional pricing period.

Interest Rate Derivatives

We have interest rate swaps, whereby the Company pays a fixed rate of interest and the counterparty pays a variable LIBOR-based rate. The values attributable to the Company's interest rate derivative contracts are based on (i) the contracted notional amounts, (ii) LIBOR yield curves provided by independent third parties and corroborated with forward active market-quoted LIBOR yield curves and (iii) a credit-adjusted yield curve as applicable to each counterparty by reference to the CDS market.

Debt

The following table presents the carrying values and fair values of financial instruments that are not carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:

	December 31, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt	$	794,269	$	755,000	$	900,000	$	900,000

The carrying value of the Facility approximates fair value since it is subject to short-term floating interest rates that approximate the rates available to us for those periods. The fair value of our Senior Notes is based on quoted market prices, which results in a Level 1 fair value measurement.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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