Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION & SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

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BASIS OF PRESENTATION & SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and Nature of Operations Organization and Nature of Operations – Ring Energy is a growth oriented independent exploration and production company based in The Woodlands, Texas engaged in oil and natural gas development, production, acquisition, and exploration activities currently focused in Texas. Our primary drilling operations target the oil and liquids rich producing formations in the Northwest Shelf and the Central Basin Platform, both of which are part of the Permian Basin.
Liquidity and Capital Considerations
Liquidity and Capital Considerations – The Company strives to maintain an adequate liquidity level to address volatility and risk. Sources of liquidity include the Company’s cash flow from operations, cash on hand, available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility, and proceeds from sales of non-strategic assets.

While changes in oil and natural gas prices affect the Company’s liquidity, the Company has put in place hedges in seeking to protect its cash flows from such price declines; however, if oil or natural gas prices rapidly deteriorate due to unanticipated economic conditions, this could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows.

The Company expects ongoing oil price volatility over the short term. Extended depressed oil prices have historically had and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s oil revenue, which is mitigated to some extent by the Company’s hedge contracts. The Company is always mindful of oil price volatility and its impact on our liquidity.

The Company believes that it has the ability to continue to fund its operations and service its debt by using cash on hand and cash flows from operations.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements are based on a number of significant estimates, including estimates of oil and natural gas reserve quantities, which are the basis for the calculation of depletion and impairment of oil and gas properties. Reserve estimates, by their nature, are inherently imprecise. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Changes in the future estimated oil and natural gas reserves or the estimated future cash flows attributable to the reserves that are utilized for impairment analysis could have a significant impact on the Company’s future results of operations.
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements - Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are the highest priority and consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 are unobservable inputs for an asset or liability.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Values of Financial Instruments – The carrying amounts reported for the revolving line of credit approximate their fair value because the underlying instruments are at interest rates which approximate current market rates. The carrying amounts of accounts receivables and accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term maturities and/or liquid nature of these assets and liabilities.
Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities – The Company also applies fair value accounting guidance to initially, or as events dictate, measure non-financial assets and liabilities such as those obtained through business acquisitions, property and equipment and asset retirement obligations. These assets and liabilities are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances and are not subject to recurring revaluations. Fair value may be estimated using comparable market data, a discounted cash flow method, or a combination of the two as considered appropriate based on the circumstances. Under the discounted cash flow method, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s expectations for the future and include estimates of future oil and natural gas production or other applicable sales estimates, operational costs and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The Company may use the present value of estimated future cash inflows and/or outflows or third-party offers or prices of comparable assets with consideration of current market conditions to value its non-financial assets and liabilities when circumstances dictate determining fair value is necessary. Given the significance of the unobservable nature of a number of the inputs, these are considered Level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company periodically enters into derivative contracts to manage its exposure to commodity price risk. These derivative contracts, which are generally placed with major financial institutions, may take the form of forward contracts, futures contracts, swaps or options. The oil and gas reference prices upon which the commodity derivative contracts are based reflect various market indices that have a high degree of historical correlation with actual prices received by the Company for its oil and gas production.
As the Company has not designated its derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes, 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) in the Condensed Statements of Operations.
When applicable, the Company records all derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchases and sales exception, on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. See "NOTE 6 — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS" for additional information.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Receivables
Concentration of Credit Risk and Receivables – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents - The Company had cash in excess of federally insured limits of $1,499,975 and $3,462,526 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The Company places its cash with a high credit quality financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk in this area.
Accounts receivable - Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable is from purchasers of oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas sales are generally unsecured. The Company has not had any significant credit losses in the past and believes its accounts receivable are fully collectable. During the six months ended June 30, 2023, sales to three customers represented 68%, 13% and 11%, respectively, of total oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids sales. As of June 30, 2023, receivables outstanding from these three customers represented 71%, 13% and 11%, respectively, of accounts receivable.
Production imbalances - The Company accounts for natural gas production imbalances using the sales method, which recognizes revenue on all natural gas sold even though the natural gas volumes sold may be more or less than the Company's ownership entitles it to sell. Liabilities are recorded for imbalances greater than the Company’s proportionate share of remaining estimated natural gas reserves. The Company recorded no imbalances as of June 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022.
Joint interest billing receivables, net - The Company also has joint interest billing receivables. Joint interest billing receivables are collateralized by the pro rata revenue attributable to the joint interest holders and further by the interest itself. Accounts receivable from joint interest owners or purchasers outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The following table indicates the Company's provisions for bad debt expense associated with its joint interest billing receivables during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and June 30, 2022.
For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
Bad debt expense $ 19,315  $ —  $ 22,209  $ — 
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no such investments.
Inventory Inventory - The full balance of the Company's inventory consists of materials and supplies for its operations, with no work in process or finished goods inventory balances. Inventory is added to the books upon the purchase of supplies (inclusive of freight and sales tax costs) to use on well sites, and inventory is reduced by material transfers for inventory usage based on the initial invoiced value. The Company reports the balance of its inventory at the lower of cost or market value. Inventory balances are excluded from the Company's calculation of depletion.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Oil and Natural Gas Properties – The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all costs (direct and indirect) associated with acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties are capitalized. Costs capitalized include acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenditures, lease rentals on undeveloped properties and costs of drilling and equipping productive and non-productive wells. Drilling costs include directly related overhead costs. Capitalized costs are categorized either as being subject to amortization or not subject to amortization. All of the Company’s capitalized costs, excluding inventory, are subject to amortization.
The Company records a liability in the period in which an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) is incurred, in an amount equal to the discounted estimated fair value of the obligation that is capitalized. Thereafter this liability is accreted up to the final retirement cost. An ARO is a future expenditure related to the disposal or other retirement of certain assets. The Company’s ARO relates to future plugging and abandonment expenses of its oil and natural gas properties and related facilities disposal. Dispositions of oil and natural gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs.
All capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves and estimated future costs to plug and abandon wells and costs of site restoration, less the estimated salvage value of equipment associated with the oil and natural gas properties, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves as determined by independent petroleum engineers. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are
impaired, the amount of the impairment is offset to the capitalized costs to be amortized. The following table shows total depletion and the depletion per barrel-of-oil-equivalent rate, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
Depletion $ 20,511,809  $ 10,629,787  $ 41,492,351  $ 20,254,404 
Depletion rate, per barrel-of-oil-equivalent (Boe) $ 13.05  $ 12.51  $ 12.89  $ 12.28 
In addition, capitalized costs less accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization and related deferred income taxes are not allowed to exceed an amount (the full cost ceiling) equal to the sum of:
1)the present value of estimated future net revenues discounted at ten percent computed in compliance with SEC guidelines;
2)plus the cost of properties not being amortized;
3)plus the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in the costs being amortized;
4)less income tax effects related to differences between the book and tax basis of the properties.
Land, Buildings, Equipment, Software, Leasehold Improvements, and Automobiles
Land, Buildings, Equipment, Software, Leasehold Improvements, and Automobiles – Land, buildings, equipment, software, leasehold improvements, and automobiles are carried at historical cost, adjusted for impairment loss and accumulated depreciation (except for land). Historical costs include all direct costs associated with the acquisition of land, buildings, equipment, software, leasehold improvements, and automobiles and placing them in service. Upon sale or abandonment, the cost of the fixed asset(s) and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized.
Depreciation of buildings, equipment, software, leasehold improvements, and automobiles is calculated using the straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives:
Leasehold improvements
3‑5 years
Office equipment and software
3‑7 years
Equipment
5‑10 years
Automobiles 4 years
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition – In January 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 Revenues from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). The timing of recognizing revenue from the sale of produced crude oil and natural gas was not changed as a result of adopting ASU 2014-09. The Company predominantly derives its revenue from the sale of produced crude oil and natural gas. The contractual performance obligation is satisfied when the product is delivered to the purchaser. Revenue is recorded in the month the product is delivered to the purchaser. The Company receives payment from one to three months after delivery. The transaction price includes variable consideration as product pricing is based on published market prices and reduced for contract specified differentials. The new guidance regarding ASU 2014-09 does not require that the transaction price be fixed or stated in the contract. Estimating the variable consideration does not require significant judgment and Ring engages third party sources to validate the estimates. Revenue is recognized net of royalties due to third parties in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. See "NOTE 2 — REVENUE RECOGNITION" for additional information.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes – Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes. Deferred taxes are provided on differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, and tax carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.
Since December 31, 2020, the Company has determined that a full valuation allowance is necessary due to the Company's assessment that it is more likely than not that it will be unable to obtain the benefits of its deferred tax assets due to the Company’s history of taxable losses. The Company determined that certain existing deferred tax assets will not be offset by existing deferred tax liabilities as a result of the 80% limitation on the utilization net operating losses incurred after 2017. Since 2021, commodity prices had increased and the Company continues to project positive pre-tax book income. As of June 30, 2023, the Company is no longer in a cumulative loss position. As a result, future forecasted pre-tax book income was considered as positive evidence in assessing the valuation allowance. Based on the change in judgement on the realizability of the related federal deferred tax assets in future years, the Company released $7.7 million of valuation allowance as a discrete benefit in the first six months ended June 30, 2023. Accordingly, the Company recorded the following federal and state income tax benefits (provisions) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
For the Three Months Ended For the Six Months Ended
June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022
Deferred federal income tax benefit (provision) $ 6,640,741  $ (1,014,048) $ 5,111,491  $ (1,014,048)
Current state income tax benefit (provision) (41,191) 12,813  (98,481) — 
Deferred state income tax benefit (provision) (243,255) (470,974) (686,658) (536,913)
Benefit from (Provision for) Income Taxes $ 6,356,295  $ (1,472,209) $ 4,326,352  $ (1,550,961)
The Company has immaterial operations in New Mexico which is in a net deferred tax asset position for which a full valuation allowance is still recorded.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – In accordance with GAAP, the Company has analyzed its filing positions in all jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns for the open tax years. The Company has identified its federal income tax return and its franchise tax return in Texas in which it operates as “major” tax jurisdictions. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2018 and after remain subject to examination. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2007 and after remain subject to examination to the extent of the net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards. The Company’s franchise tax returns in Texas remain subject to examination for 2017 and after. The Company currently believes that all significant filing positions are highly certain and that all of its significant income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained upon audit. Therefore, the Company has no significant reserves for uncertain tax positions and no adjustments to such reserves were required by GAAP. No interest or penalties have been levied against the Company and none are anticipated; therefore, no interest or penalty has been included in our provision for income taxes in the Condensed Statements of Operations.
Three-Stream Reporting Three-Stream Reporting - Beginning July 1, 2022, the Company began reporting volumes and revenues on a three-stream basis, separately reporting crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids ("NGLs") sales. For periods prior to July 1, 2022, sales and reserve volumes, prices, and revenues for NGLs were presented with natural gas. This represents a change in our accounting and reporting presentation necessitated by a change in the underlying facts and circumstances surrounding the Stronghold Acquisition, as Stronghold has historically reported its revenues on a three-stream basis. As clarified in the interpretive guidance of ASC 250, such changes should not be applied on a retrospective basis. Accordingly, we began reporting on a three-stream basis prospectively, beginning July 1, 2022. See NOTE 5 - ACQUISITIONS AND DIVESTITURES for a discussion of the Stronghold Acquisition.
Leases Leases - The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), effective January 1, 2019. The Company made accounting policy elections to not capitalize leases with a lease term of twelve months or less (i.e. short term leases) and to not separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes. The Company also elected to adopt the package of practical expedients within ASU 2016-02 that allows an entity to not reassess prior to the effective date (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases, and the practical expedient regarding land easements that exist prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02. The Company did not elect the practical expedient of hindsight when determining the lease term of existing contracts at the effective date.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Earnings (Loss) Per Share – Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated to give effect to potentially issuable dilutive common shares.
Share-Based Employee Compensation Share-Based Employee Compensation – The Company has outstanding stock option grants and restricted stock unit awards to directors, officers and employees, which are described more fully in "NOTE 11 — EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS". The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes the related compensation expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period.
Share-Based Compensation to Non-Employees Share-Based Compensation to Non-Employees – The Company accounts for share-based compensation issued to non-employees as either the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date for these issuances is the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the recipient to earn the equity instruments is reached or (ii) the date at which the recipient’s performance is complete.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent Accounting PronouncementsIn March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provided optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that referenced LIBOR or another rate. ASU 2020-04 was in effect through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“ASU 2021-01”), to provide clarifying guidance regarding the scope of Topic 848. ASU 2020-04 was issued to provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848" ("ASU 2022-06"), which defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. Beginning August 31, 2022, under the Company's Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,
the Company's interest rates were transitioned from the LIBOR to the SOFR (Standard Overnight Financing Rate) reference rate. At this time, the Company does not plan to enter into additional contracts using LIBOR as a reference rate.
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers” ("ASU 2021-08"). This update requires the acquirer in a business combination to record contract asset and liabilities following Topic 606 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” at acquisition as if it had originated the contract, rather than at fair value. This update is effective for public business entities beginning after December 15, 2022, with early adoption permitted. The Company continues to evaluate the provisions of this update, but it does not believe the adoption will have a material impact on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.