Member's and Shareholders' Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Equity [Abstract]

Memeber's and Shareholders' Equity

Member’s and Shareholders’ Equity

On December 16, 2013, in connection with the LINN Energy transaction, the outstanding Class A Common Stock (“Common Stock”) and Class B Stock of the Company were acquired by LinnCo, an affiliate of LINN Energy. On that date, the Company was reorganized as a Delaware limited liability company and its sole member is Linn Acquisition Company, LLC, a direct subsidiary of LINN Energy.

Prior to being acquired by LinnCo, shares of Common Stock and Class B Stock were entitled to one vote and 95% of one vote, respectively. Each share of Class B Stock was entitled to a $0.50 per share preference in the event of liquidation or dissolution. Further, each share of Class B Stock was convertible into one share of Common Stock at the option of the holder.

Dividends

The regular annual dividend for 2013 was $0.32 per share and was paid quarterly in March, June, September and December. Dividend payments were limited at such time by covenants in the Credit Facility to the greater of $35 million or 75% of net income for any four quarter period. In addition, the indentures governing the Company’s senior notes contain provisions potentially restricting the Company’s ability to declare dividends if certain situations arose; provided that, notwithstanding such restrictions, the Company may declare dividends up to $0.36 per share annually (so long as such distributions did not exceed $20 million annually) in the event that the Company was not in default under the indentures and up to $10 million in the event that the Company was in a nonpayment default under the indentures. Since December 16, 2013, the effective date of the LINN Energy transaction, the Company has not declared a dividend and does not currently plan to do so in the future. However, the Company has the ability to make distributions to LINN Energy in accordance with the terms of the indentures governing its senior notes.