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Fresh Start Accounting
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Fresh Start Accounting
Note 2. Fresh Start Accounting

Fresh Start Accounting

Upon emergence from bankruptcy, we met the criteria and were required to adopt fresh start accounting in accordance with FASC Topic 852, Reorganizations, which on the Emergence Date resulted in a new entity, the Successor, for financial reporting purposes, with no beginning retained earnings or deficit as of the fresh start reporting date. The criteria requiring fresh start accounting are: (1) the holders of the then-existing common shares of the Predecessor received less than 50 percent of the new common shares of the Successor outstanding upon emergence from bankruptcy and (2) the reorganization value of the Company’s assets immediately prior to confirmation of the Plan was less than the total of all post-petition liabilities and allowed claims.

Fresh start accounting requires that new fair values be established for the Company’s assets, liabilities and equity as of the date of emergence from bankruptcy, September 18, 2020, and therefore certain values and operational results of the consolidated financial statements subsequent to September 18, 2020 are not comparable to those in the Company’s consolidated financial statements prior to, and including September 18, 2020. The Emergence Date fair values of the Successor’s assets and liabilities differ materially from their recorded values as reflected on the historical balance sheet of the Predecessor.

Reorganization Value

The reorganization value derived from the range of enterprise values associated with the Plan was allocated to the Company’s identifiable tangible and intangible assets and liabilities based on their fair values. Under FASC Topic 852, reorganization value generally approximates the fair value of the entity before considering liabilities and is intended to approximate the amount a willing buyer would pay for the assets immediately after the effects of the restructuring. The value of the reconstituted entity (i.e., Successor) was based on management projections and the valuation models as determined by the Company’s financial advisors in setting an estimated range of enterprise values. As set forth in the Plan and Disclosure Statement approved by the Bankruptcy Court, the valuation analysis resulted in an enterprise value between $1.1 billion and $1.5 billion, with a midpoint of $1.3 billion. For U.S. GAAP purposes, we valued the Successor’s individual assets, liabilities, and equity instruments and determined the value of the enterprise was approximately $1.3 billion as of the Emergence Date, which fell in line with the midpoint of the forecast enterprise value ranges approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Specific valuation approaches and key assumptions used to arrive at reorganization value, and the value of discrete assets and liabilities resulting from the application of fresh start accounting, are described below in greater detail within the valuation process.
The following table reconciles the enterprise value to the equity value of the Successor as of the Emergence Date:
In thousandsSept. 18, 2020
Enterprise value$1,280,856 
Plus: Cash and cash equivalents45,585 
Less: Total debt(231,022)
Equity value$1,095,419 

The following table reconciles enterprise value to reorganization value of the Successor (i.e., value of the reconstituted entity) and total reorganization value:
In thousandsSept. 18, 2020
Enterprise value$1,280,856 
Plus: Cash and cash equivalents45,585 
Plus: Current liabilities excluding current maturities of long-term debt239,738 
Plus: Non-interest-bearing noncurrent liabilities185,228 
Reorganization value of the reconstituted Successor$1,751,407 

With the assistance of third-party valuation advisors, we determined the enterprise and corresponding equity value of the Successor using various valuation approaches and methods, including: (i) income approach using a calculation of the present value of future cash flows based on our financial projections, (ii) the market approach using selling prices of similar assets and (iii) the cost approach.

The enterprise value and corresponding equity value are dependent upon achieving the future financial results set forth in our valuation using an asset-based methodology of estimated proved reserves, undeveloped properties, and other financial information, considerations and projections, applying a combination of the income, cost and market approaches as of the fresh start reporting date of September 18, 2020. All estimates, assumptions, valuations and financial projections, including the fair value adjustments, the financial projections, the enterprise value and equity value projections, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and the resolution of contingencies beyond our control. Accordingly, there is no assurance that the estimates, assumptions, valuations or financial projections will be realized, and actual results could vary materially.

Reorganization Items, Net

Reorganization items represent (i) expenses incurred during the Chapter 11 Restructuring subsequent to the Petition Date as a direct result of the Plan, (ii) gains or losses from liabilities settled and (iii) fresh start accounting adjustments and are recorded in “Reorganization items, net” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Professional service provider charges associated with our restructuring that were incurred before the Petition Date and after the Emergence Date are recorded in “Other expenses” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Contractual interest expense of $22.0 million from the Petition Date through the Emergence Date associated with our outstanding senior secured second lien notes, convertible senior notes, and senior subordinated notes was not accrued or recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as interest expense.
The following table summarizes the losses (gains) on reorganization items, net:
Predecessor
Period from
Jan. 1, 2020 through
Sept. 18, 2020
In thousands
Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise$(1,024,864)
Fresh start accounting adjustments1,834,423 
Professional service provider fees and other expenses11,267 
Success fees for professional service providers9,700 
Loss on rejected contracts and leases10,989 
Valuation adjustments to debt classified as subject to compromise757 
DIP credit agreement fees3,107 
Acceleration of Predecessor stock compensation expense4,601 
Total reorganization items, net$849,980 

Payments of professional service provider fees and success fees of $12.7 million and fees of $3.1 million related to the Senior Secured Superpriority Debtor-in-Possession Credit Agreement (“DIP Facility”) were included in cash outflows from operating activities and financing activities, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the period January 1, 2020 through September 18, 2020.

Valuation Process

The fair values of our principal assets, including oil and natural gas properties, CO2 properties, pipelines, other property and equipment, long-term contracts to sell CO2 to industrial customers, favorable and unfavorable vendor contracts, pipeline financing liabilities and right-of-use assets, asset retirement obligations and warrants were estimated as of the Emergence Date.

Oil and Natural Gas Properties

The Company’s principal assets are its oil and natural gas properties, which are accounted for under the full cost accounting method as described in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesOil and Natural Gas Properties. The Company determined the fair value of its oil and gas properties based on the discounted cash flows expected to be generated from these assets. The computations were based on market conditions and reserves in place as of the Emergence Date.

The fair value analysis was based on the Company’s estimated future production rates of proved and probable reserves as prepared by the Company’s independent petroleum engineers. Discounted cash flow models were prepared using the estimated future revenues and operating costs for all developed wells and undeveloped properties comprising the proved and probable reserves. Future revenues were based upon future production rates and forward strip oil and natural gas prices as of the Emergence Date through 2024 and escalated for inflation thereafter, adjusted for differentials. Operating costs were adjusted for inflation beginning in year 2025. A risk adjustment factor was applied to each reserve category, consistent with the risk of the category. The discounted cash flow models also included adjustments for income tax expenses.

Discount factors utilized were derived using a weighted average cost of capital computation, which included an estimated cost of debt and equity for market participants with similar geographies and asset development type and varying corporate income tax rates based on the expected point of sale for each property’s produced assets. Reserve values were also adjusted for any asset retirement obligations as well as for CO2 indirect costs not directly allocable to oil fields. Based on this analysis, the Company concluded the fair value of its proved and probable reserves was $865.4 million as of the Emergence Date (see footnote 10 to Fresh Start Adjustments discussion below).
CO2 Properties

The fair value of CO2 properties includes the value of CO2 mineral rights and associated infrastructure and was determined using the discounted cash flow method under the income approach. After-tax cash flows were forecast based on expected costs to produce and transport CO2 as provided by management, and income was imputed using a gross-up of costs based on a five-year average historical EBITDA margin for publicly traded companies that primarily develop or produce natural gas. Cash flows were also adjusted for a market participant profit on CO2 costs, since Denbury charges oil fields for CO2 use on a cost basis. Cash flows were then discounted using a rate considering reduced risk associated with CO2 industrial sales.

Pipelines

The fair values of our pipelines were determined using a combination of the replacement cost method under the cost approach and the discounted cash flow method under the income approach. The replacement cost method considers historical acquisition costs for the assets adjusted for inflation, as well as factors in any potential obsolescence based on the current condition of the assets and the ability of those assets to generate cash flow. For assets valued using the discounted cash flow method, after-tax cash flows were forecast based on expected costs provided by management, and profits were imputed using a gross-up of costs based on a five-year average historical EBITDA margin for publicly traded companies that primarily transport natural gas. Pipeline depreciable lives represent the remaining estimated useful lives of the pipelines, which will be depreciated on a straight-line basis ranging from 20 to 43 years.

Other Property and Equipment

The fair value of the non-reserve related property and equipment such as land, buildings, equipment, leasehold improvements and software was determined using the replacement cost method under the cost approach which considers historical acquisition costs for the assets adjusted for inflation, as well as factors in any potential obsolescence based on the current condition of the assets and the ability of those assets to generate cash flow.

Long-Term Contracts to Sell CO2 to Industrial Customers

The fair value of long-term contracts to sell CO2 to industrial customers was determined using the multi-period excess earnings method (“MPEEM”) under the income approach. MPEEM attributes cash flow to a specific intangible asset based on residual cash flows from a set of assets generating revenues after accounting for appropriate returns on and of other assets contributing to that revenue generation. Cash flows were forecast based on expected changes in pricing, volumes, renewal rates, and costs using volumes and prices through and beyond the initial contract terms. After-tax cash flows were discounted using a rate considering reduced risk of these industrial contracts relative to overall oil and gas production risks. The contracts will be depreciated over a useful life of seven to 14 years.

Favorable and Unfavorable Vendor Contracts

We recognized both favorable and unfavorable contracts using the incremental value method under the income approach. The incremental value method calculates value on the basis of the pricing differential between historical contracted rates and estimated pricing that the Company would most likely receive if it entered into similar contract conditions (other than the price) as of the Emergence Date. The differential is applied to expected contract volumes, tax-affected and discounted at a discount rate consistent with the risk of the associated cash flows.

Asset Retirement Obligations

The fair value of the asset retirement obligations was revalued based upon estimated current reclamation costs for our assets with reclamation obligations, an appropriate long-term inflation adjustment, and our revised credit adjusted risk-free rate (“CARFR”). The new CARFR was based on an evaluation of similar industry peers with similar factors such as emergence, new capital structure and current rates for oil and gas companies.
Pipeline Financing Liabilities

The fair value of the pipeline financing liabilities was measured as the present value of the remaining payments under the restructured pipeline agreements (see Note 8, Long-Term DebtRestructuring of Pipeline Financing Transactions, for further discussion).

Warrants

The fair values of the warrants issued upon the Emergence Date were estimated by applying a Black-Scholes-Merton model. The Black-Scholes-Merton model is a pricing model used to estimate the fair value of a European-style call or put option/warrant based on a current stock price, strike price, time to maturity, risk-free rate, annual volatility rate, and annual dividend yield.

The model used the following assumptions: implied stock price (total equity divided by total shares outstanding) of the Successor’s shares of common stock of $22.14; exercise price per share of $32.59 and $35.41 for series A and B warrants, respectively; expected volatility of 49.3% and 53.6% for series A and B warrants, respectively; risk-free interest rates of 0.3% and 0.2% for series A and B warrants, respectively, using the United States Treasury Constant Maturity rates; and an expected annual dividend yield of 0%. Expected volatility was estimated using volatilities of similar entities whose share or option prices and assumptions were publicly available. The time to maturity of the warrants was based on the contractual terms of the warrants of five and three years for series A and series B warrants, respectively. The values were also adjusted for potential dilution impacts.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

The following illustrates the effects on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet due to the reorganization and fresh start accounting adjustments. The explanatory notes following the table below provide further details on the adjustments, including the assumptions and methods used to determine fair value for its assets, liabilities, and warrants.
As of September 18, 2020
In thousandsPredecessorReorganization AdjustmentsFresh Start AdjustmentsSuccessor
Assets
Current assets 
Cash and cash equivalents$73,372 $(27,787)
(1)
$— $45,585 
Restricted cash— 10,662 
(2)
— 10,662 
Accrued production receivable112,832 — — 112,832 
Trade and other receivables, net36,221 — — 36,221 
Derivative assets32,635 — — 32,635 
Other current assets12,968 (539)
(3)
— 12,429 
Total current assets268,028 (17,664)— 250,364 
Property and equipment 
Oil and natural gas properties (using full cost accounting)
Proved properties11,723,546 — (10,941,313)782,233 
Unevaluated properties650,553 — (538,570)111,983 
CO2 properties
1,198,515 — (1,011,169)187,346 
Pipelines2,339,864 — (2,207,246)132,618 
Other property and equipment201,565 — (104,152)97,413 
Less accumulated depletion, depreciation, amortization and impairment(12,864,141)— 12,864,141 — 
Net property and equipment3,249,902 — (1,938,309)
(10)
1,311,593 
Operating lease right-of-use assets1,774 — 69 
(10)
1,843 
Derivative assets501 — — 501 
Intangible assets, net20,405 — 79,678 
(11)
100,083 
Other assets81,809 8,241 
(4)
(3,027)
(12)
87,023 
Total assets$3,622,419 $(9,423)$(1,861,589)$1,751,407 
As of September 18, 2020
In thousandsPredecessorReorganization AdjustmentsFresh Start AdjustmentsSuccessor
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$67,789 $102,793 
(5)
$3,738 
(13)
$174,320 
Oil and gas production payable39,372 16,705 
(6)
— 56,077 
Derivative liabilities8,613 — — 8,613 
Current maturities of long-term debt— 73,199 
(6)
364 
(14)
73,563 
Operating lease liabilities— 757 
(6)
(29)
(10)
728 
Total current liabilities115,774 193,454 4,073 313,301 
Long-term liabilities 
Long-term debt, net of current portion140,000 42,610 
(6)
(25,151)
(14)
157,459 
Asset retirement obligations2,727 180,408 
(6)
(24,697)
(10)
158,438 
Derivative liabilities295 — — 295 
Deferred tax liabilities, net— 417,951 
(6)(15)
(414,120)
(15)
3,831 
Operating lease liabilities— 515 
(6)
10 
(10)
525 
Other liabilities— 3,540 
(6)
18,599 
(16)
22,139 
Total long-term liabilities not subject to compromise143,022 645,024 (445,359)342,687 
Liabilities subject to compromise2,823,506 (2,823,506)
(6)
— — 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders’ equity
Predecessor preferred stock— — — — 
Predecessor common stock510 (510)
(7)
— — 
Predecessor paid-in capital in excess of par2,764,915 (2,764,915)
(7)
— — 
Predecessor treasury stock, at cost(6,202)6,202 
(7)
— — 
Successor preferred stock— — — — 
Successor common stock— 50 
(8)
— 50 
Successor paid-in capital in excess of par— 1,095,369 
(8)
— 1,095,369 
Accumulated deficit(2,219,106)3,639,409 
(9)
(1,420,303)
(17)
— 
Total stockholders equity
540,117 1,975,605 (1,420,303)1,095,419 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$3,622,419 $(9,423)$(1,861,589)$1,751,407 

Reorganization Adjustments

(1)Represents the net cash payments that occurred on the Emergence Date as follows:
In thousands
Sources:
Cash proceeds from Successor Bank Credit Agreement$140,000 
Total cash proceeds140,000 
Uses:
Payment in full of DIP Facility and pre-petition revolving bank credit facility(140,000)
Retained professional service provider fees paid to escrow account(10,662)
Non-retained professional service provider fees paid(7,420)
Accrued interest and fees on DIP Facility(1,464)
Debt issuance costs related to Successor Bank Credit Agreement(8,241)
Total cash uses(167,787)
Net uses$(27,787)
(2)Represents the transfer of funds to a restricted cash account utilized for the payment of fees to retained professional service providers assisting in the bankruptcy process.

(3)Represents the write-off of costs related to the DIP Facility and a run-off policy for directors’ and officers’ insurance coverage, partially offset by the recording of prepaid amounts for non-retained professional service provider fees.

(4)Represents debt issuance costs related to the Successor Bank Credit Agreement.

(5)Adjustments to accounts payable and accrued liabilities as follows:
In thousands
Accrual of professional service provider fees$2,826 
Payment of accrued interest and fees on DIP Facility(1,464)
Reinstatement of accounts payable and accrued liabilities from liabilities subject to compromise101,431 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$102,793 

(6)Liabilities subject to compromise were settled as follows in accordance with the Plan:
In thousands
Liabilities subject to compromise prior to the Emergence Date:
Settled liabilities subject to compromise
Senior secured second lien notes$1,629,457 
Convertible senior notes234,015 
Senior subordinated notes251,480 
Total settled liabilities subject to compromise2,114,952 
Reinstated liabilities subject to compromise
Current maturities of long-term debt73,199 
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities101,431 
Oil and gas production payable16,705 
Operating lease liabilities, current757 
Long-term debt, net of current portion42,610 
Asset retirement obligations180,408 
Deferred tax liabilities289,389 
Operating lease liabilities, long-term515 
Other long-term liabilities3,540 
Total reinstated liabilities subject to compromise708,554 
Total liabilities subject to compromise2,823,506 
Issuance of New Common Stock to second lien note holders(1,014,608)
Issuance of New Common Stock to convertible note holders(53,400)
Issuance of series A warrants to convertible note holders(15,683)
Issuance of series B warrants to senior subordinated note holders (6,398)
Reinstatement of liabilities subject to compromise(708,553)
Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise$1,024,864 

(7)Represents the cancellation of the Predecessor’s common stock, treasury stock, and related components of the Predecessor’s paid-in capital in excess of par. Paid-in capital in excess of par includes $4.6 million as a result of terminated Predecessor stock compensation plans.
(8)Represents the Successor’s common stock and additional paid-in capital as follows:
In thousands
Capital in excess of par value of 47,499,999 issued and outstanding shares of New Common Stock issued to holders of the senior secured second lien note claims$1,014,608 
Capital in excess of par value of 2,500,000 issued and outstanding shares of New Common Stock issued to holders of the convertible senior note claims53,400 
Fair value of series A warrants issued to convertible senior note holders15,683 
Fair value of series B warrants issued to senior subordinated note holders6,398 
Fair value of series B warrants issued to Predecessor equity holders5,330 
Total change in Successor common stock and additional paid-in capital1,095,419 
Less: Par value of Successor common stock(50)
Change in Successor additional paid-in capital$1,095,369 

(9)Reflects the cumulative net impact of the effects on accumulated deficit as follows:
In thousands
Cancellation of Predecessor common stock, paid-in capital in excess of par, and treasury stock$2,763,824 
Gain on settlement of liabilities subject to compromise1,024,864 
Acceleration of Predecessor stock compensation expense(4,601)
Recognition of tax expenses related to reorganization adjustments(128,556)
Professional service provider fees recognized at emergence(9,700)
Issuance of series B warrants to Predecessor equity holders(5,330)
Other(1,092)
Net impact to Predecessor accumulated deficit$3,639,409 

Fresh Start Adjustments

(10)Reflects fair value adjustments to our (i) oil and natural gas properties, CO2 properties, pipelines, and other property and equipment, as well as the elimination of accumulated depletion, depreciation, and amortization, (ii) operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities, and (iii) asset retirement obligations.

(11)Reflects fair value adjustments to our long-term contracts to sell CO2 to industrial customers.

(12)Reflects fair value adjustments to our other assets as follows:
In thousands
Fair value adjustment for CO2 and oil pipeline line-fill
$(3,698)
Fair value adjustments for escrow accounts671 
Fair value adjustments to other assets$(3,027)

(13)Reflects fair value adjustments to accounts payable and accrued liabilities as follows:
In thousands
Fair value adjustment for the current portion of an unfavorable vendor contract$3,500 
Fair value adjustment for the current portion of Predecessor asset retirement obligation689 
Write-off accrued interest on NEJD pipeline financing(451)
Fair value adjustments to accounts payable and accrued liabilities$3,738 
(14)Represents adjustments to current and long-term maturities of debt associated with pipeline lease financings. The cumulative effect is as follows:
In thousands
Fair value adjustment for Free State pipeline lease financing$(24,699)
Fair value adjustment for NEJD pipeline lease financing(88)
Fair value adjustments to current and long-term maturities of debt$(24,787)

Our pipeline lease financings were restructured in late October 2020 (see Note 8, Long-Term DebtRestructuring of Pipeline Financing Transactions).

(15)Represents (i) adjustment to deferred taxes, including the recognition of tax expenses related to reorganization adjustments as a result of the cancellation of debt and retaining tax attributes for the Successor and the reinstatement of deferred tax liabilities subject to compromise totaling $128.6 million and (ii) adjustments to deferred tax liabilities related to fresh start accounting of $414.1 million.

(16)Represents a fair value adjustment for the long-term portion of an unfavorable vendor contract.

(17)Represents the cumulative effect of the fresh start accounting adjustments discussed above.