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Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation, is an independent oil and natural gas company with operations focused in two key operating areas: the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions. Our goal is to increase the value of our properties through a combination of exploitation, drilling and proven engineering extraction practices, with the most significant emphasis relating to CO₂ enhanced oil recovery operations.

Principles of Reporting and Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements herein have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of Denbury and entities in which we hold a controlling financial interest. Undivided interests in oil and gas joint ventures are consolidated on a proportionate basis. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use Of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of certain assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during each reporting period. Management believes its estimates and assumptions are reasonable; however, such estimates and assumptions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from such estimates. Significant estimates underlying these financial statements include (1) the fair value of financial derivative instruments; (2) the estimated quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves used to compute depletion of oil and natural gas properties, the related present value of estimated future net cash flows therefrom and the ceiling test; (3) future net cash flow estimates used in the impairment assessment of long-lived assets; (4) the estimated quantities of proved and probable CO₂ reserves used to compute depletion of CO₂ properties; (5) estimated useful lives used to compute depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets; (6) accruals related to oil and natural gas sales volumes and revenues, capital expenditures and lease operating expenses; (7) the estimated costs and timing of future asset retirement obligations; and (8) estimates made in the calculation of income taxes. While management is not aware of any significant revisions to any of its current year-end estimates, there will likely be future revisions to its estimates resulting from matters such as revisions in estimated oil and natural gas volumes, changes in ownership interests, payouts, joint venture audits, re-allocations by purchasers or pipelines, or other corrections and adjustments common in the oil and natural gas industry, many of which require retroactive application. These types of adjustments cannot be currently estimated and will be recorded in the period in which the adjustment occurs.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications had no impact on our reported net income, current assets, total assets, current liabilities, total liabilities or stockholders’ equity.

Cash Equivalents

Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

We consider all highly liquid investments to be cash equivalents if they have maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash as reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets to “Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period” as reported within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:



	December 31,
	2018		2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	38,560	$	58
Restricted cash included in other assets	16,389		15,934
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	$	54,949	$	15,992

Oil and Natural Gas Properties

Capitalized Costs. We follow the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all costs related to the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized and accumulated in a single cost center representing our activities, which are undertaken exclusively in the United States. Such costs include lease acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenditures, lease rentals on undeveloped properties, costs of drilling both productive and nonproductive wells, capitalized interest on qualifying projects, and general and administrative expenses directly related to exploration and development activities, and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We assign the purchase price of oil and natural gas properties we acquire to proved and unevaluated properties based on the estimated fair values as defined in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification (“FASC”) Fair Value Measurement topic. Proceeds received from disposals are credited against accumulated costs except when the sale represents a significant disposal of reserves, in which case a gain or loss would be recognized. A disposal of 25% or more of our proved reserves would be considered significant.

Depletion and Depreciation. The costs capitalized, including production equipment and future development costs, are depleted or depreciated using the unit-of-production method, based on proved oil and natural gas reserves as determined by independent petroleum engineers. Oil and natural gas reserves are converted to equivalent units on a basis of 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil.

Under full cost accounting, we may exclude certain unevaluated costs from the amortization base pending determination of whether proved reserves can be assigned to such properties. The costs classified as unevaluated are transferred to the full cost amortization base as the properties are developed, tested and evaluated. At least annually, we test these assets for impairment based on an evaluation of management’s expectations of future pricing, evaluation of lease expiration terms, and planned project development activities. As a result of this analysis, we recognized impairments of our unevaluated costs totaling $21.4 million and $21.0 million during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, whereby these costs were transferred to the full cost amortization base. We did not record any impairments of our unevaluated costs during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Write-Down of Oil and Natural Gas Properties. The net capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties are limited to the lower of unamortized cost or the cost center ceiling. The cost center ceiling is defined as (1) the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves before future abandonment costs (discounted at 10%), based on the average first-day-of-the-month oil and natural gas price for each month during a 12-month rolling period prior to the end of a particular reporting period; plus (2) the cost of properties not being amortized; plus (3) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any; less (4) related income tax effects. Our future net revenues from proved oil and natural gas reserves are not reduced for development costs related to the cost of drilling for and developing CO₂ reserves nor those related to the cost of constructing CO₂ pipelines, as we do not have to incur additional costs to develop the proved oil and natural gas reserves. Therefore, we include in the ceiling test, as a reduction of future net revenues, that portion of our capitalized CO₂ costs related to CO₂ reserves and CO₂ pipelines that we estimate will be consumed in the process of producing our proved oil and natural gas reserves. The fair value of our oil and natural gas derivative contracts is not included in the ceiling test, as we do not designate these contracts as hedge instruments for accounting purposes. The cost center ceiling test is prepared quarterly.

Declines in 2016 average first-day-of-the-month NYMEX oil prices used in estimating our proved reserves led to our recognizing a full cost pool ceiling test write-down totaling $810.9 million during 2016. We did not record any ceiling test write-downs during 2017 or 2018.

Joint Interest Operations. Substantially all of our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities are conducted jointly with others. These financial statements reflect only our proportionate interest in such activities, and any amounts due from other partners are included in trade receivables.

Tertiary Injection Costs. Our tertiary operations are conducted in reservoirs that have already produced significant amounts of oil over many years; however, in accordance with the SEC rules and regulations for recording proved reserves, we cannot recognize proved reserves associated with enhanced recovery techniques, such as CO₂ injection, until we can demonstrate production resulting from the tertiary process or unless the field is analogous to an existing flood.

We capitalize, as a development cost, injection costs in fields that are in their development stage, which means we have not yet seen incremental oil production due to the CO₂ injections (i.e., a production response). These capitalized development costs are included in our unevaluated property costs if there are not already proved tertiary reserves in that field. After we see a production response to the CO₂ injections (i.e., the production stage), injection costs are expensed as incurred, and once proved reserves are recognized, previously deferred unevaluated development costs become subject to depletion.

Property, Plant, and Equipment Policy

CO₂ Properties

We own and produce CO₂ reserves, a non-hydrocarbon resource, that are used in our tertiary oil recovery operations on our own behalf and on behalf of other interest owners in enhanced recovery fields, with a portion sold to third-party industrial users. We record revenue from our sales of CO₂ to third parties when it is produced and sold. Expenses related to the production of CO₂ are allocated between volumes sold to third parties and volumes consumed internally that are directly related to our tertiary production. The expenses related to third-party sales are recorded in “CO₂discovery and operating expenses,” and the expenses related to internal use are recorded in “Lease operating expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations or are capitalized as oil and natural gas properties in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the stage of the tertiary flood that is receiving the CO₂ (see Tertiary Injection Costs above for further discussion).

Costs incurred to search for CO₂ are expensed as incurred until proved or probable reserves are established. Once proved or probable reserves are established, costs incurred to obtain those reserves are capitalized and classified as “CO₂ properties” on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Capitalized CO₂ costs are aggregated by geologic formation and depleted on a unit-of-production basis over proved and probable reserves.

Pipelines and Plants

CO₂ used in our tertiary floods is transported to our fields through CO₂ pipelines. Costs of CO₂ pipelines under construction are not depreciated until the pipelines are placed into service. Pipelines are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range from 20 to 50 years. Capitalized costs include $122.5 million of CO₂ pipelines as of December 31, 2018, that were either under construction or had not been placed into service and therefore, were not subject to depreciation during 2018.

Pipelines and plants also include capitalized costs associated with the Riley Ridge gas processing facility in southwestern Wyoming. During the fourth quarter of 2016, we reassessed the estimated useful life of the gas processing facility and related assets, due to the extended shut-in status of the Riley Ridge gas processing facility and our analysis of cost estimates and engineering options to remedy certain existing issues, and recorded accelerated depreciation to fully depreciate capitalized costs related to the facility and intangible assets assigned to helium production rights at Riley Ridge.

Property and Equipment – Other

Other property and equipment, which includes furniture and fixtures, vehicles, computer equipment and software, and capitalized leases, is depreciated principally on a straight-line basis over each asset’s estimated useful life. Vehicles and furniture and fixtures are generally depreciated over a useful life of five to ten years, and computer equipment and software are generally depreciated over a useful life of three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the remaining lease term.

Leased property meeting certain capital lease criteria is capitalized, and the present value of the related lease payments is recorded as a liability. Amortization of capitalized leased assets is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term.

Maintenance and repair costs that do not extend the useful life of the property or equipment are charged to expense as incurred.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Our intangible assets subject to amortization primarily consist of amounts assigned in purchase accounting to a CO₂ purchase contract with ConocoPhillips to offtake CO₂ from the Lost Cabin gas plant in Wyoming and is included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets under the caption “Other assets.” We amortize the CO₂ contract intangible asset on a straight-line basis over the contract term. Total amortization expense for our intangible assets was $2.4 million, $2.4 million and $2.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The following table summarizes the carrying value of our intangible assets as of December 31, 2018 and 2017:



	December 31,
In thousands	2018			2017
Intangible asset value	$	37,848		$	37,848
Accumulated amortization	(13,074		)	(10,645		)
Net book value	$	24,774		$	27,203

As of December 31, 2018, our estimated amortization expense for our intangible assets subject to amortization over the next five years is as follows:



In thousands
2019	$	2,430
2020	2,430
2021	2,430
2022	2,430
2023	2,430

Impairment Assessment of Long-Lived Assets

The portion of our capitalized CO₂ costs related to CO₂ reserves and CO₂ pipelines that we estimate will be consumed in the process of producing our proved oil and natural gas reserves is included in the full cost pool ceiling test as a reduction to future net revenues. The remaining net capitalized costs that are not included in the full cost pool ceiling test, and related intangible assets, are subject to long-lived asset impairment testing whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

We perform our long-lived asset impairment test by comparing the net carrying costs of our long-lived asset groups to the respective expected future undiscounted net cash flows that are supported by these long-lived assets which include production of our probable and possible oil and natural gas reserves. If the undiscounted net cash flows are below the net carrying costs for an asset group, we must record an impairment loss by the amount, if any, that net carrying costs exceed the fair value of the long-lived asset group. We did not record an impairment of long-lived assets during the year ended December 31, 2018.

Asset Retirement Obligations

In general, our future asset retirement obligations relate to future costs associated with plugging and abandoning our oil, natural gas and CO₂ wells, removing equipment and facilities from leased acreage, and returning land to its original condition. The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred, discounted to its present value using our credit-adjusted-risk-free interest rate, and a corresponding amount capitalized by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted each period, and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. Revisions to estimated retirement obligations will result in an adjustment to the related capitalized asset and corresponding liability. If the liability for an oil or natural gas well is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, the difference is recorded to the full cost pool, unless significant.

Asset retirement obligations are estimated at the present value of expected future net cash flows. We utilize unobservable inputs in the estimation of asset retirement obligations that include, but are not limited to, costs of labor and materials, profits on costs of labor and materials, the effect of inflation on estimated costs, and the discount rate. Accordingly, asset retirement obligations are considered a Level 3 measurement under the FASC Fair Value Measurement topic.

Commodity Derivative Contracts

We utilize oil and natural gas derivative contracts to mitigate our exposure to commodity price risk associated with our future oil and natural gas production. These derivative contracts have historically consisted of options, in the form of price floors, collars, three-way collars, fixed-price swaps, fixed-price swaps enhanced with a sold put, and basis swaps. Our derivative financial instruments, other than any derivative instruments that are designated under the “normal purchase normal sale” exclusion, are recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at fair value. We do not apply hedge accounting to our commodity derivative contracts; accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in “Commodity derivatives expense (income)” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period of change.

We do not apply hedge accounting treatment to our oil and natural gas derivative contracts; therefore, the changes in the fair values of these instruments are recognized in income in the period of change. These fair value changes, along with the settlements of expired contracts, are shown under “Commodity derivatives expense (income)” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Historically, we have entered into various oil and natural gas derivative contracts to provide an economic hedge of our exposure to commodity price risk associated with anticipated future oil and natural gas production and to provide more certainty to our future cash flows. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Generally, these contracts have consisted of various combinations of price floors, collars, three-way collars, fixed-price swaps, fixed-price swaps enhanced with a sold put, and basis swaps. The production that we hedge has varied from year to year depending on our levels of debt, financial strength and expectation of future commodity prices.

We manage and control market and counterparty credit risk through established internal control procedures that are reviewed on an ongoing basis. We attempt to minimize credit risk exposure to counterparties through formal credit policies, monitoring procedures and diversification, and all of our commodity derivative contracts are with parties that are lenders under our Bank Credit Agreement (or affiliates of such lenders). As of December 31, 2018, all of our outstanding derivative contracts were subject to enforceable master netting arrangements whereby payables on those contracts can be offset against receivables from separate derivative contracts with the same counterparty. It is our policy to classify derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis on our balance sheets, even if the contracts are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Our financial instruments that are exposed to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, trade and accrued production receivables, and the derivative instruments discussed above. Our cash equivalents represent high-quality securities placed with various investment-grade institutions. This investment practice limits our exposure to concentrations of credit risk. Our trade and accrued production receivables are dispersed among various customers and purchasers; therefore, concentrations of credit risk are limited. We evaluate the credit ratings of our purchasers, and if customers are considered a credit risk, letters of credit are the primary security obtained to support lines of credit. We attempt to minimize our credit risk exposure to the counterparties of our oil and natural gas derivative contracts through formal credit policies, monitoring procedures and diversification. All of our derivative contracts are with parties that are lenders under our senior secured bank credit facility (or affiliates of such lenders). There are no margin requirements with the counterparties of our derivative contracts.

Oil and natural gas sales are made on a day-to-day basis or under short-term contracts at the current area market price. We would not expect the loss of any purchaser to have a material adverse effect upon our operations. For the year ended December 31, 2018, two purchasers accounted for 10% or more of our oil and natural gas revenues: Plains Marketing LP (24%) and Hunt Crude Oil Supply Company (10%). For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, two purchasers accounted for 10% or more of our oil and natural gas revenues: Plains Marketing LP (22% and 20% in 2017 and 2016, respectively) and Marathon Petroleum Company (10% and 14% in 2017 and 2016, respectively).

Revenue Recognition

We record revenue in accordance with FASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which we adopted on January 1, 2018, and applied to all existing contracts using the modified retrospective method. The core principle of FASC Topic 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount of consideration that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. This principle is achieved through applying a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition:

•Identify the contract or contracts with a customer – We derive the majority of our revenues from oil and natural gas sales contracts and CO₂ sales and transportation contracts. The contracts specify each party’s rights regarding the goods or services to be transferred and contain commercial substance as they impact our financial statements. A high percentage of our receivables balance is current, and we have not historically entered into contracts with counterparties that pose a credit risk without requiring adequate economic protection to ensure collection.

•Identify the performance obligations in the contract – Each of our revenue contracts specify a volume per day, or production from a lease designated in the contract (a distinct good), to be delivered at the delivery point over the term of the contract (the identified performance obligation). The customer takes delivery and physical possession of the product at the delivery point, which generally is also the point at which title transfers and the customer obtains the risks and rewards of ownership (the identified performance obligation is satisfied).

•Determine the transaction price – Typically, our oil and natural gas contracts define the price as a formula price based on the average market price, as specified on set dates each month, for the specific commodity during the month of delivery. Certain of our CO₂ contracts define the price as a fixed contractual price adjusted to an inflation index to reflect market pricing. Given the industry practice to invoice customers the month following the month of delivery and our high probability of collection of payment, no significant financing component is included in our contracts.

•Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract – The majority of our revenue contracts are short-term, with terms of one year or less, to which we have applied the practical expedient permitted under the standard eliminating the requirement to disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations. In limited instances, we have revenue contracts with terms greater than one year; however, the future delivery volumes are wholly unsatisfied as they represent separate performance obligations with variable consideration. We utilized the practical expedient which eliminates the requirement to disclose the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations if the variable consideration is allocated entirely to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations. As there is only one performance obligation associated with our contracts, no allocation of the transaction price is necessary.

•Recognize revenue when, or as, we satisfy a performance obligation – Once we have delivered the volume of commodity to the delivery point and the customer takes delivery and possession, we are entitled to payment and we invoice the customer for such delivered production. Payment under most oil and CO₂ contracts is made within a month following product delivery and for natural gas and NGL contracts is generally made within two months following delivery. Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers; however, as the right to consideration after delivery is unconditional based on only the passage of time before payment of the consideration is due, upon delivery we record a receivable in “Accrued production receivable” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, which was $125.8 million and $146.3 million as of December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable

Other Receivables

Denbury, along with other companies, has supported the development of a proposed plant in the Gulf Coast for which one of the by-products would be CO₂, and for which Denbury has an offtake agreement. Since early 2015, we have made successive loans towards this development, which totaled $16.9 million at December 31, 2018.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities using the enacted statutory tax rates in effect at year end. The effect on deferred taxes for a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is recorded when it is more likely than not that the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated in the same manner, but includes the impact of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities consist of nonvested restricted stock, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), nonvested performance-based equity awards, and shares into which our previously-outstanding convertible senior notes were convertible.

The following table sets forth the reconciliations of net income (loss) and weighted average shares used for purposes of calculating basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share for the periods indicated:



	Year Ended December 31,
In thousands	2018		2017		2016
Numerator
Net income (loss) – basic	$	322,698	$	163,152	$	(976,177	)
Effect of potentially dilutive securities
Interest on convertible senior notes	539		49		—
Net income (loss) – diluted	$	323,237	$	163,201	$	(976,177	)

Denominator
Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic	432,483		390,928		373,859
Effect of potentially dilutive securities
Restricted stock, SARs and performance-based equity awards	6,500		2,242		—
Convertible senior notes	17,186		2,751		—
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted	456,169		395,921		373,859

Basic weighted average common shares exclude shares of nonvested restricted stock. As these restricted shares vest, they will be included in the shares outstanding used to calculate basic net income (loss) per common share (although time-vesting restricted stock is issued and outstanding upon grant). For purposes of calculating diluted weighted average common shares during the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the nonvested restricted stock and performance-based equity awards are included in the computation using the treasury stock method, with the deemed proceeds equal to the average unrecognized compensation during the period, and for the shares underlying the previously-outstanding convertible senior notes as if the convertible senior notes were converted at the beginning of the 2018 and 2017 periods. In April and May 2018, all outstanding convertible senior notes converted into shares of Denbury common stock, resulting in the issuance of 55.2 million shares of our common stock upon conversion. These shares have been included in basic weighted average common shares outstanding beginning on the date of conversion. See Note 6, Long-Term Debt, for further discussion.

The following securities could potentially dilute earnings per share in the future, but were excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share, as their effect would have been antidilutive:



	Year Ended December 31,
In thousands	2018	2017	2016
SARs	2,743	4,512	6,427
Restricted stock and performance-based equity awards	1,234	5,645	5,816

Environmental and Litigation Contingencies

The Company makes judgments and estimates in recording liabilities for contingencies such as environmental remediation or ongoing litigation. Liabilities are recorded when it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and such loss is reasonably estimable. Assessments of liabilities are based on information obtained from independent and in-house experts, loss experience in similar situations, actual costs incurred, and other case-by-case factors. Any related insurance recoveries are recognized in our financial statements during the period received or at the time receipt is determined to be virtually certain.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

Cash Flows. In November 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (‘FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (“ASU 2016-18”). ASU 2016-18 addresses the diversity that existed in the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows, and requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change in total cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-18, which was applied retrospectively for all comparative periods presented. Accordingly, restricted cash associated with our escrow accounts of $15.9 million and $15.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, have been included in “Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period” on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and $15.9 million and $15.4 million included in “Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period” for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 did not have an impact on our consolidated balance sheets or results of operations.

Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 amends the guidance for revenue recognition to replace numerous, industry-specific requirements. The core principle of the ASU is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods or services equal to the amount that it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods or services. The ASU implements a five-step process for customer contract revenue recognition that focuses on transfer of control, as opposed to transfer of risk and rewards. The amendment also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued four additional ASUs which primarily clarified the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, performance obligations and licensing, collectibility, presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers, and non-cash consideration. Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective method. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements but required enhanced footnote disclosures. See Note 2, Revenue Recognition, for additional information.

Not Yet Adopted

Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurements (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 adds, modifies, or removes certain disclosure requirements for recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements based on the FASB’s consideration of costs and benefits. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. Entities must adopt the amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty prospectively, and all other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 is currently not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements but may require enhanced footnote disclosures.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 amends the guidance for lease accounting to require lease assets and liabilities to be recognized on the balance sheet, along with additional disclosures regarding key leasing arrangements. The ASU does not apply to mineral leases or leases that convey the right to explore for or use the land on which oil, natural gas, and similar natural resources are contained. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. Entities must adopt the standard using a modified retrospective transition and apply the guidance to the earliest comparative period presented, with certain practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. In January 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-01, Leases (Topic 842) – Land Easement Practical Expedient for Transition to Topic 842, which provides an optional practical expedient to existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under Topic 840, which permits a company to evaluate only new or modified land easements under the new guidance. We intend to adopt the standard using a modified retrospective approach with an application date of January 1, 2019 and elect the practical expedients provided in the new ASUs that allow historical lease classification of existing leases, allow entities to recognize leases with terms of one year or less in their statement of operations, and carry forward our accounting treatment for existing land easement agreements. We have implemented a software system to summarize the key contract terms and financial information associated with each lease agreement, in order to assess the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 and ASU 2018-01 will have on our consolidated financial statements. Based on our assessment of our leasing arrangements, we anticipate recording an operating lease liability of approximately $55 million primarily for office leases. The liability recognized for our financing leases has not changed as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-02.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures

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 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.

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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, 2018, instruments in this category included non-exchange-traded 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. An increase or decrease of 100 basis points in the implied volatility inputs utilized in our fair value measurement would result in a change of approximately $180 thousand in the fair value of these instruments as of December 31, 2018.

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.

Stock Compensation Policy

Restricted Stock

We grant non-performance-based restricted stock to employees and directors as part of our long-term compensation program. Holders of non-performance-based restricted stock awards have the rights of owning non-restricted stock (including voting rights) except that the holders are not entitled to delivery of a portion thereof until certain requirements are met. Beginning in 2014, non-performance-based restricted stock awards provide the holders with forfeitable dividend equivalent rights which vests with the underlying shares. Non-performance-based restricted stock vests over a three-year vesting period, with the specific terms of vesting determined at the time of grant.

SARs

Prior to January 1, 2016, we granted SARs settled in stock to our employees. The SARs generally become exercisable over a three-year vesting period, with the specific terms of vesting determined at the time of grant based on guidelines established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. The SARs expire over terms not to exceed 7 years from the date of grant, 90 days after termination of employment, 90 days or one year after permanent disability, depending on the award, or one year after the death of the optionee. The SARs were granted with a strike price equal to the fair market value at the time of grant, which is generally defined as the closing price on the NYSE on the date of grant.

Performance-Based Equity Awards

Annually, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors grants performance-based equity awards to Denbury’s officers. Performance-based awards generally vest over 1.25 to 3.25 years for awards granted in 2016 and 2017 and over 3.25 years for awards granted in 2018. The number of performance-based shares earned (and eligible to vest) during the performance period will depend upon: (1) our level of success in achieving specifically identified performance targets (“Performance-Based Operational Awards”) and (2) performance of our stock relative to that of a designated peer group (“Performance-Based TSR Awards”). Generally, one-half of the maximum number of shares that could be earned under the performance-based awards will be earned for performance at the designated target levels (100% target vesting levels) or upon any earlier change of control, and twice the target number of shares will be earned if the maximum target levels are met (200% of target vesting levels). With respect to the performance-based equity awards, any amounts earned above the 100% target levels will be payable in cash, rather than in shares of Denbury stock, in order to conserve available shares under the Plan. If performance is below the designated minimum levels, no performance-based shares will be earned. Performance-Based Operational Awards are valued using the fair market value of Denbury stock, and Performance-Based TSR Awards are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation.

Stock-based compensation expense associated with our field employees is included in “Lease operating expenses,” while such expense associated with non-field employees is included in “General and administrative expenses” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Stock-based compensation associated with our employees involved in exploration and drilling activities is capitalized as part of “Oil and natural gas properties” in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.