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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
Our combined and consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances and are presented in accordance with U.S. general accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We have no elements of other comprehensive income for the periods presented.
Basis of Consolidation
Basis of Presentation
Our combined and consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances and are presented in accordance with U.S. general accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). We have no elements of other comprehensive income for the periods presented.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount 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. We use historical experience and various other assumptions and information that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances in developing our estimates and judgments. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as our operating environment changes. While we believe that the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the financial statements are appropriate, actual results may differ from these estimates. Our significant estimates include the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities, oil and natural gas reserves, impairment of proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties, impairment of goodwill, valuation of derivative instruments and income taxes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposited in commercial bank accounts and highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with major financial institutions in the U.S. Deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits; however, the financial stability of the financial institutions is regularly monitored, and we believe that we do not have exposure to any significant default risk.
Restricted Cash
Restricted Cash

Restricted cash consists of funds earmarked for a special purpose and therefore not available for immediate and general use. The majority of our restricted cash is comprised of cash that is contractually required to be restricted to pay for the future abandonment of certain wells in California. Restricted cash is included in Other current assets and Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable
We routinely assess the recoverability of our accounts receivable, which primarily comprise amounts due from (i) purchasers of our oil, natural gas and NGL production and (ii) joint interest owners on properties that we operate. We monitor our exposure to credit risk primarily by reviewing credit ratings, financial statements and payment history. We extend credit terms based on our evaluation of each counterparty’s creditworthiness. Generally, our oil and natural gas receivables are collected within 45 to 60 days of production. Our joint interest billings are collected within the month after they are billed, and we have the ability to withhold future revenue distributions to recover any nonpayment of our joint interest billings.
We establish allowances for credit losses equal to the estimable portions of accounts receivable for which failure to collect is expected to occur primarily based on a historical loss rate analysis. We estimate uncollectible amounts based on the length of time that the accounts receivables have been outstanding, historical collection experience and current and future economic and market conditions. We consider forecasts of future economic conditions in the estimate of our expected credit losses, in particular whether there is an increase in the probability that our counterparties will be unable to pay their obligations when due, and adjust our allowance for expected credit losses, when necessary.
Restricted Investment Securities
Restricted Investment Securities

We hold U.S. Treasury securities, which are contractually required to be set aside to pay for the future abandonment of certain wells in California. Due to this restriction, we report these investment securities as noncurrent and include them within Other assets on our consolidated balance sheets.
We classify our investment in these debt securities at the acquisition date and re-evaluate the classification at each balance sheet date. We classify debt securities purchased with the positive intent and ability to hold until their maturity date as held-to-maturity investments (“HTM”) and carry these investments at amortized cost. Premiums and discounts on purchases are amortized over the remaining time to maturity of the security and the amortization is recorded as an adjustment to interest income.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Oil and natural gas producing activities are accounted for under the successful efforts method of accounting. Under this method, exploration costs, other than the costs of drilling exploratory wells, are charged to expense as incurred. Costs that are associated with the drilling of successful exploration wells are capitalized if proved reserves are found. Capitalized costs attributed to the properties are charged as an operating expense through depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”). Dry hole costs associated with developing proved fields are capitalized. Costs associated with the drilling of exploratory wells that do not find proved reserves, geological and geophysical costs and costs of certain non-producing leasehold costs are expensed once evaluated and determined to be a dry hole.
Delay and surface rentals are charged to expense as incurred. The costs to acquire mineral interests in oil and natural gas properties and lease acquisition costs are capitalized when incurred. If proved reserves are found on an undeveloped property, leasehold costs are transferred to proved properties.

The capitalized costs of producing oil and natural gas properties are depleted on a field-by-field basis using the units-of-production method based on the ratio of current production to estimated total net proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. Proved developed reserves are used in computing depletion rates for drilling and development costs and total proved reserves are used for depletion rates of leasehold costs.

Upon the sale of a complete or partial unit of a proved property or pipeline and related facilities, the cost and related accumulated DD&A are removed from the property accounts and any gain or loss is recognized.

Estimated dismantlement and abandonment costs for oil and natural gas properties are capitalized at their estimated net present value and amortized on a unit-of-production basis over the remaining life of the related proved developed reserves. Refer to Asset Retirement Obligations below for additional discussion.
Other Property, Plant, and Equipment
Other Property, Plant and Equipment

We have other property, plant, and equipment that consists principally of gathering and processing facilities, vehicles, computer hardware and software, office furniture and equipment, buildings and leasehold improvements. Other property, plant, and equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets which range from three to thirty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their economic lives or the lease term. The cost of maintenance and repairs are expensed in the period incurred. Expenditures that extend the life or improve existing property and equipment are capitalized.
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

Proved and unproved oil and natural gas properties are reviewed for impairment when events and circumstances indicate a possible decline in the recoverability of the carrying amount of such property. When a triggering event is identified, we compare the carrying amount of our oil and natural gas properties to the estimated undiscounted cash flows our oil and natural gas properties will generate to determine if the carrying amount is recoverable. We perform this analysis on a field-by-field basis. If the carrying amount exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows, we will write-down the carrying amount of the oil and natural gas properties to fair value. The factors used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, estimates of reserves, future commodity prices, future production estimates, and discount rates commensurate with the risk associated with realizing the projected cash flows.
Drilling Advances
Drilling Advances
We pay advances for certain drilling and completion ("D&C") costs on our non-operated properties, as required by our joint operating agreements.
Investment in Equity Affiliates
Investments in Equity Affiliates

If an entity is organized as a limited partnership or limited liability company and maintains separate ownership accounts, we generally account for our investment using the equity method if our ownership interest is between 3% and 50%, unless our interest is so minor that we have virtually no influence over the investee’s operating and financial policies. For all other types of investments, we generally apply the equity method of accounting if our ownership interest is between 20% and 50% and we exercise significant influence over the investee’s operating and financial policies. We eliminate our proportionate share of profits and losses from transactions with equity affiliates to the extent such amounts remain on our consolidated balance sheets (or those of our equity affiliates).

Under the equity method, our proportionate share of each investees' net income increases the balance of our investment, while a net loss or receipt of dividends decreases the balance of our investment. Our proportionate share of net income from our equity affiliates are reported as a single line item within income (loss) from equity affiliates in our combined and consolidated statements of operations.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Issuance Costs
We capitalize costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing associated with our revolving credit facilities and the 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes (collectively, the "Senior Notes") and amortize such costs as additional interest expense over the life of the underlying indebtedness. These costs include fees paid to financial institutions and legal fees. Debt issuance costs associated with our revolving credit facility are included in Other assets in our consolidated balance sheets. Debt issuance costs associated with our Senior Notes are included as a contra-liability in Long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition

Oil, Gas and NGL Revenues
We hold operated and non-operated working interests and mineral and royalty interests in producing assets that function as follows:

Operated working interests: We are responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the field as well as negotiations required for post-production transportation, gathering, processing and marketing; we remit proceeds from sales of resulting hydrocarbons to third parties back to non-operators less costs as agreed in the applicable joint operating agreement.

Non-operated working interests: An operator of these assets is responsible for the day-to-day management and operation of the field as well as negotiations required for post-production transportation, gathering, processing, and marketing; the operator then remits proceeds from sales of resulting hydrocarbons to third parties back to non-operators less costs as agreed in the applicable joint operating agreement.

Mineral and royalty interests: Ownership of a percentage of production or production revenues produced from leased acreage. The owner of this share of production does not bear any of the cost of exploration, drilling, producing, operating or any other expense associated with drilling and producing an oil and gas well. Mineral and royalty interests may be burdened by some or all of the post-production costs related to gathering, processing and marketing.

We sell oil production at the lease and collect an agreed-upon index price, net of pricing differentials.

Under our natural gas contracts, we deliver natural gas to a midstream processor at a contractually specified delivery point. The midstream processor gathers and processes the natural gas and then markets and remits proceeds to us for the resulting sale of the residue gas and NGLs.

Our non-operated production is marketed by operators, after which the operators remit net proceeds from the sale of our share of production to us. Proceeds reflect post-production expenses such as gathering, processing and other expenses incurred in marketing of that production.

Performance Obligations
Under product sales contracts, each unit of product generally represents a separate performance obligation. We record revenue for our product sales contracts at the point-in-time control of a commodity is transferred to the customer. However, settlement statements from non-operated working interests may not be received for 30 to 60 days after the date production is delivered, and as a result, we are required to estimate the amount of production delivered to the customer and the net commodity price that will be received for the sale of these commodity products.

At the end of the reporting period, we did not have any unsatisfied performance obligations. Our contracts with customers typically include variable consideration based on monthly pricing tied to local indices and volumes delivered in the current month. The nature of our contracts with customers does not require us to constrain variable consideration for accounting purposes.

Revenue is recognized to the extent it is determined that it is probable that a significant reversal will not occur. We record the differences between our revenue estimates and the actual amounts received in the month that payment is received from the operator.
Equity-Based Compensation Awards
Equity-Based Compensation Awards

Equity-based compensation awards include share-based payments that are issued to employees, directors and non-employees in exchange for services provided to us. Equity-classified share-based payment awards are recognized at fair value on the grant date, and amortized over the life of the award. Liability-classified share-based payment awards are remeasured at fair value until settlement. For awards with service-based vesting conditions only, we recognize compensation cost using straight-line
attribution. For awards that contain market or performance conditions we use accelerated attribution. Our policy is to recognize forfeitures as they occur.
Equity-based compensation cost is presented as General and administrative expense on our combined and consolidated statements of operations.
Defined Contribution Plan
Defined Contribution Plan

We offer our employees a defined contribution 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”) which allows eligible employees to make tax-deferred contributions, not to exceed annual limits established by the Internal Revenue Service. We match 100% of employee contributions up to a certain threshold of compensation with immediate vesting for existing employees. We did not make any contributions to the 401(k) Plan for the year ended December 31, 2021 since the plan's inception began in January 2022 in conjunction with the start of the benefit plan year. During the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we made contributions of $4.2 million and $4.7 million to the plan.
Business Combinations
Business Combinations

We recognize the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the estimated acquisition date fair values. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value measurement is based on the assumptions of market participants and not those of the reporting entity. Therefore, entity-specific intentions do not impact the measurement of fair value. These fair values are accounted for at the date of acquisition and included in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The results of operations of an acquired business are included in our combined and consolidated statements of operations from the date of the acquisition.
Credit and Concentration Risk
Credit and Concentration Risk

We sell a significant amount of our oil, natural gas and NGL production to a limited number of purchasers. This concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our purchasers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. If these counterparties were to fail to pay amounts due to us, our financial position and results of operations could be materially affected.
Risks and Uncertainties
Risks and Uncertainties

Our future financial condition, results of operations and cash flows are dependent on the demand and prices received for oil, natural gas and NGL production. These prices historically have been volatile, and we expect such volatility to continue in the future, as they are subject to wide fluctuation in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil, natural gas and NGL, market uncertainty and a variety of additional factors beyond our control. These factors include weather conditions, government regulations and taxes, the price and availability of alternative fuels and overall economic conditions. A decline in oil, natural gas or NGL prices may adversely affect our financial position, cash flows and results of operations. Lower oil, natural gas or NGL prices also may reduce the amount of oil, natural gas and NGL that can be produced economically.

Our revenues are derived principally from uncollateralized sales to numerous companies in the oil and natural gas industry; therefore, our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions within the industry.
Risk Management
Risk Management

We periodically enter into derivative contracts to manage our exposure to commodity price and interest rate changes. These derivative contracts may take the form of forward contracts, futures contracts, swaps, swaptions, collars or other options. We do not use derivative contracts for speculative purposes and have not designated any derivative instruments as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. As such, unrealized gains and losses from changes in the valuation of our unsettled derivative contracts, as well as realized gains and losses on the settlement of derivative contracts, are reported in Gain (loss) on derivatives in our combined and consolidated statements of operations.

Such derivative instruments are initially recorded at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value at each reporting date. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive or as liabilities when the fair value is negative and are classified as current and long term based on the delivery periods of the financial instruments. If the right of offset exists and certain other criteria are met, derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are netted on our consolidated balance sheets.
Contingencies
Contingencies

Certain conditions may exist as of the date our financial statements are issued, which may result in a loss to us but which will only be resolved when one or more future events occur or fail to occur. In the preparation of our financial statements, management assesses the need for accounting recognition or disclosure of these contingencies, if any, and such assessment inherently involves an exercise in judgment. In assessing loss contingencies related to legal proceedings that are pending against us or unasserted claims that may result in such proceedings, our management and legal counsel evaluate the perceived merits of any legal proceedings or unasserted claims as well as the perceived merits of the amount of relief sought or expected to be sought therein.

When applicable, we will accrue an undiscounted liability for contingencies where the incurrence of a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If a range of amounts can be reasonably estimated and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, then the minimum amount within the range is accrued. We do not record a contingent liability when the likelihood of loss is probable but the amount cannot be reasonably estimated or when it is believed to be only reasonably possible or remote.
For contingencies where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible and the impact would be material, we disclose the nature of the contingency and, if feasible, an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss. Loss contingencies considered remote are generally not disclosed.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Crescent is a holding company, the sole material assets of which are OpCo Units. OpCo is a partnership and is generally not subject to U.S. federal and certain state taxes. Crescent is subject to U.S. federal and certain state taxes on our allocable share of any taxable income of OpCo. Taxable income or loss generated by OpCo is generally allocated and passed through to the holders of OpCo Units, including Crescent, based on their proportionate share of OpCo Unit ownership, except for activity related to property contributed to OpCo by Contango with a pre-contribution gain which are allocated solely to Crescent.

The amount of income taxes we record requires interpretations of complex rules and regulations of various tax jurisdictions throughout the United States. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences, operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Temporary differences arise when there are differences between the financial statement carrying amount and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities as these differences create taxable or tax-deductible amounts for future periods. 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. For additional information regarding income taxes, see NOTE 11 – Income Taxes.

ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, specifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing a minimum recognition threshold for a tax position to be reflected in the financial statements. If recognized, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement. Management has considered the amounts and the probabilities of the outcomes that could be realized upon ultimate settlement and believes that it is more likely
than not that the Company's recorded income tax benefits will be fully realized, or recognizes a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in cases where we do not forecast sufficient future income to recognize the deferred tax asset.
Leases
Leases

We record a net operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") asset and operating lease liability on the consolidated balance sheets for all operating leases with a lease term in excess of 12 months.

We enter into contractual lease arrangements to rent buildings, compressors, drilling rigs, office and rental equipment and vehicles from third-party lessors. ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make future lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recorded at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company recognizes lease expense for these short-term leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date of the contract in determining the present value of future lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is calculated using our collateralized incremental borrowing rate based on our debt structure. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease incentives received in the recognition of the present value of future lease payments. Certain of our leases may also include escalation clauses or options to extend or terminate the lease. These options are included in the present value recorded for the leases when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

If an arrangement is determined to be a lease, we record the resulting ROU asset on the consolidated balance sheets with offsetting liabilities at the commencement date. We recognize a lease in the financial statements when the arrangement either explicitly or implicitly involves property, plant or equipment ("PP&E"), the contract terms are dependent on the use of the PP&E, and we have the ability or right to control the PP&E or to direct others to control the PP&E and receive the majority of the economic benefits of the assets. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had financing right-of-use asset of $18.5 million and $13.1 million in field and other property and equipment, at cost and operating right-of-use asset of $24.2 million and $5.0 million in Other assets.
Goodwill
Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the consideration transferred for business combinations over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We test goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.

The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test as of November 30, 2022. The impairment test indicated that the fair value of certain of our reporting units with allocated goodwill were less than their carrying amount, and further that there was no remaining implied fair value attributable to goodwill. Based on these results, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge to reduce the carrying value of goodwill to zero.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations

An ARO represents the legal obligation associated with the future abandonment of tangible assets, such as wells, service assets, pipelines, and other facilities. We record an ARO liability and capitalize the asset retirement cost in oil and natural gas properties in the period in which the ARO liability is incurred based upon the estimated fair value of the obligation to perform site reclamation, dismantle facilities or plug and abandon wells. After recording these amounts, the ARO liability is accreted to its future estimated value using an estimated credited-adjusted risk-free rate and the capitalized asset retirement cost is depleted on a unit-of-production basis. Both the accretion expense and the depletion expense are included in Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense on our combined and consolidated statements of operations.
Measuring the future ARO liability requires management to make estimates, assumptions and judgments inherent in the present value calculation including the ultimate costs, inflation factors, credit adjusted discount rates, timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments. To the extent future revisions to these assumptions impact the present value of the existing ARO liability, a corresponding adjustment is made to the related asset. If the ARO liability is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized at settlement and included in Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense on our combined and consolidated statements of operations.
Environmental Expenditures
Environmental Expenditures
In addition to our ARO liability, management also reviews our estimates of the cleanup costs of various sites on an annual basis. When it is probable that obligations have been incurred, and where a reasonable estimate of the cost of compliance or remediation can be determined, the applicable amount is accrued. For other potential liabilities, the timing of accruals coincides with the related ongoing site assessments. We do not discount any of these liabilities. Recoveries for environmental remediation costs from third parties, which are probable of realization, are separately recorded and are not offset against the related environmental liability.
Recent Accounting Standards
Recent Accounting Standards

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides optional guidance, for a limited period of time, to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. The amendments in ASU 2020-04 provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this ASU apply only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR, or another reference rate, expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The guidance was effective beginning March 12, 2020 and can be applied prospectively through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform - Scope, which clarified the scope and application of the original guidance. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848, which extends the sunset date for relief under ASU 2020-04 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. The Company does not expect a material impact on its consolidated financial statements as a result of applying the optional guidance provided by ASU 2020-04.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires public entities, on an annual basis, to provide disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation, as well as disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-09 but does not expect a material impact.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities, on an annual and interim basis, to provide enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, including entities that have a single reportable segment. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting ASU 2023-07 but does not expect a material impact.