NFX 2015 Q1 - 10Q


 
 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
þ
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2015
OR
¨
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period from                      to                     .

Commission File Number: 1-12534

NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
72-1133047
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification Number)

4 Waterway Square Place
Suite 100
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
(Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

(281) 210-5100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer þ     
 
Accelerated filer ¨   
 
Non-accelerated filer ¨     
 
Smaller reporting company ¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes ¨ No þ

As of May 1, 2015, there were 162,800,912 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.
 
 
 
 
 



TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



ii




NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31, 
 2015
 
December 31, 
 2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
783

 
$
14

Restricted cash
 
3

 

Accounts receivable, net
 
354

 
439

Inventories
 
27

 
33

Derivative assets
 
425

 
431

Other current assets
 
18

 
23

Total current assets
 
1,610

 
940

Oil and gas properties — full cost method ($729 and $677 were excluded from amortization at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
 
15,983

 
16,384

Less — accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
(8,380
)
 
(8,152
)
Total oil and gas properties, net
 
7,603

 
8,232

Other property and equipment, net
 
176

 
182

Derivative assets
 
224

 
190

Long-term investments
 
22

 
26

Other assets
 
43

 
28

Total assets
 
$
9,678

 
$
9,598

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
 
 

 
 

Accounts payable
 
$
62

 
$
32

Accrued liabilities
 
606

 
880

Advances from joint owners
 
48

 
34

Asset retirement obligations
 
2

 
3

Derivative liabilities
 
1

 
8

Deferred taxes
 
143

 
144

Total current liabilities
 
862

 
1,101

Other liabilities
 
45

 
45

Derivative liabilities
 
2

 

Long-term debt
 
3,146

 
2,892

Asset retirement obligations
 
183

 
183

Deferred taxes
 
1,202

 
1,484

Total long-term liabilities
 
4,578

 
4,604

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
 
 
 
 
Stockholders' equity:
 
 

 
 

Preferred stock ($0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)
 

 

Common stock ($0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014; 163,001,991 and 137,603,643 shares issued at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
 
2

 
1

Additional paid-in capital
 
2,401

 
1,576

Treasury stock (at cost, 304,944 and 275,069 shares at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively)
 
(11
)
 
(10
)
Accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Retained earnings
 
1,847

 
2,327

Total stockholders' equity
 
4,238

 
3,893

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
9,678

 
$
9,598


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

1


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Oil, gas and NGL revenues
 
$
349

 
$
571

 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses:
 
 

 
 

Lease operating
 
75

 
74

Transportation and processing
 
49

 
37

Production and other taxes
 
13

 
28

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
237

 
192

General and administrative
 
63

 
56

Ceiling test and other impairments
 
792

 

Other
 
4

 
2

Total operating expenses
 
1,233

 
389

Income (loss) from operations
 
(884
)
 
182

 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense):
 
 

 
 

Interest expense
 
(44
)
 
(51
)
Capitalized interest
 
7

 
13

Commodity derivative income (expense)
 
153

 
(96
)
Other, net
 
8

 
2

Total other income (expense)
 
124

 
(132
)
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
(760
)
 
50

 
 
 
 
 
Income tax provision (benefit):
 
 

 
 

Current
 
3

 
3

Deferred
 
(283
)
 
20

Total income tax provision (benefit)
 
(280
)
 
23

Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
(480
)
 
27

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
 

 
257

Net income (loss)
 
$
(480
)
 
$
284

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 

 
 

Basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
0.19

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 
1.89

Basic earnings (loss) per share
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
2.08

Diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
0.19

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 
1.88

Diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
2.07

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding for basic earnings (loss) per share
 
145

 
136

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding for diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
145

 
137


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

2


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Net income (loss)
 
$
(480
)
 
$
284

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 

 
 

Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax
 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)
 
$
(480
)
 
$
284


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.


3


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(480
)
 
$
284

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 
 

 
 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
237

 
224

Deferred tax provision (benefit)
 
(283
)
 
161

Stock-based compensation
 
15

 
11

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts
 
(32
)
 
57

Ceiling test and other impairments
 
792

 

Gain on sale of Malaysia business
 

 
(388
)
Other, net
 
6

 
(4
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 

 
 

(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable
 
38

 
51

(Increase) decrease in inventories
 
2

 
(6
)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash
 
(3
)
 

(Increase) decrease in other current assets
 
4

 
(7
)
(Increase) decrease in other assets
 
4

 

Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
(105
)
 
(6
)
Increase (decrease) in advances from joint owners
 
14

 
(13
)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities
 
(4
)
 
1

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
205

 
365

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 

 
 

Additions to oil and gas properties
 
(511
)
 
(553
)
Proceeds from sales of oil and gas properties
 
29

 
10

Proceeds received from sale of Malaysia business, net
 

 
809

Additions to other property and equipment
 
(4
)
 
(8
)
Redemptions of investments
 

 
39

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
(486
)
 
297

Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 

 
 

Proceeds from borrowings under credit arrangements
 
701

 
562

Repayments of borrowings under credit arrangements
 
(1,147
)
 
(1,211
)
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes
 
691

 

Debt issue costs
 
(8
)
 

Proceeds from issuances of common stock, net
 
815

 

Purchases of treasury stock, net
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other
 
(1
)
 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
1,050

 
(650
)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
 
769

 
12

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
14

 
95

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
783

 
$
107


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

4


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
 Comprehensive
Gain (Loss)
 
 Total
Stockholders' Equity
 
 
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
 
 
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance, December 31, 2014
 
137.6

 
$
1

 
(0.3
)
 
$
(10
)
 
$
1,576

 
$
2,327

 
$
(1
)
 
$
3,893

Issuances of common stock
 
25.4

 
1

 
 
 
 
 
814

 
 
 
 
 
815

Stock-based compensation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
11

 
 
 
 
 
11

Treasury stock, net
 
 
 
 
 

 
(1
)
 

 
 

 
 
 
(1
)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(480
)
 
 
 
(480
)
Balance, March 31, 2015
 
163.0

 
$
2

 
(0.3
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
2,401

 
$
1,847

 
$
(1
)
 
$
4,238


The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

5



NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

1.      Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
   
Organization and Principles of Consolidation
     
We are an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs). Our principal domestic areas of operation include the Mid-Continent, the Rocky Mountains and the onshore Gulf Coast regions of the United States. In addition, we have offshore oil developments in China.

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Newfield Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. We proportionately consolidate our interests in oil and natural gas exploration and production ventures and partnerships in accordance with industry practice. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all references in these notes to “Newfield,” “we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company” are to Newfield Exploration Company and its subsidiaries.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to fairly state our financial position as of and results of operations for the periods presented. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all disclosures required for financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full year.

These consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
  
Discontinued Operations

The results of our Malaysia operations are reflected separately as discontinued operations in the consolidated statement of operations on a line immediately after "Income (loss) from continuing operations." See Note 16, "Discontinued Operations," for additional disclosures, as well as information regarding the sale of our Malaysia business, which closed in February 2014.

Risks and Uncertainties

As an independent oil and natural gas producer, our revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing prices for oil, natural gas and NGLs. Historically, the energy markets have been very volatile, and there can be no assurance that commodity prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations in the future. A substantial or extended decline in commodity prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, access to capital and on the quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves that we can economically produce. It is possible for any of these effects to occur in the near term, given the recent decline in commodity pricing.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities; disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements; the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period; and the quantities and values of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves used in calculating depletion and assessing impairment of our oil and gas properties. Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates. Our most significant estimates are associated with the quantities of proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves, the timing and amount of transfers of our unevaluated properties into our amortizable full cost pool and the fair value of both our derivative positions and our stock-based compensation liability awards. 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' reported amounts in order to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications did not impact our net income (loss), stockholders' equity or cash flows.


6

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Restricted Cash

Restricted cash of $3 million on our consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2015 represents amounts held in escrow accounts to satisfy plug and abandonment obligations for our China operations. These amounts are restricted as to their current use and will be released when we have satisfied all plugging and abandonment obligations in our China field. Consistent with our other plug and abandonment activities, changes in restricted cash is included in cash flows from operating activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.

Oil and Gas Properties

We use the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas producing activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, including salaries, benefits, interest and other internal costs directly attributable to these activities, are capitalized into cost centers that are established on a country-by-country basis. We capitalized approximately $32 million and $54 million of interest and direct internal costs during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties are applied to reduce the costs in the applicable cost center unless the reduction would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized.

Capitalized costs and estimated future development costs are amortized using a unit-of-production method based on proved reserves associated with the applicable cost center. For each cost center, the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties are limited to the lower of the unamortized cost or the cost center ceiling. A particular cost center ceiling is equal to the sum of:

the present value (10% per annum discount rate) of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves using oil, natural gas and NGL reserve estimation requirements, which require use of the unweighted average first-day-of-the-month commodity prices for the prior 12 months, adjusted for market differentials (SEC pricing), applicable to our reserves (including the effects of hedging contracts that are designated for hedge accounting, if any); plus
the cost of properties not included in the costs being amortized, if any; less
related income tax effects.

If net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceed the cost center ceiling, we are subject to a non-cash ceiling test writedown to the extent of such excess. If required, a ceiling test writedown reduces earnings and stockholders’ equity in the period of occurrence and, holding other factors constant, results in lower depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in future periods.

The risk that we will be required to writedown the carrying value of our oil and gas properties increases when oil, natural gas and NGL prices decrease significantly for a prolonged period of time or if we have substantial downward revisions in our estimated proved reserves. At March 31, 2015, the ceiling value of our reserves was calculated based upon SEC pricing of $3.88 per MMBtu for natural gas and $82.60 per barrel for oil. Using these prices, our ceiling for the U.S. did not exceed the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties resulting in a ceiling test writedown of approximately $788 million ($496 million after tax). The cost center ceiling with respect to the China full cost pool exceeded the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties by approximately $200 million, net of tax, and as such, no ceiling test writedown was required.
The continued decline of SEC pricing for oil and natural gas reserves since March 31, 2015 will likely result in a U.S. ceiling test writedown in the second quarter of 2015.
New Accounting Requirements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements and requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a reduction of the carrying value of the financial liability and not as a separate asset. The guidance requires retrospective adjustment to the balance sheet presentation and disclosures applicable for a change in an accounting principle. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We expect to adopt this guidance on or before the effective date.


7

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach to adjust retained earnings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed a deferral of the effective date by one year, which is not final until the FASB completes its due process requirements. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

2.      Earnings Per Share:
     
The following is the calculation of basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding and earnings per share (EPS) for the indicated periods:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions, except per share data)
Income (numerator):
 
 
 
 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(480
)
 
$
27

  Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 
257

Net income (loss)
 
$
(480
)
 
$
284

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average shares (denominator):
 
 

 
 

Weighted-average shares — basic
 
145

 
136

Dilution effect of stock options and unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding at end of period(1)(2)
 

 
1

Weighted-average shares — diluted
 
145

 
137

 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share:
 
 

 
 

Basic:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
0.19

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 
1.89

Basic earnings (loss) per share
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
2.08

Diluted:
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
0.19

Income (loss) from discontinued operations
 

 
1.88

Diluted earnings (loss) per share
 
$
(3.30
)
 
$
2.07

_______
(1)
The effect of 2.4 million unvested restricted stock or restricted stock units and stock options has not been included in the calculation of shares outstanding for diluted EPS for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Had we recognized income from continuing operations for the quarter, incremental shares attributable to the assumed vesting of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units and the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options would have increased diluted weighted-average shares outstanding by 1.3 million shares for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
(2)
Excludes 1.5 million shares of unvested restricted stock or restricted stock units and stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2014, respectively, because including the effect would have been anti-dilutive.


8

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


3.      Equity Offering:
     
During the first quarter of 2015, we issued 25.3 million additional shares of common stock through a public equity offering. We received proceeds of approximately $815 million, which were used primarily to repay all borrowings under our credit facility and money market lines of credit.

4.      Inventories:
     
At March 31, 2015, the crude oil inventory from our China operations consisted of approximately 144,000 barrels of crude oil valued at cost of approximately $5 million. At December 31, 2014, the crude oil inventory from our China operations consisted of approximately 240,000 barrels of crude oil valued at cost of approximately $8 million and is included under the caption "Inventories" on our consolidated balance sheet. Cost for purposes of the carrying value of oil inventory is the sum of related production costs and depletion expense.

5.      Oil and Gas Assets:

  Property and Equipment

  Property and equipment consisted of the following:
 
 
March 31, 
 2015
 
December 31, 
 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Oil and gas properties:
 
 
 
 
Subject to amortization
 
$
15,254

 
$
15,707

Not subject to amortization
 
729

 
677

Gross oil and gas properties
 
15,983

 
16,384

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
(8,380
)
 
(8,152
)
Net oil and gas properties
 
$
7,603

 
$
8,232

Other property and equipment:
 
 

 
 

Furniture, fixtures and equipment
 
$
143

 
$
144

Gathering systems and equipment
 
115

 
114

Accumulated depreciation and amortization
 
(82
)
 
(76
)
Net other property and equipment
 
$
176

 
$
182


Oil and gas properties not subject to amortization as of March 31, 2015, consisted of the following:
 
 
Costs Incurred In
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012 and Prior
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Acquisition costs
 
$
41

 
$
182

 
$
158

 
$
91

 
$
472

Exploration costs
 
78

 
82

 

 

 
160

Fee mineral interests
 

 

 
1

 
23

 
24

Capitalized interest
 
7

 
52

 
14

 

 
73

Total oil and gas properties not subject to amortization
 
$
126

 
$
316

 
$
173

 
$
114

 
$
729


Granite Wash Asset Sale

In September 2014, we closed on the sale of our Granite Wash assets, located primarily in Texas, for approximately $588 million, subject to customary post-closing purchase price adjustments. The sale of our Granite Wash assets did not significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves, and as such, all proceeds were recorded as adjustments to our domestic full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized. These consolidated financial statements include the results of our Granite Wash operations through the date of sale.

9

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)



6.      Derivative Financial Instruments:
     
Commodity Derivative Instruments
     
We utilize derivative strategies that consist of either a single derivative instrument or a combination of instruments to manage the variability in cash flows associated with the forecasted sale of our future domestic oil and natural gas production. While the use of derivative instruments may limit or partially reduce the downside risk of adverse commodity price movements, their use also may limit future income from favorable commodity price movements.

In addition to the derivative strategies outlined in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, we also implemented a derivative strategy beginning in the first quarter of 2015 that is associated with our derivative positions for oil swaps with short puts that achieve maximum value once the market price falls below the short puts. During the first quarter of 2015, we purchased call options that effectively lock in the maximum value for a portion of our corresponding oil swaps with short puts. We elected to defer the premiums of $3 million related to these calls until contract settlement. Excluding the effect of the deferred premium, if the settlement price is above the call strike price, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us.

Our oil and gas derivative contracts are settled based upon reported prices on the NYMEX. The estimated fair value of these contracts is based upon various factors, including closing exchange prices on the NYMEX, over-the-counter quotations, estimated volatility, non-performance risk adjustments using credit default swaps and time to maturity. The calculation of the fair value of options requires the use of an option-pricing model. See Note 9, “Fair Value Measurements.”

At March 31, 2015, we had outstanding derivative positions as set forth in the tables below.


10

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Crude Oil
 
 
 
 
NYMEX Contract Price Per Bbl
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
Estimated Fair Value
Asset (Liability)
Period and Type of Instrument
 
Volume in MBbls
 
Swaps
(Weighted Average)
 
Purchased Calls (Weighted Average)
 
Sold Puts
(Weighted Average)
(1)
 
Floors
(Weighted Average)
 
Ceilings
(Weighted Average)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
2015:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  Fixed-price swaps
 
1,555

 
$
90.00

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
60

  Fixed-price swaps with sold puts:
 
11,554

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-price swaps
 
 
 
90.00

 

 

 

 

 
429

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
71.57

 

 

 
(229
)
  Collars with sold puts:
 
550

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
 
 

 

 

 
90.00

 
104.00

 
21

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
75.00

 

 

 
(13
)
2016:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

  Fixed-price swaps with sold puts:
 
10,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-price swaps
 
 
 
89.98

 

 

 

 

 
316

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
74.14

 

 

 
(187
)
  Collars with sold puts:
 
6,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
 
 

 

 

 
90.00

 
96.15

 
198

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
75.00

 

 

 
(120
)
  Purchased calls
 
732

 

 
70.00

 

 

 

 
2

2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Fixed-price swaps with sold puts:
 
4,468

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-price swaps
 
 
 
88.37

 

 

 

 

 
118

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
73.28

 

 

 
(72
)
  Collars with sold puts:
 
2,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
 
 

 

 

 
90.00

 
95.59

 
61

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
75.00

 

 

 
(37
)
Total
 
$
547

_________________
(1)
If the market prices remain below our sold puts at contract settlement, we will receive the market price plus the following associated with our production:

the difference between our floors and our sold puts for collars with sold puts; or
the difference between our swaps and our sold puts for fixed-price swaps with sold puts.












11

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Natural Gas
 
 
 
 
NYMEX Contract Price Per MMBtu
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)
Period and Type of Instrument
 
Volume in MMMBtus
 
Swaps (Weighted Average)
 
Sold Puts (Weighted Average)
 
Floors (Weighted Average)
 
Ceilings (Weighted Average)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(In millions)
2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
  Fixed-price swaps
 
37,125

 
$
4.28

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
55

  Collars
 
28,875

 

 

 
3.93

 
4.74

 
34

2016:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Swaptions(1)
 

 
4.10

 

 

 

 

  Collars
 
10,980

 

 

 
4.00

 
4.54

 
10

Total
 
$
99

________
(1)
During the fourth quarter of 2014, we sold natural gas swaption contracts that, if exercised on their expiration date in the second quarter of 2015, would protect 14,640 MMMBtus of calendar-year 2016 production from future commodity price volatility. These contracts give the counterparties the option to enter into swap contracts with us at $4.10/MMBtu for calendar-year 2016.

Additional Disclosures about Derivative Financial Instruments

We had derivative financial instruments recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as assets (liabilities) at their respective estimated fair value, as set forth below.
 
 
Derivative Assets
 
Derivative Liabilities
 
 
Gross Fair Value
 
Offset in Balance Sheet
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Gross Fair Value
 
Offset in Balance Sheet
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
 
 
 
Current
 
Noncurrent
 
 
 
Current
 
Noncurrent
 
 
(In millions)
 
(In millions)
March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas positions
 
$
99

 
$

 
$
91

 
$
8

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Oil positions
 
1,145

 
(595
)
 
334

 
216

 
(598
)
 
595

 
(1
)
 
(2
)
Total
 
$
1,244

 
$
(595
)
 
$
425

 
$
224

 
$
(598
)
 
$
595

 
$
(1
)
 
$
(2
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Natural gas positions
 
$
105

 
$
(2
)
 
$
99

 
$
4

 
$
(2
)
 
$
2

 
$

 
$

Oil positions
 
1,115

 
(597
)
 
332

 
186

 
(605
)
 
597

 
(8
)
 

Total
 
$
1,220

 
$
(599
)
 
$
431

 
$
190

 
$
(607
)
 
$
599

 
$
(8
)
 
$

 

12

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


The amount of gain (loss) recognized in “Commodity derivative income (expense)” in our consolidated statement of operations related to our derivative financial instruments follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
Realized gain (loss) on natural gas positions
 
$
25

 
$
(22
)
Realized gain (loss) on oil positions
 
96

 
(17
)
Total realized gain (loss)
 
121

 
(39
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on natural gas positions
 
(5
)
 
(17
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on oil positions
 
37

 
(40
)
Total unrealized gain (loss)
 
32

 
(57
)
Total
 
$
153

 
$
(96
)

The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties, which generally are financial institutions, will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. Our derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize our exposure to any individual counterparty, and we have netting arrangements with all of our counterparties that provide for offsetting payables against receivables from separate derivative instruments with that counterparty. At March 31, 2015, ten of our 16 counterparties accounted for approximately 85% of our contracted volumes, with no single counterparty accounting for more than 15%.

Approximately 72% of our volumes subject to derivative instruments are with lenders under our credit facility. Our credit facility, senior notes and substantially all of our derivative instruments contain provisions that provide for cross defaults and acceleration of those debt and derivative instruments in certain situations. 

7.    Accounts Receivable:

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:

 
 
March 31, 
 2015
 
December 31, 
 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Revenue
 
$
102

 
$
155

Joint interest
 
200

 
230

Other
 
68

 
70

Reserve for doubtful accounts
 
(16
)
 
(16
)
Total accounts receivable, net
 
$
354

 
$
439


Reserve for doubtful accounts includes an allowance for $15 million related to discontinued operations. See Note 16, "Discontinued Operations."

8.    Accrued Liabilities:

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:

13

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


 
 
March 31, 
 2015
 
December 31, 
 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Revenue payable
 
$
139

 
$
197

Accrued capital costs
 
293

 
441

Accrued lease operating expenses
 
41

 
47

Employee incentive expense
 
28

 
62

Accrued interest on debt
 
32

 
67

Taxes payable
 
39

 
32

Other
 
34

 
34

Total accrued liabilities
 
$
606

 
$
880


9.      Fair Value Measurements:
     
Fair value is 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 (exit price). The authoritative guidance requires disclosure of the framework for measuring fair value and requires that fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1:
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. We consider active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
Level 2:
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. This category includes those derivative instruments that we value using observable market data. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the derivative instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Instruments in this category include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity fixed-price swaps and certain investments.
Level 3:
Measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). Level 3 instruments primarily include derivative instruments, such as commodity options (i.e., price collars, sold puts or swaptions) and other financial investments.
Our valuation models for derivative contracts are primarily industry-standard models (i.e., Black-Scholes) that consider various inputs including: (a) forward prices for commodities, (b) time value, (c) volatility factors, (d) counterparty credit risk and (e) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments.

Our valuation model for the Stockholder Value Appreciation Program (SVAP) is a Monte Carlo simulation that is based on a probability model and considers various inputs including: (a) the measurement date stock price, (b) time value and (c) historical and implied volatility. See Note 12, “Stock-Based Compensation,” for a description of the SVAP.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes the valuation of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

14

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


 
 
Fair Value Measurement Classification
 
 
 
 
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities (Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
As of December 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market fund investments
 
$
1

 
$

 
$

 
$
1

Deferred compensation plan assets
 
9

 

 

 
9

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
10

 

 

 
10

Oil and gas derivative swap contracts
 

 
994

 

 
994

Oil and gas derivative option and swaption contracts
 

 

 
(381
)
 
(381
)
Stock-based compensation liability awards
 
(12
)
 

 
(3
)
 
(15
)
Total
 
$
8

 
$
994

 
$
(384
)
 
$
618

 
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

As of March 31, 2015:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Money market fund investments
 
$
768

 
$

 
$

 
$
768

Deferred compensation plan assets
 
5

 

 

 
5

Equity securities available-for-sale
 
9

 

 

 
9

Oil and gas derivative swap contracts
 

 
978

 

 
978

Oil and gas derivative option and swaption contracts
 

 

 
(332
)
 
(332
)
Stock-based compensation liability awards
 
(19
)
 

 
(8
)
 
(27
)
Total
 
$
763

 
$
978

 
$
(340
)
 
$
1,401


The determination of the fair values above incorporates various factors, which include not only the impact of our non-performance risk on our liabilities but also the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, letters of credit and priority interests), if any. We utilize credit default swap values to assess the impact of non-performance risk when evaluating both our liabilities to and receivables from counterparties.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods.    

15

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


 
 
Investments
 
Derivatives
 
Stock-Based Compensation
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Balance at January 1, 2014
 
$
39

 
$
(8
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
26

Realized or unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings
 

 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
(27
)
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales
 
(39
)
 

 

 
(39
)
Settlements
 

 
2

 

 
2

Transfers in to Level 3
 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
(19
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(38
)
Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings relating to Level 3 instruments still held at March 31, 2014
 
$

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(14
)
 
$
(25
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at January 1, 2015
 
$

 
$
(381
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(384
)
Realized or unrealized gains (losses) included in earnings
 

 
(21
)
 
(5
)
 
(26
)
Purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Settlements
 

 
70

 

 
70

Transfers in to Level 3
 

 

 

 

Transfers out of Level 3
 

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
(332
)
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(340
)
Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings relating to Level 3 instruments still held at March 31, 2015
 
$

 
$
(4
)
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(9
)

Qualitative Disclosures about Unobservable Inputs for Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Investments.   During the first quarter of 2014, all auction rate securities that we held as of January 1, 2014, were sold for $39 million.

Derivatives.  Our valuation models for Level 3 derivative contracts are primarily industry-standard models that consider various factors, including certain significant unobservable inputs such as volatility factors and counterparty credit risk. The calculation of the fair value of our option contracts requires the use of an option-pricing model. The estimated future prices are compared to the strike prices fixed by our derivative contracts, and the resulting estimated future cash inflows or outflows over the contractual life are discounted to calculate the fair value. These pricing and discounting variables are sensitive to market volatility as well as changes in future price forecasts, regional price differences and interest rates. Significant increases (decreases) in the quoted forward prices for commodities generally lead to corresponding decreases (increases) in the fair value measurement of our oil and gas derivative contracts. Significant changes in the volatility factors utilized in our option-pricing model can cause significant changes in the fair value measurement of our oil and gas derivative contracts. See Note 6, "Derivative Financial Instruments," for additional discussion of our derivative instruments.
 
The determination of the fair values of derivative instruments incorporates various factors that include not only the impact of our non-performance risk on our liabilities but also the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, letters of credit and priority interests). Historically, we have not experienced significant changes in the fair value of our derivative contracts resulting from changes in counterparty credit risk as the counterparties for all of our derivative transactions have an “investment grade” credit rating.

Stock-Based Compensation. The calculation of the fair value of the SVAP liability requires the use of a probability-based Monte Carlo simulation, which includes unobservable inputs. The simulation predicts multiple scenarios of future stock returns over the performance period, which are discounted to calculate the fair value. The fair value is recognized over a service period derived from the simulation. Future stock returns and discounting variables are sensitive to market volatility. Significant increases (decreases) in the volatility factors utilized in our option-pricing model can cause significant increases (decreases) in the fair value measurement of the SVAP liability.

16

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Quantitative Disclosures about Unobservable Inputs for Level 3 Fair Value Measurements 
 
 
Estimated Fair Value Asset (Liability)
 
  Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
Instrument Type
 
Valuation Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil option contracts
 
$
(376
)
 
Black-Scholes
 
Oil price volatility
 
21.39
%
 
 
68.99
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit risk
 
0.01
%
 
 
2.10
%
Natural gas option and swaption contracts
 
$
44

 
Black-Scholes
 
Natural gas price volatility
 
23.44
%
 
 
54.28
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit risk
 
0.01
%
 
 
1.36
%
SVAP
 
$
(8
)
 
Monte Carlo
 
Implied volatility
 

 

 
46.7
%

Fair Value of Debt
 
The estimated fair value of our notes, based on quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) as of the indicated dates, was as follows:
 
 
March 31, 
 2015
 
December 31, 
 2014
 
 
(In millions)
5¾% Senior Notes due 2022
 
$
789

 
$
772

5⅝% Senior Notes due 2024
 
1,041

 
989

5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026
 
709

 

6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
 
725

 
721


Any amounts outstanding under our credit arrangements as of the indicated dates are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Please see Note 10, “Debt.”

10.      Debt:
 
Our debt consisted of the following:
 
 
March 31, 
 2015
 
December 31, 
 2014
 
 
(In millions)
Senior unsecured debt:
 
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility — LIBOR based loans
 
$

 
$
345

Money market lines of credit(1)
 

 
101

Total credit arrangements
 

 
446

5¾% Senior Notes due 2022
 
750

 
750

5⅝% Senior Notes due 2024
 
1,000

 
1,000

5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026
 
700

 

Total senior unsecured debt
 
2,450

 
2,196

6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
 
700

 
700

Discount on notes
 
(4
)
 
(4
)
Total long-term debt
 
$
3,146

 
$
2,892

________
(1) Because we have the ability and intent to use our available credit facility to repay borrowings under our money market lines of credit as of the indicated dates, amounts outstanding under these obligations, if any, are classified as long-term.



17

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Credit Arrangements
     
In March 2015, we entered into the fourth amendment to our Credit Agreement. This amendment extended the maturity date of the revolving credit facility from June 2018 to June 2020 and increased the borrowing capacity from $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion. We incurred $7 million of deferred financing costs related to this amendment, which will be amortized through June 2020. As of March 31, 2015, the largest individual loan commitment by any lender was 12% of total commitments.

Loans under the credit facility bear interest, at our option, equal to (a) a rate per annum equal to the higher of the prime rate announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System during the last preceding business day plus 50 basis points, plus a margin that is based on a grid of our debt rating (75 basis points per annum at March 31, 2015) or (b) the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a margin that is based on a grid of our debt rating (175 basis points per annum at March 31, 2015).

Under our credit facility, we pay commitment fees on available but undrawn amounts based on a grid of our debt rating (30 basis points per annum at March 31, 2015). We incurred aggregate commitment fees under our current credit facility of approximately $1 million for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, which are recorded in “Interest expense” on our consolidated statement of operations.

Our credit facility has restrictive financial covenants that include the maintenance of a ratio of total debt to book capitalization not to exceed 0.6 to 1.0 and maintenance of a ratio of earnings before gain or loss on the disposition of assets, interest expense, income taxes and noncash items (such as depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, ceiling test writedowns and goodwill impairments) to interest expense of at least 3.0 to 1.0. At March 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

As of March 31, 2015, we had no letters of credit outstanding under our credit facility. Letters of credit are subject to a fronting fee of 20 basis points and annual fees based on a grid of our debt rating (175 basis points at March 31, 2015).
     
Subject to compliance with the restrictive covenants in our credit facility, at March 31, 2015, we also had a total of $195 million of available borrowing capacity under our money market lines of credit with various financial institutions, the availability of which is at the discretion of the financial institutions.
 
The credit facility includes events of default relating to customary matters, including, among other things, nonpayment of principal, interest or other amounts; violation of covenants; inaccuracy of representations and warranties in any material respect; a change of control; or certain other material adverse changes in our business. Our senior notes and senior subordinated notes also contain standard events of default. If any of the foregoing defaults were to occur, our lenders under the credit facility could terminate future lending commitments, and our lenders under both the credit facility and our notes could declare the outstanding borrowings due and payable. In addition, our credit facility, senior notes, senior subordinated notes and substantially all of our derivative arrangements contain provisions that provide for cross defaults and acceleration of those debt and derivative instruments in certain situations.

Senior Notes and Senior Subordinated Notes

On March 5, 2015, we issued $700 million of 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026 and received net proceeds of approximately $690 million (net of offering costs of approximately $10 million). These notes were issued at par to yield 5⅜%. Also in March 2015, we called our outstanding 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020. See Note 17, "Subsequent Events."

11.      Income Taxes:

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for continuing operations for the indicated periods was different than the amount computed using the federal statutory rate (35%) for the following reasons:


18

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Amount computed using the statutory rate
 
$
(266
)
 
$
17

Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
 
 

 
 

State and local income taxes, net of federal effect
 
(17
)
 
2

Foreign tax on foreign earnings
 
2

 
2

Other
 
1

 
2

Total provision (benefit) for income taxes
 
$
(280
)
 
$
23


The effective tax rates for continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were 36.8% and 46.8%, respectively. Unrealized derivative gains and losses are treated differently for income tax purposes in the various state taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject. As a result, our effective tax rate fluctuates in periods with significant commodity price volatility.

As of March 31, 2015, we did not have a liability for uncertain tax positions, and as such, we had not accrued related interest or penalties. The tax years 2011 through 2014 remain open to examination for federal income tax purposes and by the other major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.

12.      Stock-Based Compensation:
     
Our stock-based compensation consisted of the following:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Equity awards
 
$
10

 
$
11

Liability awards:
 


 


Stockholder Value Appreciation Program
 
5

 
14

Cash-settled restricted stock units
 
7

 
6

Total liability awards
 
12

 
20

Total stock-based compensation
 
22

 
31

Capitalized in oil and gas properties
 
(7
)
 
(14
)
Net stock-based compensation expense
 
$
15

 
$
17


As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately $79 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock-based compensation awards that vest within four years.

Equity Awards

Equity awards consist of service-based and performance- or market-based restricted stock units, stock options and stock purchase options under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

Stock-based compensation classified as equity awards to employees and non-employee directors are currently granted under the 2011 Omnibus Stock Plan (2011 Plan). The fair value of grants is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for stock options and a Monte Carlo lattice-based model for our performance- and market-based restricted stock and restricted stock units. Compensation expense for equity awards is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable remaining vesting periods.

19

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)



Restricted Stock. The following table provides information about restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity.
 
 
Service-Based
Shares
 
Performance/
Market-Based
Shares
 
Total
Shares
 
Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per Share
 
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
Non-vested shares outstanding at January 1, 2015
 
1,902

 
945

 
2,847

 
$
30.05

Granted
 
221

 
414

 
635

 
25.12

Forfeited
 
(171
)
 

 
(171
)
 
22.63

Vested
 
(53
)
 
(40
)
 
(93
)
 
44.47

Non-vested shares outstanding at March 31, 2015
 
1,899

 
1,319

 
3,218

 
$
28.62


On March 31, 2015, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $35.09 per share.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan. On January 1, 2015, options to purchase approximately 100,000 shares of our common stock were granted under our employee stock purchase plan (ESPP). The weighted-average fair value of each option was $7.93 per share. The fair value of the options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation method assuming no dividends, a risk-free weighted-average interest rate of 0.12%, an expected life of six months and weighted-average volatility of 52%.

Stock Options. As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately 200,000 stock options outstanding and exercisable. No stock options have been granted since 2008, except for the ESPP options discussed above.

Liability Awards

Liability awards consist of performance awards that are settled in cash instead of shares, as discussed below.

Stockholder Value Appreciation Program. In September 2013, the Compensation and Management Development Committee of the Board approved the SVAP to be administered under the 2011 Plan. The SVAP pays substantially all full-time domestic, nonexecutive employees a cash payment based on a percentage of salary upon each incremental $5 increase in our 30-calendar day average share price. Each price threshold can be reached only once during the term of the program. The SVAP's performance period lasts through December 31, 2015. Each price trigger, if any, that is reached during 2015 would result in an approximately $11 million payment.

The first price threshold that triggered a payment under the SVAP was $27.50 during the fourth quarter of 2013. The second and third price thresholds for the SVAP were $32.50 and $37.50, respectively, which were reached during the second quarter of 2014. The fourth price threshold for the SVAP of $42.50 was reached in July 2014. Each of the first four payments were approximately $13 million.

Based on the valuation of the SVAP as of March 31, 2015, the fair value was $10 million, of which $8 million has been accrued. The total expected cost was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation assuming no dividends, a risk-free weighted-average interest rate of 0.22%, a plan term of 0.75 years and an average of implied and historical stock price volatility of 51%. An additional $2 million is expected to be recognized over the remaining service period of the plan. Future changes in our stock price could cause the total cost of the plan to be different than our estimates as of March 31, 2015.

Cash-Settled Restricted Stock Units. We also have granted cash-settled restricted stock units to employees that vest over three years. As of March 31, 2015, we accrued $19 million for future cash settlement upon vesting of awards. The value of the awards, and the associated stock-based compensation expense, is based on the Company’s stock price at the end of each period. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, we granted approximately 200,000 cash-settled restricted stock units to employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, approximately 2,000 cash-settled restricted stock units vested and settled. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, approximately 283,000 cash-settled restricted stock units vested and settled for approximately $7 million. As of March 31, 2015, we had approximately 1.3 million cash-settled restricted stock units outstanding and related unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $22 million.

20

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)



13.    Commitments and Contingencies:

We have been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits and are involved in various other disputes, all arising in the ordinary course of our business, such as (a) claims from royalty owners for disputed royalty payments, (b) commercial disputes, (c) personal injury claims and (d) property damage claims. Although the outcome of these lawsuits and disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

14.
Segment Information

While we only have operations in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, we are organizationally structured along geographic operating segments. Our current operating segments are the United States and China. The accounting policies of each of our operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”

The following tables provide the geographic operating segment information for our continuing operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014. Income tax allocations have been determined based on statutory rates in the applicable geographic segment. In order to reflect the double taxation of our earnings and profits in China, we have applied the statutory rates for China and the U.S. to determine our income tax allocation for our China operations in the following tables.

 
 
Domestic
 
China
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil, gas and NGL revenues
 
$
303

 
$
46

 
$
349

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating
 
65

 
10

 
75

Transportation and processing
 
49

 

 
49

Production and other taxes
 
13

 

 
13

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
212

 
25

 
237

General and administrative
 
61

 
2

 
63

Ceiling test and other impairments
 
792

 

 
792

Other
 
3

 
1

 
4

Allocated income tax (benefit)
 
(330
)
 
5

 
 
Net income (loss) from oil and gas properties
 
$
(562
)
 
$
3

 
 
Total operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
1,233

Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
(884
)
Interest expense, net of interest income, capitalized interest and other
 
 
 
 
 
(29
)
Commodity derivative income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
153

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
$
(760
)
Total assets
 
$
9,005

 
$
673

 
$
9,678

Additions to long-lived assets
 
$
396

 
$
12

 
$
408



21

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


 
 
Domestic
 
China
 
Total
 
 
(In millions)
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil, gas and NGL revenues
 
$
553

 
$
18

 
$
571

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating
 
72

 
2

 
74

Transportation and processing
 
37

 

 
37

Production and other taxes
 
25

 
3

 
28

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
188

 
4

 
192

General and administrative
 
56

 

 
56

Other
 
2

 

 
2

Allocated income tax (benefit)
 
64

 
5

 
 
Net income (loss) from oil and gas properties
 
$
109

 
$
4

 
 
Total operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
389

Income (loss) from continuing operations
 
 
 
 
 
182

Interest expense, net of interest income, capitalized interest and other
 
 
 
 
 
(36
)
Commodity derivative income (expense)
 
 
 
 
 
(96
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
$
50

Total assets
 
$
8,080

 
$
571

 
$
8,651

Additions to long-lived assets
 
$
438

 
$
17

 
$
455


15.    Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

The following table presents information about supplemental cash flows for the indicated periods.
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Non-cash investing and financing activities excluded from the statement of cash flows:
 
 
 
 
(Increase) decrease in receivables for property sales
 
$
7

 
$

(Increase) decrease in accrued capital expenditures
 
109

 
90

(Increase) decrease in asset retirement costs
 
3

 
13


16.     Discontinued Operations:

In 2013, we met the criteria to classify our Malaysia business as held for sale and discontinued operations. In February 2014, Newfield International Holdings Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, closed the sale of our Malaysia business to SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad (SapuraKencana), a Malaysian public company, for $898 million. As a result of the sale, we recorded a gain in the first quarter of 2014 of approximately $388 million ($252 million, after tax). As of the date of this report, we have initiated a notice of dispute related to the final post-close settlement, which could result in arbitration proceedings. In the fourth quarter of 2014, we recorded an allowance against a receivable from SapuraKencana and reduced the previously recognized gain by $15 million ($10 million, after tax) due to uncertainty associated with collectability. As a result of the sale of our Malaysia business, there are no other assets and liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet attributable to discontinued operations as of December 31, 2014 or March 31, 2015.





22

Table of Contents
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(Unaudited)


Results of Discontinued Operations
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Oil and gas revenues
$
90

Operating expenses
69

    Income (loss) from discontinued operations
21

    Gain on sale of Malaysia business
388

Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
409

Income tax provision (benefit):


    Current
12

    Deferred
140

    Total income tax provision (benefit)
152

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
257


17.    Subsequent Events:

In April 2015, we completed the redemption of our $700 million aggregate principal of 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020. The transaction included a premium payment of approximately $24 million.

On April 29, 2015, we announced plans to combine our Onshore Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain business units into one operating region to be located in The Woodlands, Texas. We plan to close our Denver, Colorado office in August of 2015 and our North Houston (Greenspoint area) office on or before April of 2016 to improve cost efficiencies in operations.

23


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview
     
We are an independent energy company engaged in the exploration, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Our principal areas of operation include the Mid-Continent, Rocky Mountains and onshore Gulf Coast regions of the United States. Internationally, we have offshore oil developments in China.

Significant first quarter 2015 highlights include:

issued 25.3 million additional shares of common stock through a public equity offering and received proceeds of approximately $815 million, which were used primarily to repay all borrowings under our credit facility and money market lines of credit;

issued $700 million 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026 through a public debt offering and received net proceeds of approximately $690 million. In April 2015, we used the proceeds to redeem the $700 million aggregate principal of our 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020;

amended our credit facility to increase the capacity from $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion and extended the maturity date until June 2020; and

completed our transition to focus our 2015 drilling efforts in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma.

Discontinued Operations

As a result of the sale of our Malaysia business in February 2014, we do not have current operations classified as discontinued operations, and the period-over-period change in discontinued operations is solely related to the sale. Historical Malaysia results of operations are not indicative of our future trends or results; therefore, we have not provided detailed information of prior year results of discontinued operations in the results of operations discussion. See Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” and Note 16, “Discontinued Operations,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report for additional information regarding the sale of our Malaysia business.

Results of Continuing Operations            
Our continuing operations consist of exploration, development and production activities in the United States and China.

Domestic Revenues and Production. Revenues during the first quarter of 2015 were $250 million lower than the same period of 2014. The lower revenues were attributable to a 49% decrease in the average revenue per BOE compared to the first quarter of 2014. Due to our redeployment of capital to the higher-return Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma, we increased our Mid-Continent crude oil and NGL production for first quarter 2015 by 83% and 12%, respectively, reducing the impact of the price-related revenue variance by $66 million.

China Revenues and Production/Liftings. Revenues from China of $46 million for the first quarter of 2015 were 162% higher than the comparable period of 2014, which is primarily due to the Pearl development commencing production during the fourth quarter of 2014, partially offset by a 53% decrease in price per barrel for crude oil and condensate. Our first quarter 2015 liftings in China increased 743 MBOE over first quarter 2014. During the first quarter of 2015, we completed two additional wells, bringing the total Pearl development producing wells to four. We expect two additional wells to commence production during the second quarter of 2015. As such, we expect that 2015 revenues and expenses in China will continue to increase compared to 2014 as we continue to execute our Pearl development plan. This development is expected to reach peak production by mid-2015.

The following table reflects our production/liftings from continuing operations and average realized commodity prices:


24





Three Months Ended 
 March 31,

Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
 

2015

2014

Production/Liftings:

 

 

 
Domestic:(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and condensate (MBbls)

4,950


4,121


20
 %
Natural gas (Bcf)

27.3


28.0


(2
)%
NGLs (MBbls)

1,849


1,681


10
 %
Total (MBOE)

11,355


10,466


8
 %
China:(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and condensate (MBbls)
 
906

 
163

 
456
 %
Total Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and condensate (MBbls)
 
5,856

 
4,284

 
37
 %
Natural gas (Bcf)
 
27.3

 
28.0

 
(2
)%
NGLs (MBbls)
 
1,849

 
1,681

 
10
 %
Total (MBOE)
 
12,261

 
10,629

 
15
 %
Average Realized Prices:

 


 


 

Domestic:(3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and condensate (per Bbl)

$
38.21


$
86.46


(56
)%
Natural gas (per Mcf)

2.70


4.65


(42
)%
NGLs (per Bbl)

19.96


38.11


(48
)%
Crude oil equivalent (per BOE)

26.64


52.60


(49
)%
China:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and condensate (per Bbl)
 
$
50.78

 
$
107.73

 
(53
)%
Total Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude oil and condensate (per Bbl)
 
$
40.15

 
$
87.27

 
(54
)%
Natural gas (per Mcf)
 
2.70

 
4.65

 
(42
)%
NGLs (per Bbl)
 
19.96

 
38.11

 
(48
)%
Crude oil equivalent (per BOE)
 
28.43

 
53.44

 
(47
)%
________________
(1)
Excludes natural gas produced and consumed in operations of 2.2 Bcf and 1.8 Bcf during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

(2)
Represents our net share of volumes sold regardless of when produced.

(3)
We had no outstanding derivative contracts related to our NGL production or our production associated with our international operations. Had we included the realized effects of derivative contracts, the domestic average realized prices would have been as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
Crude oil and condensate (per Bbl)
 
$
57.51

 
$
82.26

Natural gas (per Mcf)
 
3.62

 
3.89


Operating Expenses. The following table presents information about our operating expenses for our continuing operations.


25



 
 
Unit-of-Production
 
Total Amount
 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(Per BOE)
 
 
 
(In millions)
 
 
Domestic:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating
 
$
5.76

 
$
6.84

 
(16
)%
 
$
65

 
$
72

 
(9
)%
Transportation and processing
 
4.33

 
3.50

 
24
 %
 
49

 
37

 
34
 %
Production and other taxes
 
1.18

 
2.43

 
(51
)%
 
13

 
25

 
(47
)%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
18.62

 
17.98

 
4
 %
 
212

 
188

 
12
 %
General and administrative
 
5.31

 
5.32

 
 %
 
61

 
56

 
8
 %
Ceiling test and other impairments
 
69.78

 

 
100
 %
 
792

 

 
100
 %
Other
 
0.23

 
0.24

 
(4
)%
 
3

 
2

 
3
 %
Total operating expenses
 
105.21

 
36.31

 
190
 %
 
1,195

 
380

 
214
 %
China:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating
 
$
10.37

 
$
12.34

 
(16
)%
 
$
10

 
$
2

 
366
 %
Production and other taxes
 

 
16.13

 
(100
)%
 

 
3

 
(100
)%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
27.93

 
23.21

 
20
 %
 
25

 
4

 
569
 %
General and administrative
 
2.64

 

 
100
 %
 
2

 

 
100
 %
Other
 
1.31

 

 
100
 %
 
1

 

 
100
 %
Total operating expenses
 
42.25

 
51.68

 
(18
)%
 
38

 
9

 
355
 %
Total Continuing Operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating
 
$
6.09

 
$
6.93

 
(12
)%
 
$
75

 
$
74

 
1
 %
Transportation and processing
 
4.01

 
3.44

 
17
 %
 
49

 
37

 
34
 %
Production and other taxes
 
1.10

 
2.64

 
(58
)%
 
13

 
28

 
(52
)%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
19.31

 
18.06

 
7
 %
 
237

 
192

 
23
 %
General and administrative
 
5.11

 
5.24

 
(2
)%
 
63

 
56

 
13
 %
Ceiling test and other impairments
 
64.62

 

 
100
 %
 
792

 

 
100
 %
Other
 
0.31

 
0.24

 
29
 %
 
4

 
2

 
51
 %
Total operating expenses
 
100.55

 
36.55

 
175
 %
 
1,233

 
389

 
217
 %

Domestic Operations. Excluding the effect of the $792 million ceiling test and other impairments, our operating expenses for domestic operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased 2% over the same period of 2014 stated on a per BOE basis. The primary offsetting components within our operating expenses are as follows:

Lease operating expense decreased 9% despite an 8% increase in total production. On a per BOE basis, lease operating expense was 16% lower primarily due to lower service costs and higher production volumes. Service costs declined in our domestic regions period over period due to our increased focus on cost reduction initiatives as well as today's lower commodity price environment causing downward service cost pressures in the industry.

Transportation and processing expense per BOE increased 24% primarily due to the higher transportation and processing costs associated with NGL production as compared to natural gas production, combined with our continued NGL production growth. Our first quarter 2015 domestic NGL production, primarily in our SCOOP and STACK plays in our Mid-Continent region, increased 10%, and our natural gas production decreased 2% compared to the first quarter of 2014.

Production and other taxes decreased 51% per BOE primarily due to lower total revenues. As a percent of total revenue, production and other taxes were 4.4% and 4.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Total depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) increased 12% primarily due to an 8% increase in total production during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014, combined with a 4% increase in the cost per BOE. The increased cost per unit-of-production is primarily due to the transfer of approximately $760 million of unevaluated property costs into the full cost pool amortization base during 2014. The majority of the costs were

26



transferred in the fourth quarter of 2014 in response to the significant decrease in oil and natural gas prices and the resulting impact on our future development plans.

General and administrative (G&A) expenses per BOE were flat during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014. Excluding the effect of severance costs of approximately $9 million incurred during the first quarter of 2015 associated with a 15% reduction in our workforce, G&A expense per BOE for the first quarter of 2015 decreased 16% compared to the first quarter of 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, we capitalized $25 million ($2.19 per BOE) of direct internal costs as compared to $36 million ($3.46 per BOE) during the comparable quarter of 2014. This decrease in capitalization is primarily related to reduced exploration and development activities during the first quarter of 2015 and the associated reduction in direct internal costs related to exploration and development.

At March 31, 2015, we recorded a ceiling test impairment of $788 million due to a net decrease in the discounted value of our proved reserves. The primary reason for the change in value was a 13% decrease in crude oil SEC pricing partially offset by the impact of current service cost reductions in reserve estimates. During the first quarter of 2015, we recorded a $4 million rig impairment associated with our decision to indefinitely lay down both company-owned drilling rigs in the Uinta Basin.

China Operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, total operating expenses increased $29 million due to our Pearl development commencing production during the fourth quarter of 2014. As a result of the different cost structures of our Pearl development and our Bohai Bay field, the first quarter of 2015 results are not comparable with the first quarter of 2014. We expect our China operating costs in 2015 to continue to be higher than 2014 with the exception of production and other taxes. A new regulation was implemented by the Chinese government in early 2015 resulting in no taxes on production with a contract price below $65 per barrel. As such, until our contract prices exceed $65 per barrel, we will continue to experience lower production and other taxes in China.

Interest Expense. The following table presents information about interest expense. Interest expense associated with unproved oil and gas properties is capitalized into oil and gas properties.

 
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(In millions)
Gross interest expense:
 
 
 
 
Credit arrangements
 
$
4

 
$
3

Senior notes
 
28

 
25

Senior subordinated notes
 
12

 
23

Total gross interest expense
 
44

 
51

Capitalized interest
 
(7
)
 
(13
)
Net interest expense
 
$
37

 
$
38


Gross interest expense decreased in the first quarter of 2015 as compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to the redemption of our 7⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 in the fourth quarter of 2014. This decrease was slightly offset by the additional interest expense incurred in March 2015 associated with our $700 million 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026 issued in March of 2015.

Interest expense associated with oil and gas properties excluded from amortization is capitalized into oil and gas properties. Capitalized interest decreased $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2014, due to the reduction of oil and gas properties excluded from amortization during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Commodity Derivative Income (Expense). The fluctuations in commodity derivative income (expense) from period to period are due to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices and changes in our outstanding derivative instruments during these periods. Commodity derivative income for the quarter ended March 31, 2015 was $153 million, which included $121 million of realized gains associated with derivative contract settlements and unrealized gains of $32 million related to the change in value of derivative contracts due to changes in commodity prices. Commodity derivative expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2014 was $96 million, which was primarily comprised of unrealized losses of $57 million related to the change in value of derivative contracts due to changes in commodity prices and $39 million of realized losses associated with derivative contract settlements.

27



See Note 6, "Derivative Financial Instruments," and Note 9, "Fair Value Measurements," to our consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of this report.

Taxes. The effective tax rates for continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were 36.8% and 46.8%, respectively. Our effective tax rate for both periods was different than the federal statutory rate of 35% due to non-deductible expenses, state income taxes, the differences between international and U.S federal statutory rates, and the impact of our China earnings being taxed both in the U.S. and China. This double taxation is a byproduct of our federal net operating loss (NOL) position that limits our ability to utilize related foreign tax credits (FTC) until our remaining NOLs are utilized. As a result of our earnings being taxed in both the U.S. and China, we expect our effective tax rate for future China earnings to be approximately 60%. We expect the U.S. portion of the rate to be a 35% tax rate, all of which is expected to be deferred taxes.

Our effective tax rate for our domestic operations generally approximates 37%. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, our effective tax rate was 36.8% for continuing operations as the majority of our consolidated net loss from continuing operations resulted from our domestic business, which was only taxable in the U.S.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the fourth quarter of 2014 and continuing into the first quarter of 2015, crude oil prices declined significantly primarily due to global supply and demand imbalances. Given the future uncertainty regarding the timing and magnitude of an eventual recovery of crude oil prices, we reduced our planned capital spending for 2015 to more closely match our expected cash flows and decided to optimize long-term liquidity preservation over short-term reserve and production growth. During the first quarter of 2015, as a part of our strategy to optimize long-term liquidity we:
issued 25.3 million additional shares of common stock through a public equity offering and received proceeds of approximately $815 million, which were used primarily to repay all borrowings under our credit facility and money market lines of credit;
issued $700 million 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026 through a public debt offering and received net proceeds of approximately $690 million in March 2015. In April 2015, we used the proceeds to redeem the $700 million aggregate principal of our 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020; and
amended our credit facility to increase the capacity from $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion and extended the maturity date until June 2020.

We expect our 2015 budget will be financed through our cash flows from operations (inclusive of realized derivative contract gains and losses) and borrowings under our credit facility, as needed. Approximately 81% of our expected 2015 domestic oil and gas sales (excluding NGLs) supporting the current 2015 capital budget are partially protected against oil and gas price volatility using derivative contracts. For further discussion of our derivative activities, see Note 6, "Derivative Financial Instruments," to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report. Our 2015 capital budget, excluding estimated capitalized interest and direct internal costs of approximately $120 million, is expected to be approximately $1.2 billion.

At March 31, 2015, the values of our U.S. and China cost center ceilings were calculated based upon SEC pricing of $3.88 per MMBtu for natural gas and $82.60 per barrel for oil. Using these prices, our ceiling for the U.S. did not exceed the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties resulting in a non-cash ceiling test writedown of approximately $788 million ($496 million after tax). The cost center ceiling with respect to the China full cost pool exceeded the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties by approximately $200 million, net of tax, and as such, no ceiling test writedown was required. Holding all other factors constant, it is likely that we will experience a ceiling test writedown in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2015. It is difficult to predict with reasonable certainty the amount of expected future impairments given the many factors impacting the ceiling test calculation including, but not limited to, future pricing, operating costs, upward or downward reserve revisions, reserve adds, and tax attributes. Subject to these numerous factors and inherent limitations, we believe that an impairment in the second quarter of 2015 could exceed $1.0 billion for our U.S. full cost pool. Once recorded, a ceiling test writedown is not reversible at a later date even if oil and gas prices increase.
Actual capital expenditure levels may vary significantly due to many factors, including drilling results; oil, natural gas and NGL prices; industry conditions; the prices and availability of goods and services; and the extent to which properties are acquired or non-strategic assets are sold. We continue to screen for attractive acquisition opportunities; however, the timing and size of acquisitions are unpredictable. We believe we have the operational flexibility to react quickly with our capital expenditures to changes in circumstances or fluctuations in our cash flows.


28



We continuously monitor our liquidity needs, coordinate our capital expenditure program with our expected cash flows and projected debt-repayment schedule, and evaluate our available alternative sources of liquidity, including accessing debt and equity capital markets in light of current and expected economic conditions. We believe that our liquidity position and ability to generate cash flows from our operations will be adequate to fund 2015 operations and to meet our other obligations.

Credit Arrangements and Other Financing Activities. In March 2015, we entered into the fourth amendment to our Credit Agreement. This amendment extended the maturity date of the revolving credit facility from June 2018 to June 2020 and increased the borrowing capacity from $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion. We incurred $7 million of deferred financing costs related to this amendment, which will be amortized through June 2020. We maintain money market lines of credit of $195 million. At March 31, 2015, we had no borrowings under our revolving credit facility or money market lines.

As of May 1, 2015, we had no outstanding borrowings and available borrowing capacity of $1.8 billion under our revolving credit facility. In addition, we had outstanding borrowings under our money market lines of credit of $11 million.

In March 2015, we called for the redemption of our $700 million aggregate principal of 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020. In April 2015, we completed the redemption of these notes. The transaction included a premium payment of approximately $24 million. We have no scheduled maturities of senior notes until 2022. For a more detailed description of the terms of our credit arrangements and senior and senior subordinated notes, please see Note 10, “Debt,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report.

Working Capital. Our working capital balance fluctuates as a result of the timing and amount of borrowings or repayments under our credit arrangements, changes in the fair value of our outstanding commodity derivative instruments as well as the timing of receiving reimbursement of amounts paid by us for the benefit of joint venture partners. Without the effects of commodity derivative instruments, we typically have a working capital deficit or a relatively small amount of positive working capital.

At March 31, 2015, we had positive working capital of $748 million compared to negative working capital of $161 million at December 31, 2014. The changes in our working capital are primarily due to the cash received in March 2015 from the issuance of our $700 million aggregate principal of 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026, which was used to redeem our 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 in April 2015. The remaining change is due to the timing of the collection of receivables; changes in the fair value of our derivative positions; the timing of crude oil liftings in our China operations; drilling activities; payments made by us to vendors and other operators; and the timing and amount of advances received from our joint operations.

Cash Flows from Operations. Our primary source of capital and liquidity is cash flows from operations, which are primarily affected by the sale of our oil, natural gas and NGLs, as well as commodity prices, net of the effects of derivative contract settlements and changes in working capital.

Our net cash flows from operations were $205 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, which decreased compared to net cash flows from operations of $365 million (includes $18 million of cash flows from discontinued operations) for the same period in 2014. We had no cash flows from discontinued operations for the first quarter of 2015. The biggest driver of lower operating cash flows was lower revenues as a result of lower commodity prices.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $486 million compared to $297 million net cash provided by investing activities for the same period in 2014. While the amount of capital expenditures in 2015 was consistent with 2014, net cash provided by investing activities in 2014 resulted from proceeds of $809 million received from the sale of our Malaysia business.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $1.1 billion compared to net cash used in financing activities of $650 million for the same period in 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we:
issued 25.3 million additional shares of common stock through a public equity offering and received proceeds of approximately $815 million, which were used primarily to repay all borrowings under our credit facility and money market lines of credit; and
issued $700 million 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026 through a public debt offering and received net proceeds of approximately $690 million in March 2015. In April 2015, we used the proceeds to redeem the $700 million aggregate principal of our 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020.


29



Capital Expenditures. Our capital investments for continuing operations for the first three months of 2015 decreased 8% as compared to the same period of 2014. The table below summarizes our capital investments.
 
Three Months Ended 
 March 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(In millions)
Continuing operations:
 
 
 
     Exploitation and development
$
281

 
$
324

     Exploration (exclusive of exploitation and leasehold)
65

 
71

     Leasing proved and unproved property (leasehold)
29

 
12

     Pipeline spending
2

 
4

        Total continuing operations
377

 
411

Discontinued operations

 
12

         Total
$
377

 
$
423

   
Contractual Obligations

We have various contractual obligations in the normal course of our operations. For further information, please see “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Contractual Obligations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. There have been no material changes to the disclosure since year-end 2014, except that in March 2015 we issued $700 million of 5⅜% Senior Notes due 2026 and in April 2015, we redeemed our 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020. The 2026 Senior Notes were issued at par to yield 5⅜%. The semi-annual interest payments of approximately $19 million associated with these notes will be made in January and July of each year.

Commitments under Joint Operating Agreements. Most of our properties are operated through joint ventures under joint operating or similar agreements. Typically, the operator under a joint operating agreement enters into contracts, such as drilling contracts, for the benefit of all joint venture partners. Through the joint operating agreement, the non-operators reimburse, and in some cases advance, the funds necessary to meet the contractual obligations entered into by the operator. These obligations are typically shared on a “working interest” basis. The joint operating agreement provides remedies to the operator if a non-operator does not satisfy its share of the contractual obligations. Occasionally, the operator is permitted by the joint operating agreement to enter into lease obligations and other contractual commitments that are then passed on to the non-operating joint interest owners as lease operating expenses, frequently without any identification as to the long-term nature of any commitments underlying such expenses.

Oil and Gas Derivatives
     
We use derivative contracts to manage the variability in cash flows caused by commodity price fluctuations associated with our anticipated future oil and gas production for the next 24 to 36 months. As of March 31, 2015, we had no outstanding derivative contracts related to our NGL production. We do not use derivative instruments for trading purposes.

For a further discussion of our derivative activities, see "Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Prices" in Item 3 of this report. See the discussion and tables in Note 6, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” and Note 9, “Fair Value Measurements,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report for additional information regarding the accounting applicable to our oil and gas derivative contracts, a listing of open contracts and the estimated fair market value of those positions as of March 31, 2015.

Between April 1, 2015 and May 1, 2015, we entered into additional crude oil derivative contracts. A listing of all of our crude oil derivative contracts as of May 1, 2015 are as follows:










Crude Oil

30



 
 
 
 
NYMEX Contract Price Per Bbl
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
Period and Type of Instrument
 
Volume in MBbls
 
Swaps
(Weighted Average)
 
Purchased Calls (Weighted Average)
 
Sold Puts
(Weighted Average)
 
Floors
(Weighted Average)
 
Ceilings
(Weighted Average)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

  Fixed-price swaps
 
1,285

 
$
90.00

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

  Fixed-price swaps with sold puts:
 
10,399

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-price swaps
 
 
 
90.00

 

 

 

 

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
71.52

 

 

  Collars with sold puts:
 
490

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
 
 

 

 

 
90.00

 
104.00

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
75.00

 

 

2016:
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

  Fixed-price swaps with sold puts:
 
10,060

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-price swaps
 
 
 
89.98

 

 

 

 

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
74.14

 

 

  Collars with sold puts:
 
6,220

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
 
 

 

 

 
90.00

 
96.15

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
75.00

 

 

  Purchased calls
 
2,562

 

 
69.07

 

 

 

2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Fixed-price swaps with sold puts:
 
4,468

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed-price swaps
 
 
 
88.37

 

 

 

 

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
73.28

 

 

  Collars with sold puts:
 
2,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Collars
 
 
 

 

 

 
90.00

 
95.59

Sold puts
 
 
 

 

 
75.00

 

 


Accounting for Derivative Activities. We do not designate future price-risk management activities as accounting hedges. As derivative contracts not designated for hedge accounting are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis, we have in the past experienced, and are likely in the future to experience non-cash volatility in our reported earnings during periods of commodity price volatility. As of March 31, 2015, we had net derivative assets of $646 million, of which 56%, based on total contracted volumes, was measured based upon our valuation model (i.e. Black-Scholes) and, as such, were classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement. We value these contracts using a model that considers various inputs including the following:

forward prices for commodities;
time value;
volatility factors;
counterparty credit risk; and
current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments.

As a result, the value of these contracts at their respective settlement dates could be significantly different than their fair value as of March 31, 2015. We use credit default swap values to assess the impact of non-performance risk when evaluating both our liabilities to and receivables from counterparties. See “— Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates — Commodity Derivative Activities” in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 and Note 6, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” and Note 9, “Fair Value Measurements,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report for additional discussion of the accounting applicable to our oil and gas derivative contracts.

31




New Accounting Requirements

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued guidance regarding the presentation of debt issuance costs in the financial statements and requires that debt issuance costs be presented as a reduction of the carrying value of the financial liability and not as a separate asset. The guidance requires retrospective adjustment to the balance sheet presentation and disclosures applicable for a change in an accounting principle. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. We expect to adopt this guidance on or before the effective date.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance regarding the accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance may be applied retrospectively or using a modified retrospective approach to adjust retained earnings. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016. On April 1, 2015, the FASB proposed a deferral of the effective date by one year, which is not final until the FASB completes its due process requirements. We are currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on our financial statements.

Forward-Looking Information

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (Exchange Act). All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this report, are forward-looking, including information relating to anticipated future events or results, such as planned capital expenditures, the availability and sources of capital resources to fund capital expenditures and other plans and objectives for future operations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by use of terms such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “goal,” “plan,” “should,” “will,” “predict,” “potential” and similar expressions that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, this information is based upon assumptions and anticipated results that are subject to numerous uncertainties and risks. Actual results may vary significantly from those anticipated due to many factors, including:

oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids prices;
the availability and volatility of the securities, capital or credit markets and the cost of capital to fund our operations and business strategies;
accuracy and fluctuations in our reserves estimates due to sustained low commodity prices;
ability to develop existing reserves or acquire new reserves;
the timing and our success in discovering, producing and estimating reserves;
sustained decline in commodity prices could result in writedowns of assets;
operating hazards inherent in the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas;
general economic, financial, industry or business trends or conditions;
the impact of, and changes in, legislation, law and governmental regulations, including those related to hydraulic fracturing, climate change and over-the-counter derivatives;
land, legal, regulatory, and ownership complexities inherent in the U.S. oil and gas industry;
the impact of regulatory approvals;
the availability and volatility of the securities, capital or credit markets and the cost of capital to fund our operations and business strategies;
the ability and willingness of current or potential lenders, derivative contract counterparties, customers and working interest owners to fulfill their obligations to us or to enter into transactions with us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us;
the prices and quantities of commodities reflected in our commodity derivative arrangements as compared to the actual prices or quantities of commodities we produce or use;

32



the volatility and liquidity in the commodity futures and commodity and financial derivatives markets;
drilling risks and results;
the prices and availability of goods and services;
the cost and availability of drilling rigs and other support services;
global events that may impact our domestic and international operating contracts, markets and prices;
labor conditions;
weather conditions;
environmental liabilities that are not covered by an effective indemnity or insurance;
competitive conditions;
terrorism or civil or political unrest in a region or country;
our ability to monetize non-strategic assets, pay debt and the impact of changes in our investment ratings;
electronic, cyber or physical security breaches;
changes in tax rates;
inflation rates;
financial counterparty risk;
the effect of worldwide energy conservation measures;
the price and availability of, and demand for, competing energy sources;
the availability (or lack thereof) of acquisition, disposition or combination opportunities; and
the other factors affecting our business described under the caption “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Should one or more of the risks described above occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements in this report, as well as all other written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and elsewhere in this report. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could affect us. Use caution and common sense when considering these forward-looking statements. Unless securities laws require us to do so, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly correct or update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of changes in internal estimates or expectations, new information, subsequent events or circumstances or otherwise.

Commonly Used Oil and Gas Terms

Below are explanations of some commonly used terms in the oil and gas business and in this report.

Barrel or Bbl.    One stock tank barrel or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume.

Basis risk.    The risk associated with the sales point price for oil or gas production varying from the reference (or settlement) price for a particular derivative transaction.

Bcf.    Billion cubic feet.


33


BOE.    One barrel of oil equivalent determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil or condensate or 42 gallons for NGLs.

Btu.    British thermal unit, which is the heat required to raise the temperature of a one-pound mass of water from 58.5 to 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Development well.    A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

Exploitation activities.    An exploration well drilled to find and produce probable reserves. Exploitation wells typically have less risk and less reserve potential and typically may be drilled at a lower cost than other exploration wells. Most of the exploitation wells we drill are located in the Mid-Continent or the Monument Butte field. For internal reporting and budgeting purposes, we combine exploitation and development activities.

Exploration well.    An exploration well is a well drilled to find a new field or new reservoir. Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well or a stratigraphic test well. For internal reporting and budgeting purposes, we exclude exploitation activities from exploration activities.

Field.    An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition.

Liquids. Crude oil and NGLs.

Liquids-rich.    Formations that contain crude oil or NGLs instead of, or as well as, natural gas.

MBbls.    One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

MBOE.    One thousand barrels of oil equivalent.

Mcf.    One thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

MMBtu.    One million Btus.

MMMBtu.    One billion Btus.

NGL.    Natural gas liquid. Hydrocarbons which can be extracted from wet natural gas and become liquid under various combinations of increasing pressure and lower temperature. NGLs consist primarily of ethane, propane, butane and natural gasolines.

NYMEX.    The New York Mercantile Exchange.

NYMEX Henry Hub.    The major exchange for pricing natural gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It is frequently referred to as the Henry Hub Index.

Probable reserves.    Those additional reserves that are less certain to be recovered than proved reserves but that, together with proved reserves, are as likely as not to be recovered. The SEC provides a complete definition of probably reserves in Rule 4-10(a)(18) of Regulation S-X.

Proved reserves.    Those quantities of oil and natural gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible – from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations — prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

SCOOP.    South-Central Oklahoma Oil Province. A field in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma in which we operate.


34


SEC pricing.    The unweighted average first-day-of-the-month commodity price for crude oil (WTI) or natural gas (NYMEX) for the prior 12 months, adjusted for market differentials. The SEC provides a complete definition of prices in “Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting” (Final Rule).

STACK.    Sooner Trend Anadarko Canadian Kingfisher. A play in the Anadarko Basin of Oklahoma in which we operate.

Working interest.    The operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and a share of production and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations.

WTI.    West Texas Intermediate, a grade of crude oil.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in oil, natural gas and NGL prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates as discussed below.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Prices
     
Our decision on the quantity and price at which we choose to enter into derivative contracts is based in part on our view of current and future market conditions. While the use of derivative contracts can limit or reduce the downside risk of adverse price movements, their use also may limit future benefits from favorable price movements. In addition, the use of derivative contracts may involve basis risk. All of our derivative transactions have been carried out in the over-the-counter market. The use of derivative contracts also involves the risk that the counterparties, which generally are financial institutions, will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. Our derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize our exposure to any individual counterparty. At March 31, 2015, ten of our 16 counterparties accounted for approximately 85% of our contracted volumes with no single counterparty accounting for more than 15%. Of our remaining expected 2015 crude oil production, 86% is protected against price volatility through the use of derivative contracts. Almost 90% of our crude oil derivative structures include short puts. Short puts effectively limit our downward price protection below the weighted average of our short puts of $71.72 per barrel. If the market price remains below $71.72 per barrel, we receive the market price for our associated production plus the difference between our short puts and the associated floors or fixed-price swaps, which average $18.28 per barrel. We do not have any natural gas derivative contracts that include short puts. For a further discussion of our derivative activities, see the information under the caption “Oil and Gas Derivatives” in Item 2 appearing earlier in this report and the discussion and tables in Note 6, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report. For further discussion of the types of derivative positions, refer to Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments” within Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

Interest Rates

We consider our interest rate exposure to be minimal because 100% of our obligations were at fixed rates as of March 31, 2015. A 10% increase in LIBOR would not impact our interest cost on debt outstanding as of March 31, 2015, but would affect the fair value of our outstanding debt, as well as interest costs associated with future debt issuances or borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
     
The functional currency for our foreign operations is the U.S. dollar. To the extent that business transactions in these countries are not denominated in the respective country’s functional currency, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. We consider our current risk exposure to exchange rate movements, based on net cash flows, to be immaterial. We did not have any open derivative contracts related to foreign currencies at March 31, 2015.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2015.


35



Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
     
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the first quarter of 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based upon that evaluation, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In early 2012, through a voluntary environmental audit, we discovered potential violations of section 404 of the Clean Water Act relating to possible unpermitted discharges of fill materials into certain wetlands and drainages in the Uinta Basin. The potential violations were discovered on certain Newfield locations and several locations acquired in 2011. In June 2012, we self-disclosed these potential violations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), in accordance with the EPA’s Audit Policy and an interagency memorandum of understanding with the Corps. The Corps initially indicated to us that it would not pursue penalty charges, but instead would work with us to restore the unpermitted discharges and acquire the appropriate after-the-fact permits. The EPA later inquired with the Corps, and was informed about the potential violations. Thereafter, the EPA initiated an administrative enforcement action against Newfield. The EPA has evaluated the discharges and our proposed restoration and mitigation, and a negotiated settlement has been finalized. On November 13, 2014, Newfield entered into an Administrative Order on Consent and a Combined Complaint and Consent Agreement to settle the matter. The EPA executed both agreements on December 17, 2014. The EPA published the notice of the Combined Complaint and Consent Agreement on December 17, 2014, for a 40-day comment period. No comments were received by the EPA. The settlement terms involved payment of a $175,000 penalty, restoration of much of the unpermitted discharges and off-site mitigation. The EPA issued the Final Order together with the fully executed Combined Complaint and Consent Agreement on January 27, 2015. The penalty was paid timely before February 27, 2015 and the remediation and mitigation work will begin in the third quarter of 2015. We do not expect this administrative settlement to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations. 

We have been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits and are involved in various other disputes, all arising in the ordinary course of our business, such as (a) claims from royalty owners for disputed royalty payments, (b) commercial disputes, (c) personal injury claims and (d) property damage claims. Although the outcome of these lawsuits and disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations. In addition, from time to time we receive notices of violation from governmental and regulatory authorities in areas in which we operate related to alleged violations of environmental statutes or rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. We cannot predict with certainty whether these notices of violation will result in fines or penalties, or if such fines or penalties are imposed, that they would individually or in the aggregate exceed $100,000. If any fines or penalties are in fact imposed that are greater than $100,000, then we will disclose such fact in our subsequent filings.


Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes with respect to the risk factors previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

36



Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased(1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs
January 1 — January 31, 2015
 
15,582

 
$
24.84

 
 
February 1 — February 28, 2015
 
9,703

 
29.02

 
 
March 1 — March 31, 2015
 
4,590

 
33.53

 
 
Total
 
29,875

 
$
27.53

 
 
_______
(1)
All of the shares repurchased were surrendered by employees to pay tax withholding upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. These repurchases were not part of a publicly announced program to repurchase shares of our common stock.


Item 5. Other Information

On March 5, 2015, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”), by and among JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., The Bank of Nova Scotia, U.S. Bank National Association, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Documentation Agents, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Mizuho Bank Ltd., as Managing Agents. In addition to these agents, five other banks executed the Fourth Amendment as lenders. The Fourth Amendment amends our Credit Agreement, originally dated on June 2, 2011, and amended on September 27, 2011, April 29, 2013, and June 25, 2013. Through the execution of the Fourth Amendment, we (i) extended the term of our credit facility until June 25, 2020, (ii) increased the aggregate funds available under the credit facility from $1.4 billion to $1.8 billion and (iii) reallocated the commitments among the various lenders.

37



Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description
3.1
 
Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Newfield Exploration Company dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Newfield (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Newfield’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 25, 2013 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
4.1
 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly First Union National Bank)), as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Newfield's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
10.1
 
Retirement Agreement of William D. Schneider (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Newfield's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 14, 2015 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
*10.2
 
Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2015, by and among Newfield and , JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., The Bank of Nova Scotia, U.S. Bank National Association, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Documentation Agents, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Mizuho Bank Ltd., as Managing Agents, and other Lenders thereto
 
 
 
*10.3
 
Form of 2015 Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2011 Omnibus Stock Plan
 
 
 
*31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
*101.SCH
 
XBRL Schema Document
 
 
 
*101.CAL
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*101.LAB
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*101.PRE
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*101.DEF
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
_______
*      Filed or furnished herewith.

38



SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
 
 
 
Date: May 6, 2015
By:
/s/ LAWRENCE S. MASSARO
 
 
Lawrence S. Massaro
 
 
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

39


Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
 
Description
3.1
 
Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Newfield Exploration Company dated December 14, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
3.2
 
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Newfield (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Newfield’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on July 25, 2013 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
4.1
 
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015, between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor to Wachovia Bank, National Association (formerly First Union National Bank)), as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Newfield's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 12, 2015 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
10.1
 
Retirement Agreement of William D. Schneider (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Newfield's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 14, 2015 (File No. 1-12534))
 
 
 
*10.2
 
Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of March 5, 2015, by and among Newfield and , JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Syndication Agent, The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., The Bank of Nova Scotia, U.S. Bank National Association, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Documentation Agents, and BMO Harris Bank N.A., Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Branch, Goldman Sachs Bank USA and Mizuho Bank Ltd., as Managing Agents, and other Lenders thereto
 
 
 
*10.3
 
Form of 2015 Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under 2011 Omnibus Stock Plan
 
 
 
*31.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*31.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*32.1
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*32.2
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield Exploration Company pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
 
*101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
*101.SCH
 
XBRL Schema Document
 
 
 
*101.CAL
 
XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*101.LAB
 
XBRL Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*101.PRE
 
XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
*101.DEF
 
XBRL Definition Linkbase Document
_______
*      Filed or furnished herewith.

40