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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after all significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Viper is consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. On October 31, 2023, pursuant to a common unit purchase and sale agreement entered into on September 4, 2023, Viper issued approximately 7.22 million of its common units, which were converted to shares of Viper Class A common stock at the time of the Viper Conversion, to the Company at a price of $27.72 per unit for total consideration to Viper of approximately $200 million. As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned approximately 56% of Viper’s combined outstanding Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The results of operations attributable to the non-controlling interest in Viper are presented within equity and net income and are shown separately from the equity and net income attributable to the Company.
The Company has two operating segments: (i) the upstream segment, which is engaged in the acquisition, development, exploration and exploitation of unconventional, onshore oil and natural gas reserves primarily in the Permian Basin in West Texas and includes the activities of Viper, and (ii) the midstream operations segment, which owns and operates certain midstream infrastructure assets in the Midland and Delaware Basins of the Permian Basin. Prior to the Rattler Merger, both the upstream operations segment and the midstream operations segment were considered reportable segments. Following the Rattler Merger, the Company determined only the upstream operations segment met the quantitative requirements of a reportable segment.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications had an immaterial effect on the previously reported total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates

Certain amounts included in or affecting the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures must be estimated by management, requiring certain assumptions to be made with respect to values or conditions that cannot be known with certainty at the time the consolidated financial statements are prepared. These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts the Company reports for assets and liabilities and the Company’s disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Making accurate estimates and assumptions is particularly difficult in the oil and natural gas industry, given the challenges resulting from volatility in oil and natural gas prices. For instance, war in Ukraine and Israel-Hamas war, rising interest rates, global supply chain disruptions, concerns about a potential economic downturn or recession, recent measures to combat persistent inflation and instability in the financial sector have contributed to recent economic and pricing volatility. The financial results of companies in the oil and natural gas industry have been impacted materially as a result of these events and changing market conditions. Such circumstances generally increase the uncertainty in the Company’s accounting estimates, particularly those involving financial forecasts.

The Company evaluates these estimates on an ongoing basis, using historical experience, consultation with experts and other methods the Company considers reasonable in the particular circumstances. Nevertheless, actual results may differ significantly from the Company’s estimates. Any effects on the Company’s business, financial position or results of operations resulting from revisions to these estimates are recorded in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves and related present value estimates of future net cash flows therefrom, the carrying value of oil and natural gas properties, fair value estimates of derivative instruments, the fair value determination of acquired assets and liabilities assumed, and estimates of income taxes, including deferred tax valuation allowances.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with a maturity of three months or less and money market funds to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed the federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any significant losses from such investments.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of receivables from joint interest owners on properties the Company operates and from sales of oil and natural gas production delivered to purchasers. The purchasers remit payment for production directly to the Company. Most payments for production are received within three months after the production date.

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from joint interest owners or purchasers, net of an allowance for expected losses as estimated by the Company when collection is doubtful. For receivables from joint interest owners, the Company typically has the ability to withhold future revenue disbursements to recover any non-payment of joint interest
billings. Accounts receivable from joint interest owners or purchasers outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company determines its allowance for each type of receivable utilizing the loss-rate method, which considers a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the debtor’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company, the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. The Company writes off specific accounts receivable when they become uncollectible, and payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for expected losses.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments
The Company is required to recognize its derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities at fair value with such amounts classified as current or long-term based on their anticipated settlement dates. The accounting for the changes in fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and resulting designation. For commodity derivative instruments and interest rate swaps which have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes, the Company marks its derivative instruments to fair value and recognizes the cash and non-cash change in fair value on derivative instruments for each period in the consolidated statements of operations. From the second quarter of 2021 through the second quarter of 2022, the Company had certain interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges under the “shortcut” method of accounting. As such, gains and losses due to changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps during those periods completely offset changes in the fair value of the hedged portion of the underlying debt. In the second quarter of 2022, the Company elected to fully dedesignate these interest rate swaps and hedge accounting was discontinued.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Oil and Natural Gas Properties

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 internal costs, are capitalized and amortized on a composite unit of production method based on proved oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves. Internal costs capitalized to the full cost pool represent management’s estimate of costs incurred directly related to exploration and development activities such as geological and other internal costs associated with overseeing the exploration and development activities. Costs, including related employee costs, associated with production and operation of the properties are charged to expense as incurred. All other internal costs not directly associated with exploration and development activities are charged to expense as they are incurred. Sales of oil and natural gas properties, whether or not being amortized 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, natural gas and natural liquids. Depletion of evaluated oil and natural gas properties is computed on the units of production method, whereby capitalized costs plus estimated future development costs are amortized over total proved reserves. The average depletion rate per barrel equivalent unit of production was $10.21, $8.87 and $8.77 for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Depletion expense for oil and natural gas properties was $1.7 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Under the full cost method of accounting, the Company is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The test determines a limit, or ceiling, on the book value of the proved oil and natural gas properties. Net capitalized costs are limited to the lower of unamortized oil and natural gas properties net of deferred income taxes, or the cost center ceiling. The cost center ceiling is defined as the sum of (a) estimated future net revenues, discounted at 10% per annum, from proved reserves, based on the trailing 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month price, adjusted for any contract provisions, and excluding the estimated abandonment costs for properties with asset retirement obligations recorded on the balance sheet, (b) the cost of properties not being amortized, if any, and (c) the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties included in the cost being amortized, including related deferred taxes for differences between the book and tax basis of the oil and natural gas properties. If the net book value, including related deferred taxes, exceeds the ceiling, an impairment or non-cash write-down is required. For additional information on proved oil and natural gas properties, see Note 5—Property and Equipment.
Costs associated with unevaluated properties are excluded from the full cost pool until the Company has made a determination as to the existence of proved reserves. The Company assesses all items classified as unevaluated property on at least an annual basis for possible impairment. The Company assesses properties on an individual basis or as a group if properties are individually insignificant. 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 proved 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 amortization.
Other Property, Equipment and Land
Other Property, Equipment and Land
Other property, equipment and land is recorded at cost. The Company expenses maintenance and repairs in the period incurred. Upon retirements or disposition of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheet with the resulting gains or losses, if any, reflected in operations. Depreciation of other property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets
Equity Method Investments
Equity Method Investments

The Company accounts for its corporate joint ventures and equity investments under the equity method of accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 323 “Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures.” The Company applies the equity method of accounting to investments of less than 50% in an investee over which the Company exercises significant influence but does not have control, and investments of greater than 50% in an investee over which the Company does not exercise significant influence or have control. Under the equity method of accounting, the Company’s share of the investee’s earnings or loss is recognized in the statement of operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s proportionate share of the income or loss from equity method investments is recognized on a one or two-month lag for its equity method investments.

Judgment regarding the level of influence over each equity method investment includes considering key factors such as ownership interest, representation on the board of directors, participation in policy-making decisions, material intercompany transactions and extent of ownership by an investor in relation to the concentration of other shareholdings. Additionally, an investment in a limited liability company that maintains a specific ownership account for each investor shall be viewed as similar to an investment in a limited partnership for purposes of determining whether a non-controlling investment shall be accounted for using the cost method or the equity method.
The Company reviews its investments to determine if a loss in value which is other than a temporary decline has occurred. If such a loss has occurred, the Company recognizes an impairment provision. There were no significant impairments of the Company’s equity investments for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Investments in Real Estate
Investments in Real Estate

The Company has invested in certain real estate assets which are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. The Company considers the period of future benefit of each respective asset to determine the appropriate useful life, and depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the assigned useful life.

Upon acquisition of real estate properties, the purchase price is allocated to tangible assets, consisting of land and building, and to identified intangible assets and liabilities, which may include the value of above market and below market leases and the value of in-place leases. The allocation of the purchase price is based upon the fair value of each component of the property. Although independent appraisals may be used to assist in the determination of fair value, in many cases these values will be based upon management’s assessment of each property, the selling prices of comparable properties and the discounted value of cash flows from the asset.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company measures the future cost to retire its tangible long-lived assets and recognizes such cost as a liability for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction or normal operation of a long-lived asset.

Asset retirement obligations represent the future abandonment costs of tangible assets, namely wells. The fair value of a liability for an asset’s retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made, and the corresponding cost is capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its then present value each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. If the liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount or if there is a change in the estimated liability, the difference is recorded in oil and natural gas properties.
The initial measurement of asset retirement obligations at fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow techniques and based on internal estimates of future retirement costs associated with the future plugging and abandonment of wells and related facilities.
Impairment or Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Other property and equipment used in operations and midstream assets are reviewed whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable from its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. An impairment loss is the difference between the carrying amount and fair value of the asset.
Capitalized Interest
Capitalized Interest
The Company capitalizes interest on expenditures made in connection with exploration and development projects that are not subject to current amortization. Interest is capitalized only for the period that activities are in progress to bring these unevaluated properties to their intended use. Capitalized interest cannot exceed gross interest expense.
Inventories
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and primarily consist of tubular goods and equipment at December 31, 2023 and 2022. The Company’s tubular goods and equipment are primarily comprised of oil and natural gas drilling or repair items such as tubing, casing and pumping units.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Issuance Costs

Long-term debt includes capitalized costs related to the senior notes, net of accumulated amortization. The costs associated with the senior notes are netted against the senior notes balances and are amortized over the term of the senior
notes using the effective interest method. See Note 8—Debt for further details. The costs associated with the Company’s credit facilities are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet and are amortized over the term of the facility.
Revenue and Royalties Payable
Revenue and Royalties Payable
For certain oil and natural gas properties, where the Company serves as operator, the Company receives production proceeds from the purchaser and further distributes such amounts to other revenue and royalty owners. Production proceeds that the Company has not yet distributed to other revenue and royalty owners are reflected as revenue and royalties payable in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognizes revenue for only its net revenue interest in oil and natural gas properties.
Non-controlling Interest
Non-controlling Interests
Non-controlling interests in the accompanying consolidated financial statements represent minority interest ownership in Viper as well as Rattler prior to the Rattler Merger, and are presented as a component of equity. When the Company’s relative ownership interests change, adjustments to non-controlling interest and additional paid-in-capital, tax effected, occur. Because these changes in the ownership interests do not result in a change of control, the transactions are accounted for as equity transactions under ASC Topic 810, “Consolidation,” which requires that any differences between the carrying value of the Company’s basis in Viper and Rattler prior to the Rattler Merger and the fair value of the consideration received are recognized directly in equity and attributed to the controlling interest.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

Sales of oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are recognized at the point control of the product is transferred to the customer. Virtually all of the pricing provisions in the Company’s contracts are tied to a market index, with certain adjustments based on, among other factors, whether a well delivers to a gathering or transmission line, the quality of the oil or natural gas and the prevailing supply and demand conditions. As a result, the price of the oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids fluctuates to remain competitive with other available oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids supplies.

Oil sales

The Company’s oil sales contracts are generally structured where it delivers oil to the purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point at which the purchaser takes custody, title and risk of loss of the product. Under this arrangement, the Company or a third party transports the product to the delivery point and receives a specified index price from the purchaser with no deductions. In this scenario, the Company recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the
delivery point based on the price received from the purchaser. Oil revenues are recorded net of any third-party transportation fees and other applicable differentials in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Natural gas and natural gas liquids sales

Under the Company’s natural gas processing contracts, it delivers natural gas to a midstream processing entity at the wellhead, battery facilities or the inlet of the midstream processing entity’s system. Generally, the midstream processing entity gathers and processes the natural gas and remits proceeds to the Company for the resulting sales of natural gas liquids and residue gas. In these scenarios, the Company evaluates whether it is the principal or the agent in the transaction. For those contracts where the Company has concluded it is the principal and the ultimate third party is its customer, the Company recognizes revenue on a gross basis, with transportation, gathering, processing, treating and compression fees presented as an expense in its consolidated statements of operations.

In certain natural gas processing agreements, the Company may elect to take its residue gas and/or natural gas liquids in-kind at the tailgate of the midstream entity’s processing plant and subsequently market the product. Through the marketing process, the Company delivers product to the ultimate third-party purchaser at a contractually agreed-upon delivery point and receives a specified index price from the purchaser. In this scenario, the Company recognizes revenue when control transfers to the purchaser at the delivery point based on the index price received from the purchaser. The gathering, processing, treating and compression fees attributable to the gas processing contract, as well as any transportation fees incurred to deliver the product to the purchaser, are presented as transportation, gathering, processing, treating and compression expense in its consolidated statements of operations.

Net sales of purchased oil

The Company enters into pipeline capacity commitments in order to secure available transportation capacity from the Company's areas of production for its commodities. Beginning in the third quarter of 2023, the Company has also entered into purchase transactions with third parties and separate sale transactions with third parties to satisfy certain of its unused oil pipeline capacity commitments. Revenues and expenses from these transactions are generally presented on a gross basis in the captions “Sales of purchased oil” and “Purchased oil expense” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations as the Company acts as a principal in the transaction by assuming both the risks and rewards of ownership, including credit risk, of the oil volumes purchased and the responsibility to deliver the oil volumes sold.

Transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations

The Company’s upstream product sales contracts do not originate until production occurs and, therefore, are not considered to exist beyond each days’ production. Therefore, there are no remaining performance obligations under any of our product sales contracts.
Under the Company’s revenue agreements, each delivery generally represents a separate performance obligation; therefore, future volumes delivered are wholly unsatisfied and disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not required.

Contract balances

Under the Company’s product sales contracts, it has the right to invoice its customers once the performance obligations have been satisfied, at which point payment is unconditional. Accordingly, the Company’s product sales contracts do not give rise to contract assets or liabilities.

Prior-period performance obligations

The Company records revenue in the month production is delivered to the purchaser. However, purchaser and settlement statements for natural gas and natural gas liquids sales may not be received for 30 to 90 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, the Company is required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the purchaser and the price that will be received for the sale of the product. The Company records the differences between its estimates and the actual amounts received for product sales in the month that payment is received from the purchaser. The Company has existing internal controls for its revenue estimation process and related accruals, and any identified differences between its revenue estimates and actual revenue received historically have not been significant. For the years ended
December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 revenue recognized in the reporting period related to performance obligations satisfied in prior reporting periods was not material. The Company believes that the pricing provisions of its oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids contracts are customary in the industry. To the extent actual volumes and prices of oil and natural gas sales are unavailable for a given reporting period because of timing or information not received from third parties, the revenue related to expected sales volumes and prices for those properties are estimated and recorded.
Accounting for Equity-Based Compensation
Accounting for Equity-Based Compensation

The Company has granted various types of stock-based awards including stock options and restricted stock units. Viper and Rattler, prior to the Rattler Merger, have granted various unit-based awards including unit options and phantom units to employees, officers and directors who perform services for the respective entities. These plans and related accounting policies for material awards are defined and described more fully in Note 10—Equity-Based Compensation. Equity compensation awards are measured at fair value on the date of grant and are expensed over the required service period. Forfeitures for these awards are recognized as they occur.
Environmental Compliance and Remediation
Environmental Compliance and Remediation

Environmental compliance and remediation costs, including ongoing maintenance and monitoring, are expensed as incurred. Liabilities are accrued when environmental assessments and remediation are probable, and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of (i) temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on enacted tax rates applicable to the future period when those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period the rate change is enacted. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Pronouncements

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers.” This update required the acquirer in a business combination to record contract assets and liabilities following Topic 606 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” at acquisition as if it
had originated the contract, rather than at fair value. The Company adopted this update effective January 1, 2023. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, “Leases (Topic 842) – Common Control Arrangements.” This update (i) requires all lessees that are a party to a lease between entities under common control in which there are leasehold improvements to record amortization utilizing the shorter period of the remaining lease term and the useful life of the improvements, and (ii) requires leasehold improvements to be accounted for as a transfer between entities under common control through an adjustment to equity if, and when, the lessee no longer controls the use of the underlying asset. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 with early adoption permitted. The Company may adopt this update (i) prospectively to all new leasehold improvements on or after the date of adoption, (ii) prospectively to all new and existing leasehold improvements on or after the date of adoption, or (iii) retrospectively to the beginning of the period in which the Company first applied Topic 842. The Company continues to evaluate the provisions of this update but does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280) – Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which updates reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures. Adoption of the update will not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires that certain information in a reporting entity’s tax rate reconciliation be disaggregated, and provides additional requirements regarding income taxes paid. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company’s disclosures. Adoption of the update will not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed above were assessed and determined to be either not applicable, previously disclosed, or not material upon adoption.
Fair Value Measurement
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.

The fair value hierarchy is based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurements requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses appropriate valuation techniques based on available inputs to measure the fair values of its assets and liabilities.

Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets as of the reporting date.

Level 2 - Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data. These are inputs other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data and may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

See Note 4—Acquisitions and Divestitures for discussion of the fair values of proved oil and natural gas properties assumed in business combinations.