NOTE 6 – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company is exposed to fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas prices on its production. It utilizes 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 its 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, the use also may limit future income from favorable commodity price movements.

The Company’s derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value and included as either assets or liabilities in the accompanying balance sheets. The Company has not designated its derivative financial instruments as hedges for accounting purposes, and, as a result, 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 (expense) under the heading “Gain (loss) on derivative contracts” 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.  At March 31, 2021, 100% of our volumes subject to derivative instruments are with lenders under our Credit Facility (as defined in Note 8). The Company is not subject to master netting agreements and classifies the fair value of its derivative positions on a gross basis in the corresponding balance sheets. The following presents the impact of the Company’s contracts on the balance sheet for the periods indicated.

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The components of “Gain (loss) on derivative contracts” are as follows for the respective periods:

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The components of “Cash (paid) received for commodity derivative settlements” are as follows for the respective periods:

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Throughout 2020 and the first quarter of 2021, the Company entered into additional derivative contracts in the form of costless collars and swaps for 2021 and 2022 calendar period for both oil and natural gas.  The following tables reflect the details of current contracts as of March 31, 2021:

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