PDCE 2012 9.30 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

T QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

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 000-07246
PDC ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
95-2636730
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1775 Sherman Street, Suite 3000
Denver, Colorado 80203
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (303) 860-5800

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 T No £

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes T 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 definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer £
Accelerated filer x
Non-accelerated filer £
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes £ No T

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 30,265,078 shares of the Company's Common Stock ($0.01 par value) were outstanding as of October 19, 2012.




Table of Contents

PDC ENERGY, INC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Page
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
 
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Item 1A.
 
Item 2.
 
Item 3.
 
Item 4.
 
Item 5.
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 ("Securities Act") and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act") regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in, and incorporated by reference into, this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States ("U.S.") Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, seeks, estimates and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements herein. These statements relate to, among other things: estimated natural gas, natural gas liquids ("NGLs") and crude oil production; future production levels, adjusted EBITDA, cash flows and expenses, anticipated capital expenditures and capital projects; the availability of adequate takeaway capacity and related services and the timing of construction of future takeaway and related facilities; increased focus on the Wattenberg Field and liquid-rich areas, including the pace of development in those areas and related expenditures; our liquidity is sufficient to execute our drilling program in the Wattenberg Field and Utica Shale; that our new Piceance marketing agreement is expected to add approximately $0.40 per MMbtu to our Piceance natural gas realization; that the planned 2013 infrastructure projects include a new NGL pipeline that will provide direct access for our NGLs to Mt. Belvieu, where we anticipate improved pricing; compliance and expected continued compliance with our debt covenants and the indenture restrictions governing our senior notes and expected continued compliance; the impact of decreased commodity prices on future borrowing base redeterminations and the timing of any redeterminations; the effectiveness of our derivative policies in achieving our risk management objectives; the effectiveness of our derivative program in providing price stability despite volatility in natural gas prices; the sufficiency of our monitoring procedures for the creditworthiness of our financial institution counterparties; our expected remaining liability for uncertain tax positions; our expectation to not declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future; the impact of outstanding legal issues and litigation; our ability to meet our partnership repurchase obligations, if applicable; our ability to benefit from crude oil and natural gas price differentials; anticipated additional Niobrara and Codell drilling locations and our future strategies, plans and objectives.

The above statements are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements herein. Although forward-looking statements contained in this report reflect our good faith judgment, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known to us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, including known and unknown risks and uncertainties incidental to the exploration for, and the acquisition, development, production and marketing of, natural gas, NGLs and crude oil, and actual outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
changes in production volumes and worldwide demand, including economic conditions that might impact demand;
volatility of commodity prices for natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;
impact of governmental policies and/or regulations, including changes in environmental and other laws, the interpretation and enforcement related to those laws and regulations, liabilities arising thereunder and the costs to comply with those laws and regulations;
potential declines in the values of our natural gas and crude oil properties resulting in impairments;
changes in estimates of proved reserves;
inaccuracy of reserve estimates and expected production rates;
potential for production decline rates from our wells to be greater than expected;
timing and extent of our success in discovering, acquiring, developing and producing reserves;
our ability to acquire leases, drilling rigs, supplies and services at reasonable prices;
timing and receipt of necessary regulatory permits;
risks incidental to the drilling and operation of natural gas and crude oil wells;
our future cash flows, liquidity and financial position;
competition within the oil and gas industry;
availability and cost of capital to us;
reductions in the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility;
availability of sufficient pipeline, gathering and other transportation facilities and related infrastructure to process and transport our production, particularly in the Wattenberg Field, and the impact of these facilities on the prices we receive for our production;
our success in marketing natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;
effect of natural gas and crude oil derivatives activities;
impact of environmental events, governmental and other third-party responses to such events, and our ability to insure adequately against such events;
cost of pending or future litigation;
effect that acquisitions we may pursue have on our capital expenditures;
our ability to retain or attract senior management and key technical employees; and
success of strategic plans, expectations and objectives for future operations of the Company.
 
Further, we urge you to carefully review and consider the cautionary statements and disclosures, specifically those under the heading "Risk Factors," made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 ("2011 Form 10-K"), filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 1, 2012, and our other filings

3

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with the SEC for further information on risks and uncertainties that could affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, which are incorporated by this reference as though fully set forth herein. We caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance occurring after the date of this report or currently unknown facts or conditions or the occurrence of unanticipated events. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

REFERENCES

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to "PDC," "PDC Energy," "the Company," "we," "us," "our," "ours," "ourselves" or other such terms refer to the registrant, PDC Energy, Inc., and all subsidiaries consolidated for the purposes of its financial statements, including our proportionate share of the financial position, results of operations, cash flows and operating activities of our affiliated partnerships and PDC Mountaineer, LLC ("PDCM"), a joint venture currently owned 50% each by PDC and Lime Rock Partners, LP, formed for the purpose of exploring and developing the Marcellus Shale formation in the Appalachian Basin. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this report to "Appalachian Basin" include PDC's proportionate share of our affiliated partnerships' and PDCM's assets, results of operations, cash flows and operating activities. See Note 1, Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for a description of our consolidated subsidiaries.

References to "the three months ended 2012" and "the nine months ended 2012" refer to the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012, respectively. References to "the three months ended 2011" and "the nine months ended 2011" refer to the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, respectively.

References to "quarter-over-quarter" refer to the three months ended 2012 compared to the three months ended 2011. References to "year-over-year" refer to the nine months ended 2012 compared to the nine months ended 2011.



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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PDC ENERGY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011 (1)
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
2,907

 
$
8,238

Restricted cash
2,241

 
11,070

Accounts receivable, net
46,911

 
59,923

Accounts receivable affiliates
7,535

 
8,518

Fair value of derivatives
52,797

 
60,809

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
4,767

 
24,492

Total current assets
117,158

 
173,050

Properties and equipment, net
1,733,663

 
1,301,716

Assets held for sale

 
148,249

Fair value of derivatives
16,465

 
41,175

Accounts receivable affiliates
705

 
2,836

Other assets
63,913

 
30,979

Total Assets
$
1,931,904

 
$
1,698,005

 
 
 
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
68,174

 
$
76,027

Accounts payable affiliates
9,304

 
10,176

Production tax liability
26,762

 
18,949

Fair value of derivatives
22,075

 
27,974

Funds held for distribution
28,087

 
28,594

Accrued interest payable
6,949

 
11,243

Other accrued expenses
23,471

 
22,083

Total current liabilities
184,822

 
195,046

Long-term debt
633,908

 
532,157

Deferred income taxes
184,711

 
207,573

Asset retirement obligations
60,275

 
46,316

Fair value of derivatives
18,696

 
21,106

Accounts payable affiliates
1,459

 
6,134

Other liabilities
19,223

 
25,561

Total liabilities
1,103,094

 
1,033,893

 
 
 
 
Commitments and contingent liabilities

 

 
 
 
 
Shareholders' equity:
 
 
 
Preferred shares - par value $0.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none issued

 

Common shares - par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 authorized, 30,269,648 and 23,634,958 issued as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
303

 
236

Additional paid-in capital
386,944

 
217,707

Retained earnings
441,743

 
446,280

Treasury shares - at cost, 5,642 and 2,938 as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively
(180
)
 
(111
)
Total shareholders' equity
828,810

 
664,112

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
$
1,931,904

 
$
1,698,005

 
 
 
 
__________
(1) Derived from audited 2011 balance sheet.


See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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PDC ENERGY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited; in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales
$
59,915

 
$
72,044

 
$
192,104

 
$
196,616

Sales from natural gas marketing
11,570

 
17,209

 
32,321

 
51,308

Commodity price risk management gain (loss), net
(31,943
)
 
46,706

 
18,287

 
43,361

Well operations, pipeline income and other
1,639

 
1,670

 
4,860

 
5,268

Total revenues
41,181

 
137,629

 
247,572

 
296,553

Costs, expenses and other:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production costs
20,756

 
13,644

 
57,181

 
48,298

Cost of natural gas marketing
11,598

 
17,227

 
31,851

 
50,427

Exploration expense
1,969

 
1,135

 
6,602

 
4,019

Impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties
395

 
531

 
1,418

 
1,483

General and administrative expense
13,710

 
13,683

 
42,796

 
47,065

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
32,483

 
31,523

 
106,745

 
93,100

Accretion of asset retirement obligations
1,195

 
372

 
2,839

 
1,085

Gain on sale of properties and equipment
(1,508
)
 
(32
)
 
(3,908
)
 
(32
)
Total costs, expenses and other
80,598

 
78,083

 
245,524

 
245,445

Income (loss) from operations
(39,417
)
 
59,546

 
2,048

 
51,108

Interest income
3

 
36

 
5

 
47

Interest expense
(11,360
)
 
(9,496
)
 
(31,857
)
 
(27,625
)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(50,774
)
 
50,086

 
(29,804
)
 
23,530

Provision for income taxes
(18,131
)
 
19,218

 
(11,193
)
 
7,744

Income (loss) from continuing operations
(32,643
)
 
30,868

 
(18,611
)
 
15,786

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax

 
1,692

 
14,074

 
6,015

Net income (loss)
$
(32,643
)
 
$
32,560

 
$
(4,537
)
 
$
21,801

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(1.08
)
 
$
1.31

 
$
(0.69
)
 
$
0.67

Income from discontinued operations

 
0.07

 
0.52

 
0.26

Net income (loss)
$
(1.08
)
 
$
1.38

 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
0.93

Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(1.08
)
 
$
1.30

 
$
(0.69
)
 
$
0.67

Income from discontinued operations

 
0.07

 
0.52

 
0.25

Net income (loss)
$
(1.08
)
 
$
1.37

 
$
(0.17
)
 
$
0.92

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
30,214

 
23,569

 
26,819

 
23,497

Diluted
30,214

 
23,783

 
26,819

 
23,712

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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PDC ENERGY, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited, in thousands)

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
(4,537
)
 
$
21,801

Adjustments to net income (loss) to reconcile to net cash from operating activities:
 
 
 
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivatives, net
20,917

 
(32,608
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
106,745

 
99,347

Impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties
1,418

 
1,718

Exploratory dry hole costs
1,043

 
171

Accretion of asset retirement obligation
2,839

 
1,209

Gain on sale of properties and equipment
(23,828
)
 
(3,886
)
Deferred income taxes
(7,090
)
 
12,387

Stock-based compensation
6,126

 
7,242

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs
5,082

 
5,104

Other
3,531

 
(1,377
)
Changes in assets and liabilities
14,929

 
(5,641
)
Net cash from operating activities
127,175

 
105,467

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
Capital expenditures
(271,769
)
 
(241,150
)
Acquisition of natural gas and crude oil properties
(309,285
)
 
(41,372
)
Advance to PDCM for the acquisition of properties

 
(28,594
)
Proceeds from acquisition adjustments
11,969

 

Proceeds from the sale of properties and equipment
192,040

 
10,140

Increase in restricted cash
(17,497
)
 
(19,063
)
Other

 
(133
)
Net cash from investing activities
(394,542
)
 
(320,172
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from credit facility
591,250

 
295,194

Payment of credit facility
(492,250
)
 
(113,213
)
Proceeds from sale of equity, net of issuance costs
164,496

 

Contribution by investing partner in PDCM

 
12,464

Other
(1,460
)
 
(1,802
)
Net cash from financing activities
262,036

 
192,643

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(5,331
)
 
(22,062
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
8,238

 
54,372

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
2,907

 
$
32,310

 
 
 
 
Supplemental cash flow information:
 
 
 
Cash payments for:
 
 
 
Interest, net of capitalized interest
$
30,868

 
$
26,694

Income taxes, net of refunds
1,830

 
3,171

Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Change in accounts payable related to purchases of properties and equipment
(9,514
)
 
14,551

Change in asset retirement obligation, with a corresponding change to natural gas and crude oil properties, net of disposals
11,871

 
379

See Note 12 for non-cash transactions related to our acquisitions
 
 
 

 

See accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 30, 2012
(unaudited)


NOTE 1 - NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

PDC Energy is a domestic independent natural gas and crude oil company engaged in the exploration for and the acquisition, development, production and marketing of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil. As of September 30, 2012, we owned interests in approximately 7,200 gross wells located primarily in the Wattenberg Field, Appalachian Basin, northeast Colorado and the Piceance Basin. We are engaged in two business segments: (1) Oil and Gas Exploration and Production and (2) Gas Marketing.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PDC, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, and our proportionate share of PDCM and our 21 affiliated partnerships. Pursuant to the proportionate consolidation method, our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include our pro rata share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the entities which we proportionately consolidate. All material intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
In our opinion, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of our financial statements for interim periods in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the SEC. Accordingly, pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain notes and other financial information included in audited financial statements have been condensed or omitted. The information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our 2011 Form 10-K. Our results of operations and cash flows for the three and nine months ended 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other future period.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period financial statements to conform to the current year presentation, mainly related to discontinued operations. See Note 13, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, for additional information regarding our discontinued operations. We also reclassified impairment and amortization charges recorded for unproved properties out of the statement of operations line item exploration expense and into impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties, and the accretion of asset retirement obligations out of the statement of operations line item production cost and into accretion of asset retirement obligations. The reclassifications had no impact on previously reported cash flows, net income, earnings per share or shareholders' equity.

NOTE 2 - RECENT ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Fair Value Measurement. On May 12, 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued changes related to fair value measurement. The changes represent the converged guidance of the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") on fair value measurement. Many of the changes eliminate unnecessary wording differences between International Financial Reporting Standards and U.S. GAAP. The changes expand existing disclosure requirements for fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 by requiring a quantitative disclosure of the unobservable inputs and assumptions used in the measurement, a description of the valuation processes in place and a narrative description of the sensitivity of the fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and the interrelationships between those inputs. In addition, the changes require the categorization by level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value in the statement of financial position whose fair value must be disclosed. These changes are to be applied prospectively and are effective for public entities for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. Adoption of these changes did not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

NOTE 3 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS AND DISCLOSURES

Determination of fair value. Our fair value measurements are estimated pursuant to a fair value hierarchy that requires us to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, giving the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. The lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability, and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value are defined as:

Level 1 – Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means.


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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity.

Derivative Financial Instruments. We measure the fair value of our derivative instruments based on a pricing model that utilizes market-based inputs, including but not limited to the contractual price of the underlying position, current market prices, natural gas and crude oil forward curves, discount rates such as the LIBOR curve for a similar duration of each outstanding position, volatility factors and nonperformance risk. Nonperformance risk considers the effect of our credit standing on the fair value of derivative liabilities and the effect of our counterparties' credit standings on the fair value of derivative assets. Both inputs to the model are based on published credit default swap rates and the duration of each outstanding derivative position.

We validate our fair value measurement through the review of counterparty statements and other supporting documentation, the determination that the source of the inputs is valid, the corroboration of the original source of inputs through access to multiple quotes, if available, or other information and monitoring changes in valuation methods and assumptions. While we use common industry practices to develop our valuation techniques, changes in our pricing methodologies or the underlying assumptions could result in significantly different fair values. While we believe our valuation method is appropriate and consistent with those used by other market participants, the use of a different methodology or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value.

We have evaluated the credit risk of the counterparties holding our derivative assets, which are primarily financial institutions who are also major lenders in our revolving credit facility, giving consideration to amounts outstanding for each counterparty and the duration of each outstanding derivative position. Based on our evaluation, we have determined that the potential impact of nonperformance of our counterparties on the fair value of our derivative instruments is not significant.
    
Our fixed-price swaps, basis swaps and physical purchases are included in Level 2 and our natural gas and crude oil collars, natural gas calls and physical sales are included in Level 3. The following table presents, for each applicable level within the fair value hierarchy, our derivative assets and liabilities, including both current and non-current portions, measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
Significant other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  
Total
 
Significant other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
  
Total
 
(in thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity-based derivatives contracts
$
51,303

   
$
17,925

   
$
69,228

 
$
76,104

   
$
25,837

   
$
101,941

Basis protection derivative contracts
19

 
15

 
34

 
5

 
38

   
43

Total assets
51,322

 
17,940

 
69,262

 
76,109

 
25,875

 
101,984

Liabilities:
 
   
 
   
 
 
 
   
 
   
 
Commodity-based derivatives contracts
16,501

 
2,402

   
18,903

 
9,888

 
3,768

   
13,656

Basis protection derivative contracts
21,868

 

   
21,868

 
35,424

 

   
35,424

Total liabilities
38,369

 
2,402

 
40,771

 
45,312

 
3,768

 
49,080

Net asset
$
12,953

 
$
15,538

 
$
28,491

 
$
30,797

 
$
22,107

 
$
52,904

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
    

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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

The following table presents a reconciliation of our Level 3 assets measured at fair value:

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value, net asset, beginning of period
 
$
22,107

 
$
10,762

Changes in fair value included in statement of operations line item:
 
 
 
 
Commodity price risk management gain (loss), net
 
6,098

 
15,285

Sales from natural gas marketing
 
35

 
51

Changes in fair value included in balance sheet line item (1):
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable affiliates
 

 
49

Accounts payable affiliates
 
(240
)
 
(568
)
Settlements included in statement of operations line items:
 
 
 
 
Commodity price risk management loss, net
 
(12,357
)
 
(2,022
)
Sales from natural gas marketing
 
(105
)
 
(94
)
Fair value, net asset, end of period
 
$
15,538

 
$
23,463

 
 
 
 
 
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) relating to assets (liabilities) still held
 
 
 
 
as of period end, included in statement of operations line item:
 
 
 
 
Commodity price risk management gain (loss), net
 
$
2,577

 
$
9,974

Sales from natural gas marketing
 
(1
)
 
(4
)
Total
 
$
2,576

 
$
9,970

 
 
 
 
 
__________
(1)
Represents the change in fair value related to derivative instruments entered into by us and designated to our affiliated partnerships.

The significant unobservable input used in the fair value measurement of our derivative contracts is the implied volatility curve, which is provided by a third-party vendor. A significant increase or decrease in the implied volatility, in isolation, would have a directionally similar effect resulting in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement of our Level 3 derivative contracts.    

See Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, for additional disclosure related to our derivative financial instruments.

Non-Derivative Financial Assets and Liabilities

The carrying values of the financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

The liability associated with our non-qualified deferred compensation plan for non-employee directors may be settled in cash or shares of our common stock. The carrying value of this obligation is based on the quoted market price of our common stock, which is a Level 1 input.
    
The portion of our long-term debt related to our revolving credit facility, as well as our proportionate share of PDCM's credit facility, approximates fair value due to the variable nature of related interest rates. We have not elected to account for the portion of our long-term debt related to our senior notes under the fair value option; however, as of September 30, 2012, we estimate the fair value of the portion of our long-term debt related to the 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 to be $120.9 million, or 105.1% of par value, and the portion related to our 12% senior notes due 2018 to be $219.9 million, or 108.3% of par value. We determined these valuations based upon measurements of trading activity and broker and/or dealer quotes, respectively, which are published market prices and therefore are Level 1 inputs.



10

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

NOTE 4 - DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

As of September 30, 2012, we had derivative instruments in place for a portion of our anticipated production through 2016 totaling 66,978 BBtu of natural gas and 4,089 MBbls of crude oil.    
    
The following table presents the location and fair value amounts of our derivative instruments on the balance sheets. These derivative instruments were comprised of commodity floors, collars and swaps, basis protection swaps and physical sales and purchases:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value
Derivatives instruments not designated as hedges (1):
 
Balance sheet line item
 
September 30,
2012
 
December 31,
2011
 
 
 
 
 
(in thousands)
Derivative assets:
Current
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas and crude oil sales
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
$
45,358

 
$
51,220

 
Related to affiliated partnerships (2)
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
6,785

 
8,018

 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
635

 
1,528

 
Basis protection contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
19

 
43

 
 
 
 
 
52,797

 
60,809

 
Non-Current
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas and crude oil sales
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
14,627

 
34,938

 
Related to affiliated partnerships (2)
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
1,459

 
6,134

 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
364

 
103

 
Basis protection contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
15

 

 
 
 
 
 
16,465

 
41,175

Total derivative assets
 
 
 
 
$
69,262

 
$
101,984

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative liabilities:
Current
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas and crude oil sales
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
$
3,695

 
$
7,498

 
Related to affiliated partnerships (3)
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
150

 
211

 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
531

 
1,384

 
Basis protection contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas and crude oil sales
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
14,803

 
15,762

 
Related to affiliated partnerships (3)
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
2,895

 
3,116

 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
1

 
3

 
 
 
 
 
22,075

 
27,974

 
Non-Current
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas and crude oil sales
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
14,189

 
4,357

 
Related to affiliated partnerships (3)
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
26

 
113

 
Related to natural gas marketing
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
312

 
93

 
Basis protection contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related to natural gas and crude oil sales
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
3,489

 
13,820

 
Related to affiliated partnerships (3)
 
Fair value of derivatives
 
680

 
2,723

 
 
 
 
 
18,696

 
21,106

Total derivative liabilities
 
 
 
 
$
40,771

 
$
49,080

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________
(1)
As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, none of our derivative instruments were designated as hedges.
(2)
Represents derivative positions designated to our affiliated partnerships; accordingly, our accompanying balance sheets include a corresponding payable to our affiliated partnerships representing their proportionate share of the derivative assets.
(3)
Represents derivative positions designated to our affiliated partnerships; accordingly, our accompanying balance sheets include a corresponding receivable from our affiliated partnerships representing their proportionate share of the derivative liabilities.
    

11

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

    
The following table presents the impact of our derivative instruments on our statements of operations:

 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
2011
Statement of Operations Line Item
 
Reclassification
of Realized
Gains (Losses)
Included in Prior Periods
Unrealized
 
Realized and Unrealized
Gains
(Losses) For
the
Current
Period
 
Total
 
Reclassification
of Realized
Gains (Losses)
Included in Prior Periods
Unrealized
 
Realized and Unrealized
Gains
(Losses) For
the
Current
Period
 
Total
 
 
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Commodity price risk management gain, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gains (losses)
 
$
15,010

 
$
(1,915
)
 
$
13,095

 
$
2,815

 
$
2,132

 
$
4,947

Unrealized gains (losses)
 
(15,010
)
 
(30,028
)
 
(45,038
)
 
(2,815
)
 
44,574

 
41,759

Total commodity price risk management gain (loss), net
 
$

 
$
(31,943
)
 
$
(31,943
)
 
$

 
$
46,706

 
$
46,706

Sales from natural gas marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gains
 
$
386

 
$
15

 
$
401

 
$
418

 
$
88

 
$
506

Unrealized gains (losses)
 
(386
)
 
(404
)
 
(790
)
 
(418
)
 
958

 
540

Total sales from natural gas marketing
 
$

 
$
(389
)
 
$
(389
)
 
$

 
$
1,046

 
$
1,046

Cost of natural gas marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized losses
 
$
(364
)
 
$
(20
)
 
$
(384
)
 
$
(347
)
 
$
(104
)
 
$
(451
)
Unrealized gains (losses)
 
364

 
467

 
831

 
347

 
(944
)
 
(597
)
Total cost of natural gas marketing
 
$

 
$
447

 
$
447

 
$

 
$
(1,048
)
 
$
(1,048
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Commodity price risk management gain, net
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gains
 
$
22,813

 
$
16,387

 
$
39,200

 
$
9,033

 
$
1,505

 
$
10,538

Unrealized gains (losses)
 
(22,813
)
 
1,900

 
(20,913
)
 
(9,033
)
 
41,856

 
32,823

Total commodity price risk management gain (loss), net
 
$

 
$
18,287

 
$
18,287

 
$

 
$
43,361

 
$
43,361

Sales from natural gas marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gains
 
$
1,358

 
$
588

 
$
1,946

 
$
1,624

 
$
516

 
$
2,140

Unrealized gains (losses)
 
(1,358
)
 
(428
)
 
(1,786
)
 
(1,624
)
 
1,130

 
(494
)
Total sales from natural gas marketing
 
$

 
$
160

 
$
160

 
$

 
$
1,646

 
$
1,646

Cost of natural gas marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized losses
 
$
(1,195
)
 
$
(652
)
 
$
(1,847
)
 
$
(1,287
)
 
$
(525
)
 
$
(1,812
)
Unrealized gains (losses)
 
1,195

 
587

 
1,782

 
1,287

 
(1,008
)
 
279

Total cost of natural gas marketing
 
$

 
$
(65
)
 
$
(65
)
 
$

 
$
(1,533
)
 
$
(1,533
)

Derivative Counterparties. Our derivative arrangements expose us to credit risk of nonperformance by our counterparties. We primarily use financial institutions who are also lenders under our revolving credit facility as counterparties to our derivative contracts. To date, we have had no counterparty default losses. We have evaluated the credit risk of our derivative assets from our counterparties using relevant credit market default rates, giving consideration to amounts outstanding for each counterparty and the duration of each outstanding derivative position. Based on our evaluation, we have determined that the potential impact of nonperformance of our counterparties on the fair value of our derivative instruments was not significant.


12

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

The following table presents the counterparties that expose us to credit risk as of September 30, 2012, with regard to our derivative assets:
Counterparty Name
 
Fair Value of
Derivative Assets
As of September 30, 2012
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (1)
 
$
42,763

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (1)
 
7,831

Crèdit Agricole CIB (1)
 
5,206

Other lenders in our revolving credit facility
 
12,112

Various (2)
 
1,350

Total
 
$
69,262

 
 
 
__________
(1)Major lender in our revolving credit facility. See Note 7, Long-Term Debt.
(2)Represents a total of 28 counterparties.


NOTE 5 - PROPERTIES AND EQUIPMENT

The following table presents the components of properties and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization and assets held-for-sale:

 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(in thousands)
Properties and equipment, net:
 
 
 
Natural gas and crude oil properties
 
 
 
Proved
$
1,943,426

 
$
1,694,694

Unproved
356,235

 
102,466

Total natural gas and crude oil properties
2,299,661

 
1,797,160

Pipelines and related facilities
42,398

 
40,721

Transportation and other equipment
34,230

 
32,475

Land and buildings
14,954

 
14,572

Construction in progress
84,755

 
69,633

Gross properties and equipment
2,475,998

 
1,954,561

Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
(742,335
)
 
(652,845
)
Properties and equipment, net
$
1,733,663

 
$
1,301,716

 
 
 
 

NOTE 6 - INCOME TAXES

We evaluate our estimated annual effective income tax rate on a quarterly basis based on current and forecasted operating results and tax laws. The estimated annual effective tax rate is adjusted quarterly based upon actual results and updated operating forecasts. Consequently, based upon the mix and timing of our actual earnings compared to annual projections, our effective tax rate may vary quarterly and may make quarterly comparisons not meaningful. A tax expense or benefit unrelated to the current year income or loss is recognized in its entirety as a discrete item of tax in the period identified. The quarterly income tax provision is generally comprised of tax expense on income or tax benefit on loss at the most recent estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for the effect of discrete items.

The effective tax rates for continuing operations for the three and nine months ended 2012 were 35.7% and 37.6%, respectively, compared to 38.4% and 32.9% for the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended 2012 approximate the statutory rate, as net permanent deductions, largely percentage depletion, were offset by nondeductible officers' compensation. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended 2011 differ from the statutory rate primarily due to net permanent deductions, largely percentage depletion, decreasing the tax expense on income for the three months ended 2011 and increasing the tax benefit on loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. There were no significant discrete items recorded during the three and nine months ended 2012 or in the three months ended 2011. In the nine months ended 2011 a discrete tax benefit of $0.6 million was recorded due to realization of uncertain tax benefits primarily because of a settlement with the IRS.
  

13

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

As of September 30, 2012, we had a gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million, unchanged from the amount recorded at December 31, 2011. If recognized, this liability would affect our effective tax rate. This liability is reflected in other accrued expenses on our accompanying balance sheet. We expect our remaining liability for uncertain tax positions to decrease in the next twelve months due to the expiration of statute of limitations.

We have accepted an offer for continued participation in the IRS Compliance Assurance Process program for our 2012 tax year. As of the date of this filing, we are current with our income tax filings in all applicable state jurisdictions and currently have no state income tax returns in the process of examination.

NOTE 7 - LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(in thousands)
Senior notes:
 
 
 
3.25% Convertible senior notes due 2016:
 
 
 
Principal amount
$
115,000

 
$
115,000

Unamortized discount
(14,546
)
 
(17,079
)
3.25% Convertible senior notes due 2016, net of discount
100,454

 
97,921

12% Senior notes due 2018:
 
 
 
Principal amount
203,000

 
203,000

Unamortized discount
(1,546
)
 
(1,764
)
12% Senior notes due 2018, net of discount
201,454

 
201,236

Total senior notes
301,908

 
299,157

Credit facilities:
 
 
 
Corporate
307,000

 
209,000

PDCM
25,000

 
24,000

Total credit facilities
332,000

 
233,000

Total long-term debt
$
633,908

 
$
532,157

 
 
 
 
    
Senior Notes
    
On October 3, 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior notes due October 15, 2022 (the “2022 Senior Notes”), in a private placement. See Note 16, Subsequent Events, for additional information. 

3.25% Convertible Senior Notes Due 2016. In 2010, we issued $115 million of 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2016 in a private placement. The maturity date of the convertible notes is May 15, 2016. Interest is payable in cash semiannually in arrears on each May 15 and November 15. We allocated the gross proceeds of the convertible notes between the liability and equity components of the debt. The initial $94.3 million liability component was determined based upon the fair value of similar debt instruments, excluding the conversion feature, with similar terms and priced on the same day we issued our convertible notes. The original issue discount and the deferred note issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt using an effective interest rate of 7.4%. Upon conversion, the convertible notes may be settled, at our election, in shares of our common stock, cash or a combination of cash and shares of our common stock. We have initially elected a net-settlement method to satisfy our conversion obligation, which allows us to settle the principal amount of the convertible notes in cash and to settle the excess conversion value in shares, as well as cash in lieu of fractional shares.

12% Senior Notes Due 2018. In 2008, we issued $203 million of 12% senior notes due 2018 (the "2018 Senior Notes") in a private placement. The maturity date of the 2018 Senior Notes is February 15, 2018. Interest is payable in cash semiannually in arrears on each February 15 and August 15. The 2018 Senior Notes were issued at a discount reflecting 98.572% of the principal amount. The indenture governing the notes contains customary restrictive covenants. The original issue discount and the deferred note issuance costs are being amortized to interest expense over the term of the debt. On October 3, 2012 we issued a notice to redeem the entire $203 million principal amount of the 2018 Senior Notes. See Note 16, Subsequent Events, for additional information.

As of September 30, 2012, we were in compliance with all covenants related to our senior notes, and expect to remain in compliance throughout the next twelve-month period.

    

14

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

Credit Facilities

Revolving Credit Facility. On September 21, 2012, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2010, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and other lenders party thereto. The Sixth Amendment increased the amount of senior note indebtedness and refinancing indebtedness permitted under the revolving credit agreement, and waived any automatic reduction of the borrowing base upon the issuance of senior notes until the next scheduled semi-annual redetermination. See Note 16, Subsequent Events, for a discussion of the semi-annual redetermination that became effective on October 31, 2012. On June 29, 2012, concurrent with the acquisition of certain Wattenberg assets from affiliates of Merit Energy (the "Merit Acquisition"), we entered into a Fifth Amendment to our revolving credit facility. The Fifth Amendment increased our available borrowing base to $525 million from $425 million based on our natural gas and crude oil reserves as of December 31, 2011 and the estimated reserves as of April 1, 2012 for the acquired assets from the Merit Acquisition. The maximum allowable facility amount is $600 million. The revolving credit facility is available for working capital requirements, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate purposes and to support letters of credit.
    
On June 25, 2012, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to our revolving credit facility. The Fourth Amendment amends certain provisions of the revolving credit facility to allow us greater flexibility in entering into hedging transactions in connection with future potential asset acquisitions. Our revolving credit facility borrowing base is subject to size redetermination semiannually based on quantification of our reserves at June 30 and December 31, and is also subject to a redetermination upon the occurrence of certain events. On May 4, 2012, we entered into the Third Amendment to our revolving credit facility and, as a result of the semi-annual redetermination by our bank group, our borrowing base was increased by $25 million to $425 million. The borrowing base of the revolving credit facility will be the loan value assigned to the proved reserves attributable to our and our subsidiaries’ natural gas and crude oil interests, excluding proved reserves attributable to PDCM and our 21 affiliated partnerships. The revolving credit facility is secured by a pledge of the stock of certain of our subsidiaries, mortgages of certain producing natural gas and crude oil properties and substantially all of our and such subsidiaries' other assets. Neither PDCM nor the various limited partnerships that we have sponsored and continue to serve as the managing general partner are guarantors of the revolving credit facility.

Our outstanding principal amount accrues interest at a varying interest rate that fluctuates with an alternate base rate (equal to the greater of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.'s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus a premium and 1-month LIBOR plus a premium), or at our election, a rate equal to the rate for dollar deposits in the London interbank market for certain time periods. Additionally, commitment fees, interest margin and other bank fees, charged as a component of interest, vary with our utilization of the facility. No principal payments are required until the credit agreement expires on November 5, 2015, or in the event that the borrowing base falls below the outstanding balance. The revolving credit facility contains covenants customary for agreements of this type.

We have outstanding an $18.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit in favor of a third-party transportation service provider to provide firm transportation of the natural gas produced by us and others for whom we market production in the Appalachian Basin. This letter of credit reduced the amount of available funds under our revolving credit facility by an equal amount. We pay a fronting fee of 0.125% per annum and an additional quarterly maintenance fee equivalent to the spread over Eurodollar loans (2.5% per annum as of September 30, 2012) for the period the letter of credit remains outstanding. The letter of credit expires on July 20, 2013.

As of September 30, 2012, we had an outstanding balance of $307 million on our revolving credit facility compared to $209 million as of December 31, 2011. We pay a fee of 0.5% per annum on the unutilized commitment on the available funds under our revolving credit facility. As of September 30, 2012, the available funds under our revolving credit facility, including a reduction for the $18.7 million irrevocable standby letter of credit in effect, was $199.3 million. The weighted-average borrowing rate on our revolving credit facility, exclusive of the letter of credit, was 4.3% per annum as of September 30, 2012 compared to 3.8% as of December 31, 2011.

PDCM Credit Facility. PDCM has a credit facility dated April 30, 2010, as amended on May 11, 2012, with an aggregate revolving commitment or borrowing base of $80 million, of which our proportionate share is $40 million. The credit facility is subject to and secured by PDCM's properties, including our proportionate share of such properties. The credit facility borrowing base is subject to size redetermination semiannually based upon a valuation of PDCM's reserves at June 30 and December 31. Further, either PDCM or the lenders may request a redetermination upon the occurrence of certain events. The credit facility will be utilized by PDCM for the development of its Appalachian assets. As of September 30, 2012, our proportionate share of PDCM's outstanding credit facility balance was $25 million compared to $24 million as of December 31, 2011. PDCM pays a fee of 0.5% per annum on the unutilized commitment on the available funds under this credit facility. The weighted-average borrowing rate on PDCM's credit facility was 3.5% per annum as of September 30, 2012, compared to 5.0% as of December 31, 2011.

As of September 30, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all credit facility covenants and expects to remain in compliance throughout the next twelve-month period.


15

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

NOTE 8 - ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following table presents the changes in carrying amounts of the asset retirement obligations associated with our working interest in natural gas and crude oil properties:

 
Amount
 
(in thousands)
 
 
Balance at December 31, 2011
$
46,566

Obligations incurred with development activities and assumed with acquisitions
14,066

Accretion expense
2,839

Obligations discharged with disposal of properties and asset retirements
(2,196
)
Balance at September 30, 2012
61,275

Less current portion
(1,000
)
Long-term portion
$
60,275

 
 


NOTE 9 - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Firm Transportation Agreements. We enter into contracts that provide firm transportation, sales and processing charges on pipeline systems through which we transport or sell natural gas. Satisfaction of the volume requirements includes volumes produced by us, volumes purchased from third parties and volumes produced by PDCM, our affiliated partnerships and other third party working interest owners. We record in our financial statements only our share of costs based upon our working interest in the wells. These contracts require us to pay these transportation and processing charges whether the required volumes are delivered or not. With the exception of contracts entered into by PDCM, the costs of any volume shortfalls are borne by PDC.
            
The following table presents gross volume information, including our proportionate share of PDCM, related to our long-term firm sales, processing and transportation agreements for pipeline capacity:

 
 
For the Twelve Months Ending September 30,
 
 
 
 
Area
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017 Through
Expiration
 
Total
 
Expiration
Date
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volume (MMcf)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Piceance Basin
 
25,225

 
37,713

 
31,905

 
27,090

 
92,033

 
213,966

 
May 31, 2021
Appalachian Basin
 
21,216

 
20,359

 
22,855

 
24,186

 
174,575

 
263,191

 
September 30, 2025
NECO
 
2,554

 
1,916

 
1,825

 
1,825

 
455

 
8,575

 
December 31, 2016
Total
 
48,995

 
59,988

 
56,585

 
53,101

 
267,063

 
485,732

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dollar commitment
(in thousands)
 
$
22,604

 
$
28,473

 
$
25,887

 
$
23,625

 
$
104,264

 
$
204,853

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Litigation. The Company is involved in various legal proceedings that it considers normal for its business. The Company reviews the status of these proceedings on an ongoing basis and, from time to time, may settle or otherwise resolve these matters on terms and conditions that management believes are in the best interests of the Company. There are no assurances that settlements can be reached on acceptable terms or that adverse judgments, if any, in the remaining litigation will not exceed the amounts reserved. Although the results cannot be known with certainty, we currently believe that the ultimate results of such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Alleged Class Action Filed Regarding 2010 and 2011 Partnership Purchases

On December 21, 2011 the Company and its wholly-owned merger subsidiary were served with an alleged class action on behalf of certain former partnership unit holders, related to its partnership repurchases completed by mergers in 2010 and 2011. The action was filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, and is titled Schulein v. Petroleum Development Corp. The complaint primarily alleges a claim that the proxy statements issued in connection with the mergers were inadequate, and a state law breach of fiduciary duty. On February 10, 2012, the Company filed a motion to dismiss or in the alternative to stay. On June 15, 2012, the Court denied the motion. The court has approved a litigation schedule including a jury trial in May 2014. We have not recorded a liability for claims pending because we believe we have good legal defenses to the asserted claims.

16

Table of Contents
PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued


Environmental. Due to the nature of the natural gas and oil industry, we are exposed to environmental risks. We have various policies and procedures to avoid environmental contamination and mitigate the risks from environmental contamination. We conduct periodic reviews to identify changes in our environmental risk profile. Liabilities are accrued when environmental damages resulting from past events are probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had accrued environmental liabilities in the amount of $11.1 million and $2.5 million, respectively, included in other accrued expenses on the balance sheet. The increase primarily relates to environmental liabilities assumed following the Merit Acquisition. See Note 12, Acquisitions, for a discussion of the Merit Acquisition. We are not aware of any environmental claims existing as of September 30, 2012 which have not been provided for or would otherwise have a material impact on our financial statements. However, there can be no assurance that current regulatory requirements will not change or unknown past non-compliance with environmental laws will not be discovered on our properties.

Partnership Repurchase Provision. Substantially all of our drilling programs contain a repurchase provision, whereby investing partners may request that we purchase their partnership units at any time beginning with the third anniversary of the first cash distribution. The provision provides that we are obligated to purchase an aggregate of 10% of the initial subscriptions per calendar year (at a minimum price of four times the most recent 12 months' cash distributions from production), if repurchase is requested by investors, subject to our financial ability to do so. As of September 30, 2012, the maximum annual repurchase obligation, based upon the minimum price described above, was approximately $3.5 million. We believe we have adequate liquidity to meet this obligation. For the three and nine months ended 2012, amounts paid for the repurchase of partnership units pursuant to this provision were immaterial.
    
Employment Agreements with Executive Officers. Each of our senior executive officers may be entitled to a severance payment and certain other benefits upon the termination of the officer's employment pursuant to the officer's employment agreement and/or the Company's executive severance compensation plan. The nature and amount of such benefits would vary based upon, among other things, whether the termination followed a change of control of the Company.

NOTE 10 - COMMON STOCK

Sale of Equity Securities

In May 2012, we completed a public offering of 6,500,000 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, at an offering price of $26.50 per share. Net proceeds of the offering were approximately $164.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses, of which $65,000 is included in common shares-par value and $164.4 million is included in additional paid-in capital ("APIC") on the balance sheet. We used the net proceeds from the offering to finance a portion of the Merit Acquisition and for general corporate purposes. The offering was made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC on January 23, 2012.
    
Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The following table provides a summary of the impact of our outstanding stock-based compensation plans on the results of operations for the periods presented:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011 (1)
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock-based compensation expense
 
$
2,225

 
$
1,693

 
$
6,126

 
$
7,242

Income tax benefit
 
(847
)
 
(643
)
 
(2,333
)
 
(2,751
)
Net expense
 
$
1,378

 
$
1,050

 
$
3,793

 
$
4,491

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________
(1) Includes a total of $2.5 million, pretax, related to a separation agreement with our former chief executive officer.

Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs")

The SARs vest ratably over a three-year period and may be exercised at any point after vesting through 10 years from the date of issuance. Pursuant to the terms of the awards, upon exercise, the executive officers will receive, in shares of common stock, the excess of the market price of the award on the date of exercise over the market price of the award on the date of issuance.
    
In January 2012, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors (the "Committee") awarded 68,361 SARs to our executive officers. The fair value of each SAR award was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes pricing model using the following assumptions:


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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
Expected term
6 years

 
6 years

Risk-free interest rate
1.1
%
 
2.5
%
Expected volatility
64.3
%
 
60.2
%
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share
$
17.61

 
$
25.22

    
The expected term of the award was estimated using historical stock option exercise behavior data. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yields approximating the expected life of the award in effect at the time of grant. The expected volatility was based on our historical volatility. We do not expect to declare or pay dividends in the foreseeable future.

The following table presents the changes in our SARs:
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
Number
of
SARs
 
Weighted -Average
Exercise
Price
 
Average Remaining Contractual
Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
 
Number
of
SARs
 
Weighted -Average
Exercise
Price
 
Average Remaining Contractual
Term
(in years)
 
Aggregate Intrinsic
Value
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Outstanding beginning of year, January 1,
 
50,471

 
$
31.61

 
8.6

 
$
341

 
57,282

 
$
24.44

 
9.3

 
$

Granted
 
68,361

 
30.19

 
9.3

 

 
31,552

 
43.95

 
9.7

 

Exercised
 

 

 

 

 
(2,814
)
 
24.44

 

 

Forfeited
 

 

 

 

 
(35,549
)
 
31.57

 

 

Outstanding at September 30,
 
118,832

 
30.80

 
8.7

 
328

 
50,471

 
31.61

 
8.9

 

Vested and expected to vest at September 30,
 
113,426

 
30.77

 
8.7

 
319

 
46,488

 
31.45

 
8.9

 

Exercisable at September 30,
 
27,458

 
28.84

 
7.8

 
153

 
10,636

 
24.44

 
8.6

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The total compensation cost related to SARs granted and not yet recognized in our statement of operations as of September 30, 2012 was $1.2 million. The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2 years.
    
Restricted Stock Awards

Time-Based Awards. The fair value of the time-based restricted shares is amortized ratably over the requisite service period, primarily three or four years. The time-based shares vest ratably on each annual anniversary following the grant date that a participant is continuously employed.

In January 2012, the Committee awarded a total of 79,889 time-based restricted shares to executive officers that vest ratably over a three-year period ending on January 16, 2015.

The following table presents the changes in nonvested time-based awards for the nine months ended 2012:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value per Share
 
 
 
 
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2011
 
527,801

 
$
29.29

Granted
 
334,451

 
26.48

Vested
 
(150,264
)
 
30.04

Forfeited
 
(16,566
)
 
26.81

Nonvested at September 30, 2012
 
695,422

 
27.88

 
 
 
 
 


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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

 
As of / Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
 
 
 
Total intrinsic value of time-based awards vested
$
4,818

 
$
8,615

Total intrinsic value of time-based awards nonvested
21,996

 
10,215

Market price per common share as of September 30,
31.63

 
19.39

Weighted-average grant date fair value per share
26.48

 
34.14

    
The total compensation cost related to nonvested time-based awards expected to vest and not yet recognized in our statements of operations as of September 30, 2012 was $13.7 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.4 years.

Market-Based Awards. The fair value of the market-based restricted shares is amortized ratably over the requisite service period, primarily three years. Generally, the market-based shares vest if the participant is continuously employed throughout the performance period and the market-based performance measure is achieved, with a maximum vesting period of five years. All compensation cost related to the market-based awards will be recognized if the requisite service period is fulfilled, even if the market condition is not achieved.
    
In January 2012, the Committee awarded a total of 30,541 market-based restricted shares to our executive officers. In addition to continuous employment, the vesting of these shares is contingent on the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR"), which is essentially the Company’s stock price change including any dividends, as compared to the TSR of a set group of 15 peer companies. The shares are measured over a three-year period ending on December 31, 2014, and can result in a payout between 0% and 200% of the total shares awarded. The weighted-average grant date fair value per market-based share for these awards granted was computed using the Monte Carlo pricing model using the following assumptions:

    
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
 
 
 
Expected term
 
3 years

 
3 years

Risk-free interest rate
 
0.3
%
 
1.1
%
Expected volatility
 
65.3
%
 
74.2
%
Weighted-average grant date fair value per share
 
$
36.54

 
$
58.53


The expected term of the awards was based on the requisite service period. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yields in effect at the time of grant and extrapolated to approximate the life of the award. The expected volatility was based on our historical volatility. We do not expect to pay or declare dividends in the foreseeable future.

The following table presents the change in nonvested market-based awards for the nine months ended 2012:

 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value per Share
 
 
 
 
Nonvested at December 31, 2011
43,081

 
$
42.05

Granted
30,541

 
36.54

Nonvested at September 30, 2012
73,622

 
41.87

 
 
 
 

The total compensation cost related to nonvested market-based awards expected to vest and not yet recognized in our statement of operations as of September 30, 2012 was $1 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.
 
Treasury Share Purchases

In accordance with our stock-based compensation plans, employees and directors may surrender shares of common stock to pay tax withholding obligations upon the vesting or exercise of stock-based awards. The shares acquired may be retired or reissued to service awards under our 2010 Long-Term Equity Compensation Plan (the "2010 Plan"). For shares that are retired, we first charge any excess of cost over the par value to APIC to the extent we have amounts in APIC, with any remaining excess cost charged to retained earnings. For shares reissued to service awards under the 2010 Plan, shares are recorded at cost and, upon reissuance, we reduce the carrying value of shares acquired and held pursuant to the 2010 Plan by the weighted-average cost per share with an offsetting charge to APIC. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we acquired 33,971 shares pursuant to our stock-based compensation plans for payment of tax liabilities,

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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

of which 11,796 shares were retired and the remaining 19,930 shares were reissued pursuant to our 2010 Plan.

NOTE 11 - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following is a reconciliation of weighted-average diluted shares outstanding:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic
30,214

 
23,569

 
26,819

 
23,497

Dilutive effect of share-based compensation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock

 
162

 

 
167

SARs

 
49

 

 
45

Non-employee director deferred compensation

 
3

 

 
3

Weighted-average common and common share equivalents outstanding - diluted
30,214

 
23,783

 
26,819

 
23,712

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The following table sets forth the weighted-average common share equivalents excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Weighted-average common share equivalents excluded from diluted earnings
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
per share due to their anti-dilutive effect:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restricted stock
777

 
198

 
688

 
173

Stock options
7

 
9

 
7

 
10

SARs
119

 
29

 
115

 
23

Non-employee director deferred compensation
3

 

 
3

 

Total anti-dilutive common share equivalents
906

 
236

 
813

 
206

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In November 2010, we issued 115,000 convertible senior notes, $1,000 principal amount per note, that give the holders the right to convert the aggregate principal amount into 2.7 million common shares at a conversion price of $42.40 per share. The convertible notes could have a dilutive impact on our earnings per share if the average market share price exceeds the $42.40 conversion price. The average market share price did not exceed the conversion price during the three and nine months ended 2012 or 2011.

NOTE 12 - ACQUISITIONS

Merit Acquisition. On June 29, 2012, we completed the acquisition of certain Wattenberg Field oil and natural gas properties, leasehold mineral interests and related assets located in Weld, Adams and Boulder Counties, Colorado from affiliates of Merit Energy, an unrelated third-party. The aggregate purchase price of these properties was approximately $326.8 million based upon a transaction effective date of April 1, 2012, subject to certain post-closing adjustments. We financed the purchase with cash from the May 2012 offering of our common stock and a draw on our revolving credit facility. At closing, $17.5 million was deposited into an escrow account for curative title work related to leases and other matters in accordance with the purchase and sale agreement, and is included in other assets on the balance sheet. If the seller is able to cure the defects, this amount will be paid to the seller and recorded as a purchase price adjustment increasing properties and equipment.

This acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, we conducted assessments of net assets acquired and recognized amounts for identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated acquisition date fair values, while transaction and integration costs associated with the acquisition were expensed as incurred. The initial accounting for the business combination is based on preliminary data and is not complete. Adjustments to provisional amounts, or recognition of additional assets acquired or liabilities assumed, may occur as more detailed analyses are completed and additional information is obtained about the facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date.


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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

The following presents the preliminary values assigned to the net assets acquired as of the acquisition date:
 
 
(in thousands)
 
 
 
Total acquisition cost
 
$
326,782

 
 
 
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
 
 
Assets acquired:
 
 
Natural gas and crude oil properties - proved
 
$
126,101

Natural gas and crude oil properties - unproved
 
208,098

Other assets
 
23,589

Total assets acquired
 
357,788

Liabilities assumed:
 
 
Asset retirement obligations
 
13,870

Other accrued expenses
 
10,100

Other liabilities
 
7,036

Total liabilities assumed
 
31,006

Total identifiable net assets acquired
 
$
326,782

 
 
 
The fair value measurements of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent Level 3 inputs. The fair values of oil and natural gas properties and asset retirement obligations were measured using valuation techniques that convert future cash flows to a single discounted amount. Significant inputs to the valuation of oil and natural gas properties include estimates of reserves, future operating and development costs, future commodity prices, estimated future cash flows and a market-based weighted-average cost of capital rate. These inputs require significant judgments and estimates by management at the time of the valuation and are the most sensitive and subject to change.

Pro Forma Information. The results of operations for the Merit Acquisition has been included in our consolidated financial statements since the June 29, 2012 closing date. The following unaudited pro forma financial information presents a summary of the condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and nine months ended September 30, 2012, assuming the Merit Acquisition had been completed as of January 1, 2011, including adjustments to reflect the values assigned to the net assets acquired. The pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the Merit Acquisition had been effective as of these dates, or of future results. Pro forma information for the Seneca-Upshur Acquisition is not presented as the pro forma results would not be materially different from the information presented below.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
 
$
148,136

 
$
261,927

 
$
329,656

Total costs, expenses and other
 
79,763

 
248,509

 
253,508

Net income
 
41,387

 
6,833

 
46,841

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
1.76

 
$
0.25

 
$
1.99

Diluted
 
$
1.74

 
$
0.25

 
$
1.98

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Seneca-Upshur. Following PDCM's October 2011 acquisition of Seneca-Upshur, several title defects were discovered that were not cured by the seller within the time specified by the purchase and sale agreement. Accordingly, to date PDCM received title defect payments of approximately $24.3 million, of which $12.2 million represents our share. These payments were recorded as a purchase price adjustment reducing unproved natural gas and crude oil properties. The refund for these title defects reduced the purchase price from $162.9 million down to $138.6 million, with our portion being $69.3 million. The final payment to PDCM for title defects is subject to additional adjustments.

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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

NOTE 13 - DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Permian Basin. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we completed the sale of our non-core Permian assets to unrelated third parties for a total of $13.2 million. Additionally, on December 20, 2011, we executed a purchase and sale agreement with COG Operating LLC (“COG”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Concho Resources Inc., an unrelated third-party, for the sale of our core Permian Basin assets for a sale price of $173.9 million, subject to customary terms and adjustments, including adjustments based on title and environmental due diligence to be conducted by COG. The effective date of the transaction was November 1, 2011. Following the sale to COG, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, these assets; accordingly, the Permian assets were reclassified as held for sale as of December 31, 2011, and the results of operations related to those assets have been separately reported as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for all periods presented. On February 28, 2012, the divestiture closed. Upon final settlement, total proceeds received were $189.2 million after closing adjustments, resulting in a pretax gain on sale of $19.9 million.

North Dakota. In December 2010, we executed a letter of intent with an unrelated third-party for the sale of our North Dakota assets. In February 2011, we executed a purchase and sale agreement and subsequently closed with the same unrelated party. Proceeds from the sale were $9.5 million, net of non-affiliated investor partners' share of $3.8 million, resulting in a pretax gain on sale of $3.9 million. Following the sale to the unrelated party, we do not have significant continuing involvement in the operations of, or cash flows from, these assets; accordingly, the results of operations related to the North Dakota assets have been reported as discontinued operations in the condensed consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended 2011.
    
Selected financial information related to divested and discontinued operations. The table below presents selected operational information related to discontinued operations. While the reclassification of revenues and expenses related to discontinued operations for the prior period had no impact on previously reported net earnings, the statement of operations table below presents the revenues and expenses that were reclassified from the specified statement of operations line items to discontinued operations. The nine months ended 2011, in addition to the discontinued operations data of our Permian assets, includes operations data related to the February 2011 divestiture of our North Dakota assets.

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Statement of Operations - Discontinued Operations
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(dollars in thousands)
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales
 
$
7,330

 
$
4,456

 
$
19,299

Well operations, pipeline income and other
 
23

 
34

 
92

Total revenues
 
7,353

 
4,490

 
19,391

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs, expenses and other
 
 
 
 
 
 
Production costs
 
1,787

 
1,668

 
7,184

Exploration expense
 

 

 
35

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
 
2,793

 

 
6,247

Accretion of asset retirement obligations
 
43

 

 
124

Gain on sale of properties and equipment
 

 
(19,920
)
 
(3,854
)
Total costs, expenses and other
 
4,623

 
(18,252
)
 
9,736

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from discontinued operations
 
2,730

 
22,742

 
9,655

Provision for income taxes
 
1,038

 
8,668

 
3,640

Income from discontinued operations, net of tax
 
$
1,692

 
$
14,074

 
$
6,015




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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

NOTE 14 - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES
    
Affiliated Partnerships. Our Gas Marketing segment markets the natural gas produced by our affiliated partnerships in the Eastern Operating Region. Our sales from natural gas marketing include $0.2 million and $0.4 million in the three and nine months ended 2012, respectively, related to the marketing of natural gas on behalf of our affiliated partnerships, compared to $0.3 million and $1 million in the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively. Our cost of natural gas marketing includes $0.2 million and $0.4 million in the three and nine months ended 2012, respectively, compared to $0.3 million and $1 million in the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively, related to these sales.

Amounts due from/to the affiliated partnerships are primarily related to derivative positions and, to a lesser extent, unbilled well operating expenses, and costs resulting from audit and tax preparation services. We have entered into derivative instruments on behalf of our 21 affiliated partnerships for a portion of their estimated production. As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had a payable to affiliates of $8.2 million and $14.2 million, respectively, representing their designated portion of the fair value of our gross derivative assets, and a receivable from affiliates of $3.8 million and $6.2 million, respectively, representing their designated portion of the fair value of our gross derivative liabilities.

We provide well operations and pipeline services to our affiliated partnerships. The majority of our revenue and expenses related to well operations and pipeline income are associated with services provided to our affiliated partnerships.
    
PDCM. Our Gas Marketing segment markets the natural gas produced by PDCM. Our sales from natural gas marketing include $2.9 million and $7.5 million in the three and nine months ended 2012, respectively, related to the marketing of natural gas on behalf of PDCM, compared to $2.6 million and $7.7 million in the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively. Our cost of natural gas marketing includes $2.8 million and $7.3 million in the three and nine months ended 2012, respectively, compared to $2.5 million and $7.6 million in the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively, related to these sales.
 
We provide certain well operating and administrative services for PDCM. Amounts billed to PDCM for these services were $3 million and $9.2 million in the three and nine months ended 2012, respectively, compared to $2.4 million and $6.9 million in 2011. Our statements of operations include only our proportionate share of these billings.

NOTE 15 - BUSINESS SEGMENTS

We separate our operating activities into two segments: (1) Oil and Gas Exploration and Production and (2) Gas Marketing. All material intercompany accounts and transactions between segments have been eliminated.

Oil and Gas Exploration and Production. Our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production segment includes all of our natural gas and crude oil properties. The segment represents revenues and expenses from the production and sale of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil. Segment revenues include natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales, commodity price risk management, net and well operation and pipeline income. Segment income (loss) consists of segment revenue less production cost, exploration expense, impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties, direct general and administrative expense and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.

Gas Marketing. Our Gas Marketing segment purchases, aggregates and resells natural gas produced by us and others. Segment income (loss) represents sales from natural gas marketing, less costs of natural gas marketing.

Unallocated amounts. Unallocated income includes unallocated other revenue less corporate general administrative expense, corporate depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, interest income and interest expense.
        

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PDC ENERGY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued

The following tables present our segment information:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in thousands)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
$
29,611

 
$
120,420

 
$
215,251

 
$
245,245

Gas Marketing
11,570

 
17,209

 
32,321

 
51,308

Total
$
41,181

 
$
137,629

 
$
247,572

 
$
296,553

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Segment income (loss) before income taxes:
 
 
 
 

 
 
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
$
(23,815
)
 
$
73,972

 
$
49,913

 
$
99,551

Gas Marketing
(28
)
 
(19
)
 
470

 
880

Unallocated
(26,931
)
 
(23,867
)
 
(80,187
)
 
(76,901
)
Total
$
(50,774
)
 
$
50,086

 
$
(29,804
)
 
$
23,530

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
 
(in thousands)
Segment assets:
 
 
 
Oil and Gas Exploration and Production
$
1,862,131

 
$
1,461,130

Gas Marketing
7,289

 
14,713

Unallocated
62,484

 
73,913

Assets held for sale

 
148,249

Total
$
1,931,904

 
$
1,698,005

 
 
 
 

NOTE 16 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Issuance of 7.75% Senior Notes Due 2022

On October 3, 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.75% senior notes due October 15, 2022, in a private placement.  The offer and sale of the senior notes were not registered under the Securities Act; however, we have agreed to file a registration statement with the SEC relating to an offer to exchange the 2022 Senior Notes for registered notes with substantially identical terms. In addition, we have agreed, in certain circumstances, to file a shelf registration statement covering the resale of the 2022 Senior Notes by holders. If the exchange offer is not completed (or, if required, the shelf registration statement is not declared effective or does not automatically become effective) on or before the 360th day following the issuance date of the 2022 Senior Notes, then we will pay liquidated damages to all holders of notes with the effect that the annual interest rate borne by the notes will be increased by one percentage point (1.0%) until the exchange offer is completed or the registration statement is declared effective (or becomes automatically effective). The proceeds from the issuance of the notes, after the initial purchasers' commissions and estimated offering expenses, were used to fund the redemption of our 2018 Senior Notes, repay a portion of the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. We expect to capitalize approximately $11 million in costs associated with the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes and will amortize these costs as interest expense over the life of the notes using the effective interest method.

The 2022 Senior Notes accrue interest from the date of issuance and interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, commencing on April 15, 2013.  The 2022 Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank senior in right of payment to any of our future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated to the notes. The 2022 Senior Notes rank equally in right of payment with all our existing and future senior indebtedness and rank effectively junior in right of payment to all of our secured indebtedness (to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness), including borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

At any time prior to October 15, 2017, we may redeem all or part of the 2022 Senior Notes at a make-whole price set forth in the indenture, and on or after October 15, 2017, we may redeem the notes at fixed redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

At any time prior to October 15, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the outstanding 2022 Senior Notes with proceeds from certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 107.75% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, as long as:


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at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes issued on October 3, 2012 remains outstanding after each such redemption; and
the redemption occurs within 180 days after the closing of the equity offering.

Additionally, upon the occurrence of a "change of control" as defined in the indenture for the 2022 Senior Notes, holders will have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes repurchased, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase. In connection with certain asset sales, we will be required to use the net cash proceeds of the asset sale to make an offer to purchase the notes at 100% of the principal amount, together with any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

The indenture governing the 2022 Senior Notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or make distributions on our stock; purchase or redeem stock or subordinated indebtedness; make certain investments; create certain liens; restrict dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries; enter into transactions with affiliates; sell assets; and merge or consolidate with another company.

Redemption of 12% Senior Notes Due 2018

On October 3, 2012, we issued a notice to redeem on November 2, 2012 the entire $203 million principal amount of the 2018 Senior Notes for a total redemption price of approximately $222 million, including an $18.9 million make-whole premium. The make-whole provision was based upon terms set forth in the related indenture.

In connection with the redemption of the 2018 Senior Notes, the $18.9 million make-whole premium, remaining unamortized debt discount of $1.5 million and unamortized debt issuance costs of $2.9 million will be recognized as a $23.3 million pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment in the consolidated statement of operations during the fourth quarter.

Redetermination of Revolving Credit Facility

On October 31, 2012, the semi-annual redetermination of our revolving credit facility's borrowing base was completed. Our available borrowing base was reduced from $525 million to $450 million as a result of the 2022 Senior Notes issuance.

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PDC ENERGY, INC.



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Financial Overview

During the three and nine months ended 2012, our natural gas, crude oil and NGL production from continuing operations averaged 130.2 MMcfe per day and 133.6 MMcfe per day, respectively, an increase of approximately 5.9% and 13.1%, respectively, compared to the same period of prior year. The increase in production is primarily attributable to our successful horizontal Niobrara drilling program in the Wattenberg Field and the Merit Acquisition. Crude oil production from continuing operations increased 24.5% during the nine months ended 2012, despite a slight decrease in production during the third quarter, while NGL production from continuing operations increased 7.8% and 31.5% in the three and nine month periods in 2012, respectively. As a result, our liquids percentage of total production from continuing operations was 34.1% for the nine months ended 2012 compared 30.6% for the same prior year period. Natural gas production increased 10.5% and 7.8% in the three and nine month periods of 2012, respectively, compared to the three and nine month periods in 2011. As discussed under "Operational Overview-Production" below, production growth in the quarter was adversely affected by high line pressures experienced by our principal third-party provider of natural gas gathering, processing and transportation facilities in the Wattenberg Field. The high line pressure in the third quarter 2012 was the result of two primary factors: a series of operational issues experienced by the third-party midstream service provider facilities and abnormally warm weather, which continued to impact third-party compression facilities. While natural gas production increased when compared to the same prior year period, significant declines in the average price of natural gas during 2012 resulted in a decrease in natural gas sales, excluding hedges, of 34.1% quarter-over-quarter and 38.4% year-over-year. The price of natural gas, however, has rebounded significantly in the third quarter as compared to the second quarter of 2012.

While the significant decrease in natural gas prices from prior years has impacted our results of operations, we believe our derivative program was effective in providing price stability. Realized gains from derivative transactions increased considerably to $13.1 million and $39.2 million during the three and nine month periods ended 2012, respectively, compared to $4.9 million and $10.5 million during the three and nine month periods ended 2011, respectively, an addition of approximately $1.09 and $1.07 per Mcfe produced during the three and nine month periods ended 2012, respectively.

Available liquidity as of September 30, 2012 was $217.2 million, including $15.8 million through our joint venture PDCM, compared to $196.4 million, including $16.6 million related to PDCM, as of December 31, 2011. Available liquidity is comprised of cash, cash equivalents and funds available under our revolving credit facility. In May 2012, we completed a public offering of 6.5 million shares of our common stock for net proceeds of approximately $164.5 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. In June 2012, our available borrowing base increased from $425 million to $525 million following the Merit Acquisition. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to allow us to execute our drilling program in the Wattenberg Field and the Utica Shale.

On October 3, 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Senior Notes in a private placement. The net proceeds from the issuance of the notes of approximately $489 million were used to fund the redemption of our 2018 Senior Notes for a total redemption price of approximately $222 million, repay a portion of the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. The early redemption of the 2018 Senior Notes resulted in a pre-tax loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $23.3 million, which will be recorded in the fourth quarter. On October 31, 2012, we completed the semi-annual redetermination of our revolving credit facility's borrowing base. Our available borrowing base was reduced from $525 million to $450 million as a result of the 2022 Senior Notes issuance. See Note 16, Subsequent Events, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for further details on these two events. Assuming the $500 million 2022 Senior Notes had been issued and the borrowing base under the revolving credit facility had been reduced to $450 million at September 30, 2012, our pro forma liquidity would have been approximately $409 million, as the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility would have been reduced from approximately $307 million to approximately $40 million.
 
Operational Overview

Acquisitions. During the nine months ended 2012, we continued to make strides towards our strategic goal of growing production while increasing our mix of crude oil and natural gas liquids. In June, we completed the Merit Acquisition for cash consideration of approximately $326.8 million. The acquired assets comprise approximately 35,000 net acres (subject to post-closing adjustments) located almost entirely in the core Wattenberg Field and with significant overlay with our existing acreage position. Ryder Scott Company, L.P., our independent petroleum engineering consulting firm, prepared a reserve report of the Merit Acquisition properties and estimates net proved reserves of 29.2 MMBoe (175 Bcfe) based on our development plan and using year-end 2011 SEC pricing and an effective date of April 1, 2012. The proved reserves are approximately 58% crude oil and natural gas liquids, and approximately 54% are proved developed. Following the closing of the Merit Acquisition, our total position in the core Wattenberg Field is approximately 103,000 net acres, subject to post-closing adjustments. We estimate that the acquired properties include approximately 180 gross horizontal Niobrara drilling locations, increasing our total gross horizontal Niobrara drilling inventory to approximately 546 locations. In addition, we anticipate upside through potential horizontal Niobrara down-spacing and horizontal Codell development that could further increase our drilling inventory.


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Drilling Activities. During the nine months ended 2012, we continued to focus our operations primarily in the oil- and liquid-rich Wattenberg Field of Colorado and the emerging Utica Shale play in Ohio. We currently have two drilling rigs operating in the Wattenberg Field. We drilled 24 horizontal wells in the Wattenberg Field, of which 18 were completed and turned-in-line as of September 30, 2012, and we participated in seven non-operated drilling projects. We also executed 135 refrac/recompletion projects on 71 wells in the Wattenberg Field. The shift in the Wattenberg Field from drilling both vertical and horizontal wells to our current program of drilling horizontal wells has resulted in significantly fewer wells being drilled at a considerably higher cost per well and higher production and reserves per well. The remaining activity in our Western Operating Region in the first nine months of 2012 was the first quarter completion of our final three Piceance wells drilled in 2011.

In our Eastern Operating Region, we drilled two horizontal Utica wells, one of which was completed as of September 30, 2012 and which we expect to flow test during the fourth quarter of 2012. We also drilled one vertical Utica well and completed two vertical Utica test wells during the nine months ended 2012. We currently plan to continue to de-risk and develop our approximate 45,000 net acres without materially adding to our leasehold position. We estimate that our total gross horizontal Utica Shale drilling inventory to be approximately 200 locations.

In addition, PDCM drilled three horizontal Marcellus wells in the first nine months of 2012, all of which were completed during the first quarter, before laying down the rig due to the deterioration of natural gas prices in the Appalachian Basin. We have three additional horizontal Marcellus wells drilled and completed which we expect will be turned-in-line during the fourth quarter of 2012.

Natural Gas and Crude Oil Properties Divestitures. In October 2011, we announced our intent to divest our assets located in the Permian Basin in West Texas to focus our efforts on our horizontal drilling programs. During the fourth quarter of 2011, we sold certain non-core Permian assets to unrelated third parties for a total of $13.2 million. On December 20, 2011, we executed a purchase and sale agreement with another unrelated third-party for the sale of our core Permian assets for a total price of $173.9 million, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. On February 28, 2012, the divestiture of the core Permian assets closed. Upon final post-closing adjustment on June 29, 2012, total proceeds received for the core Permian assets was $189.2 million, resulting in a pretax gain on sale of $19.9 million. The proceeds from these sales were used to pay down amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and to provide partial funding for our 2012 capital budget. The results of operations related to our Permian Basin assets are reported as discontinued operations for all applicable periods presented in the accompanying statements of operations included in this report.

Production. Production from continuing operations increased significantly in the nine months ended 2012 relative to the same period in 2011. In particular, primarily as a result of our Wattenberg Field drilling activities, oil production increased 24.5% and NGL production increased 31.5%. This production growth was achieved despite the high line pressures experienced by our principal third-party provider of natural gas gathering, processing and transportation facilities in the Wattenberg Field. The high line pressure was the result of a series of operational issues experienced by third-party midstream service providers. The operational issues included downtime on third-party NGL transportation and fractionation facilities and abnormally warm weather, which limited third-party gathering system compression capacity. We expect fourth quarter 2012 production to exceed third quarter production and we are working closely with our primary midstream provider who is implementing a multi-year facility expansion capable of significantly increasing long-term gathering and processing capacity in the Wattenberg Field. However, we do not expect the impact of this increased capacity to substantially benefit us until late 2013.

Due to continued uncertainty regarding Wattenberg third-party line pressures, as well as further Marcellus permitting delays experienced in October, we now believe it is unlikely we will meet our prior 2012 production guidance of 51.5 Bcfe. Given the ongoing uncertainty of these impacts, we cannot provide new 2012 production guidance at this time. We do, however, expect results for the full year 2012 to be within the range of our prior 2012 guidance for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted cash flows from operations. Our expectations with respect to future adjusted EBITDA, adjusted cash flows from operations and production are subject to a wide variety of risks, including those described and referenced in the “Risk Factors” sections of this report and our 2011 Form 10-K.

Our NGL pricing has also decreased significantly relative to the same period in 2011. Our NGLs are priced at Conway, where ethane and propane are valued at a significant discount to Mt. Belvieu gulf coast NGL pricing. The planned 2013 infrastructure projects include a new NGL pipeline that will provide direct access for our NGLs to Mt. Belvieu where we anticipate improved pricing.

Current Low Natural Gas Price Environment. While there was some improvement in prices in the current quarter, the natural gas market still continues to be characterized by depressed prices relative to prior years. While we have derivative instruments in place for a majority of our expected natural gas production in 2012, sustained low natural gas prices could have a material adverse effect on us as a result of lower natural gas sales, a reduction in the estimated quantity of our proved reserves and a corresponding reduction in the estimated future net cash flows expected to be generated from these reserves. The above factors could result in, among other things, a reduction in the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility and possible future asset impairments. See Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

We use "adjusted cash flows from operations," "adjusted net income (loss)" and "adjusted EBITDA," non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, for internal managerial purposes when evaluating period-to-period changes and providing public guidance on possible future results. These measures are not measures of financial performance under U.S. GAAP and should be considered in addition to, not as a

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substitute for, net income (loss) or cash flows from operations, investing or financing activities, and should not be viewed as a liquidity measure or indicator of operating results or cash flows reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures that we use may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Also, in the future, we may disclose different non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in order to help our investors more meaningfully evaluate and compare our future results of operations to our previously reported results of operations. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly filed reports in their entirety and to not rely on any single financial measure. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures herein for a detailed description of these measures, as well as a reconciliation of each to the most comparable U.S. GAAP measure.

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Results of Operations

Summary Operating Results

The following table presents selected information regarding our operating results from continuing operations:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
Percentage Change
 
2012
 
2011
 
Percentage Change
 
(dollars in millions, except per unit data)
Production (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (MMcf)
8,079.4

 
7,312.2

 
10.5
 %
 
24,129.4

 
22,389.6

 
7.8
 %
Crude oil (MBbls)
439.5

 
470.9

 
(6.7
)%
 
1,446.7

 
1,162.2

 
24.5
 %
NGLs (MBbls)
210.7

 
195.5

 
7.8
 %
 
632.0

 
480.6

 
31.5
 %
Natural gas equivalent (MMcfe) (2)
11,980.5

 
11,310.4

 
5.9
 %
 
36,601.8

 
32,246.3

 
13.5
 %
Average MMcfe per day
130.2

 
122.9

 
5.9
 %
 
133.6

 
118.1

 
13.1
 %
Natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
17.2

 
$
26.1

 
(34.1
)%
 
$
46.6

 
$
75.7

 
(38.4
)%
Crude oil
37.5

 
38.6

 
(2.9
)%
 
128.7

 
102.3

 
25.8
 %
NGLs
5.2

 
7.4

 
(29.3
)%
 
16.8

 
18.6

 
(9.7
)%
Total natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales
$
59.9

 
$
72.1

 
(16.9
)%
 
$
192.1

 
$
196.6

 
(2.3
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gain (loss) on derivatives, net (3)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
12.8

 
$
6.5

 
96.7
 %
 
$
41.3

 
$
19.7

 
109.6
 %
Crude oil
0.3

 
(1.6
)
 
(118.8
)%
 
(2.1
)
 
(9.2
)
 
(77.2
)%
Total realized gain on derivatives, net
$
13.1

 
$
4.9

 
167.3
 %
 
$
39.2

 
$
10.5

 
273.3
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average sales price (excluding gain/loss on derivatives)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (per Mcf)
$
2.13

 
$
3.57

 
(40.3
)%
 
$
1.93

 
$
3.38

 
(42.9
)%
Crude oil (per Bbl)
85.28

 
81.99

 
4.0
 %
 
88.94

 
88.03

 
1.0
 %
NGLs (per Bbl)
24.77

 
37.60

 
(34.1
)%
 
26.56

 
38.68

 
(31.3
)%
Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe)
5.00

 
6.37

 
(21.5
)%
 
5.25

 
6.10

 
(13.9
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average sales price (including gain/loss on derivatives)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (per Mcf)
$
3.71

 
$
4.46

 
(16.8
)%
 
$
3.64

 
$
4.26

 
(14.6
)%
Crude oil (per Bbl)
86.01

 
78.67

 
9.3
 %
 
87.51

 
80.12

 
9.2
 %
NGLs (per Bbl)
24.77

 
37.60

 
(34.1
)%
 
26.56

 
38.68

 
(31.3
)%
Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe)
6.09

 
6.81

 
(10.6
)%
 
6.32

 
6.42

 
(1.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average lifting cost (per Mcfe) (4)
$
0.89

 
$
0.82

 
8.5
 %
 
$
0.88

 
$
0.93

 
(5.4
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas marketing (5)
$

 
$

 
 %
 
$
0.4

 
$
0.9

 
(55.6
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other costs and expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Exploration expense
$
2.0

 
$
1.1

 
73.5
 %
 
$
6.6

 
$
4.0

 
65.0
 %
General and administrative expense
13.7

 
13.7

 
0.2
 %
 
42.8

 
47.1

 
(9.1
)%
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
32.5

 
31.5

 
3.0
 %
 
106.7

 
93.1

 
14.6
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
$
11.4

 
$
9.5

 
19.6
 %
 
$
31.9

 
$
27.6

 
15.6
 %

Note: Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
______________
(1)
Production is net and determined by multiplying the gross production volume of properties in which we have an interest by the percentage interest we own.
(2)
Six Mcf of natural gas equals one Bbl of crude oil or NGL.
(3)
Represents realized derivative gains and losses related to our natural gas and crude oil sales segment, which does not include realized derivative gains and losses related to natural gas marketing.
(4)
Represents lease operating expenses, exclusive of production taxes, on a per unit basis.
(5)
Represents sales from natural gas marketing, net of costs of natural gas marketing, including realized and unrealized derivative gains and losses related to natural gas marketing activities.

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Natural Gas, NGL and Crude Oil Sales

The following tables present natural gas, NGL and crude oil production and average sales price by operating region:

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Production
 
2012
 
2011
 
Percentage
Change
 
2012
 
2011
 
Percentage
Change
Natural gas (MMcf)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
6,497.1

 
6,238.8

 
4.1
 %
 
19,598.7

 
19,199.1

 
2.1
%
Eastern
 
1,582.3

 
1,073.4

 
47.4
 %
 
4,530.7

 
3,190.5

 
42.0
%
Total
 
8,079.4

 
7,312.2

 
10.5
 %
 
24,129.4

 
22,389.6

 
7.8
%
Crude oil (MBbls)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
438.7

 
469.8

 
(6.6
)%
 
1,440.7

 
1,158.4

 
24.4
%
Eastern
 
0.8

 
1.1

 
(27.3
)%
 
6.0

 
3.8

 
57.9
%
Total
 
439.5

 
470.9

 
(6.7
)%
 
1,446.7

 
1,162.2

 
24.5
%
NGLs (MBbls)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
210.7

 
195.5

 
7.8
 %
 
632.0

 
480.6

 
31.5
%
Total
 
210.7

 
195.5

 
7.8
 %
 
632.0

 
480.6

 
31.5
%
Natural gas equivalent (MMcfe)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
10,393.3

 
10,230.4

 
1.6
 %
 
32,035.2

 
29,032.8

 
10.3
%
Eastern
 
1,587.2

 
1,080.0

 
47.0
 %
 
4,566.6

 
3,213.5

 
42.1
%
Total
 
11,980.5

 
11,310.4

 
5.9
 %
 
36,601.8

 
32,246.3

 
13.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Average Sales Price
(excluding gain/loss on derivatives)
 
2012
 
2011
 
Percentage
Change
 
2012
 
2011
 
Percentage
Change
Natural gas (per Mcf) (1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
$
1.99

 
$
3.45

 
(42.3
)%
 
$
1.82

 
$
3.22

 
(43.5
)%
Eastern
 
2.70

 
4.27

 
(36.8
)%
 
2.41

 
4.36

 
(44.7
)%
Weighted-average price
 
2.13

 
3.57

 
(40.3
)%
 
1.93

 
3.38

 
(42.9
)%
Crude oil (per Bbl)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
$
85.28

 
$
82.03

 
4.0
 %
 
$
88.96

 
$
88.07

 
1.0
 %
Eastern
 
87.64

 
67.76

 
29.3
 %
 
83.43

 
76.90

 
8.5
 %
Weighted-average price
 
85.28

 
81.99

 
4.0
 %
 
88.94

 
88.03

 
1.0
 %
NGLs (per Bbl)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
$
24.77

 
$
37.60

 
(34.1
)%
 
$
26.56

 
$
38.68

 
(31.3
)%
Weighted-average price
 
24.77

 
37.60

 
(34.1
)%
 
26.56

 
38.68

 
(31.3
)%
Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
$
5.35

 
$
6.59

 
(18.8
)%
 
$
5.64

 
$
6.28

 
(10.2
)%
Eastern
 
2.74

 
4.31

 
(36.4
)%
 
2.50

 
4.42

 
(43.4
)%
Weighted-average price
 
5.00

 
6.37

 
(21.5
)%
 
5.25

 
6.10

 
(13.9
)%

Amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
__________
(1)
Our average sales price for natural gas is based on the "net-back" method of accounting for transportation, gathering and processing arrangements with natural gas purchasers. See our revenue recognition policy described in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements in our 2011 Form 10-K.


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For the three and nine months ended 2012, natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales revenue decreased compared to the same prior year period due to the following:
 
September 30, 2012
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
(in millions)
Decrease in average natural gas price
$
(11.6
)
 
$
(35.0
)
Decrease in average NGL price
(2.8
)
 
(7.6
)
Increase (decrease) in crude oil production
(2.5
)
 
25.1

Increase in NGL production
0.6

 
5.8

Increase in average crude oil price
1.4

 
1.3

Increase in natural gas production
2.7

 
5.9

Total decrease in natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales revenue
$
(12.2
)
 
$
(4.5
)
 
 
 
 

Natural Gas, NGL and Crude Oil Pricing. Our results of operations depend upon many factors, particularly the price of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil and our ability to market our production effectively. Natural gas, crude oil and NGL prices are among the most volatile of all commodity prices. These price variations have a material impact on our financial results and capital expenditures.

Natural gas prices vary by region and locality, depending upon the distance to markets, the availability of pipeline capacity and the supply and demand relationships in that region or locality. The combination of increased drilling activity and curtailments due to limited capacity on local gathering and processing infrastructure has resulted in capacity constraints. Like most producers, we rely on major interstate pipeline companies to construct these pipelines to increase capacity, rendering the timing and availability of these facilities beyond our control. The price we receive for our natural gas is impacted by our transportation, gathering and processing agreements. We currently use the "net-back" method of accounting for these arrangements related to our natural gas sales. We sell natural gas at the wellhead and collect a price and recognize revenues based on the wellhead sales price since transportation costs downstream of the wellhead are incurred by the purchaser and reflected in the wellhead price. The net-back method results in the recognition of a sales price that is below the indices for which the production is based.

The price we receive for our natural gas produced in our Western Operating Region is based on a market basket of prices, which generally includes natural gas sold at, near or below Colorado Interstate Gas ("CIG") prices, as well as other nearby regional prices. The CIG Index, and other indices for production delivered to other western area pipelines, has historically been less than the price received for natural gas produced in the eastern regions, which is based on New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") prices. This negative differential has narrowed over the last few years and is lower than historical variances. The negative differential between NYMEX and CIG averaged $0.22 and $0.30 for nine months ended 2012 and 2011, respectively. In September 2012, we renegotiated our marketing agreement for our natural gas in the Piceance Basin which is expected to add approximately $0.40 per MMbtu to our Piceance natural gas price realization effective November 1, 2012.    

We have experienced a decline in the price of NGLs, mainly at Conway hub in Kansas where our Wattenberg production is marketed. This is primarily due to the increase in ethane and propane volumes flowing to Conway with a limited market for these products out of the area.

Crude oil pricing is predominately driven by the physical market, supply and demand, the financial markets and national and international politics. The majority of our crude oil is sold on a calendar-year basis at a fixed differential to NYMEX pricing.
    

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Production Costs

The following table presents the components of production costs:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lease operating expenses
$
10.7

 
$
9.2

 
$
32.4

 
$
29.9

Production taxes
4.0

 
4.2

 
12.9

 
12.4

Cost of well operations, overhead and other production expenses
6.1

 
0.2

 
11.9

 
6.0

Total production costs
$
20.8

 
$
13.6

 
$
57.2

 
$
48.3

Total production costs per Mcfe
$
1.73

 
$
1.21

 
$
1.56

 
$
1.50

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Production costs include our lease operating expenses, production taxes, the cost to operate wells and pipelines for our affiliated partnerships and other third parties and certain production and engineering staff-related overhead costs.

Lease operating expenses. Quarter-over-quarter, the increase in lease operating expenses, or lifting costs, was primarily due to the costs in our Wattenberg field associated with the Merit Acquisition and additional maintenance due to the Wattenberg field high line pressure. The increase was also the result of $0.7 million increase in wages, related benefits and other expenses primarily associated with the Seneca Upshur acquisition. Year-over-year, the increase in lifting costs was primarily related to the 13.5% increase in production, a $1.8 million increase in wages, related benefits and other expenses primarily associated with the Seneca Upshur acquisition offset in part by decreases of $1.5 million in well workover expense and $2.2 million in environmental expenses. On a per Mcfe basis, lifting costs increased 8.5% quarter-over-quarter compared to a year-over-year decrease of 5.4%.
 
Cost of well operations, overhead and other production expenses. The quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year increases in overhead and other production expenses were primarily due to non-recurring items. We recognized $3.2 million of expense during the three months ended 2012 related to the sale of crude oil inventory that had been acquired at fair market value in the Merit Acquisition. Additionally, a $3.1 million accrued liability was reversed during the quarter ended 2011 following the amendment of a firm transportation agreement with an unrelated third-party.

Commodity Price Risk Management, Net

We use various derivative instruments to manage fluctuations in natural gas and crude oil prices. We have in place a variety of floors, collars, fixed-price swaps and basis swaps on a portion of our estimated natural gas and crude oil production. We sell all of our physical natural gas and crude oil at similar prices to the indices inherent in our derivative instruments. As a result, for the volumes underlying our derivative positions, we ultimately realize a price related to our collars of no less than the floor and no more than the ceiling and, for our commodity swaps, we ultimately realize the fixed price related to our swaps.

Commodity price risk management, net, includes realized gains and losses and unrealized mark-to-market changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments related to our natural gas and crude oil production. Commodity price risk management, net, does not include derivative transactions related to our natural gas marketing, which are included in sales from and cost of natural gas marketing.

See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, and Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for additional details of our derivative financial instruments. See Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, for a detailed presentation of our open derivative positions as of September 30, 2012.
    

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The following table presents the realized and unrealized derivative gains and losses included in commodity price risk management, net:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Commodity price risk management gain (losses), net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
$
12.8

 
$
6.5

 
$
41.3

 
$
19.7

Crude oil
0.3

 
(1.6
)
 
(2.1
)
 
(9.2
)
Total realized gains, net
13.1

 
4.9

 
39.2

 
10.5

Unrealized gains (losses):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) for the period
(30.0
)
 
44.6

 
1.9

 
41.9

Reclassification of realized gains included in prior periods unrealized
(15.0
)
 
(2.8
)
 
(22.8
)
 
(9.0
)
Total unrealized gains (losses), net
(45.0
)
 
41.8

 
(20.9
)
 
32.9

Total commodity price risk management gain (loss), net
$
(31.9
)
 
$
46.7

 
$
18.3

 
$
43.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Realized gains recognized in the three and nine months ended 2012 are primarily the result of lower natural gas spot prices at settlement compared to the respective strike price of our natural gas derivative positions. For the three and nine months ended 2012, realized gains on natural gas, exclusive of basis swaps, were $16.8 million and $53.9 million, respectively. These gains were reflective of a weighted-average strike price of $5.20 and $5.57, respectively, compared to a weighted-average settlement price of $2.80 and $2.59, respectively. These gains were offset in part by realized losses of $4 million and $12.6 million, respectively, on our basis swap positions as the negative basis differential between NYMEX and CIG was a weighted-average of $0.26 and $0.22, respectively, compared to a weighted-average strike price of $1.82.
Realized gains for the three months ended 2012 on our crude oil positions are reflective of a weighted-average strike price of $93.20 compared to a weighted-average settlement price of $92.14. Realized losses for the nine months ended 2012 on our crude oil positions are reflective of a weighted-average strike price of $92.85 compared to a weighted-average settlement price of $95.77.

Unrealized losses of $30 million during the three months ended 2012 were primarily related to an upward shift in the natural gas and crude oil forward curves and their impact on the fair value of our open positions. For the three month period, unrealized losses on our natural gas and crude oil derivative positions were $15.7 million and $14.3 million, respectively.

During the nine months ended 2012, unrealized gains on our crude oil positions were $11.2 million due to the downward shift in the crude oil forward curve. These gains were offset in part by unrealized losses on our natural gas positions of $8.6 million, resulting from the upward shift in the natural gas forward curve and unrealized losses on our CIG basis swaps of $0.7 million due to the narrowing of the CIG basis forward curve.

During the three and nine months ended 2011 realized gains recognized were primarily the result of lower natural gas spot prices at settlement compared to the respective strike price of our natural gas derivative positions. For the three and nine months ended 2011, realized gains on natural gas, exclusive of basis swaps, were $10.7 million and $30 million, respectively. These gains were reflective of a weighted average strike price of $5.99 and $6.46, respectively, compared to a weighted average settlement price of $4.20 and $4.21, respectively. These gains were offset in part by realized losses of $4.2 million and $10.3 million, respectively, on our basis swap positions as the negative basis differential between NYMEX and CIG was a weighted average of $0.28 and $0.30, respectively, compared to a weighted average strike price of $1.82 and $1.81, respectively.
The realized gains on natural gas derivative positions for the three and nine months ended 2011 were offset in part by realized losses on our crude oil positions as a result of higher spot prices at settlement compared to the respective strike price on our derivative positions. For the three and nine months ended 2011, the realized losses were reflective of a weighted average strike price of $81.02 and $74.92, respectively, compared to a weighted average settlement price of $91.94 and $95.35, respectively.
Unrealized gains during the three and nine months ended 2011 were primarily related to a downward shift in the natural gas and crude oil forward curves and their impact on the fair value of our open positions. For the three months ended 2011, unrealized gains on our natural gas and crude oil positions were $15.9 million and $30.7 million, respectively, offset slightly by the narrowing of the CIG basis forward curve resulting in an unrealized loss of $2 million. For the nine month period, unrealized gains on our natural gas and crude oil derivative positions were $19.9 million and $25.1 million, respectively, offset in part by a narrowing of the CIG basis forward curve resulting in an unrealized loss of $3.1 million.


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Natural Gas Marketing
 
Fluctuations in our natural gas marketing income are primarily due to fluctuations in commodity prices and realized and unrealized mark-to-market adjustments, gains and losses on open derivative positions, and, to a lesser extent, volumes sold and purchased.
    
The following table presents the components of sales from and costs of natural gas marketing:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Sales from natural gas marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas sales revenue
$
11.9

 
$
16.2

 
$
32.2

 
$
49.7

Realized derivative gain
0.4

 
0.5

 
1.9

 
2.1

Unrealized derivative gain (loss)
(0.7
)
 
0.5

 
(1.8
)
 
(0.5
)
Total sales from natural gas marketing
11.6

 
17.2

 
32.3

 
51.3

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of natural gas marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of natural gas purchases
11.7

 
16.0

 
30.8

 
48.1

Realized derivative loss
0.4

 
0.4

 
1.9

 
1.8

Unrealized derivative loss (gain)
(0.8
)
 
0.5

 
(1.8
)
 
(0.3
)
Other
0.3

 
0.3

 
1.0

 
0.8

Total cost of natural gas marketing
11.6

 
17.2

 
31.9

 
50.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas marketing contribution margin
$

 
$

 
$
0.4

 
$
0.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year decrease in natural gas sales revenue and costs of natural gas purchases is primarily attributable to lower average prices and, to a much lesser extent, a decrease in volumes. Quarter-over-quarter, decreases in natural gas sales revenue and costs of natural gas purchases were primarily attributable to a 33.7% decrease in average natural gas sales price and a 33.6% decrease in the average natural gas purchase price. Similarly, year-over-year decreases in natural gas sales revenue and costs of natural gas purchases were primarily attributable to a 40.9% decrease in the average natural gas sales price and a 41.3% decrease in the average natural gas purchase price.
Derivative instruments related to natural gas marketing include both physical and cash-settled derivatives. We offer fixed-price derivative contracts for the purchase or sale of physical natural gas and enter into cash-settled derivative positions with counterparties in order to offset those same physical positions. See Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to the consolidated financial statements included in our 2011 Form 10-K for a discussion of how each derivative type impacts our cash flows.

Exploration Expense
The following table presents the major components of exploration expense:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Exploratory dry hole costs
$
0.6

 
$

 
1.0

 
0.2

Geological and geophysical costs
0.1

 
0.3

 
1.7

 
1.2

Operating, personnel and other
1.3

 
0.8

 
3.9

 
2.6

Total exploration expense
$
2.0

 
$
1.1

 
6.6

 
4.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Exploratory dry hole costs. The $0.6 million exploratory dry hole costs during the three months ended 2012 relate to two 2010-drilled Rose Run tests in Ohio of our Eastern Operating Region. The year-over-year increase is comprised of the aforementioned costs as well as $0.2 million related to the unsuccessful testing of an exploratory zone in two existing Wattenberg Field wells.

Geological and geophysical costs. The year-over-year increase of $0.5 million is primarily related to costs associated with an increase in PDCM's geological and seismic testing of the Marcellus play in the Appalachian Basin and reservoir studies in the Utica Shale.

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Operating, personnel and other. The quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year increases of $0.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, in operating, personnel and other are mainly attributable to the increased payroll and employee benefits in the exploration division as a result of an increase in employee headcount.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense was consistent at $13.7 million for the three months ended 2012 and 2011, respectively, as the increases in payroll and employee benefits of $0.9 million during the three months ended 2012 was largely offset by a decrease of $0.7 million in acquisition transaction costs.

General and administrative expense decreased $4.3 million, or 9.1%, to $42.8 million for the nine months ended 2012 compared to $47.1 million for the nine months ended 2011. The decrease is mainly attributable to a $6.7 million charge recognized during the nine months ended 2011 related to the separation agreement with our former chief executive officer and a $1.6 million charge to legal fees recorded in 2011 related to the oral settlement agreement reached with regard to our West Virginia royalty lawsuit. These decreases were offset in part by an increase in payroll and employee benefits of $4.3 million during the nine months ended 2012.
    
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Natural gas and crude oil properties. Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense related to natural gas and crude oil properties was $30.6 million and $101.2 million for the three and nine months ended 2012 compared to $29.8 million and $88.0 million for the three and nine months ended 2011. The quarter-over-quarter increase was comprised of $1.8 million due to higher production, offset in part by a decrease of $1 million due to a lower weighted-average depreciation, depletion and amortization rate. The year-over-year increase was comprised of $11.9 million due to higher production and $1.3 million due to a higher weighted-average depreciation, depletion and amortization rate.
    
The following table presents our depreciation, depletion and amortization rates for natural gas and crude oil properties by operating region:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Operating Region/Area
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
 
(per Mcfe)
Western
 
$
2.65

 
$
2.71

 
$
2.89

 
$
2.80

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Eastern
 
1.94

 
2.01

 
1.92

 
2.13

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average
 
2.56

 
2.64

 
2.77

 
2.73

    
Non-natural gas and crude oil properties. Depreciation expense for non-natural gas and crude oil properties was $1.9 million and $5.5 million for the three and nine months ended 2012 compared to $1.7 million and $5.1 million for the three and nine months ended 2011.

Accretion of Asset Retirement Obligations

The $0.8 million quarter-over-quarter and $1.8 million year-over-year increase in the accretion of asset retirement obligations ("ARO") is primarily attributable to the increase in ARO liability associated with the properties acquired in the Merit Acquisition and the Seneca-Upshur acquisition, as well as an increase in the estimated plugging costs as compared to 2011.

Gain on Sale of Properties and Equipment

The $1.5 million quarter-over-quarter increase and $3.9 million year-over-year increase in the gain on sale of properties and equipment mainly relates to our proportionate share of the gain realized from the sale, by PDCM, of certain leases in our Eastern Operating Region.

Non-Operating Income/Expense

Interest Expense. The increase in interest expense for the three and nine months ended 2012 of $1.9 million and $4.2 million, respectively, compared to the three and nine months ended 2011, is primarily related to increased borrowings on our revolving credit facility during 2012 to finance the Merit Acquisition and our 2012 capital program. In addition, the lower 2011 average outstanding balance was primarily a result of the November 2010 convertible debt and common stock offerings, the proceeds of which were used to pay down outstanding amounts under the revolving credit facility.


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Provision for Income Taxes

See Note 6, Income Taxes, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the changes in our effective tax rate quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year. Due to tax interim period benefit limitations, comparisons of interim loss periods with interim income periods, and the different effects of permanent tax adjustments, primarily percentage depletion, the effective tax rate comparison for the three- and nine-month periods are less meaningful.

Discontinued Operations

See Note 13, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for additional information regarding the divestiture of our Permian and North Dakota assets.

In February 2011, we completed the sale of our North Dakota assets, consisting of producing wells and undeveloped leaseholds, to an unrelated third-party for a pretax gain of $3.9 million. In December 2011, we executed a purchase and sale agreement with COG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Concho Resources Inc., an unrelated third-party, for the sale of our then remaining Permian Basin assets and closed the transaction in February 2012. Upon final settlement on June 29, 2012, total proceeds received were $189.2 million after final closing adjustments, resulting in a pretax gain on sale of $19.9 million.

The table below presents production data related to the assets divested:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Discontinued Operations
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Production
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas (MMcf)
 
133.9

 
40.3

 
325.5

Crude oil (MBbls)
 
66.7

 
39.2

 
177.4

NGLs (per Bbl)
 
31.1

 
13.0

 
62.6

Natural gas equivalent (MMcfe)
 
720.7

 
353.1

 
1,765.6


Net Income (Loss)/Adjusted Net Income (Loss)
  
Net loss for the three and nine months ended 2012 was $32.6 million and $4.5 million, respectively, compared to net income of $32.6 million and $21.8 million for the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively. Adjusted net loss, a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure, for the three months ended 2012 was $4.8 million and adjusted net income was $8.4 million for the nine months ended 2012, compared to adjusted net income of $6.8 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended 2011, respectively. The quarter-over-quarter changes in net income (loss) are discussed in the various preceding sections above, with the most significant changes primarily related to the decrease in natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales, the decrease in commodity price risk management activities and the increase in production costs. The year-over-year change in net income (loss) is discussed in the various preceding sections above, with the most significant changes primarily related to the decrease in commodity price risk management activities, and the increase in production costs, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, and income from discontinued operations. These same reasons for change similarly impacted adjusted net income (loss), with the exception of the unrealized derivative gains and losses, adjusted for taxes, as these amounts are not included in the total. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures below for a more detailed discussion of this non-U.S. GAAP financial measure.
   
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Historically, our primary sources of liquidity have been cash flows from operating activities, our revolving credit facility, proceeds raised in the debt and equity markets and asset monetization transactions. For the nine months ended 2012, our primary sources of liquidity were the sale of our Permian assets for $189.2 million, proceeds from the issuance of our common stock of $164.5 million and net cash flows from operating activities of $127.2 million.

Our primary source of cash flows from operations is the sale of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil. Fluctuations in our operating cash flows are substantially driven by commodity prices and changes in our production volumes. Commodity prices have historically been volatile and we manage this volatility through our use of derivatives, which has also historically been a source of cash. We enter into commodity derivative instruments with maturities of no greater than five years from the date of the instrument. For instruments that mature in two years or less, our debt covenants limit our holdings to 80% of our expected future production on total proved reserves (proved developed producing, proved developed not producing and proved undeveloped). For instruments that mature later than two years, but no more than our designated maximum maturity, our debt covenants limit our holdings to 80% of our expected future production from proved developed producing properties. Therefore, we may still have significant fluctuations in our cash flows from operating activities due to the remaining non-hedged portion of our future production.

Our working capital fluctuates for various reasons, including, but not limited to, changes in the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments and changes in our cash and cash equivalents due to our practice of utilizing excess cash to reduce the outstanding

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borrowings under our revolving credit facility. At September 30, 2012, we had a working capital deficit of $67.7 million compared to a deficit of $22 million at December 31, 2011.

We ended September 2012 with cash and cash equivalents of $2.9 million and availability under our revolving credit facility and our proportionate share of PDCM's credit facility of $214.3 million, for a total liquidity position of $217.2 million compared to $196.4 million at December 31, 2011. The increase in liquidity of $20.8 million, or 10.6%, was primarily due to $189.2 million received from the divestiture of our Permian assets in February 2012, proceeds from issuance of common stock of $164.5 million in May 2012, an increase in the borrowing base of our revolving credit facility of $125 million and cash flows from operating activities of $127.2 million, offset by $326.8 million in expenditures related to the Merit Acquisition and capital expenditures of $271.8 million during the nine months ended 2012.

On October 3, 2012, we issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Senior Notes in a private placement. The net proceeds from the issuance of the notes were used to fund the redemption of our 2018 Senior Notes for a total redemption price of approximately $222 million, repay a portion of amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes. The early redemption of the 2018 Senior Notes resulted in a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $23.3 million, which will be recorded in the fourth quarter. In connection with the 2022 Senior Notes issuance, on September 21, 2012, we entered into a Sixth Amendment to the revolving credit facility. The Sixth Amendment increased the amount of senior note indebtedness and refinancing indebtedness permitted under the revolving credit agreement, and waived any automatic reduction of the borrowing base upon the issuance of senior notes until the next scheduled redetermination. On October 31, 2012, the semi-annual redetermination of our revolving credit facility's borrowing base was completed, resulting in the reduction of our available borrowing base to $450 million as a result of the 2022 Senior Notes issuance. Assuming the $500 million 2022 Senior Notes had been issued and the borrowing base under the revolving credit facility had been reduced to $450 million at September 30, 2012, our pro forma liquidity would have been approximately $409 million, as the amount outstanding under our revolving credit facility would have been reduced from approximately $307 million to approximately $40 million. See Note 16, Subsequent Events, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for further details.

With our current liquidity position and expected cash flows from operations, we believe that we have sufficient capital to fund operations. However, an acceleration of development activities or other changes to our business plans could increase our need for capital. We may also sell select assets from time to time in order to fund development projects, acquisitions or other capital needs.

Capital Expenditures

2012 Capital Budget. We establish a capital budget annually based on our development and exploration opportunities, liquidity position and the expected cash flows from operating activities for that year. We may revise our capital budget during the year as a result of, among other things, acquisitions or dispositions of assets, drilling results, commodity prices, changes in our borrowing capacity and/or significant changes in cash flows. In December 2011, our Board of Directors approved our 2012 capital budget of $284 million, excluding our share of PDCM's capital budget. Based on the Merit Acquisition, we slightly increased our development capital budget to $186 million, our exploratory capital budget to $95 million and our other capital budget to $7 million, for a total of $288 million, excluding acquisition costs. Of our $186 million for developmental drilling, which includes recompletions and refractures, substantially all will be invested in the Wattenberg field. During the nine months ended 2012, we drilled 24 horizontal wells in the Wattenberg Field, of which 18 were completed and turned-in-line, and executed 135 refractures/recompletions projects on 71 wells. PDCM's 2012 capital budget is currently set at $54 million, of which $27 million represents our share, and is expected to be funded by PDCM's operating activities, its credit facility, the sale of various leases and funds received related to title defects discovered from its acquisition of Seneca-Upshur. PDCM has drilled a total of three gross horizontal wells and completed six wells in 2012, and expects to turn-in-line three wells in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Because natural gas and crude oil production from a well declines rapidly in the first few years of production, we need to continue to commit significant amounts of capital in order to maintain and grow our production and replace our reserves. If capital is not available or is constrained in the future, we will be limited to our cash flows from operations and liquidity under our revolving credit facility as the sources for funding our capital expenditures. We would not be able to maintain our current level of natural gas, NGL and crude oil production and cash flows from operating activities if capital markets and commodity prices were to become depressed and/or the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility was reduced. The occurrence of such an event may result in our election to defer a substantial portion of our planned capital expenditures and could have a material negative impact on our operations in the future.

Financing Activities

In recent periods, we have been able to access borrowings under our revolving credit facility and to obtain proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity securities. See Note 10, Common Stock, and Note 16, Subsequent Events, to our condensed consolidated financial statements in this report for a detailed discussion of our May 2012 sale of equity and October 2012 debt issuance, respectively. We cannot, however, assure this will continue to be the case in the future. We continue to monitor market events and circumstances and their potential impact on each of our revolving credit facility lenders. Our revolving credit facility borrowing base is subject to a redetermination each May and November, based upon a quantification of our proved reserves at each June 30 and December 31, respectively. Our November semi-annual redetermination was completed on October 31, 2012 and resulted in the reduction of our borrowing base from $525 million to $450 million. The $75 million borrowing base reduction was principally the result of the incurrence of additional term debt as a result of the issuance of the 2022 Senior Notes. Our next scheduled redetermination is in May 2013. While we expect to continue to add producing reserves through our drilling operations, these reserve additions could be offset by, among other things, a significant decrease in commodity

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prices, which could result in a negative impact on our future borrowing base redeterminations.

On January 23, 2012, we filed an automatic shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC. Effective upon filing, the shelf provides for the potential sale of an unspecified amount of debt securities, common stock or preferred stock, either separately or represented by depository shares, warrants and purchase contracts, as well as units that may include any of these securities or securities of other entities. The shelf registration statement is intended to allow us to be proactive in our ability to raise capital and to have the flexibility to raise such funds in one or more offerings should we perceive market conditions to be favorable. Pursuant to this shelf registration, we sold 6.5 million shares of our common stock in May 2012 in an underwritten public offering at a price to the public of $26.50 per share. We used the net proceeds of $164.5 million to pay off the outstanding balance on our revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

Our revolving credit facility contains financial maintenance covenants. The covenants require that we maintain: (i) total debt of less than 4.0 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and capital expenditures ("EBITDAX") and (ii) an adjusted working capital ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. Our adjusted working capital ratio is adjusted by eliminating the impact on our current assets and liabilities of recording the fair value of natural gas and crude oil derivative instruments. Additionally, available borrowings under our revolving credit facility are added back to the current asset calculation. The current portion of our debt is eliminated from the current liabilities calculation. We were in compliance with all debt covenants related to our revolving credit facility at September 30, 2012, and expect to remain in compliance throughout the next year.

The indenture governing our senior notes contains customary representations and warranties, as well as typical restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: (a) incur additional debt, (b) make certain investments or pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or purchase or redeem or retire capital stock, (c) sell assets, including capital stock of our restricted subsidiaries, (d) pay dividends or other payments by restricted subsidiaries, (e) create liens that secure debt, (f) enter into transactions with affiliates and (g) merge or consolidate with another company. Additionally, as of September 30, 2012, our 2018 Senior Notes were subject to two incurrence covenants: (i) EBITDAX of at least two times interest expense and (ii) total debt of less than 4.0 times EBITDAX. We were in compliance with all covenants related to our senior notes at September 30, 2012, and expect to remain in compliance throughout the next year. The 2022 Senior Notes issued in October 2012 are governed by an indenture that contains substantially similar covenants as the 2018 Senior Notes indenture. However, adjustments included, but were not limited to, increases in certain basket amounts not subject to restrictive limitations and the elimination of the incurrence covenant which requires total debt to be less than 4.0 times EBITDAX.

See Part I, Item 3, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk, for our discussion of credit risk.

Cash Flows

Operating Activities. Our net cash flows from operating activities are primarily impacted by commodity prices, production volumes, realized gains and losses from our derivative positions, operating costs and general and administrative expenses. Cash flows from operating activities increased by $21.7 million for the nine months ended 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The increase was primarily due to the $28.7 million increase in net realized derivative gains and the change in net assets due to the timing of cash payments and receipts. See Results of Operations above for an additional discussion of the key drivers of cash flows from operating activities.

Adjusted cash flows from operations and adjusted EBITDA increased $1.2 million and $26.5 million, respectively during the nine months ended 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. The increase in adjusted cash flows from operations was primarily attributable the $28.7 million increase in net realized derivative gains and the decrease of approximately $3.2 million in the cash component of general and administrative expenses. These increases were partially offset by the decrease of approximately $14.4 million in our discontinued operations and the increase of approximately $14.8 million in production costs, exploration expense and interest expense. The increase in adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to the $28.7 million increase in net realized derivative gains. See Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures, below, for a more detailed discussion of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures.
 
Investing Activities. Net cash from investing activities of $394.5 million during the nine months ended 2012 was primarily related to the $326.8 million expended in June 2012 for the Merit Acquisition and drilling activity of $271.8 million, offset in part by $189.2 million received from the divestiture of our Permian assets in February 2012 and $24.3 million received related to title defects discovered from PDCM's Seneca Upshur acquisition in October 2011, of which $12.2 million represents our share. Our drilling program currently consists of two rigs operating in the oil- and liquid-rich horizontal Niobrara play in our Wattenberg Field.
 
Financing Activities. Cash flows from financing activities for the nine months ended 2012 increased significantly compared to the same period in 2011, from $192.6 million to $262 million. The increase is primarily related to the $164 million received from the sale of our common stock and a draw on our revolving credit facility to fund the June 2012 Merit Acquisition.

Drilling Activity
 
The following table presents our net developmental and exploratory drilling activity. There is no correlation between the number of productive wells completed during any period and the aggregate reserves attributable to those wells. Productive wells consist of wells spudded, turned-in-line and producing during the period. In-process wells represent wells that have been spudded, drilled and are waiting to be completed and/or for gas pipeline connection during the period.

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Net Drilling Activity
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Operating Region/Area
 
Productive
 
In-Process (1)
 
Productive
 
In-Process
 
Productive
 
In-Process (1)
 
Productive
 
In-Process
Development Wells
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Wattenberg Field
 
5.2

 
7.9

 
14.8

 
11.2

 
15.4

 
9.4

 
70.9

 
11.9

Piceance Basin
 

 

 

 
5.0

 

 

 
6.0

 
11.0

Total Western
 
5.2

 
7.9

 
14.8

 
16.2

 
15.4

 
9.4

 
76.9

 
22.9

Eastern
 

 

 

 
1.1

 
1.5

 

 

 
3.1

Total development wells
 
5.2

 
7.9

 
14.8

 
17.3

 
16.9

 
9.4

 
76.9

 
26.0

Exploratory Wells
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Western
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1.0

Eastern
 


 
1.0

 

 

 

 
3.0

 

 

Total exploratory wells
 

 
1.0

 

 
1.5

 

 
3.0

 

 
2.5

Total drilling activity
 
5.2

 
8.9

 
14.8

 
18.8

 
16.9

 
12.4

 
76.9

 
28.5

__________
(1)
A total of 17.2 net wells, including the 12.4 net wells drilled during the nine months ended 2012 and still in-process as of September 30, 2012, were waiting to be completed and/or for pipeline connection.


Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

From time to time, we enter into arrangements and transactions that can give rise to off-balance sheet obligations. These arrangements are identified under the caption Contractual Obligations and Contingent Commitments in our 2011 Form 10-K. There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from December 31, 2011. See Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for a discussion of our firm transportation agreements.

Commitments and Contingencies

See Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Recent Accounting Standards

See Note 2, Recent Accounting Standards, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to use judgment in making estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses.

There have been no significant changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates or in the underlying accounting assumptions and estimates used in these critical accounting policies from those disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes contained in our 2011 Form 10-K.
    
Reconciliation of Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures
    
Adjusted cash flows from operations. We define adjusted cash flows from operations as the cash flows from operating activities without regard to the collection or payment of associated receivables or payables. We believe it is important to consider adjusted cash flows from operations, as well as cash flows from operations, as we believe it often provides more transparency into what drives the changes in our operating trends, such as production, prices, operating costs and related operational factors, without regard to whether the earned or incurred item was collected or paid during the period. We also use this measure because the collection of our receivables or payment of our obligations has not been a significant issue for our business, but merely a timing issue from one period to the next, with fluctuations generally caused by significant changes in commodity prices. See the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows included in this report.


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Adjusted net income (loss). We define adjusted net income (loss) as net income (loss), plus unrealized derivative losses and provisions for underpayment of natural gas sales, less unrealized derivative gains, each adjusted for tax effect. We believe it is important to consider adjusted net income (loss) as well as net income (loss). We believe it often provides more transparency into our operating trends, such as production, prices, operating costs, realized gains and losses from derivatives and related factors, without regard to changes in our net income (loss) from our mark-to-market adjustments resulting from unrealized gains and losses from derivatives. Additionally, other items, such as the provision for underpayment of natural gas sales, which are not indicative of future results, may be excluded to clearly identify operational trends.

Adjusted EBITDA. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus unrealized derivative loss, interest expense, net of interest income, income taxes, impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties, depreciation, depletion and amortization for the period and accretion of asset retirement obligations minus unrealized derivative gain. For the fourth quarter and full year 2012, we will also exclude from Adjusted EBITDA the anticipated fourth quarter loss on debt extinguishment as discussed under "Executive Overview - Financial Overview" above. We believe adjusted EBITDA is relevant because it is a measure of cash available to fund our capital expenditures and service our debt and is a widely used industry metric which allows comparability of our results with many of our peers.
    
The following table presents a reconciliation of our non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to its most comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
 
(in millions)
Adjusted cash flows from operations:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted cash flows from operations
$
33.6

 
$
50.9

 
$
112.3

 
$
111.1

Changes in assets and liabilities
23.9

 
(17.0
)
 
14.9

 
(5.6
)
Net cash from operating activities
$
57.5

 
$
33.9

 
$
127.2

 
$
105.5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted net (loss) income
$
(4.8
)
 
$
6.8

 
$
8.4

 
$
1.6

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net
(45.0
)
 
41.7

 
(20.9
)
 
32.6

Tax effect of above adjustments
17.2

 
(15.9
)
 
8.0

 
(12.4
)
Net income (loss)
$
(32.6
)
 
$
32.6

 
$
(4.5
)
 
$
21.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted EBITDA
$
39.7

 
$
55.9

 
$
156.7

 
$
130.2

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, net
(45.0
)
 
41.7

 
(20.9
)
 
32.6

Interest expense, net
(11.4
)
 
(9.5
)
 
(31.9
)
 
(27.6
)
Income tax provision
18.1

 
(20.3
)
 
2.5

 
(11.4
)
Impairment of natural gas and crude oil properties
(0.4
)
 
(0.5
)
 
(1.4
)
 
(1.5
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
(32.4
)
 
(34.3
)
 
(106.7
)
 
(99.3
)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations
$
(1.2
)
 
$
(0.4
)
 
$
(2.8
)
 
$
(1.2
)
Net income (loss)
$
(32.6
)
 
$
32.6

 
$
(4.5
)
 
$
21.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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PDC ENERGY, INC.



ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market-Sensitive Instruments and Risk Management

We are exposed to market risks associated with interest rates, asset impairments, commodity prices and credit exposure. We have established risk management processes to monitor and manage these market risks.

Interest Rate Risk

Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest we earn on our interest-bearing cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash accounts and the interest we pay on borrowings under our credit facilities. Our senior notes have a fixed rate and, therefore, near-term changes in interest rates do not expose us to risk of earnings or cash flow loss; however, near-term changes in interest rates may affect the fair value of our fixed-rate debt.

As of September 30, 2012, our interest-bearing deposit accounts included money market accounts, certificates of deposit and checking and savings accounts with various banks. The amount of our interest-bearing cash and cash equivalents, which excludes restricted cash, as of September 30, 2012, was $4.6 million and represents our aggregate bank balances, including checks issued and outstanding. Based on a sensitivity analysis of our interest-bearing deposits as of September 30, 2012, we estimate that if market interest rates were to increase or decrease by 1%, the impact on our 2012 interest income would be immaterial.

As of September 30, 2012, excluding the $18.7 million irrevocable standby letters of credit, we had outstanding borrowings on our revolving credit facility of $307 million and, representing our proportionate share, $25 million on PDCM's credit facility. We estimate that if market interest rates were to increase or decrease by 1%, our 2012 interest expense would change by approximately $2.5 million.

Potential for Future Asset Impairments

The domestic natural gas market remains weak. A further decrease in forward natural gas prices during the remaining months of 2012 could result in significant impairment charges. Our Piceance Basin properties have significant natural gas reserves, representing 47% of our total proved natural gas reserves and 32% of our total proved reserves at December 31, 2011, and are sensitive to declines in natural gas prices. These assets, which had a net book value of approximately $298.7 million at September 30, 2012, are at risk of impairment if future natural gas prices for production in this area experience further long-term decline. The cash flow model we use to assess properties for impairment includes numerous assumptions, such as management's estimates of future oil and gas production and commodity prices, market outlook on forward commodity prices and operating and development costs. All inputs to the cash flow model must be evaluated at each date that the estimate of future cash flows for each producing basin is calculated. However, a significant decrease in long-term forward natural gas prices alone could result in a significant impairment for our properties that are sensitive to declines in natural gas prices.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to commodity price risk, the potential risk of loss from adverse changes in the market price of natural gas and crude oil commodities. We employ established policies and procedures to manage a portion of the risks associated with these market fluctuations using derivative instruments. These instruments allow us to predict with greater certainty the effective natural gas and crude oil prices to be received for our hedged production as it is produced. We believe that our established derivative policies and procedures are effective in achieving our risk management objectives.

Derivative Strategies. Our derivative strategies with regard to natural gas and crude oil sales and natural gas marketing are discussed below.
 
For natural gas and crude oil sales, we enter into derivative contracts to protect against price declines in future periods. While we structure these derivatives to reduce our exposure to changes in price associated with the derivative commodity, they also may limit the benefit we might otherwise have received from price increases in the physical market.

For natural gas marketing, we enter into fixed-price physical purchase and sale agreements that qualify as derivative contracts. In order to offset the fixed-price physical derivatives in our natural gas marketing, we enter into financial derivative instruments that have the effect of locking in the prices we will receive or pay for the same volumes and periods.

    

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PDC ENERGY, INC.


The following table presents our derivative positions (excluding the derivative positions designated to our affiliated partnerships and our Gas Marketing Segment) related to natural gas and crude oil sales in effect as of September 30, 2012:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CIG
 
 
 
 
Floors
 
Collars
 
Fixed-Price Swaps
 
Basis Protection Swaps
 
 
Commodity/ Index/ Maturity Period
 
Quantity
(Gas - BBtu (1))
 
Weighted-Average Contract Price
 
Quantity (Gas - BBtu (1) Oil - MBbls)
 
Weighted-Average Contract Price
 
Quantity (Gas - BBtu (1) Oil - MBbls)
 
Weighted-Average Contract Price
 
Quantity
(BBtu) (1)
 
Weighted-Average Contract Price
 
Fair Value as of September 30, 2012 (2)(in millions)
 
 
 
Floors
 
Ceilings
 
 
 
 
 
Natural Gas
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NYMEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 
1,170.0

 
$
6.00

 

 
$

 
$

 
5,703.1

 
$
4.79

 
2,509.1

 
$
(1.81
)
 
$
7,545.8

2013
 
4,910.0

 
6.20

 

 

 

 
22,348.6

 
4.66

 
9,392.2

 
(1.81
)
 
15,420.7

2014
 

 

 

 

 

 
13,390.0

 
4.03

 

 

 
(1,861.6
)
2015
 

 

 

 

 

 
8,340.0

 
3.87

 

 

 
(3,918.9
)
2016
 

 

 

 

 

 
7,200.0

 
3.84

 

 

 
(4,746.3
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CIG
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 

 

 

 

 

 
215.0

 
4.11

 

 

 
215.7

2013
 

 

 
235.0

 
4.00

 
5.45

 

 

 

 

 
134.0

2014
 

 

 
1,115.0

 
4.50

 
5.67

 

 

 

 

 
839.4

2015
 

 

 
1,040.0

 
4.50

 
5.67

 

 

 

 

 
632.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PEPL
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 

 

 

 

 

 
320.6

 
6.18

 

 

 
976.4

2013
 

 

 

 

 

 
990.4

 
6.18

 

 

 
2,519.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Natural Gas
 
6,080.0

 
 
 
2,390

 
 
 
 
 
58,507.7

 
 
 
11,901.3

 
 
 
17,756.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Crude Oil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NYMEX
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2012
 

 

 
203.7

 
83.62

 
108.18

 
230.5

 
94.28

 

 

 
566.0

2013
 

 

 
1,105.6

 
80.46

 
103.58

 
1,220.9

 
97.36

 

 

 
3,838.2

2014
 

 

 
1,052.0

 
82.78

 
102.52

 
240.0

 
93.49

 

 

 
1,389.7

2015
 

 

 
36.0

 
90.00

 
106.15

 

 

 

 

 
257.4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Crude Oil
 

 
 
 
2,397.3

 
 
 
 
 
1,691.4

 
 
 

 
 
 
6,051.3

Total Natural Gas and Crude Oil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
23,808

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________
(1
)
A standard unit of measurement for natural gas (one BBtu equals one MMcf).
(2
)
Approximately 29.7% of the fair value of our derivative assets and 6.6% of our derivative liabilities were measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
    
    

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PDC ENERGY, INC.


    
The following table presents monthly average NYMEX and CIG closing prices for natural gas and crude oil for the periods identified, as well as average sales prices we realized for the respective commodities:

 
Nine Months Ended
 
Year Ended
 
September 30, 2012
 
December 31, 2011
Average Index Closing Price:
 
 
 
Natural Gas (per MMBtu)
 
 
 
CIG
$
2.37

 
$
3.79

NYMEX
2.59

 
4.04

Crude Oil (per Bbl)
 
 
 
NYMEX
96.86

 
94.01

 
 
 
 
Average Sales Price Realized:
 
 
 
Excluding realized derivative gains/(losses)
 
 
 
Natural Gas (per Mcf)
$
1.93

 
$
3.27

Crude Oil (per Bbl)
88.94

 
87.63

Including realized derivative gains/(losses)
 
 
 
Natural Gas (per Mcf)
3.64

 
4.23

Crude Oil (per Bbl)
87.51

 
80.69


Based on a sensitivity analysis as of September 30, 2012, we estimated that a 10% increase in both natural gas and crude oil prices, inclusive of basis, over the entire period for which we have derivatives in place, including those designated to our affiliated partnerships, would have resulted in a decrease in the fair value of our derivative positions of $56.3 million, while a 10% decrease in prices would have resulted in an increase in fair value of $55.9 million. Excluding the derivatives designated to our affiliated partnerships, the same 10% increase or decrease in natural gas and crude oil prices would have resulted in a decrease in fair value of $55.5 million and an increase in fair value of $55.1 million, respectively.

See Note 3, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, and Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for additional disclosure regarding our derivative financial instruments including, but not limited to, a summary of our open derivative positions as of September 30, 2012.

Credit Risk

Credit risk represents the loss that we would incur if a counterparty were to fail to perform under its contractual obligations. We attempt to reduce credit risk by diversifying our counterparty exposure and entering into transactions with high-quality counterparties. When exposed to credit risk, we analyze the counterparties’ financial condition prior to entering into an agreement, establish credit limits and monitor the appropriateness of those limits on an ongoing basis.

Our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production segment's natural gas, NGL and crude oil sales are concentrated with a few predominately large customers. This concentrates the significance of our credit risk exposure to a small number of large customers. Amounts due to our Gas Marketing segment are from a diverse group of entities, including major upstream and mid-stream energy companies, financial institutions and end-users in various industries. We monitor their creditworthiness through our credit committee, which utilizes a number of qualitative and quantitative tools to assess credit risk and takes mitigative actions if deemed necessary. To date, we have had no material counterparty default losses in our Oil and Gas Exploration and Production or Gas Marketing segments.

Our derivative financial instruments may expose us to the credit risk of nonperformance by the instrument's contract counterparty. We use financial institutions which are lenders in our revolving credit facility as counterparties for our derivative financial instruments. We monitor their creditworthiness through our credit committee which utilizes a number of qualitative and quantitative tools to assess credit risk and takes mitigative actions if deemed necessary. To date, we have had no material counterparty default losses from our derivative financial instruments. See Note 4, Derivative Financial Instruments, to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report for more detail on our derivative financial instruments.

Disruption in the financial and credit markets could have a significant adverse impact on the financial institutions which are counterparties to our derivative financial instruments. While we believe that our credit assessment and mitigation procedures are sufficient, no amount of analysis can assure performance by a financial institution which is a counterparty to our derivative financial instruments.

    

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PDC ENERGY, INC.


Disclosure of Limitations

Because the information above included only those exposures that existed at September 30, 2012, it does not consider those exposures or positions which could arise subsequent to that date. As a result, our ultimate realized gain or loss with respect to interest rate and commodity price fluctuations will depend upon the exposures that arise during the period, our commodity price risk management strategies at the time and interest rates and commodity prices at the time.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of September 30, 2012, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e). This evaluation considered the various processes carried out under the direction of our disclosure committee in an effort to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the SEC reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely discussion regarding required disclosure.

Based on the results of this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2012.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the three months ended 2012, we made no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Information regarding our legal proceedings can be found in Note 9, Commitments and Contingencies – Litigation, to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements included in this report.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

We face many risks. Factors that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or liquidity and the trading price of our common stock are described under Item 1A, Risk Factors, of our 2011 Form 10-K and the corresponding section of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2012 (the "First Quarter 10-Q") and June 30, 2012 (the "Second Quarter 10-Q"), respectively. This information should be considered carefully, together with other information in this report and other reports and materials we file with the SEC. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2011 Form 10-K, as supplemented by the risk factor disclosures set forth in the First Quarter 10-Q and Second Quarter 10-Q, which are incorporated by reference herein.

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Table of Contents


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
    
    
Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

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
of Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
July 1 - 30, 2012
 
2,438

 
$
24.57

 

 

August 1 - 31, 2012
 

 

 

 

September 1 - 30, 2012
 
95

 
31.63

 

 

Total
 
2,533

 
24.83

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
__________
(1)
Purchases primarily represent shares purchased from employees for the payment of their tax liabilities related to the vesting of securities issued pursuant to our stock-based compensation plans.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES - None

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES - Not applicable
 
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION - None


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PDC ENERGY, INC.



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

    
 
 
 
 
Incorporated by Reference
 
 
Exhibit
 
 
 
 
 
SEC File
 
 
 
 
 
Filed
Number
  
Exhibit Description
 
Form
  
Number
  
Exhibit
 
Filing Date
  
Herewith
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
4.1
 
Indenture, dated as of October 3, 2012, by and between PDC Energy, Inc. and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee, relating to the 7.75% Senior Notes due 2022
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
4.1
 
10/3/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.1
 
Fourth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 25, 2012, by and among the Company as Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and various other banks as Lenders.
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
99.1
 
07/02/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.2
 
Fifth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 2012, by and among the Company as Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and various other banks as Lenders.
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
10.1
 
07/02/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.3
 
Sixth Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of September 21, 2012, by and among the Company as Borrower, certain of its Subsidiaries as Guarantors, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent, and various other banks as Lenders.
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
10.1
 
09/25/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.4 *
 
PDC Energy executive severance compensation plan.
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
10.2
 
9/25/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10.5
 
Purchase Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2012, by and between PDC Energy, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the purchasers named therein, relating to the 7.75% Senior Notes due 2022.
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
10.1
 
10/3/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
10.6
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 3, 2012, by and between PDC Energy, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of certain purchasers, relating to the 7.75% Senior Notes due 2022.
 
8-K
 
000-07246
 
10.2
 
10/3/2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.1
 
Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act Rules, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31.2
 
Certification by Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act Rules, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
X
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
32.1 **
 
Certifications by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Title 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.INS **
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.SCH **
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.CAL **
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.DEF **
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.LAB **
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
101.PRE **
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
*Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
** Furnished herewith.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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PDC ENERGY, INC.


SIGNATURES

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.

 
PDC Energy, Inc.
 
(Registrant)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: November 1, 2012
/s/ James M. Trimble
 
James M. Trimble,
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
/s/ Gysle R. Shellum
 
Gysle R. Shellum
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
/s/ R. Scott Meyers
 
R. Scott Meyers
 
Chief Accounting Officer
 
(principal accounting officer)


47