(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fresh Start Accounting. Upon emergence from bankruptcy on April 22, 2016, the Company adopted Fresh Start Accounting. As a result of the application of fresh start accounting, as well as the effects of the implementation of the joint plan of reorganization (the “Plan”), the Consolidated Financial Statements on or after April 22, 2016, are not comparable with the Consolidated Financial Statements prior to that date. References to “Successor” or “Successor Company” relate to the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to April 22, 2016. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” refer to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to April 22, 2016. See Note 12 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.

Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by SilverBow, and reflect necessary adjustments, all of which were of a recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein, and are in the opinion of our management necessary for a fair presentation.

Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of SilverBow and its wholly owned subsidiaries, which are engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition, and operation of oil and gas properties, with a focus on oil and natural gas reserves in the Eagle Ford trend in Texas. Our undivided interests in oil and gas properties are accounted for using the proportionate consolidation method, whereby our proportionate share of the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses are included in the appropriate classifications in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in preparing the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events. We have evaluated subsequent events requiring potential accrual or disclosure in our condensed consolidated financial statements. On November 6, 2017, the Company announced the appointment of the Company's new Chief Operating Officer, Steven Adam. On November 6, 2017, Company also announced that Robert J. Banks, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer was separating from the Company to pursue other endeavors, effective November 2, 2017. The former Chief Operating Officer will receive severance benefits, which include cash payments, accelerated vesting of his share-based compensation, and other benefits in accordance with his Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement. There were no other material subsequent events requiring additional disclosure in these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of certain revenues and expenses during each reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from such estimates. Significant estimates and assumptions underlying these financial statements include:


•	the estimates of reorganization value, enterprise value and fair value of assets and liabilities upon emergence from bankruptcy and application of fresh start accounting,


•	the estimated quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves used to compute depletion of oil and natural gas properties, the related present value of estimated future net cash flows there-from, and the ceiling test impairment calculation,


•	estimates related to the collectability of accounts receivable and the credit worthiness of our customers,


•	estimates of the counterparty bank risk related to letters of credit that our customers may have issued on our behalf,


•	estimates of future costs to develop and produce reserves,


•	accruals related to oil and gas sales, capital expenditures and lease operating expenses,


•	estimates in the calculation of share-based compensation expense,


•	estimates of our ownership in properties prior to final division of interest determination,


•	the estimated future cost and timing of asset retirement obligations,


•	estimates made in our income tax calculations,


•	estimates in the calculation of the fair value of commodity derivative assets and liabilities,


•	estimates in the assessment of current litigation claims against the Company, and


•	estimates in amounts due with respect to open state regulatory audits.

While we are not currently aware of any material revisions to any of our estimates, there will likely be future revisions to our estimates resulting from matters such as new accounting pronouncements, changes in ownership interests, payouts, joint venture audits, re-allocations by purchasers or pipelines, or other corrections and adjustments common in the oil and gas industry, many of which relate to prior periods. These types of adjustments cannot be currently estimated and are expected to be recorded in the period during which the adjustments are known.

We are subject to legal proceedings, claims, liabilities and environmental matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. We accrue for losses when such losses are considered probable and the amounts can be reasonably estimated.

Property and Equipment. We follow the “full-cost” method of accounting for oil and natural gas property and equipment costs. Under this method of accounting, all productive and nonproductive costs incurred in the exploration, development, and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized. Such costs may be incurred both prior to and after the acquisition of a property and include lease acquisitions, geological and geophysical services, drilling, completion, and equipment. Internal costs incurred that are directly identified with exploration, development, and acquisition activities undertaken by us for our own account, and which are not related to production, general corporate overhead, or similar activities, are also capitalized. For the three months ended September 30, 2017 (successor) and three months ended September 30, 2016 (successor), such internal costs capitalized totaled $1.3 million and $2.0 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (successor), the period of January 1, 2016 through April 22, 2016 (predecessor) and the period of April 23, 2016 through September 30, 2016 (successor), such internal costs capitalized totaled $3.6 million, $2.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively. Interest costs are also capitalized to unproved oil and natural gas properties (refer to Note 5 of these condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion on capitalized interest costs).

The “Property and Equipment” balances on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are summarized for presentation purposes. The following is a detailed breakout of our “Property and Equipment” balances (in thousands):



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Property and Equipment
Proved oil and gas properties	$	613,207		$	480,499
Unproved oil and gas properties	52,075			33,354
Furniture, fixtures, and other equipment	3,116			3,221
Less – Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization & impairment	(202,211		)	(169,879		)
Property and Equipment, Net	$	466,187		$	347,195

No gains or losses are recognized upon the sale or disposition of oil and natural gas properties, except in transactions involving a significant amount of reserves or where the proceeds from the sale of oil and natural gas properties would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves of oil and natural gas attributable to a cost center. Internal costs associated with selling properties are expensed as incurred.

We compute the provision for depreciation, depletion, and amortization (“DD&A”) of oil and natural gas properties using the unit-of-production method. Under this method, we compute the provision by multiplying the total unamortized costs of oil and gas properties-including future development costs, gas processing facilities, and both capitalized asset retirement obligations and undiscounted abandonment costs of wells to be drilled, net of salvage values, but excluding costs of unproved properties-by an overall rate determined by dividing the physical units of oil and natural gas produced (which excludes natural gas consumed in operations) during the period by the total estimated units of proved oil and natural gas reserves (which excludes natural gas consumed in operations) at the beginning of the period. Future development costs are estimated on a property-by-property basis based on current economic conditions. The period over which we will amortize these properties is dependent on our production from these properties in future years. Furniture, fixtures, and other equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated by the straight-line method at rates based on the estimated useful lives of the property, which range between two and 20 years. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.

Geological and geophysical (“G&G”) costs incurred on developed properties are recorded in “Proved properties” and therefore subject to amortization. G&G costs incurred that are directly associated with specific unproved properties are capitalized in “Unproved properties” and evaluated as part of the total capitalized costs associated with a prospect. The cost of unproved properties not being amortized is assessed quarterly, on a property-by-property basis, to determine whether such properties have been impaired. In determining whether such costs should be impaired, we evaluate current drilling results, lease expiration dates, current oil and gas industry conditions, economic conditions, capital availability, and available geological and geophysical information. Any impairment assessed is added to the cost of proved properties being amortized.

Full-Cost Ceiling Test. At the end of each quarterly reporting period, the unamortized cost of oil and natural gas properties (including natural gas processing facilities, capitalized asset retirement obligations, net of related salvage values and deferred income taxes) is limited to the sum of the estimated future net revenues from proved properties (excluding cash outflows from recognized asset retirement obligations, including future development and abandonment costs of wells to be drilled, using the preceding 12-months’ average price based on closing prices on the first day of each month, adjusted for price differentials, discounted at 10%, and the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties) adjusted for related income tax effects (“Ceiling Test”).

The quarterly calculations of the Ceiling Test and provision for DD&A are based on estimates of proved reserves. There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and in projecting the future rates of production, timing, and plan of development. The accuracy of any reserves estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, testing, and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify revision of such estimates. Accordingly, reserves estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

Principally due to the effects of pricing, and also due to the timing of projects and changes in our reserves product mix, for the period of January 1, 2016 through April 22, 2016 (predecessor), we reported a non-cash impairment write-down, on a before-tax basis, of $77.7 million on our oil and natural gas properties. Primarily due to pricing differences between the 12-month average oil and gas prices used in the Ceiling Test and the forward strip prices used to estimate the initial fair value of oil and gas properties on the Company’s April 22, 2016 (successor) balance sheet, we incurred a non-cash impairment write-down for the period of April 23, 2016 through September 30, 2016 (successor) of $133.5 million. There was no write-down for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 (successor).

If future capital expenditures outpace future discounted net cash flows in our reserve calculations, if we have significant declines in our oil and natural gas reserves volumes (which also reduces our estimate of discounted future net cash flows from proved oil and natural gas reserves) or if oil or natural gas prices decline, it is likely that non-cash write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties will occur in the future. We cannot control and cannot predict what future prices for oil and natural gas will be, thus we cannot estimate the amount or timing of any potential future non-cash write-down of our oil and natural gas properties due to decreases in oil or natural gas prices.

Revenue Recognition. Oil and gas revenues are recognized when production is sold to a purchaser at a fixed or determinable price, when delivery has occurred and title has transferred, and if collectability of the revenue is probable. The Company uses the entitlement method of accounting for gas imbalances in which we recognize our ownership interest in such production as revenue. If our sales exceed our ownership share of production, the natural gas balancing payables are reported in “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Natural gas balancing receivables are reported in “Other current assets” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets when our ownership share of production exceeds sales. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we did not have any material natural gas imbalances.

Accounts Receivable, Net. We assess the collectability of accounts receivable, and based on our judgment, we accrue a reserve when we believe a receivable may not be collected. At both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts of less than $0.1 million. The allowance for doubtful accounts has been deducted from the total “Accounts receivable” balance on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

At September 30, 2017, our “Accounts receivable” balance included $16.9 million for oil and gas sales, $3.5 million due from joint interest owners, $1.1 million for severance tax credit receivables and $0.7 million for other receivables. At December 31, 2016, our “Accounts receivable” balance included $12.6 million for oil and gas sales, $2.7 million due from joint interest owners, $1.6 million for severance tax credit receivables and $0.6 million for other receivables.

Supervision Fees. Consistent with industry practice, we charge a supervision fee to the wells we operate, including our wells, in which we own up to a 100% working interest. Supervision fees are recorded as a reduction to “General and administrative, net”, on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our supervision fees are allocated to each well based on general and administrative costs incurred for well maintenance and support. The amount of supervision fees charged for the three months ended September 30, 2017 (successor) and three months ended September 30, 2016 (successor) did not exceed our actual costs incurred. The total amount of supervision fees charged to the wells we operated were $1.1 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017 (successor) and three months ended September 30, 2016 (successor), respectively and were $3.5 million, $2.7 million and $3.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (successor), the period of January 1, 2016 through April 22, 2016 (predecessor) and the period of April 23, 2016 through September 30, 2016 (successor), respectively.

Other Current Assets. Included in "Other current assets" on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are prepaid expenses totaling $1.7 million and $2.0 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. These prepaid amounts cover well insurance, drilling contracts and various other prepaid expenses. Additionally inventories, which consist primarily of tubulars and other equipment and supplies, totaled $0.6 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Income Taxes. Deferred taxes are determined based on the estimated future tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, given the provisions of the enacted tax laws.

Tax positions are evaluated for recognition using a more-likely-than-not threshold, and those tax positions requiring recognition are measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Our policy is to record interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At September 30, 2017, we did not have any accrued liability for uncertain tax positions and do not anticipate recognition of any significant liabilities for uncertain tax positions during the next 12 months.

Our U.S. Federal and state income tax returns for years prior to 2015 are subject to examination to the extent of our net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards. There are no material unresolved items related to periods previously audited by these taxing authorities.

The Company has evaluated the full impact of the reorganization on our carryover tax attributes and did not incur a cash income tax liability as a result of emergence from bankruptcy on April 22, 2016. The Company fully absorbed cancellation of debt income generated in the bankruptcy reorganization with its then existing NOL carryforwards. The amount of remaining NOL carryforward available following emergence from bankruptcy was limited under United States Internal Revenue Code Sec. 382 due to the change in control. The Company’s amortizable tax basis exceeded the book carrying value of its assets at April 22, 2016, at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2017, leaving the Company in a net deferred tax asset position as of such dates. Management has determined that it is not more likely than not that the Company will realize future cash benefits from this additional tax basis and remaining carryover items and accordingly has taken a full valuation allowance to offset its tax assets.

The Company expects to incur a net taxable loss in the current taxable period thus no current income taxes are anticipated to be paid and no benefit will be recorded due to the full valuation allowance of their tax assets.

Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities. The “Accounts payable and accrued liabilities” balances on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets are summarized below (in thousands):



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Trade accounts payable	$	9,302	$	10,563
Accrued operating expenses	3,167		2,990
Accrued compensation costs	4,868		4,730
Asset retirement obligations – current portion	8,558		9,965
Accrued non-income based taxes	5,123		3,937
Accrued price risk management liabilities	2,459		17,632
Accrued corporate and legal fees	2,758		3,075
Other payables	5,763		3,365
Total accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	41,998	$	56,257

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We consider all highly liquid instruments with an initial maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. These amounts do not include cash balances that are contractually restricted.

Treasury Stock. Our treasury stock repurchases are reported at cost and are included in “Treasury stock held, at cost” on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 (successor), 21,067 treasury shares were purchased to satisfy withholding tax obligations arising upon the vesting of restricted shares.

New Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, providing a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for contracts with customers that supersedes current revenue recognition guidance. The guidance requires entities to recognize revenue using the following five-step model: identify the contract with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and recognize revenue as the entity satisfies each performance obligation. The Company plans to apply the modified retrospective approach upon adoption of this standard. If adoption results in an adjustment to cumulative earnings, the adjustment will be made directly to retained earnings. While our contract reviews are still in progress, we do not expect the adjustment, if any, to be material. The guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.

The Company’s revenues are substantially all attributable to oil and natural gas sales. Based on review of our most significant contracts, the Company believes the timing and presentation of revenues under ASU 2014-09 will be consistent with our current revenue recognition policy as described above with one probable exception. The Company currently uses the entitlement method of accounting when sales for our account are not in proportion to our ownership interest in production. To comply with ASU 2014-09, the Company expects to recognize revenue on the production sold for our account irrespective of ownership share of such production. Currently we do not have any significant imbalance situations; therefore, this is not expected to immediately impact our financial statements except for incremental disclosures. We are on track to finalize our contract reviews during the fourth quarter of 2017 and complete our implementation plans before year-end.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, which requires lessees to record most leases on the balance sheet. Under the new guidance, lease classification as either a finance lease or an operating lease will determine how lease-related revenue and expense are recognized. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.

At December 31, 2016, the Company had lease commitments of approximately $8.8 million that it believes would be subject to capitalization under ASU 2016-02. This includes $1.9 million for our new corporate office sub-lease which has a term of 4.4 years and commitments for equipment and vehicle leases which total $6.5 million. The Company did not enter into any significant additional lease obligations during the first nine months of 2017. The equipment leases generally have original terms of 2 to 3 years. In some instances further analysis is needed to determine if renewal options would result in capitalized amounts in excess of the obligations during the primary lease term. Based on our preliminary assessment, we believe these leases would most likely be deemed to be operating leases under the new standard. Management plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 in the quarter ending March 31, 2019. Management continuously evaluates the economics of leasing vs. purchase for operating equipment. The lease obligations that will be in place upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 may be significantly different than the current obligations. Accordingly, at this time we cannot estimate the amount that will be capitalized when this standard is adopted.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, which provides greater clarity to preparers on the treatment of eight specific items within an entity’s statement of cash flows with the goal of reducing existing diversity on these items. The guidance is effective for public business entities for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity early adopts the ASU in an interim period, adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period. An entity that elects early adoption must adopt all of the amendments in the same period. We are currently reviewing these new requirements to determine the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, to assist entities in evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as an acquisition or disposal of an asset or business. If substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets, the set of transferred assets and activities are not a business. The guidance is effective for companies beginning January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted. We are currently reviewing these new requirements to determine the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which provides clarity on what changes to share-based payment awards are considered substantive and require modification accounting to be applied. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect ASU 2017-09 to have a significant impact on our financial statements or disclosures.