ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Nature of Operations Stone Energy Corporation (“Stone” or the “Company”) is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development and operation of oil and gas properties. We have been operating in the Gulf of Mexico (the “GOM”) Basin since our incorporation in 1993 and have established technical and operational expertise in this area. We leveraged our experience in the GOM conventional shelf and expanded our reserve base into the more prolific plays of the GOM deep water, Gulf Coast deep gas and the Marcellus and Utica shales in Appalachia. At December 31, 2016, we had producing properties and acreage in the Marcellus and Utica Shales in Appalachia. In connection with our restructuring efforts, we completed the sale of the Appalachia Properties (as defined in Note 2 – Reorganization) to EQT Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary EQT Production Company (“EQT”), on February 27, 2017 for net cash consideration of approximately $522.5 million. See Note 2 – Reorganization and Note 4 – Divestiture for additional information on the sale of the Appalachia Properties. We were incorporated in 1993 as a Delaware corporation. Our corporate headquarters are located at 625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508. We have an additional office in New Orleans, Louisiana. Pending Combination with Talos On November 21, 2017, Stone and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a series of related agreements pertaining to a business combination with Talos Energy LLC (“Talos Energy”) and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Talos Production LLC (“Talos Production” and, together with Talos Energy, “Talos”). Talos Energy is controlled indirectly by entities controlled by Apollo Management VII, L.P. (“Apollo VII”), Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., with respect to Series I (together with Apollo VII, “Apollo Management”) and Riverstone Energy Partners V, L.P. (“Riverstone”). Stone, Sailfish Energy Holdings Corporation (“New Talos”), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Stone, and Sailfish Merger Sub Corporation, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of New Talos, entered into a Transaction Agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with Talos on November 21, 2017, which contemplates a series of transactions (the “Transactions”) occurring on the date of closing of the Transaction Agreement (the “Closing”) that will result in such business combination. Stone and Talos will become wholly owned subsidiaries of New Talos. At the time of the Closing, the parties intend that New Talos will become a publicly traded entity named Talos Energy, Inc. The Transactions include (i) the contribution of 100% of the equity interests in Talos Production to New Talos in exchange for shares of New Talos common stock, (ii) the contribution by entities controlled by or affiliated with Apollo Management (the “Apollo Funds”) and Riverstone (the “Riverstone Funds”) of $102 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Talos Production and Talos Production Finance Inc. (together, the “the Talos Issuers”) to New Talos in exchange for shares of New Talos common stock, (iii) the exchange of the second lien bridge loans due 2022 issued by the Talos Issuers for newly issued 11% second lien notes issued by the Talos Issuers, and (iv) the exchange of the 7.50% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Second Lien Notes”) issued by Stone for newly issued 11% second lien notes issued by the Talos Issuers. Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, each outstanding share of Stone common stock will be exchanged for one share of New Talos common stock and the current Talos stakeholders (including the Apollo Funds and the Riverstone Funds) will be issued an aggregate of approximately 34.1 million common shares of New Talos. After the completion of the Transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, holders of Stone common stock immediately prior to the combination will collectively hold 37% of the outstanding New Talos common stock and Talos Energy stakeholders will hold 63% of the outstanding New Talos common stock. Outstanding warrants to acquire Stone common stock will become warrants to acquire New Talos common stock with terms and conditions substantially identical to their existing terms and conditions. The combination was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Stone and Talos Energy. Completion of the combination is subject to the approval of Stone shareholders, the consummation of a tender offer and consent solicitation for Stone’s 2022 Second Lien Notes, certain regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Franklin Advisers, Inc. and MacKay Shields LLC, as investment managers for approximately 53% of the outstanding common shares of Stone as of September 30, 2017, entered into voting agreements to vote in favor of the combination, subject to certain conditions. The Transaction Agreement contains certain termination rights for Stone and Talos Energy. Stone may be required to pay a termination fee and to reimburse transaction expenses to Talos Energy if the Transaction Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. The combination is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018. We cannot provide any assurance that the combination will be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all. Reorganization and Emergence from Voluntary Chapter 11 Proceedings On December 14, 2016 (the “Petition Date”), the Company and its subsidiaries Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C. (“Stone Offshore”) and Stone Energy Holding, L.L.C. (together with the Company, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions (the “Bankruptcy Petitions”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 (“Chapter 11”) of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). On February 15, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation Order”) confirming the Second Amended Joint Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization of Stone Energy Corporation and its Debtor Affiliates, dated December 28, 2016 (the “Plan”), as modified by the Confirmation Order, and on February 28, 2017, the Plan became effective (the “Effective Date”) and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy, with the bankruptcy cases then being closed by Final Decree Closing Chapter 11 Cases and Terminating Claims Agent Services entered by the Bankruptcy Court on April 20, 2017. See Note 2 – Reorganization for additional details. Upon emergence from bankruptcy, the Company adopted fresh start accounting in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, “Reorganizations”, which resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes on the Effective Date. As a result of the adoption of fresh start accounting, the Company’s consolidated financial statements subsequent to February 28, 2017 will not be comparable to its financial statements prior to that date. See Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details on the impact of fresh start accounting on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. References to “Successor” or “Successor Company” relate to the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to February 28, 2017. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” relate to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to, and including, February 28, 2017. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies A summary of significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements is set forth below. Basis of Presentation: The financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Stone Offshore, Stone Energy Holding, L.L.C. and Stone Energy Canada, ULC. On August 29, 2016, our subsidiaries SEO A LLC and SEO B LLC were merged into Stone Offshore. On December 2, 2016, Stone Energy Canada, ULC was dissolved. All intercompany balances have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Reorganization and Fresh Start Accounting: For periods subsequent to the Chapter 11 filing, but prior to emergence, ASC 852 requires that the financial statements distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, professional fees and other expenses incurred in the Chapter 11 cases, and unamortized debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts associated with debt classified as liabilities subject to compromise, have been recorded as reorganization items on the consolidated statement of operations for the applicable periods. In addition, pre-petition obligations that were to be impacted by the Chapter 11 process were classified on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 as liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 2 – Reorganization and Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for more information regarding reorganization items and liabilities subject to compromise. Upon emergence from bankruptcy, the Company qualified for and adopted fresh start accounting in accordance with the provisions of ASC 852, as (i) the holders of existing voting shares of the Predecessor Company received less than 50% of the voting shares of the Successor Company and (ii) the reorganization value of the Company’s assets immediately prior to confirmation of the Plan was less than the post-petition liabilities and allowed claims. The Company applied fresh start accounting as of February 28, 2017. Fresh start accounting required the Company to present its assets, liabilities and equity as if it were a new entity upon emergence from bankruptcy, with no beginning retained earnings or deficit as of the fresh start reporting date. The new entity is referred to as Successor or Successor Company, and includes the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to February 28, 2017. References to Predecessor or Predecessor Company relate to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to, and including, February 28, 2017. The Chapter 11 proceedings did not include our former foreign subsidiary Stone Energy Canada, ULC. This subsidiary had no significant activity during 2016, except for the reclassification of approximately $6.1 million of losses related to cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income into other operational expenses upon the substantial liquidation of Stone Energy Canada, ULC. Stone Energy Canada, ULC was dissolved on December 2, 2016. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions and information believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are uncertain and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used primarily when accounting for depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expense, unevaluated property costs, estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, costs to abandon oil and gas properties, income taxes, accruals of capitalized costs, operating costs and production revenue, capitalized general and administrative costs and interest, insurance recoveries, estimated fair value of derivative contracts, contingencies and fair value estimates, including estimates of reorganization value, enterprise value and the fair value of assets and liabilities recorded as a result of the adoption of fresh start accounting. Fair Value Measurements: U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we held certain financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including our commodity derivative instruments and our investments in marketable securities. On February 28, 2017, the Company emerged from bankruptcy and adopted fresh start accounting, which resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Upon the adoption of fresh start accounting, the Company’s assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values as of the fresh start reporting date, February 28, 2017. See Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for a detailed discussion of the fair value approaches used by the Company. Cash and Cash Equivalents: We consider all money market funds and highly liquid investments in overnight securities through our commercial bank accounts, which result in available funds on the next business day, to be cash and cash equivalents. On December 31, 2017, we had $18.7 million of cash held in a restricted account to satisfy near-term plugging and abandonment liabilities, pursuant to the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 13 – Debt). Oil and Gas Properties: We follow the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration, development and estimated abandonment costs, including certain related employee and general and administrative costs (less any reimbursements for such costs) and interest incurred for the purpose of finding oil and gas are capitalized. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Employee, general and administrative costs that are capitalized include salaries and all related fringe benefits paid to employees directly engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, as well as all other directly identifiable general and administrative costs associated with such activities, such as rentals, utilities and insurance. We capitalize a portion of the interest costs incurred on our debt based upon the balance of our unevaluated property costs and our weighted-average borrowing rate. Employee, general and administrative costs associated with production operations and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Additionally, workover and maintenance costs incurred solely to maintain or increase levels of production from an existing completion interval are charged to lease operating expense in the period incurred. U.S. GAAP allows the option of two acceptable methods for accounting for oil and gas properties. The successful efforts method is the allowable alternative to the full cost method. The primary differences between the two methods are in the treatment of exploration costs, the computation of DD&A expense and the assessment of impairment of oil and gas properties. Under the full cost method, all exploratory costs are capitalized, while under the successful efforts method, exploratory costs associated with unsuccessful exploratory wells and all geological and geophysical costs are expensed. Under the full cost method, DD&A expense is computed on cost centers represented by entire countries, while under the successful efforts method, cost centers are represented by properties, or some reasonable aggregation of properties with common geological structural features or stratigraphic condition, such as fields or reservoirs. Under the full cost method, oil and gas properties are subject to the ceiling test as discussed below while under the successful efforts method oil and gas properties are assessed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360. We amortize our investment in oil and gas properties through DD&A expense using the units of production (the “UOP”) method. Under the UOP method, the quarterly provision for DD&A expense is computed by dividing production volumes for the period by the total proved reserves as of the beginning of the period (beginning of period reserves being determined by adding production to the end of period reserves), and applying the respective rate to the net cost of proved oil and gas properties, including future development costs. Under the full cost method, we compare, at the end of each financial reporting period, the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves (adjusted for hedges and excluding cash flows related to estimated abandonment costs) to the net capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties, net of related deferred taxes. We refer to this comparison as a ceiling test. If the net capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties exceed the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves, we are required to write down the value of our oil and gas properties to the value of the discounted cash flows. Sales of oil and gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to net oil and gas properties with no gain or loss recognized, unless the adjustment would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves. Asset Retirement Obligations: U.S. GAAP requires us to record our estimate of the fair value of liabilities related to future asset retirement obligations in the period the obligation is incurred. Asset retirement obligations relate to the removal of facilities and tangible equipment at the end of an oil and gas property’s useful life. The application of this rule requires the use of management’s estimates with respect to future abandonment costs, inflation, timing of abandonment and cost of capital. U.S. GAAP requires that our estimate of our asset retirement obligations does not give consideration to the value the related assets could have to other parties. Other Property and Equipment: Our office buildings in Lafayette, Louisiana are being depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 39 years. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities: Through December 31, 2016, we designated our commodity derivatives as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes upon entering into the contracts. Accordingly, the contracts were recorded as either an asset or liability measured at fair value and subsequent changes in the derivative’s fair value were recognized in stockholders’ equity through other comprehensive income (loss), net of related taxes, to the extent the hedge was considered effective. Monthly settlements of effective hedges were reflected in revenue from oil and natural gas production. With respect to our 2017, 2018 and 2019 commodity derivative contracts, we have elected to not designate these contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the net changes in the mark-to-market valuations and the monthly settlements of these derivative contracts are recorded in earnings through derivative income (expense). Earnings Per Common Share: Under U.S. GAAP, certain instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are considered participating securities prior to vesting and are therefore required to be included in the earnings allocation in calculating earnings per share under the two-class method. Companies are required to treat unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive non-forfeitable dividends as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share. Production Revenue: We recognize production revenue under the entitlements method of accounting. Under this method, revenue is deferred for deliveries in excess of our net revenue interest, while revenue is accrued for undelivered or underdelivered volumes. Production imbalances are generally recorded at the estimated sales price in effect at the time of production. See Recently Issued Accounting Standards below. Income Taxes: Provisions for income taxes include deferred taxes resulting primarily from temporary differences due to different reporting methods for oil and gas properties for financial reporting and income tax purposes. For financial reporting purposes, all exploratory and development expenditures related to evaluated projects, including future abandonment costs, are capitalized and amortized using the UOP method. For income tax purposes, only the leasehold, geological and geophysical and equipment costs relative to successful wells are capitalized and recovered through DD&A, although for 2015, 2016 and 2017, special provisions allowed for current deductions for the cost of certain equipment. Generally, most other exploratory and development costs are charged to expense as incurred; however, we follow certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”) that allow capitalization of intangible drilling costs where management deems appropriate. Other financial and income tax reporting differences occur as a result of statutory depletion, different reporting methods for sales of oil and gas reserves in place, different reporting methods used in the capitalization of employee, general and administrative and interest expense, and different reporting methods for employee compensation. See Note 12 – Income Taxes for a discussion of the effects of the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Share-Based Compensation: We record share-based compensation using the grant date fair value of issued stock options, stock awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units over the vesting period of the instrument. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options. The fair value of stock awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units is typically determined based on the average of our high and low stock prices on the grant date. Combination Transaction Costs: In general, acquisition-related costs are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are rendered. However, some direct costs of an acquisition, such as the cost of registering and issuing equity securities to effect a business combination, are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital when incurred. Recently Issued Accounting Standards: In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard and disclosure requirements. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Additional disclosures will be required to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers including the disaggregation of revenue and remaining performance obligations. The standard may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application, and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017. We adopted this new standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but will result in increased disclosures related to revenue recognition policies and disaggregation of revenues. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted. Upon adoption the lessee will apply the new standard retrospectively to all periods presented or retrospectively using a cumulative effect adjustment in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect that this new standard may have on our financial statements and related disclosures. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and forfeitures, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 became effective for us on January 1, 2017. Under ASU 2016-09, we elected to not apply a forfeiture estimate and will recognize a credit in compensation expense to the extent awards are forfeited. The implementation of this new standard did not have a material effect on our financial statements or related disclosures. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)” to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better reflect an entity’s hedging strategies. The standard expands an entity’s ability to apply hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and amends the presentation and disclosure requirements. Additionally, ASU 2017-12 eliminates the need to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in fair value of a hedging instrument to be recorded in the same income statement line as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The standard must be adopted by applying a modified retrospective approach to existing designated hedging relationships as of the adoption date, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings as of the initial adoption date. We are currently evaluating the effect that this new standard may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Operations

Stone Energy Corporation (“Stone” or the “Company”) is an independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, exploitation, development and operation of oil and gas properties. We have been operating in the Gulf of Mexico (the “GOM”) Basin since our incorporation in 1993 and have established technical and operational expertise in this area. We leveraged our experience in the GOM conventional shelf and expanded our reserve base into the more prolific plays of the GOM deep water, Gulf Coast deep gas and the Marcellus and Utica shales in Appalachia. At December 31, 2016, we had producing properties and acreage in the Marcellus and Utica Shales in Appalachia. In connection with our restructuring efforts, we completed the sale of the Appalachia Properties (as defined in Note 2 – Reorganization) to EQT Corporation, through its wholly owned subsidiary EQT Production Company (“EQT”), on February 27, 2017 for net cash consideration of approximately $522.5 million. See Note 2 – Reorganization and Note 4 – Divestiture for additional information on the sale of the Appalachia Properties. We were incorporated in 1993 as a Delaware corporation. Our corporate headquarters are located at 625 E. Kaliste Saloom Road, Lafayette, Louisiana 70508. We have an additional office in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Pending Combination with Talos

On November 21, 2017, Stone and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a series of related agreements pertaining to a business combination with Talos Energy LLC (“Talos Energy”) and its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Talos Production LLC (“Talos Production” and, together with Talos Energy, “Talos”). Talos Energy is controlled indirectly by entities controlled by Apollo Management VII, L.P. (“Apollo VII”), Apollo Commodities Management, L.P., with respect to Series I (together with Apollo VII, “Apollo Management”) and Riverstone Energy Partners V, L.P. (“Riverstone”).

Stone, Sailfish Energy Holdings Corporation (“New Talos”), a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Stone, and Sailfish Merger Sub Corporation, a direct wholly owned subsidiary of New Talos, entered into a Transaction Agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with Talos on November 21, 2017, which contemplates a series of transactions (the “Transactions”) occurring on the date of closing of the Transaction Agreement (the “Closing”) that will result in such business combination. Stone and Talos will become wholly owned subsidiaries of New Talos. At the time of the Closing, the parties intend that New Talos will become a publicly traded entity named Talos Energy, Inc. The Transactions include (i) the contribution of 100% of the equity interests in Talos Production to New Talos in exchange for shares of New Talos common stock, (ii) the contribution by entities controlled by or affiliated with Apollo Management (the “Apollo Funds”) and Riverstone (the “Riverstone Funds”) of $102 million in aggregate principal amount of 9.75% Senior Notes due 2022 issued by Talos Production and Talos Production Finance Inc. (together, the “the Talos Issuers”) to New Talos in exchange for shares of New Talos common stock, (iii) the exchange of the second lien bridge loans due 2022 issued by the Talos Issuers for newly issued 11% second lien notes issued by the Talos Issuers, and (iv) the exchange of the 7.50% Senior Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Second Lien Notes”) issued by Stone for newly issued 11% second lien notes issued by the Talos Issuers.

Under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, each outstanding share of Stone common stock will be exchanged for one share of New Talos common stock and the current Talos stakeholders (including the Apollo Funds and the Riverstone Funds) will be issued an aggregate of approximately 34.1 million common shares of New Talos. After the completion of the Transactions contemplated by the Transaction Agreement, holders of Stone common stock immediately prior to the combination will collectively hold 37% of the outstanding New Talos common stock and Talos Energy stakeholders will hold 63% of the outstanding New Talos common stock. Outstanding warrants to acquire Stone common stock will become warrants to acquire New Talos common stock with terms and conditions substantially identical to their existing terms and conditions.

The combination was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of Stone and Talos Energy. Completion of the combination is subject to the approval of Stone shareholders, the consummation of a tender offer and consent solicitation for Stone’s 2022 Second Lien Notes, certain regulatory approvals and other customary conditions. Franklin Advisers, Inc. and MacKay Shields LLC, as investment managers for approximately 53% of the outstanding common shares of Stone as of September 30, 2017, entered into voting agreements to vote in favor of the combination, subject to certain conditions. The Transaction Agreement contains certain termination rights for Stone and Talos Energy. Stone may be required to pay a termination fee and to reimburse transaction expenses to Talos Energy if the Transaction Agreement is terminated under certain circumstances. The combination is expected to close in the second quarter of 2018. We cannot provide any assurance that the combination will be completed on the terms or timeline currently contemplated, or at all.

Reorganization and Emergence from Voluntary Chapter 11 Proceedings

On December 14, 2016 (the “Petition Date”), the Company and its subsidiaries Stone Energy Offshore, L.L.C. (“Stone Offshore”) and Stone Energy Holding, L.L.C. (together with the Company, the “Debtors”) filed voluntary petitions (the “Bankruptcy Petitions”) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division (the “Bankruptcy Court”) seeking relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of Title 11 (“Chapter 11”) of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the “Bankruptcy Code”). On February 15, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order (the “Confirmation Order”) confirming the Second Amended Joint Prepackaged Plan of Reorganization of Stone Energy Corporation and its Debtor Affiliates, dated December 28, 2016 (the “Plan”), as modified by the Confirmation Order, and on February 28, 2017, the Plan became effective (the “Effective Date”) and the Debtors emerged from bankruptcy, with the bankruptcy cases then being closed by Final Decree Closing Chapter 11 Cases and Terminating Claims Agent Services entered by the Bankruptcy Court on April 20, 2017. See Note 2 – Reorganization for additional details.

Upon emergence from bankruptcy, the Company adopted fresh start accounting in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 852, “Reorganizations”, which resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes on the Effective Date. As a result of the adoption of fresh start accounting, the Company’s consolidated financial statements subsequent to February 28, 2017 will not be comparable to its financial statements prior to that date. See Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for further details on the impact of fresh start accounting on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

References to “Successor” or “Successor Company” relate to the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to February 28, 2017. References to “Predecessor” or “Predecessor Company” relate to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to, and including, February 28, 2017.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

A summary of significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements is set forth below.

Basis of Presentation:

The financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries, Stone Offshore, Stone Energy Holding, L.L.C. and Stone Energy Canada, ULC. On August 29, 2016, our subsidiaries SEO A LLC and SEO B LLC were merged into Stone Offshore. On December 2, 2016, Stone Energy Canada, ULC was dissolved. All intercompany balances have been eliminated. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation.

Reorganization and Fresh Start Accounting:

For periods subsequent to the Chapter 11 filing, but prior to emergence, ASC 852 requires that the financial statements distinguish transactions and events that are directly associated with the reorganization from the ongoing operations of the business. Accordingly, professional fees and other expenses incurred in the Chapter 11 cases, and unamortized debt issuance costs, premiums and discounts associated with debt classified as liabilities subject to compromise, have been recorded as reorganization items on the consolidated statement of operations for the applicable periods. In addition, pre-petition obligations that were to be impacted by the Chapter 11 process were classified on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2016 as liabilities subject to compromise. See Note 2 – Reorganization and Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for more information regarding reorganization items and liabilities subject to compromise.

Upon emergence from bankruptcy, the Company qualified for and adopted fresh start accounting in accordance with the provisions of ASC 852, as (i) the holders of existing voting shares of the Predecessor Company received less than 50% of the voting shares of the Successor Company and (ii) the reorganization value of the Company’s assets immediately prior to confirmation of the Plan was less than the post-petition liabilities and allowed claims. The Company applied fresh start accounting as of February 28, 2017. Fresh start accounting required the Company to present its assets, liabilities and equity as if it were a new entity upon emergence from bankruptcy, with no beginning retained earnings or deficit as of the fresh start reporting date. The new entity is referred to as Successor or Successor Company, and includes the financial position and results of operations of the reorganized Company subsequent to February 28, 2017. References to Predecessor or Predecessor Company relate to the financial position and results of operations of the Company prior to, and including, February 28, 2017.

The Chapter 11 proceedings did not include our former foreign subsidiary Stone Energy Canada, ULC. This subsidiary had no significant activity during 2016, except for the reclassification of approximately $6.1 million of losses related to cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments from accumulated other comprehensive income into other operational expenses upon the substantial liquidation of Stone Energy Canada, ULC. Stone Energy Canada, ULC was dissolved on December 2, 2016.

Use of Estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the 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. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions and information believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects are uncertain and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used primarily when accounting for depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”) expense, unevaluated property costs, estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves, costs to abandon oil and gas properties, income taxes, accruals of capitalized costs, operating costs and production revenue, capitalized general and administrative costs and interest, insurance recoveries, estimated fair value of derivative contracts, contingencies and fair value estimates, including estimates of reorganization value, enterprise value and the fair value of assets and liabilities recorded as a result of the adoption of fresh start accounting.

Fair Value Measurements:

U.S. GAAP establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we held certain financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis, including our commodity derivative instruments and our investments in marketable securities.

On February 28, 2017, the Company emerged from bankruptcy and adopted fresh start accounting, which resulted in the Company becoming a new entity for financial reporting purposes. Upon the adoption of fresh start accounting, the Company’s assets and liabilities were recorded at their fair values as of the fresh start reporting date, February 28, 2017. See Note 3 – Fresh Start Accounting for a detailed discussion of the fair value approaches used by the Company.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

We consider all money market funds and highly liquid investments in overnight securities through our commercial bank accounts, which result in available funds on the next business day, to be cash and cash equivalents. On December 31, 2017, we had $18.7 million of cash held in a restricted account to satisfy near-term plugging and abandonment liabilities, pursuant to the terms of the Amended Credit Agreement (as defined in Note 13 – Debt).

Oil and Gas Properties:

We follow the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties. Under this method, all acquisition, exploration, development and estimated abandonment costs, including certain related employee and general and administrative costs (less any reimbursements for such costs) and interest incurred for the purpose of finding oil and gas are capitalized. Such amounts include the cost of drilling and equipping productive wells, dry hole costs, lease acquisition costs, delay rentals and other costs related to such activities. Employee, general and administrative costs that are capitalized include salaries and all related fringe benefits paid to employees directly engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, as well as all other directly identifiable general and administrative costs associated with such activities, such as rentals, utilities and insurance. We capitalize a portion of the interest costs incurred on our debt based upon the balance of our unevaluated property costs and our weighted-average borrowing rate. Employee, general and administrative costs associated with production operations and general corporate activities are expensed in the period incurred. Additionally, workover and maintenance costs incurred solely to maintain or increase levels of production from an existing completion interval are charged to lease operating expense in the period incurred.

U.S. GAAP allows the option of two acceptable methods for accounting for oil and gas properties. The successful efforts method is the allowable alternative to the full cost method. The primary differences between the two methods are in the treatment of exploration costs, the computation of DD&A expense and the assessment of impairment of oil and gas properties. Under the full cost method, all exploratory costs are capitalized, while under the successful efforts method, exploratory costs associated with unsuccessful exploratory wells and all geological and geophysical costs are expensed. Under the full cost method, DD&A expense is computed on cost centers represented by entire countries, while under the successful efforts method, cost centers are represented by properties, or some reasonable aggregation of properties with common geological structural features or stratigraphic condition, such as fields or reservoirs. Under the full cost method, oil and gas properties are subject to the ceiling test as discussed below while under the successful efforts method oil and gas properties are assessed for impairment in accordance with ASC 360.

We amortize our investment in oil and gas properties through DD&A expense using the units of production (the “UOP”) method. Under the UOP method, the quarterly provision for DD&A expense is computed by dividing production volumes for the period by the total proved reserves as of the beginning of the period (beginning of period reserves being determined by adding production to the end of period reserves), and applying the respective rate to the net cost of proved oil and gas properties, including future development costs.

Under the full cost method, we compare, at the end of each financial reporting period, the present value of estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves (adjusted for hedges and excluding cash flows related to estimated abandonment costs) to the net capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties, net of related deferred taxes. We refer to this comparison as a ceiling test. If the net capitalized costs of proved oil and gas properties exceed the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves, we are required to write down the value of our oil and gas properties to the value of the discounted cash flows.

Sales of oil and gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to net oil and gas properties with no gain or loss recognized, unless the adjustment would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.

Asset Retirement Obligations:

U.S. GAAP requires us to record our estimate of the fair value of liabilities related to future asset retirement obligations in the period the obligation is incurred. Asset retirement obligations relate to the removal of facilities and tangible equipment at the end of an oil and gas property’s useful life. The application of this rule requires the use of management’s estimates with respect to future abandonment costs, inflation, timing of abandonment and cost of capital. U.S. GAAP requires that our estimate of our asset retirement obligations does not give consideration to the value the related assets could have to other parties.

Other Property and Equipment:

Our office buildings in Lafayette, Louisiana are being depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 39 years.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:

Through December 31, 2016, we designated our commodity derivatives as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes upon entering into the contracts. Accordingly, the contracts were recorded as either an asset or liability measured at fair value and subsequent changes in the derivative’s fair value were recognized in stockholders’ equity through other comprehensive income (loss), net of related taxes, to the extent the hedge was considered effective. Monthly settlements of effective hedges were reflected in revenue from oil and natural gas production. With respect to our 2017, 2018 and 2019 commodity derivative contracts, we have elected to not designate these contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Accordingly, the net changes in the mark-to-market valuations and the monthly settlements of these derivative contracts are recorded in earnings through derivative income (expense).

Earnings Per Common Share:

Under U.S. GAAP, certain instruments granted in share-based payment transactions are considered participating securities prior to vesting and are therefore required to be included in the earnings allocation in calculating earnings per share under the two-class method. Companies are required to treat unvested share-based payment awards with a right to receive non-forfeitable dividends as a separate class of securities in calculating earnings per share.

Production Revenue:

We recognize production revenue under the entitlements method of accounting. Under this method, revenue is deferred for deliveries in excess of our net revenue interest, while revenue is accrued for undelivered or underdelivered volumes. Production imbalances are generally recorded at the estimated sales price in effect at the time of production. See Recently Issued Accounting Standards below.

Income Taxes:

Provisions for income taxes include deferred taxes resulting primarily from temporary differences due to different reporting methods for oil and gas properties for financial reporting and income tax purposes. For financial reporting purposes, all exploratory and development expenditures related to evaluated projects, including future abandonment costs, are capitalized and amortized using the UOP method. For income tax purposes, only the leasehold, geological and geophysical and equipment costs relative to successful wells are capitalized and recovered through DD&A, although for 2015, 2016 and 2017, special provisions allowed for current deductions for the cost of certain equipment. Generally, most other exploratory and development costs are charged to expense as incurred; however, we follow certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code (the “IRC”) that allow capitalization of intangible drilling costs where management deems appropriate. Other financial and income tax reporting differences occur as a result of statutory depletion, different reporting methods for sales of oil and gas reserves in place, different reporting methods used in the capitalization of employee, general and administrative and interest expense, and different reporting methods for employee compensation. See Note 12 – Income Taxes for a discussion of the effects of the December 22, 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Share-Based Compensation:

We record share-based compensation using the grant date fair value of issued stock options, stock awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units over the vesting period of the instrument. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options. The fair value of stock awards, restricted stock and restricted stock units is typically determined based on the average of our high and low stock prices on the grant date.

Combination Transaction Costs:

In general, acquisition-related costs are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred and the services are rendered. However, some direct costs of an acquisition, such as the cost of registering and issuing equity securities to effect a business combination, are recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in-capital when incurred.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards:

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)” to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard and disclosure requirements. Under the new standard, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Additional disclosures will be required to describe the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from contracts with customers including the disaggregation of revenue and remaining performance obligations. The standard may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application, and is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017.

We adopted this new standard on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. The adoption of the standard did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows, but will result in increased disclosures related to revenue recognition policies and disaggregation of revenues.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, with earlier application permitted. Upon adoption the lessee will apply the new standard retrospectively to all periods presented or retrospectively using a cumulative effect adjustment in the year of adoption. We are currently evaluating the effect that this new standard may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718)” to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and forfeitures, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 became effective for us on January 1, 2017. Under ASU 2016-09, we elected to not apply a forfeiture estimate and will recognize a credit in compensation expense to the extent awards are forfeited. The implementation of this new standard did not have a material effect on our financial statements or related disclosures.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)” to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better reflect an entity’s hedging strategies. The standard expands an entity’s ability to apply hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and amends the presentation and disclosure requirements. Additionally, ASU 2017-12 eliminates the need to separately measure and report hedge ineffectiveness and generally requires the entire change in fair value of a hedging instrument to be recorded in the same income statement line as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The standard must be adopted by applying a modified retrospective approach to existing designated hedging relationships as of the adoption date, with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings as of the initial adoption date. We are currently evaluating the effect that this new standard may have on our financial statements and related disclosures.