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Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements were derived from the historical accounting records of the Company and reflect the historical financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods described herein. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). All material intercompany transactions and account balances have been eliminated in the consolidation of accounts. The Company uses the equity method of accounting to record its net interests when the Company holds 20% to 50% of the voting rights and/or has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not control the entity. Under the equity method, the Company's proportionate share of the investee's net income (loss) is included in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. See Note 14 for additional discussion of the Company's equity method investment.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have not been audited by the Company's independent registered public accounting firm, except that the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all necessary adjustments to present fairly the Company's financial position as of June 30, 2016, results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015.

Certain disclosures have been condensed or omitted from these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the 2015 Annual Report.

Use of estimates in the preparation of interim unaudited consolidated financial statements

The preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and the underlying assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ. The interim results reflected in the unaudited consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for other interim periods or for the full year.

Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, (i) estimates of the Company's reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas, (ii) future cash flows from oil and natural gas properties, (iii) depletion, depreciation and amortization, (iv) asset retirement obligations, (v) stock-based compensation, (vi) deferred income taxes, (vii) fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquisition and (viii) fair values of derivatives, deferred premiums and performance unit awards. As fair value is a market-based measurement, it is determined based on the assumptions that would be used by market participants. These estimates and assumptions are based on management's best judgment. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment. Such estimates and assumptions are adjusted when facts and circumstances dictate. Illiquid credit markets and volatile equity and energy markets have combined to increase the uncertainty inherent in such estimates and assumptions. Management believes its estimates and assumptions to be reasonable under the circumstances. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual values and results could differ from these estimates. Any changes in estimates resulting from future changes in the economic environment will be reflected in the financial statements in future periods.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2016 presentation. These reclassifications had no impact to previously reported net loss, stockholders' equity or cash flows.

Accounts receivable

The Company sells produced oil, NGL and natural gas and purchased oil to various customers and participates with other parties in the development and operation of oil and natural gas properties. The Company's accounts receivable are generally unsecured. Accounts receivable for joint interest billings are recorded as amounts billed to customers less an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Joint interest operations amounts are considered past due after 30 days. The Company determines joint interest operations accounts receivable allowances based on management's assessment of the creditworthiness of the joint interest owners. Additionally, as the operator of the majority of its wells, the Company has the ability to realize some or all of the receivables through netting of anticipated future production revenues. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses inherent in its accounts receivable portfolio. In establishing the required allowance, management considers historical losses, current receivables aging and existing industry and economic data. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts quarterly. Past due amounts greater than 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is remote.

Derivatives

The Company uses derivatives to reduce exposure to fluctuations in the prices of oil, NGL and natural gas. By removing a significant portion of the price volatility associated with future production, the Company expects to mitigate, but not eliminate, the potential effects of variability in cash flows from operations due to fluctuations in commodity prices. These transactions are in the form of puts, swaps, collars and, in prior periods, basis swaps.

Derivatives are recorded at fair value and are presented on a net basis on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities. The Company nets the fair value of derivatives by counterparty where the right of offset exists. The Company determines the fair value of its derivatives by utilizing pricing models for substantially similar instruments. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward price curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties. See Note 9 for discussion regarding the fair value of the Company's derivatives.

The Company's derivatives were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes for any of the periods presented. Accordingly, the changes in fair value are recognized in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations in the period of change. Gains and losses on derivatives are included in cash flows from operating activities. See Notes 8 and 9 for discussion regarding the Company's derivatives.

Full cost method of accounting

The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration and development costs, including certain related employee costs, incurred for the purpose of finding oil, NGL and natural gas are capitalized and depleted on a composite unit of production method based on proved oil, NGL and natural gas reserves. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Costs, including related employee costs, associated with production and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Sales of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being depleted currently, are accounted for as adjustments of capitalized costs, with no gain or loss recognized, unless such adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil, NGL and natural gas.

The Company excludes the costs directly associated with acquisition and evaluation of unevaluated properties from the depletion calculation until it is determined whether or not proved reserves can be assigned to the properties. The Company capitalizes a portion of its interest costs on its unevaluated properties. Capitalized interest becomes a part of the cost of the unevaluated properties and is subject to depletion when proved reserves can be assigned to the associated properties. All items classified as unevaluated property are assessed on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill, remaining lease term, geological and geophysical evaluations, drilling results and activity, the assignment of evaluated reserves and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion.

The full cost ceiling is based principally on the estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas properties discounted at 10%.

Debt issuance costs

Debt issuance fees, which are recorded at cost, net of amortization, are amortized over the life of the respective debt agreements utilizing the effective interest and straight-line methods.

Asset retirement obligations

Asset retirement obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets are recognized as a liability in the period in which they are incurred and become determinable. The associated asset retirement costs are part of the carrying amount of the long-lived asset. Subsequently, the asset retirement cost included in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset is charged to expense through depletion, or for midstream service asset retirement cost through depreciation, of the associated asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as corresponding accretion expense.

The fair value of additions to the asset retirement obligation liability is measured using valuation techniques consistent with the income approach, which converts future cash flows into a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation include: (i) estimated plug and abandonment cost per well based on Company experience, (ii) estimated remaining life per well, (iii) estimated removal and/or remediation costs for midstream service assets, (iv) estimated remaining life of midstream service assets, (v) future inflation factors and (vi) the Company's average credit adjusted risk-free rate. Inherent in the fair value calculation of asset retirement obligations are numerous assumptions and judgments including, in addition to those noted above, the ultimate settlement of these amounts, the ultimate timing of such settlement and changes in legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the fair value of the existing asset retirement obligation liability, a corresponding adjustment will be made to the asset balance.

The Company is obligated by contractual and regulatory requirements to remove certain pipeline assets and perform other remediation of the sites where such pipeline assets are located upon the retirement of those assets. However, the fair value of the asset retirement obligation cannot currently be reasonably estimated because the settlement dates are indeterminate. The Company will record an asset retirement obligation for pipeline assets in the periods in which settlement dates become reasonably determinable.

Fair value measurements

The carrying amounts reported in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, undistributed revenue and royalties, accrued capital expenditures and other accrued assets and liabilities approximate their fair values.

Fair value measurements

The Company accounts for its oil and natural gas derivatives at fair value. The fair value of derivatives is determined utilizing pricing models for similar instruments. The models use a variety of techniques to arrive at fair value, including quotes and pricing analysis. Inputs to the pricing models include publicly available prices and forward curves generated from a compilation of data gathered from third parties.

The Company has categorized its assets and liabilities measured at fair value, based on the priority of inputs to the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3).

Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets are categorized based on inputs to the valuation techniques as follows:



Level 1—	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market that management has the ability to access. Active markets are considered to be those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2—	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the price risk management instrument and can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3—	Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value for which values are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs are not corroborated by market data. These inputs reflect management's own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.

When the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy in a liquid environment, the level within which the fair value measurement is categorized is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company conducts a review of fair value hierarchy classifications on an annual basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Transfers between fair value hierarchy levels are recognized and reported in the period in which the transfer occurred.

The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived assets and inventory, if any, at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. For purposes of fair value measurement, it was determined that the impairment of long-lived assets and inventory are classified as Level 3, based on the use of internally developed cash flow models.

Treasury stock

Laredo's employees may elect to have the Company withhold shares of stock to satisfy their tax withholding obligations that arise upon the lapse of restrictions on their stock awards. Such treasury stock is recorded at cost and retired upon acquisition.

Compensation awards

Stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, is included in "General and administrative" in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations over the awards' vesting periods and is based on the awards' grant date fair value. The Company utilizes the closing stock price on the grant date, less an expected forfeiture rate, to determine the fair value of service vesting restricted stock awards and a Black-Scholes pricing model to determine the fair values of service vesting restricted stock option awards. The Company utilizes a Monte Carlo simulation prepared by an independent third party to determine the fair values of the performance share awards and, in prior periods, the performance unit awards. The Company capitalizes a portion of stock-based compensation for employees who are directly involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of its oil and gas properties into the full cost pool. Capitalized stock-based compensation is included as an addition to "Oil and natural gas properties" in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards expected to vest over the requisite service period as a charge against earnings, net of amounts capitalized. The Company's stock-based compensation awards are accounted for as equity instruments, and in prior periods, its performance unit awards were accounted for as liability awards. Stock-based compensation is included in "General and administrative" in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalizes a portion of stock-based compensation for employees who are directly involved in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties into the full cost pool. Capitalized stock-based compensation is included as an addition to "Oil and natural gas properties" in the unaudited consolidated balance sheets.

Environmental

The Company is subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws, among other things, regulate the discharge of materials into the environment and may require the Company to remove or mitigate the environmental effects of the disposal or release of petroleum or chemical substances at various sites. Environmental expenditures are expensed in the period incurred. Liabilities for expenditures of a non-capital nature are recorded when environmental assessment or remediation is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Such liabilities are generally undiscounted unless the timing of cash payments is fixed and readily determinable.

Long-lived assets

Impairment losses are recorded on property and equipment used in operations and other long-lived assets when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount. Impairment is measured based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset.

Materials and supplies and line-fill

Materials and supplies inventory used in developing oil and natural gas properties and midstream service assets are carried at the lower of cost or market ("LCM") with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method and are included in "Other current assets" and "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The market price for materials and supplies is determined utilizing a replacement cost approach (Level 2).

Beginning at March 31, 2016, frac pit water inventory used in developing oil and natural gas properties is carried at LCM with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method and is included in "Other current assets" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The market price for frac pit water inventory is determined utilizing a replacement cost approach.

The minimum volume of product in a pipeline system that enables the system to operate is known as line-fill and is generally not available to be withdrawn from the pipeline system until the expiration of the transportation contract. The Company owns oil line-fill in third-party pipelines, which is accounted for at LCM with cost determined using the weighted-average cost method and is included in "Other assets, net" on the unaudited consolidated balance sheets. The LCM adjustment is determined utilizing a quoted market price adjusted for regional price differentials (Level 2).

Income taxes

The impact of significant discrete items is separately recognized in the quarter in which the discrete items occur. The vesting of certain restricted stock awards could result in federal and state income tax expense or benefits related to the difference between the market price of the common stock at the date of vesting and the grant date. The exercise of stock option awards could result in federal and state income tax expense or benefits related to the difference between the fair value of the stock option at the grant date and the intrinsic value of the stock option when exercised. The tax impact resulting from vestings of restricted stock awards and exercise of option awards are discrete items.

Income taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit carry-forwards. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income (loss) in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company evaluates uncertain tax positions for recognition and measurement in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. To recognize a tax position, the Company determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. The amount of tax benefit recognized with respect to any tax position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement.

Credit risk

The Company's oil, NGL and natural gas sales are made to a variety of purchasers, including intrastate and interstate pipelines or their marketing affiliates and independent marketing companies. The Company's joint operations accounts receivable are from a number of oil and natural gas companies, partnerships, individuals and others who own interests in the oil and natural gas properties operated by the Company. The Company's sales of purchased oil are made to one customer. Management believes that any credit risk imposed by a concentration in the oil and natural gas industry is offset by the creditworthiness of the Company's customer base and industry partners. The Company routinely assesses the recoverability of all material trade and other receivables to determine collectability.

The Company uses derivatives to hedge its exposure to oil and natural gas price volatility. These transactions expose the Company to potential credit risk from its counterparties. In accordance with the Company's standard practice, its derivatives are subject to counterparty netting under agreements governing such derivatives; therefore, the credit risk associated with its derivative counterparties is somewhat mitigated.

Net loss per share

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net loss per share reflects the potential dilution of non-vested restricted stock awards, performance share awards and outstanding restricted stock options.

Variable interest entity

An entity is referred to as a VIE pursuant to accounting guidance for consolidation if it possesses one of the following criteria: (i) it is thinly capitalized, (ii) the residual equity holders do not control the entity, (iii) the equity holders are shielded from the economic losses, (iv) the equity holders do not participate fully in the entity's residual economics, or (v) the entity was established with non-substantive voting interests. In order to determine if a VIE should be consolidated, an entity must determine if it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is that variable interest-holder possessing a controlling financial interest through: (i) its power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (ii) its obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In order to determine whether the Company owns a variable interest in a VIE, a qualitative analysis is performed of the entity's design, organizational structure, primary decision makers and relevant agreements. The Company continually monitors its VIE exposure to determine if any events have occurred that could cause the primary beneficiary to change.