Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Note 6. Fair Value Measurements

The FASC Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures topic defines fair value as 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 (exit price). We utilize market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. We primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavor to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. We are able to classify fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs. The FASC establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. We currently have no Level 1 recurring measurements.

• Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reported date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. Instruments in this category include non-exchange-traded oil derivatives that are based on NYMEX pricing. Our costless collars are valued using the Black-Scholes model, an industry standard option valuation model, that takes into account inputs such as contractual prices for the underlying instruments, including maturity, quoted forward prices for commodities, interest rates, volatility factors and credit worthiness, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

• Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. At September 30, 2013, instruments in this category include non-exchange-traded oil collars that are based on regional pricing other than NYMEX (i.e., Louisiana Light Sweet). Our costless collars are valued using the Black-Scholes model, which is described above. We obtain and ensure the appropriateness of the significant inputs to the calculation, including contractual prices for the underlying instruments, maturity, forward prices for commodities, interest rates, volatility factors and credit worthiness, and the fair value estimate is prepared and reviewed on a quarterly basis. Implied volatilities utilized in the valuation of Level 3 instruments are developed using a benchmark, which is considered a significant unobservable input. A one percent increase or decrease in implied volatility would result in a change of approximately $0.1 million in the fair value of these instruments as of September 30, 2013.

We adjust the valuations from the valuation model for nonperformance risk, using our estimate of the counterparty’s credit quality for asset positions and our credit quality for liability positions. We use multiple sources of third-party credit data in determining counterparty nonperformance risk, including credit default swaps.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of the periods indicated:

	Fair Value Measurements Using:
In thousands	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)			Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total
September 30, 2013
Assets:
Oil derivative contracts	$	—	$	1,251		$	1,886		$	3,137
Liabilities:
Oil derivative contracts	—		(54,534		)	(1,740		)	(56,274		)
Total	$	—	$	(53,283	)	$	146		$	(53,137	)
December 31, 2012
Assets:
Oil derivative contracts	$	—	$	19,513		$	—		$	19,513
Liabilities:
Oil derivative contracts	—		(26,440		)	—			(26,440		)
Total	$	—	$	(6,927	)	$	—		$	(6,927	)

Since we do not use hedge accounting for our commodity derivative contracts, any gains and losses on our assets and liabilities are included in “Derivatives expense (income)” in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

During the first quarter of 2012, we recorded a $15.1 million impairment charge for an investment in the preferred stock of Faustina Hydrogen Products LLC, which impairment was classified as “Impairment of assets” in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The inputs used to determine fair value of the investment included the projected future cash flows of the plant and risk-adjusted rate of return that we estimated would be used by a market participant in valuing the asset.  These inputs are unobservable within the marketplace and therefore considered Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.  However, as there are currently no expected future cash flows associated with the plant, the preferred stock was determined to have no value.

Other Fair Value Measurements

The carrying value of our Bank Credit Facility approximates fair value, as it is subject to short-term floating interest rates that approximate the rates available to us for those periods. We use a market approach to determine fair value of our fixed-rate debt using observable market data. The fair values of our senior subordinated notes are based on quoted market prices. The estimated fair value of our total long-term debt as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, excluding pipeline financing and capital lease obligations, was $2.921 billion and $2.957 billion, respectively. We have other financial instruments consisting primarily of cash, cash equivalents, short-term receivables and payables that approximate fair value due to the nature of the instrument and the relatively short maturities.