The Company is exposed to fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices on its production. We can utilize derivative strategies that consist of either a single derivative instrument or a combination of instruments to manage the variability in cash flows associated with the forecasted sale of our future domestic oil and natural gas production. While the use of derivative instruments may limit or partially reduce the downside risk of adverse commodity price movements, their use also may limit future income from favorable commodity price movements.

 

On September 25, 2017, the Company entered into new derivative contracts in the form of costless collars of WTI Crude Oil prices in order to protect the Company’s cash flow from price fluctuation and maintain its capital programs.  “Costless collars” are the combination of two options, a put option (floor) and call option (ceiling) with the options structured so that the premium paid for the put option will be offset by the premium received from selling the call option.  The two trades were for each 1,000 barrels of oil per day.  For the period of October 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017, the put price is $49.00 and the call price is $55.35.  For the period of January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018, the put price is $49.00 and the call price is $54.60.

 

On October 27, 2017, the Company entered in additional costless collars of WTI Crude Oil. This trade is for the period January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018 for 1,000 barrels of oil per day with a put price of $51.00 and a call price of $54.80.

 

On August 27, 2018, the Company entered into additional costless collars of WTI Crude Oil. This trade is for the period January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2019 for 2,000 barrels of oil per day with a put price of $60.00 and a call price of $70.05. On October 10, 2018, the Company terminated these costless collars for calendar year 2019 through the payment of $3,438,300.

 

As of December 31, 2018, all derivative contracts have either expired or been terminated and the Company does not currently have any derivative contracts in place.

 

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value and included as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. Any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of outstanding derivative financial instruments and from the settlement of derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings and included as a component of other income in the accompanying statements of operations.

 

The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties, which generally are financial institutions, will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. All previous derivative contracts have been with lenders under our credit facility.