Note 10. Fair Value Measurements

The FASC Fair Value Measurement topic defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (often referred to as the “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 income 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.

•

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 and fixed-price swaps and basis swaps that are based on regional pricing other than NYMEX (e.g., Light Louisiana Sweet). Our costless collars and the sold put features of our three-way 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, 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. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. As of December 31, 2017, we had no Level 3 recurring fair value measurements. Previous instruments in this category included non-exchange-traded costless collars and three-way collars that were based on regional pricing other than NYMEX (e.g., Light Louisiana Sweet). The valuation models utilized for costless collars and three-way collars were consistent with the methodologies described above; however, the implied volatilities utilized in the valuation of Level 3 instruments were developed using a benchmark, which was considered a significant unobservable input.

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 December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	Fair Value Measurements Using:
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets		Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
In thousands	(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Total
December 31, 2017
Liabilities
Oil derivative contracts – current	$	—	$	(99,061	)	$	—		$	(99,061	)
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	(99,061	)	$	—		$	(99,061	)

December 31, 2016
Liabilities
Oil derivative contracts – current	$	—	$	(68,753	)	$	(526	)	$	(69,279	)
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	(68,753	)	$	(526	)	$	(69,279	)

Since we do not apply hedge accounting for our commodity derivative contracts, any gains and losses on our assets and liabilities are included in “Commodity derivatives expense (income)” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value of our Level 3 assets and liabilities for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016:



	Year Ended December 31,
In thousands	2017			2016
Fair value of Level 3 instruments, beginning of year	$	(526	)	$	52,834
Fair value adjustments on commodity derivatives	526			(2,135		)
Receipt on settlements of commodity derivatives	—			(51,225		)
Fair value of Level 3 instruments, end of year	$	—		$	(526	)

The amount of total losses for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to assets or liabilities still held at the reporting date	$	—		$	(526	)

Other Fair Value Measurements

The carrying value of our loans under our Bank Credit Agreement approximate fair value, as they are subject to short-term floating interest rates that approximate the rates available to us for those periods. We use a market approach to determine the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt using observable market data. The fair values of our senior secured second lien notes, senior notes, and senior subordinated notes are based on quoted market prices, which are considered Level 1 measurements under the fair value hierarchy. The estimated fair value of the principal amount of our debt as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, excluding pipeline financing and capital lease obligations, was $2,260.6 million and $2,327.8 million, 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.