Receivables, Loans, Notes Receivable, and Others (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Receivables [Abstract]

Credit Loss, Financial Instrument

Credit Losses and Allowance for Credit Losses

Adoption of ASU 2016–13

Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted ASU 2016–13 and have applied the guidance therein to our portfolio of accounts receivable including those from our customers and our joint interest partners. We have adopted ASU 2016–13 using the modified retrospective method resulting in an adjustment of less than $0.1 million to the beginning balance of retained earnings and a corresponding increase to the allowance for credit losses as of January 1, 2020.

Accounting Policies for Credit Losses

We monitor and assess our portfolio of accounts receivable, including those from our customers, our joint interest partners and others, when applicable, for credit losses on a monthly basis as we originate the underlying financial assets. Our review process and related internal controls take into appropriate consideration (i) past events and historical experience with the identified portfolio segments, (ii) current economic and related conditions within the broad energy industry as well as those factors with broader applicability and (iii) reasonable supportable forecasts consistent with other estimates that are inherent in our financial statements. In order to facilitate our processes for the review and assessment of credit losses, we have identified the following portfolio segments which are described below: (i) customers for our commodity production and (ii) joint interest partners which are further stratified into the following sub-segments: (a) mutual operators which includes joint interest partners with whom we are a non-operating joint interest partner in properties for which they are the operator, (b) large partners consisting of those legal entities that maintain a working interest of at least 10 percent in properties for which we are the operator and (c) all others which includes legal entities that maintain working interests of less than 10 percent in properties for which we are the operator as well as legal entities with whom we no longer have an active joint interest relationship, but continue to have transactions, including joint venture audit settlements, that from time-to-time give rise to the origination of new accounts receivable.

Customers. We sell our commodity products to approximately 15 customers. A substantial majority of these customers are large, internationally recognized refiners and marketers in the case of our crude oil sales and large domestic processors and interstate pipelines with respect to our NGL and natural gas sales. As noted in our disclosures regarding major customers above, a significant portion of our outstanding customer accounts receivable are concentrated within a group of up to five customers at any given time. Due primarily to the historical market efficiencies and generally timely settlements associated with commodity sale transactions for crude oil, NGLs and natural gas, we have assessed this portfolio segment at zero risk for credit loss upon the adoption of ASU 2016–13 and for each of the six months included in the period ended June 30, 2020. Historically, we have never experienced a credit loss with such customers including the periods during the 2008-2009 financial crisis and the more recent periods of significant commodity price declines. While we believe that the receivables that originated in June 2020 will be fully collected despite the ongoing uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 health crisis and the related global energy market disruptions, future originations of customer receivables will continue to be assessed with a greater emphasis on current economic conditions and reasonable supportable forecasts.

Mutual Operators. As of June 30, 2020, we had mutual joint interest partner relationships with three upstream producers that also operate properties within the Eagle Ford for which we have non-operated working interests. Historically we have had full and timely collection experiences with these entities and we ourselves are timely with respect to our payments to them of joint venture costs. Upon adoption of ASU 2016–13, we had assessed this portfolio segment at zero risk for credit loss; however, in light of the potential for liquidity concerns due to current economic conditions in the near-term, we have assessed receivables originating in 2020 with a five percent risk.

Large Partners. As of June 30, 2020, four legal entities had working interests of 10 percent or greater in properties that we operate. These entities are primarily passive investors. Historically we have had full and timely collection experiences with these entities. Upon adoption of ASU 2016–13, we had assessed this portfolio segment at risk of one percent for credit loss; however, in light of the potential for liquidity concerns due to current economic conditions in the near-term, we have increased the assessed receivables originating in 2020 to a two percent risk.

All Others. As of June 30, 2020, approximately thirty legal entities had working interests of less than 10 percent in properties that we operate. Historically, this is the only portfolio segment with whom we have experienced credit losses. Generally, this group includes passive investors and smaller producers that may not have the wherewithal or alternative sources of liquidity to settle their obligations to us in the event of individual challenges unique to smaller entities as well as adverse economic conditions in general. Upon adoption of ASU 2016–13, we had assessed this portfolio segment at a risk of five percent for credit loss; however, in light of the potential for liquidity concerns due to current economic conditions in the near-term, we have increased the assessed receivables originated in 2020 to a 10 percent risk. As of June 30, 2020, approximately $0.1 million of accounts receivables attributable to this portfolio segment was past due, or over 60 days.

Supplemental Disclosures

        The following table summarizes the activity in our allowance for credit losses, by portfolio segment, for the six months ended June 30, 2020:

			Joint Interest Partners
	Customers		Mutual Operators		Large Partners		All Others		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	52	$	52
Adjustment upon adoption	—		—		60		16		76
Provision for expected credit losses	—		5		13		11		29
Write-offs and recoveries	—		—		—		—		—
Balance at end of period	$	—	$	5	$	73	$	79	$	157