Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x 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 1-35322

 

 

WPX Energy, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   45-1836028

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

One Williams Center,
Tulsa, Oklahoma
  74172-0172
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

855-979-2012

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class

 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value   New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

None

 

 

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   x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 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  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   x  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

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

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock at October 26, 2012 were 199,189,894.

 

 

 

 

 


Table of Contents

WPX ENERGY, INC.

Index

 

               Page  
Part I.    Financial Information   
   Item 1.    Financial Statements   
     

Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

     4   
     

Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and nine months ended September  30, 2012 and 2011

     5   
     

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

     6   
     

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012

     7   
     

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011

     8   
     

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     9   
   Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     27   
   Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     39   
   Item 4.   

Controls and Procedures

     40   
Part II.    Other Information      42   
   Item 1.    Legal proceedings      42   
   Item 1A.    Risk Factors      42   
   Item 5.   

Other Information

     42   
   Item 6.    Exhibits      43   

Certain matters contained in this report include forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements relate to anticipated financial performance, management’s plans and objectives for future operations, business prospects, outcome of regulatory proceedings, market conditions and other matters.

All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will exist or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by various forms of words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “seeks,” “could,” “may,” “should,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “might,” “goals,” “objectives,” “targets,” “planned,” “potential,” “projects,” “scheduled,” “will” or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management and include, among others, statements regarding:

 

   

Amounts and nature of future capital expenditures;

 

   

Expansion and growth of our business and operations;

 

   

Financial condition and liquidity;

 

   

Business strategy;

 

   

Estimates of proved gas and oil reserves;

 

   

Reserve potential;

 

   

Development drilling potential;

 

   

Cash flow from operations or results of operations;

 

   

Seasonality of our business; and

 

   

Natural gas, natural gas liquids (“NGLs”) and crude oil prices and demand.

 

2


Table of Contents

Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions, uncertainties and risks that could cause future events or results to be materially different from those stated or implied in this report. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from results contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

 

   

Availability of supplies (including the uncertainties inherent in assessing, estimating, acquiring and developing future natural gas and oil reserves), market demand, volatility of prices and the availability and cost of capital;

 

   

Inflation, interest rates, fluctuation in foreign exchange and general economic conditions (including future disruptions and volatility in the global credit markets and the impact of these events on our customers and suppliers);

 

   

The strength and financial resources of our competitors;

 

   

Development of alternative energy sources;

 

   

The impact of operational and development hazards;

 

   

Costs of, changes in, or the results of laws, government regulations (including climate change regulation and/or potential additional regulation of drilling and completion of wells), environmental liabilities, litigation and rate proceedings;

 

   

Changes in maintenance and construction costs;

 

   

Changes in the current geopolitical situation;

 

   

Our exposure to the credit risk of our customers;

 

   

Risks related to strategy and financing, including restrictions stemming from our debt agreements, future changes in our credit ratings and the availability and cost of credit;

 

   

Risks associated with future weather conditions;

 

   

Acts of terrorism; and

 

   

Additional risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth above. Given the uncertainties and risk factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We disclaim any obligation to and do not intend to update the above list or to announce publicly the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements to reflect future events or developments, except to the extent required by applicable laws. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

In addition to causing our actual results to differ, the factors listed above and referred to below may cause our intentions to change from those statements of intention set forth in this report. Such changes in our intentions may also cause our results to differ. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon changes in such factors, our assumptions or otherwise.

Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, we caution that there are important factors, in addition to those listed above, that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed discussion of those factors, see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2011, and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of this Form 10-Q.

 

3


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  
     (Dollars in millions, except per-share
amounts)
 

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 240      $ 526   

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $10 at September 30, 2012 and $13 at December 31, 2011

     385        509   

Derivative assets

     159        506   

Inventories

     71        73   

Other

     32        60   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     887        1,674   

Investments

     143        125   

Properties and equipment (successful efforts method of accounting)

     13,170        12,199   

Less—accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

     (4,757     (3,977
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Properties and equipment, net

     8,413        8,222   

Derivative assets

     9        10   

Other noncurrent assets

     131        401   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 9,583      $ 10,432   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 441      $ 702   

Accrued and other current liabilities

     170        186   

Deferred income taxes

     28        116   

Derivative liabilities

     42        152   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     681        1,156   

Deferred income taxes

     1,459        1,556   

Long-term debt

     1,509        1,503   

Derivative liabilities

     1        7   

Asset retirement obligations

     311        283   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     126        168   

Contingent liabilities and commitments (Note 8)

    

Equity:

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock (100 million shares authorized at $0.01 par value; no shares issued)

     —          —     

Common stock (2 billion shares authorized at $0.01 par value; 199.1 million shares issued at September 30, 2012 and 197.1 million shares issued at December 31, 2011)

     2        2   

Additional paid-in-capital

     5,465        5,457   

Accumulated deficit

     (117     —     

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     55        219   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

     5,405        5,678   

Noncontrolling interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     91        81   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     5,496        5,759   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 9,583      $ 10,432   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

4


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months
ended September 30,
    Nine months
ended September 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (Millions, except per-share amounts)  

Revenues:

        

Product revenues:

        

Natural gas sales

   $ 331      $ 440      $ 1,000      $ 1,271   

Natural gas liquid sales

     65        110        236        302   

Oil and condensate sales

     118        84        346        219   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total product revenues

     514        634        1,582        1,792   

Gas management

     186        347        710        1,092   

Net gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges (Note 10)

     (22     12        63        20   

Other

     (1     2        7        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues

     677        995        2,362        2,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

        

Lease and facility operating

     68        70        202        194   

Gathering, processing and transportation

     124        130        379        363   

Taxes other than income

     23        32        78        105   

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     200        359        749        1,120   

Exploration

     22        74        60        100   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     243        239        719        670   

Impairment of costs of acquired unproved reserves (Note 4)

     —          —          117        —     

General and administrative

     67        70        206        200   

Other—net

     5        (1     8        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     752        973        2,518        2,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

     (75     22        (156     156   

Interest expense

     (25     —          (77     (97

Interest capitalized

     2        —          7        8   

Investment income and other

     7        7        25        19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (91     29        (201     86   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (28     10        (71     30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (63     19        (130     56   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     2        (3     23        (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (61     16        (107     43   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     3        2        10        7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to WPX Energy

   $ (64   $ 14      $ (117   $ 36   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Amounts attributable to WPX Energy, Inc.:

        

Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share (Note 3):

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (0.33   $ 0.09      $ (0.70   $ 0.25   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     0.01        (0.02     0.11        (0.07
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

   $ (0.32   $ 0.07      $ (0.59   $ 0.18   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares

     199.1        197.1        198.7        197.1   

See accompanying notes.

 

5


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
    Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Net income (loss) attributable to WPX Energy

   $ (64   $ 14      $ (117   $ 36   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax

   $ (12   $ 133      $ 56      $ 169   

Net reclassifications into earnings of net cash flow hedge gains, net of tax

     (69     (48     (220     (137
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

     (81     85        (164     32   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to WPX Energy

   $ (145   $ 99      $ (281   $ 68   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

6


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

 

    WPX Energy, Inc., Stockholders     Noncontrolling
Interests in
Consolidated
Subsidiaries(a)
    Total
Equity
 
    Common
Stock
    Additional
Paid-In-
Capital
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income
    Total
Stockholders’
Equity
     
    (Millions)  

Balance at December 31, 2011

  $ 2      $ 5,457      $ —        $ 219      $ 5,678      $ 81      $ 5,759   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss):

             

Net income (loss)

    —          —          (117     —          (117     10        (107

Other comprehensive loss

    —          —          —          (164     (164     —          (164
             

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

                (271

Stock based compensation

    —          8        —          —          8        —          8   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2012

  $ 2      $ 5,465      $ (117   $ 55      $ 5,405      $ 91      $ 5,496   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

(a) Represents the 31 percent interest in Apco Oil and Gas International Inc. owned by others.

See accompanying notes.

 

7


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine months ended September 30,  
     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Operating Activities

    

Net income (loss)

   $ (107   $ 43   

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

    

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     727        704   

Deferred income tax benefit

     (90     (6

Provision for impairment of properties and equipment (including certain exploration expenses)

     160        120   

Amortization of stock-based awards

     22        —     

(Gain) loss on sale of assets

     (42     —     

Cash provided (used) by operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     128        (39

Inventories

     2        (5

Margin deposits and customer margin deposit payable

     (5     (25

Other current assets

     9        (10

Accounts payable

     (142     78   

Accrued and other current liabilities

     (20     31   

Changes in current and noncurrent derivative assets and liabilities

     (28     7   

Other, including changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities

     (25     (10
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

     589        888   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Investing Activities

    

Capital expenditures (a)

     (1,165     (1,088

Proceeds from sale of assets

     310        17   

Purchases of investments

     (2     (8

Other

     3        23   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (854     (1,056
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Financing Activities

    

Proceeds from common stock

     2        —     

Proceeds from long-term debt

     6        —     

Net increase in notes payable to Williams

     —          159   

Net changes in Williams’ net investment

     —          33   

Revolving debt facility costs

     —          (8

Other

     (29     (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (21     181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (286     13   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     526        37   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 240      $ 50   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

(a) Increase to properties and equipment

   $ (1,073   $ (1,095

Changes in related accounts payable

     (92     7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

   $ (1,165   $ (1,088
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

8


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1. General, Description of Business and Basis of Presentation

General

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements do not include all the notes included in our annual financial statements and, therefore, should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Exhibit 99.1 of our Form 8-K dated May 15, 2012. The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our financial position at September 30, 2012, results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Description of Business

Operations of our company are located in the United States and South America and are organized into domestic and international reportable segments.

Domestic includes natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil development and production and gas management activities located in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota (Bakken Shale), Pennsylvania (Marcellus Shale) and Wyoming in the United States. We specialize in development and production from tight-sands and shale formations and coal bed methane reserves in the Piceance, San Juan, Powder River, Williston (Bakken Shale), Green River and Appalachian (Marcellus Shale) Basins. Associated with our commodity production are sales and marketing activities that include the management of various commodity contracts such as transportation, storage and related derivatives coupled with the sale of our commodity volumes.

International primarily consists of our ownership in Apco Oil and Gas International Inc. (“Apco”, NASDAQ listed: APAGF), an oil and gas exploration and production company with concessions in Argentina and Colombia.

The consolidated businesses represented herein as WPX Energy, Inc., also referred to herein as “WPX” or the “Company”, previously comprised substantially all of the exploration and production reportable segment of The Williams Companies, Inc. In these notes, WPX Energy, Inc. is at times referred to in the first person as “WPX”, “we”, “us” or “our”. The Williams Companies, Inc. and its affiliates, including Williams Partners L.P. (“WPZ”) are at times referred to collectively as “Williams”.

Separation from Williams

On February 16, 2011, Williams announced that its board of directors had approved pursuing a plan to separate Williams’ businesses into two stand-alone, publicly traded companies. As a result, WPX Energy, Inc. was formed to effect the separation. On November 30, 2011, the Board of Directors of Williams approved the spin-off of the Company. The spin-off was completed by way of a distribution on December 31, 2011.

Basis of Presentation

These financial statements are prepared on a consolidated basis. Prior to the separation from Williams, the financial statements were derived from the financial statements and accounting records of Williams using the historical results of operations and historical basis of the assets and liabilities of the entities contributed to us.

 

9


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Discontinued operations

During the second quarter of 2012, we completed the sale of our holdings in the Barnett Shale and the Arkoma Basin. Beginning in the first quarter of 2012, we reported the results of operations and financial position of the Barnett Shale operations as discontinued operations for all periods presented. The results of operations and financial position of the Arkoma operations were already reported as discontinued operations beginning in 2011 as we initiated a formal process to pursue the divestiture of those operations in the first quarter of 2011 (See Note 2).

Unless indicated otherwise, the information in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements relates to continuing operations.

Note 2. Discontinued Operations

Summarized Results of Discontinued Operations

During the first quarter of 2012, our management signed an agreement to divest its holdings in the Barnett Shale and the Arkoma Basin for $306 million, subject to closing adjustments. The buyer provided $31 million in cash as a deposit at the signing of the agreement. During the second quarter of 2012, the transaction closed and we received an additional $270 million before closing and transaction costs. Activity in the third quarter of 2012 represents estimates associated with the post closing settlement expected in the fourth quarter of 2012. The Barnett Shale properties included approximately 27,000 net acres, interests in 320 wells and 91 miles of pipeline. The Arkoma properties included approximately 66,000 net acres, interests in 525 wells and 115 miles of pipeline.

 

     Three months
ended

September 30,
    Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Revenues

   $ (1   $ 30      $ 25      $ 93   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations before impairments, gain on sale and income taxes

   $ (1   $ —        $ (2   $ (5

Impairments

     —          (5     —          (16

Gain on sale

     4        —          39        —     

(Provision) benefit for income taxes

     (1     2        (14     8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ 2      $ (3   $ 23      $ (13
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Impairments in 2011 reflect write-downs to estimates of fair value less costs to sell the assets of the Arkoma Basin operations that were classified as held for sale as of September 30, 2011. This nonrecurring fair value measurement, which falls within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, utilized a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis that was based on internal cash flow models.

 

10


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Note 3. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share from Continuing Operations

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
     Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011      2012     2011  
     (Millions, except per-share amounts)  

Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to WPX Energy, Inc. available to common stockholders for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share

   $ (66   $ 17       $ (140   $ 49   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Basic weighted-average shares

     199.1        197.1         198.7        197.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted weighted-average shares

     199.1        197.1         198.7        197.1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per common share from continuing operations:

         

Basic

   $ (0.33   $ 0.09       $ (0.70   $ 0.25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted

   $ (0.33   $ 0.09       $ (0.70   $ 0.25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

On December 31, 2011, 197.1 million shares of our common stock were distributed to Williams’ shareholders in conjunction with our spin-off. For comparative purposes, and to provide a more meaningful calculation for weighted average shares, we have assumed this amount of common stock to be outstanding as of the beginning of each period presented for 2011 in the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average shares.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, 1.7 million and 1.9 million, respectively, weighted-average nonvested restricted stock units and 0.9 million and 1.1 million, respectively, weighted-average stock options have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per common share as their inclusion would be antidilutive due to our loss from continuing operations attributable to WPX Energy, Inc.

The table below includes information related to stock options that were outstanding at September 30, 2012 but have been excluded from the computation of weighted-average stock options due to the option exercise price exceeding the third quarter weighted-average market price of our common shares.

 

     September 30, 2012  

Options excluded (millions)

     1.8   

Weighted-average exercise price of options excluded

   $ 17.50   

Exercise price range of options excluded

   $ 15.67 - $20.97  

Third quarter weighted-average market price

   $ 15.56   

Note 4. Impairments and Exploration Expenses

Impairment of cost of acquired unproved reserves

As a result of declines in forward natural gas prices during the first half of 2012 as compared to forward natural gas prices as of December 31, 2011, we performed impairment assessments of our capitalized cost of acquired unproved reserves during first and second quarter 2012. Accordingly, we recorded $52 million and $65 million in impairments of capitalized costs of acquired unproved reserves primarily in the Powder River Basin in the first and second quarters, respectively. Our impairment analyses included an assessment of discounted future cash flows, which considered information obtained from drilling, other activities and natural gas reserve quantities (See Note 9).

 

11


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Exploration Expenses

 

     Three months
ended

September 30,
     Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  
     (Millions)  

Geologic and geophysical costs

   $ 5       $ 1       $ 17       $ 4   

Dry hole costs

     2         11         3         13   

Unproved leasehold property impairment, amortization and expiration

     15         62         40         83   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total exploration expense

   $ 22       $ 74       $ 60       $ 100   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dry hole costs in 2011 reflect an $11 million dry hole expense in connection with a Marcellus Shale well in Columbia County, Pennsylvania.

Unproved leasehold impairment, amortization and expiration in 2011 includes a $50 million write-off of leasehold costs associated with certain portions of our Columbia County, Pennsylvania acreage that we did not plan to develop.

Note 5. Inventories

 

     September 30,
2012
     December 31,
2011
 
     (Millions)  

Natural gas in underground storage

   $ 24       $ 34   

Material, supplies and other

     47         39   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 71       $ 73   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

During the first quarter of 2012, we recognized a lower of cost or market adjustment to natural gas in underground storage of approximately $11 million. This adjustment is reflected in gas management expense on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Note 6. Debt and Banking Arrangements

In November 2011, we issued $1.5 billion in face value Senior Notes. The Notes were issued under an indenture between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee. The net proceeds from the offering of the Notes were approximately $1.481 billion after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and our offering expenses. We retained $500 million of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes and distributed the remainder of the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes, approximately $981 million, to Williams.

In June 2012, we completed an exchange offer whereby we exchanged our privately-placed Notes for like principal amounts of registered 5.250% Senior Notes due 2017 and 6.000% Senior Notes due 2022. The exchange offer fulfilled our obligations under the registration rights agreement that we entered into as part of the November 2011 issuance.

During 2011, we entered into a new $1.5 billion five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility agreement (the “Credit Facility Agreement”). Under the terms of the Credit Facility Agreement and subject to certain requirements, we may request an increase in the commitments of up to an additional $300 million by either commitments from new lenders or increased commitments from existing lenders. At September 30, 2012, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility Agreement.

 

12


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Letters of Credit

In addition to the Notes and Credit Facility Agreement, WPX has entered into three bilateral, uncommitted letter of credit (“LC”) agreements. These LC agreements provide WPX the ability to meet various contractual requirements and incorporate terms similar to those found in the Credit Facility Agreement. At September 30, 2012, a total of $259 million in letters of credit have been issued.

Other

Apco has a loan agreement with a financial institution for a $10 million bank line of credit. The funds could be borrowed during a one year period which ended March 2012. As of September 30, 2012, Apco has $8 million outstanding under this banking agreement. Principal amounts will be repaid in installments through 2016. This debt agreement contains covenants that restrict or limit, among other things, our ability to create liens supporting indebtedness, purchase or sell assets outside the ordinary course of business and incur additional debt.

Note 7. Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations includes:

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
    Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Current:

        

Federal

   $ 3      $ (10   $ 22      $ 21   

State

     —          (1     —          2   

Foreign

     4        3        12        8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     7        (8     34        31   

Deferred:

        

Federal

     (30     17        (96     —     

State

     (5     1        (9     (1

Foreign

     —          —          —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (35     18        (105     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total provision (benefit)

   $ (28   $ 10      $ (71   $ 30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The effective income tax rate of the total benefit for the three months ended September 30, 2012, is less than the federal statutory rate due primarily to taxes on foreign operations and a reduction of the minimum tax credit that was allocated to us by Williams as part of the spin-off, partially offset by state income taxes.

The effective income tax rate of the total provision for the three months ended September 30, 2011, is greater than the federal statutory rate due primarily to taxes on foreign operations, partially offset by state income taxes.

The effective income tax rate of the total benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, approximates the federal statutory rate due primarily to state income taxes offset by taxes on foreign operations and a reduction of the minimum tax credit that was allocated to us by Williams as part of the spin-off.

The effective income tax rate of the total provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, approximates the federal statutory rate due primarily to state income taxes, partially offset by taxes on foreign operations.

As of September 30, 2012, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits is insignificant. During the next 12 months, we do not expect ultimate resolution of any uncertain tax position associated with a domestic or international matter will result in a significant increase or decrease of our unrecognized tax benefit.

 

13


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Note 8. Contingent Liabilities

Royalty litigation

In September 2006, royalty interest owners in Garfield County, Colorado, filed a class action suit in District Court, Garfield County, Colorado, alleging we improperly calculated oil and gas royalty payments, failed to account for proceeds received from the sale of natural gas and extracted products, improperly charged certain expenses and failed to refund amounts withheld in excess of ad valorem tax obligations. Plaintiffs sought to certify a class of royalty interest owners, recover underpayment of royalties and obtain corrected payments resulting from calculation errors. We entered into a final, partial settlement agreement. The partial settlement agreement defined the class for certification, resolved claims relating to past calculation of royalty and overriding royalty payments, established certain rules to govern future royalty and overriding royalty payments, resolved claims related to past withholding for ad valorem tax payments, established a procedure for refunds of any such excess withholding in the future, and reserved two claims for court resolution. We have prevailed at the trial court and all levels of appeal on the first reserved claim regarding whether we are allowed to deduct mainline pipeline transportation costs pursuant to certain lease agreements. The remaining claim is whether we are required to have proportionately increased the value of natural gas by transporting that gas on mainline transmission lines and, if required, whether we did so and are entitled to deduct a proportionate share of transportation costs in calculating royalty payments. We anticipate litigating the second reserved claim in 2013. We believe our royalty calculations have been properly determined in accordance with the appropriate contractual arrangements and Colorado law. At this time, the plaintiffs have not provided us a sufficient framework to calculate an estimated range of exposure related to their claims.

In October 2011, a potential class of royalty interest owners in New Mexico and Colorado filed a complaint against us in the County of Rio Arriba, New Mexico. The complaint alleges failure to pay royalty on hydrocarbons including drip condensate, fraud and misstatement of the value of gas and affiliated sales, breach of duty to market hydrocarbons, violation of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Proceeds Payment Act, bad faith breach of contract and unjust enrichment. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages and a declaratory judgment enjoining activities relating to production, payments and future reporting. This matter has been removed to the United States District Court for New Mexico. In August 2012, a second potential class action was filed against us in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico by mineral interest owners in New Mexico and Colorado. Plaintiffs claim breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, breach of implied duty to market both in Colorado and New Mexico, violation of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Proceeds Payment Act and seek declaratory judgment, accounting and injunction. At this time, we believe that our royalty calculations have been properly determined in accordance with the appropriate contractual arrangements and applicable laws. We do not have sufficient information to calculate an estimated range of exposure related to these claims.

Other producers have been pursuing administrative appeals with a federal regulatory agency and have been in discussions with a state agency in New Mexico regarding certain deductions, comprised primarily of processing, treating and transportation costs, used in the calculation of royalties. Although we are not a party to those matters, we are monitoring them to evaluate whether their resolution might have the potential for unfavorable impact on our results of operations. Certain outstanding issues in those matters could be material to us. We received notice from the U.S. Department of Interior Office of Natural Resources Revenue (“ONRR”) in the fourth quarter of 2010, intending to clarify the guidelines for calculating federal royalties on conventional gas production applicable to our federal leases in New Mexico. The ONRR’s guidance provides its view as to how much of a producer’s bundled fees for transportation and processing can be deducted from the royalty payment. We believe using these guidelines would not result in a material difference in determining our historical federal royalty payments for our leases in New Mexico. No similar specific guidance has been issued by ONRR for leases in other states though such guidelines are expected in the future. However, the timing of any such

 

14


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

guidance is uncertain. The issuance of similar guidelines in Colorado and other states could affect our previous royalty payments, and the effect could be material to our results of operations. Interpretive guidelines on the applicability of certain deductions in the calculation of federal royalties are extremely complex and may vary based upon the ONRR’s assessment of the configuration of processing, treating and transportation operations supporting each federal lease. Correspondence in 2009 with the ONRR’s predecessor did not take issue with our calculation regarding the Piceance Basin assumptions, which we believe have been consistent with the requirements. From October 2005 through September 2012, our deductions used in the calculation of the royalty payments in states other than New Mexico associated with conventional gas production total approximately $100 million.

The New Mexico State Land Office Commissioner has filed suit against us in Santa Fe County alleging that we have underpaid royalties due per the oil and gas leases with the State of New Mexico. In August 2011, the parties agreed to stay this matter pending the New Mexico Supreme Court’s resolution of a similar matter involving a different producer. At this time, we do not have a sufficient basis to calculate an estimated range of exposure related to this claim.

Environmental matters

The Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) and various state regulatory agencies routinely promulgate and propose new rules, and issue updated guidance to existing rules. These new rules and rulemakings include, but are not limited to, rules for reciprocating internal combustion engine maximum achievable control technology, new air quality standards for ground level ozone, one hour nitrogen dioxide emission limits, and hydraulic fracturing and water standards. We are unable to estimate the costs of asset additions or modifications necessary to comply with these new regulations due to uncertainty created by the various legal challenges to these regulations and the need for further specific regulatory guidance.

Matters related to Williams’ former power business

In connection with the Separation and Distribution Agreement, Williams is obligated to indemnify and hold us harmless from any losses arising out of liabilities assumed by us, and we are obligated to pay Williams any net proceeds realized from, the pending or threatened litigation described below relating to the 2000-2001 California energy crisis and the reporting of certain natural gas-related information to trade publications.

California energy crisis

Our former power business was engaged in power marketing in various geographic areas, including California. Prices charged for power by us and other traders and generators in California and other western states in 2000 and 2001 were challenged in various proceedings, including those before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”). We have entered into settlements with the State of California (“State Settlement”), major California utilities (“Utilities Settlement”) and others that substantially resolved each of these issues with these parties.

Although the State Settlement and Utilities Settlement resolved a significant portion of the refund issues among the settling parties, we continue to have potential refund exposure to nonsettling parties, including various California end users that did not participate in the Utilities Settlement. We currently have a settlement agreement in principle with certain California utilities aimed at eliminating and substantially reducing this exposure. Once finalized, the settlement agreement will also resolve our collection of accrued interest from counterparties as well as our payment of accrued interest on refund amounts. Thus, as currently contemplated by the parties, the settlement agreement will resolve most, if not all, of our legal issues arising from the 2000-2001 California energy crisis. With respect to these matters, amounts accrued are not material to our financial position.

 

 

15


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Certain other issues also remain open at the FERC and for other nonsettling parties.

Reporting of natural gas-related information to trade publications

Civil suits based on allegations of manipulating published gas price indices have been brought against us and others, seeking unspecified amounts of damages. We are currently a defendant in class action litigation and other litigation originally filed in state court in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Wisconsin brought on behalf of direct and indirect purchasers of natural gas in those states. These cases were transferred to the federal court in Nevada. In 2008, the court granted summary judgment in the Colorado case in favor of us and most of the other defendants based on plaintiffs’ lack of standing. On January 8, 2009, the court denied the plaintiffs’ request for reconsideration of the Colorado dismissal and entered judgment in our favor. When a final order is entered against the one remaining defendant, the Colorado plaintiffs may appeal the order.

In the other cases, on July 18, 2011, the Nevada district court granted our joint motions for summary judgment to preclude the plaintiffs’ state law claims because the federal Natural Gas Act gives the FERC exclusive jurisdiction to resolve those issues. The court also denied the plaintiffs’ class certification motion as moot. The plaintiffs have appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Because of the uncertainty around pending unresolved issues, including an insufficient description of the purported classes and other related matters, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of potential exposures at this time.

Other Indemnifications

Pursuant to various purchase and sale agreements relating to divested businesses and assets, we have indemnified certain purchasers against liabilities that they may incur with respect to the businesses and assets acquired from us. The indemnities provided to the purchasers are customary in sale transactions and are contingent upon the purchasers incurring liabilities that are not otherwise recoverable from third parties. The indemnities generally relate to breach of warranties, tax, historic litigation, personal injury, environmental matters, right of way and other representations that we have provided.

At September 30, 2012, we have not received a claim against any of these indemnities and thus have no basis from which to estimate any reasonably possible loss. Further, we do not expect any of the indemnities provided pursuant to the sales agreements to have a material impact on our future financial position. However, if a claim for indemnity is brought against us in the future, it may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period in which the claim is made.

In connection with the separation from Williams, we have agreed to indemnify and hold Williams harmless from any losses resulting from the operation of our business or arising out of liabilities assumed by us. Similarly, Williams has agreed to indemnify and hold us harmless from any losses resulting from the operation of its business or arising out of liabilities assumed by it.

Summary

As of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had accrued approximately $18 million and $23 million, respectively, for loss contingencies associated with royalty litigation, reporting of natural gas information to trade publications and other contingencies. In certain circumstances, we may be eligible for insurance recoveries, or reimbursement from others. Any such recoveries or reimbursements will be recognized only when realizable.

Management, including internal counsel, currently believes that the ultimate resolution of the foregoing matters, taken as a whole and after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage, recovery from customers or other indemnification arrangements, is not expected to have a materially adverse effect upon our future liquidity or financial position; however, it could be material to our results of operations in any given year.

 

16


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Note 9. Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents, by level within the fair value hierarchy, our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. For the fair value disclosures of financial instruments, see Note 10.

 

     September 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total      Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (Millions)      (Millions)  

Energy derivative assets

   $ 22       $ 143       $ 3       $ 168       $ 55       $ 454       $ 7       $ 516   

Energy derivative liabilities

   $ 14       $ 26       $ 3       $ 43       $ 41       $ 112       $ 6       $ 159   

Energy derivatives include commodity based exchange-traded contracts and over-the-counter (“OTC”) contracts. Exchange-traded contracts include futures, swaps and options. OTC contracts include forwards, swaps, options and swaptions.

Many contracts have bid and ask prices that can be observed in the market. Our policy is to use a mid-market pricing (the mid-point price between bid and ask prices) convention to value individual positions and then adjust on a portfolio level to a point within the bid and ask range that represents our best estimate of fair value. For offsetting positions by location, the mid-market price is used to measure both the long and short positions.

The determination of fair value for our assets and liabilities also incorporates the time value of money and various credit risk factors which can include the credit standing of the counterparties involved, master netting arrangements, the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash collateral posted and letters of credit) and our nonperformance risk on our liabilities. The determination of the fair value of our liabilities does not consider noncash collateral credit enhancements.

Exchange-traded contracts include New York Mercantile Exchange and Intercontinental Exchange contracts and are valued based on quoted prices in these active markets and are classified within Level 1.

Forward, swap and option contracts included in Level 2 are valued using an income approach including present value techniques and option pricing models. Option contracts, which hedge future sales of our production, are structured as costless collars or as swaptions and are financially settled. All of our financial options are valued using an industry standard Black-Scholes option pricing model. In connection with several crude oil swaps entered into, we granted crude oil swaptions to the swap counterparties in exchange for receiving premium hedged prices on the crude oil swaps. These swaptions grant the counterparty the option to enter into future swaps with us. Significant inputs into our Level 2 valuations include commodity prices, implied volatility by location and interest rates, as well as considering executed transactions or broker quotes corroborated by other market data. These broker quotes are based on observable market prices at which transactions could currently be executed. In certain instances where these inputs are not observable for all periods, relationships of observable market data and historical observations are used as a means to estimate fair value. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2.

Our energy derivatives portfolio is largely comprised of exchange-traded products or like products and the tenure of our derivatives portfolio is relatively short with more than 98 percent of the net fair value of our derivatives portfolio expiring in the next 15 months. Due to the nature of the products and tenure, we are consistently able to obtain market pricing. All pricing is reviewed on a daily basis and is formally validated with broker quotes and documented on a monthly basis.

Certain instruments trade with lower availability of pricing information. These instruments are valued with a present value technique using inputs that may not be readily observable or corroborated by other market data. These instruments are classified within Level 3 when these inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value. The instruments included in Level 3 at September 30, 2012, consist primarily of natural gas index transactions that are used to manage our physical requirements.

 

17


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Reclassifications of fair value between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, if applicable, are made at the end of each quarter. No transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 occurred during the periods ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. During the period ended June 30, 2011, certain NGL swaps that originated during the first quarter of 2011 were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2. Prior to March 31, 2011, these swaps were considered Level 3 due to a lack of observable third-party market quotes. Due to an increase in exchange-traded transactions and greater visibility from OTC trading, we transferred these instruments to Level 2.

The following table presents a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of our net energy derivatives and other assets classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Using Significant Unobservable Inputs

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
    Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Beginning balance

   $ —        $ 1      $ 1      $ 1   

Realized and unrealized gains (losses):

        

Included in income (loss) from continuing operations

     —          4        3        12   

Settlements

     —          (4     (4     (9

Transfers out of Level 3

     —          —          —          (3
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ending balance

   $ —        $ 1      $ —        $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Unrealized gains included in income (loss) from continuing operations relating to instruments still held at September 30

   $ (1   $ 1      $ —        $ 1   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in income (loss) from continuing operations for the above periods are reported in revenues in our Consolidated Statement of Operations.

The following table presents impairments associated with certain assets that have been measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

     Total losses for the nine months
ended September 30,
 
     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Impairments:

    

Costs of acquired unproved reserves (see Note 4)

   $ 117 (a)    $ —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Due to significant declines in forward natural gas and natural gas liquids prices during the first half of 2012, we assessed the carrying value of our natural gas costs of acquired unproved reserves for impairments. Most of the impairment charge is related to costs of acquired unproved reserves in the Powder River Basin. Our assessment utilized estimates of future discounted cash flows. Significant judgments and assumptions in these assessments include estimates of probable and possible reserve quantities, estimates of future natural gas prices using a forward NYMEX curve adjusted for locational basis differentials, future natural gas liquids prices, expectation for market participant drilling plans, expected capital costs and an after-tax discount rate of 13 percent and 15 percent for probable and possible reserves, respectively.

 

18


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Note 10. Financial Instruments, Derivatives, Guarantees and Concentration of Credit Risk

We use the following methods and assumptions for financial instruments that require fair value disclosure.

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash: The carrying amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet approximate fair value due to the nature of the instrument and/or the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Other: Includes margin deposits and customer margin deposits payable for which the amounts reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheet approximate fair value given the short-term status of the instruments.

Long-term debt: The fair value of our debt is determined on market rates and the prices of similar securities with similar terms and credit ratings and is categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

Energy derivatives: Energy derivatives include futures, forwards, swaps, options and swaptions. These are carried at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 9 for a discussion of valuation of energy derivatives.

Carrying amounts and fair values of our financial instruments were as follows:

 

     September 30, 2012     December 31, 2011  

Asset (Liability)

   Carrying
Amount
    Fair
Value
    Carrying
Amount
    Fair
Value
 
     (Millions)  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 240      $ 240      $ 526      $ 526   

Restricted cash (current and noncurrent)

     29        29        29        29   

Other

     (2     (2     (7     (7

Long-term debt (a)

     1,508        1,615        1,502        1,523   

Net energy derivatives:

        

Energy commodity cash flow hedges

     88        88        347        347   

Other energy derivatives

     37        37        10        10   

 

(a) Excludes capital leases.

Energy Commodity Derivatives

Risk Management Activities

We are exposed to market risk from changes in energy commodity prices within our operations. We utilize derivatives to manage exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows from forecasted sales of natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil attributable to commodity price risk. Certain of these derivatives utilized for risk management purposes have been designated as cash flow hedges, while other derivatives have not been designated as cash flow hedges or do not qualify for hedge accounting despite hedging our future cash flows on an economic basis. Through December 31, 2011, the majority of our derivatives were designated as cash flow hedges. For derivatives entered into after December 31, 2011, we have elected not to utilize hedge accounting.

We produce, buy and sell natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil at different locations throughout the United States. To reduce exposure to a decrease in revenues from fluctuations in commodity market prices, we enter into futures contracts, swap agreements and financial option contracts to mitigate the price risk on forecasted sales of natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil. We have also entered into basis swap agreements to reduce the locational price risk associated with our natural gas producing basins. Those agreements and contracts designated as cash flow hedges are expected to be highly effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk during the term of the hedge. However, ineffectiveness may be recognized primarily as a result of locational differences between the hedging derivative and the hedged item. Our financial option contracts are purchased options, a combination of options that comprise a net purchased option or a

 

19


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

zero-cost collar or swaptions. Our designation of the hedging relationship and method of assessing effectiveness for these option contracts are generally such that the hedging relationship is considered perfectly effective and no ineffectiveness is recognized in earnings.

The following table sets forth the derivative volumes designated as cash flow hedges of production volumes as of September 30, 2012:

 

Commodity

   Period    Contract Type      Location    Notional Volume
(BBtu/day)
     Weighted Average
Price
($/MMBtu)
 

Natural Gas

   Oct – Dec 2012      Location Swaps       Rockies      135       $ 4.76   

Natural Gas

   Oct – Dec 2012      Location Swaps       San Juan      110       $ 4.94   

Natural Gas

   Oct – Dec 2012      Location Swaps       MidCon      65       $ 4.74   

Natural Gas

   Oct – Dec 2012      Location Swaps       SoCal      33       $ 5.14   

Natural Gas

   Oct – Dec 2012      Location Swaps       Northeast      138       $ 5.62   

Natural Gas

   2013      Location Swaps       Northeast      5       $ 6.48   

 

Commodity

   Period    Contract Type    Location    Notional Volume
(Bbls/day)
     Weighted Average
Price
($/Bbl)
 

Crude Oil

   Oct – Dec 2012    Business Day Avg Swaps    WTI      8,500       $ 98.20   

The following table sets forth the derivative volumes not designated as cash flow hedges but are economic hedges of production volumes as of September 30, 2012:

 

Commodity

   Period    Contract Type    Location    Notional Volume
(BBtu/day)
     Weighted Average
Price
($/MMBtu)
 

Natural Gas

   Oct – Dec 2012    Location Swaps    MidCon      23       $ 4.80   

 

Commodity

   Period    Contract Type    Location      Notional Volume
(Bbls/day)
     Weighted Average
Price
($/Bbl)
 

Crude Oil

   Oct – Dec 2012    Costless Collar      WTI         2,000       $ 85.00 - $106.30   

Crude Oil

   2013    Business Day Avg Swaps      WTI         9,000       $ 100.52   

Crude Oil

   2013    Swaption      WTI         2,250       $ 108.10   

 

Commodity

   Period    Contract Type    Location    Notional Volume
(Bbls/day)
     Weighted Average
Price
($Bbl)
 

Natural Gas Liquids

   Oct – Dec 2012    Swaps    Mont Belvieu      4,000       $ 50.74   

We also enter into forward contracts to buy and sell natural gas to maximize the economic value of transportation agreements and storage capacity agreements. To reduce exposure to a decrease in margins from fluctuations in natural gas market prices, we may enter into futures contracts, swap agreements and financial option contracts to mitigate the price risk associated with these contracts. Derivatives for transportation and storage contracts have not been designated as hedging instruments, despite economically hedging the expected cash flows generated by those agreements.

We also enter into energy commodity derivatives for other than risk management purposes, including managing certain remaining legacy natural gas contracts and positions from our former power business and providing services to third parties. These legacy natural gas contracts include substantially offsetting positions and have had an insignificant net impact on earnings.

 

20


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The following table depicts the notional amounts of the net long (short) positions which do not represent hedges of our production in our commodity derivatives portfolio as of September 30, 2012. Natural gas is presented in millions of British Thermal Units (“MMBtu”). All of the Central hub risk realizes by March 31, 2013 and 100% of the basis risk realizes by October 2015. The net index position includes contracts for the future sale of physical natural gas related to our production. These contracts result in minimal commodity price risk exposure and have a value of less than $1 million at September 30, 2012.

 

Derivative Notional Volumes

   Unit of
Measure
     Central Hub
Risk (a)
    Basis
Risk (b)
    Index
Risk (c)
 

Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

         

Risk Management

     MMBtu         (12,592,995     (11,742,995     (65,778,916

Other

     MMBtu           3,702,500     

 

(a) Includes physical and financial derivative transactions that settle against the Henry Hub price.
(b) Includes physical and financial derivative transactions priced off the difference in value between the Central Hub and another specific delivery point.
(c) Includes physical derivative transactions at an unknown future price.

Fair values and gains (losses)

The following table presents the fair value of energy commodity derivatives. Our derivatives are presented as separate line items in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as current and noncurrent derivative assets and liabilities. Derivatives are classified as current or noncurrent based on the contractual timing of expected future net cash flows of individual contracts. The expected future net cash flows for derivatives classified as current are expected to occur within the next 12 months. The fair value amounts are presented on a gross basis and do not reflect the netting of asset and liability positions permitted under the terms of our master netting arrangements. Further, the amounts below do not include cash held on deposit in margin accounts that we have received or remitted to collateralize certain derivative positions.

 

     September 30, 2012      December 31, 2011  
     Assets      Liabilities      Assets      Liabilities  
     (Millions)  

Designated as hedging instruments

   $ 90       $ 2       $ 360       $ 13   

Not designated as hedging instruments:

           

Economic hedges of production

     32         1         3         7   

Legacy natural gas contracts from former power business

     23         23         93         92   

All other

     23         17         60         47   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

     78         41         156         146   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total derivatives

   $ 168       $ 43       $ 516       $ 159   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

21


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The following table presents pre-tax gains and losses for our energy commodity derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, as recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) or revenues.

 

     Three  months
ended
September 30,
     Nine months
ended
September  30,
      
     2012     2011      2012      2011      Classification
     (Millions)      (Millions)       

Net gain recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) (effective portion)

   $ (19   $ 212       $ 88       $ 270       AOCI

Net gain reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income into income (effective portion) (a)

   $ 110      $ 77       $ 348       $ 219       Revenues

 

(a) Gains reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) primarily represent realized gains associated with our production reflected in natural gas sales and oil and condensate sales.

There were no gains or losses recognized in income as a result of excluding amounts from the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

The following table presents pre-tax gains and losses recognized in revenues for our energy commodity derivatives not designated as hedging instruments.

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
     Nine months
ended
September  30,
 
     2012     2011      2012      2011  
     (Millions)      (Millions)  

Unrealized gain (loss)

   $ (31   $ 5       $ 28       $ (10

Realized gain (loss)

     9        7         35         30   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net gain

   $ (22   $ 12       $ 63       $ 20   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The cash flow impact of our derivative activities is presented in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows as changes in current and noncurrent derivative assets and liabilities.

Credit-risk-related features

Certain of our derivative contracts contain credit-risk-related provisions that would require us, under certain events, to post additional collateral in support of our net derivative liability positions. These credit-risk-related provisions require us to post collateral in the form of cash or letters of credit when our net liability positions exceed an established credit threshold. The credit thresholds are typically based on our senior unsecured debt ratings from Standard and Poor’s and/or Moody’s Investment Services. Under these contracts, a credit ratings decline would lower our credit thresholds, thus requiring us to post additional collateral. We also have contracts that contain adequate assurance provisions giving the counterparty the right to request collateral in an amount that corresponds to the outstanding net liability.

As of September 30, 2012, we had a net derivative liability position with certain counterparties of $10 million, which includes a liability credit reserve for our own nonperformance risk of less than $1 million. The collateral that we would have been required to post, assuming our credit thresholds were eliminated and a call for adequate assurance under the credit risk provisions in our derivative contracts were triggered, was $9 million.

 

22


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

Cash flow hedges

Changes in the fair value of our cash flow hedges, to the extent effective, are deferred in AOCI and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedged forecasted purchases or sales affect earnings, or when it is probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period. During the first quarter of 2012, approximately $15 million of unrealized gains were recognized into earnings in 2012 for hedge transactions where the underlying transactions were no longer probable of occurring due to the sale of our Barnett Shale properties. The $15 million gain is included in net gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedges on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as are second quarter 2012 changes in forward mark to market value. As of September 30, 2012, we have hedged portions of future cash flows associated with anticipated energy commodity purchases and sales for up to six months. Based on recorded values at September 30, 2012, $56 million of net gains (net of income tax provision of $32 million) will be reclassified into earnings within the next nine months. These recorded values are based on market prices of the commodities as of September 30, 2012. Due to the volatile nature of commodity prices and changes in the creditworthiness of counterparties, actual gains or losses realized within the next year will likely differ from these values. These gains or losses are expected to substantially offset net losses or gains that will be realized in earnings from previous unfavorable or favorable market movements associated with underlying hedged transactions.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Derivative assets and liabilities

We have a risk of loss from counterparties not performing pursuant to the terms of their contractual obligations. Counterparty performance can be influenced by changes in the economy and regulatory issues, among other factors. Risk of loss is impacted by several factors, including credit considerations and the regulatory environment in which a counterparty transacts. We attempt to minimize credit-risk exposure to derivative counterparties and brokers through formal credit policies, consideration of credit ratings from public ratings agencies, monitoring procedures, master netting agreements and collateral support under certain circumstances. Collateral support could include letters of credit, payment under margin agreements, and guarantees of payment by credit worthy parties.

We also enter into master netting agreements to mitigate counterparty performance and credit risk. During 2012 and 2011 we did not incur any significant losses due to counterparty bankruptcy filings.

The gross credit exposure from our derivative contracts as of September 30, 2012, is summarized as follows.

 

Counterparty Type

   Investment
Grade  (a)
     Total  
     (Millions)  

Gas and electric utilities and integrated oil and gas companies

   $ —         $ 1   

Energy marketers and traders

     66         76   

Financial institutions

     91         91   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 157         168   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit reserves

        —     
     

 

 

 

Gross credit exposure from derivatives

      $ 168   
     

 

 

 

 

(a) We determine investment grade primarily using publicly available credit ratings. We include counterparties with a minimum Standard & Poor’s rating of BBB- or Moody’s Investors Service rating of Baa3 in investment grade.

 

23


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

We assess our credit exposure on a net basis to reflect master netting agreements in place with certain counterparties. We offset our credit exposure to each counterparty with amounts we owe the counterparty under derivative contracts.

The net credit exposure from our derivatives as of September 30, 2012, excluding collateral support discussed below, is summarized as follows.

 

Counterparty Type

   Investment
Grade  (a)
     Total  
     (Millions)  

Gas and electric utilities

   $ —         $ —     

Energy marketers and traders

     63         64   

Financial institutions

     71         71   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 134         135   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Credit reserves

        —     
     

 

 

 

Net credit exposure from derivatives

      $ 135   
     

 

 

 

 

(a) We determine investment grade primarily using publicly available credit ratings. We include counterparties with a minimum Standard & Poor’s rating of BBB- or Moody’s Investors Service rating of Baa3 in investment grade.

Our twelve largest net counterparty positions represent approximately 99 percent of our net credit exposure from derivatives and are all with investment grade counterparties. Under our marginless hedging agreements with key banks, we nor the participating financial institutions are required to provide collateral support related to hedging activities.

At September 30, 2012, we held collateral support of $9 million, either in the form of cash or letters of credit, related to our other derivative positions.

Note 11. Segment Disclosures

Our reporting segments are domestic and international (See Note 1).

Our segment presentation is reflective of the parent-level focus by our chief operating decision-maker, considering the resource allocation and governance provisions. Domestic and international maintain separate capital and cash management structures. These factors, coupled with differences in the business environment associated with operating in different countries, serve to differentiate the management of this entity as a whole.

Performance Measurement

We evaluate performance based upon segment revenues and segment operating income (loss). There are no intersegment sales between domestic and international.

 

24


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

The following tables reflect the reconciliation of segment revenues and segment operating income (loss) to revenues and operating income (loss) as reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

     Domestic     International      Total  
           (Millions)         

Three months ended September 30, 2012

       

Total revenues

   $ 642      $ 35       $ 677   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

       

Lease and facility operating

   $ 60      $ 8       $ 68   

Gathering, processing and transportation

     124        —           124   

Taxes other than income

     17        6         23   

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     200        —           200   

Exploration

     19        3         22   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     236        7         243   

General and administrative

     64        3         67   

Other—net

     4        1         5   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   $ 724      $ 28       $ 752   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (82   $ 7       $ (75

Interest expense

     (25     —           (25

Interest capitalized

     2        —           2   

Investment income and other

     1        6         7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ (104   $ 13       $ (91
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2011

       

Total revenues

   $ 967      $ 28       $ 995   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

       

Lease and facility operating

   $ 63      $ 7       $ 70   

Gathering, processing and transportation

     130        —           130   

Taxes other than income

     26        6         32   

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     359        —           359   

Exploration

     74        —           74   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     233        6         239   

General and administrative

     67        3         70   

Other—net

     (2     1         (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   $ 950      $ 23       $ 973   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 17      $ 5       $ 22   

Investment income and other

     2        5         7   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 19      $ 10       $ 29   
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

25


Table of Contents

WPX Energy, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements—(Continued)

 

     Domestic     International     Total  
           (Millions)        

Nine months ended September 30, 2012

      
                    

Total revenues

   $ 2,262      $ 100      $ 2,362   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

      

Lease and facility operating

   $ 181      $ 21      $ 202   

Gathering, processing and transportation

     379        —          379   

Taxes other than income

     60        18        78   

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     749        —          749   

Exploration

     49        11        60   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     700        19        719   

Impairment of costs of acquired unproved reserves

     117        —          117   

General and administrative

     197        9        206   

Other—net

     9        (1     8   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   $ 2,441      $ 77      $ 2,518   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ (179   $ 23      $ (156

Interest expense

     (77     —          (77

Interest capitalized

     7        —          7   

Investment income and other

     3        22        25   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ (246   $ 45      $ (201
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2011

      

Total revenues

   $ 2,834      $ 78      $ 2,912   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

      

Lease and facility operating

   $ 176      $ 18      $ 194   

Gathering, processing and transportation

     363        —          363   

Taxes other than income

     90        15        105   

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     1,120        —          1,120   

Exploration

     98        2        100   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     654        16        670   

General and administrative

     192        8        200   

Other—net

     2        2        4   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

   $ 2,695      $ 61      $ 2,756   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income (loss)

   $ 139      $ 17      $ 156   

Interest expense

     (97     —          (97

Interest capitalized

     8        —          8   

Investment income and other

     5        14        19   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 55      $ 31      $ 86   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

      

Total assets as of September 30, 2012

   $ 9,247      $ 336      $ 9,583   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets as of December 31, 2011

   $ 10,144      $ 288      $ 10,432   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

26


Table of Contents
Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the selected historical consolidated financial data and the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Part I, Item 1 in this Form 10-Q. The matters discussed below may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements.”

Overview

The following table presents our production volumes and financial highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011:

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
     Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011      2012     2011  

Production Sales Data: (a)

         

Domestic natural gas (MMcf)

     97,310        102,615         300,819        290,295   

Domestic NGLs (MBbls)

     2,613        2,567         8,138        7,519   

Domestic oil (MBbls)

     1,076        736         3,147        1,834   

Domestic combined equivalent volumes (MMcfe) (b)

     119,443        122,430         368,528        346,416   

Domestic per day combined equivalent volumes (MMcfe/d)

     1,298        1,331         1,345        1,269   

Domestic combined equivalent volumes (MBoe)

     19,907        20,405         61,421        57,736   

International combined equivalent volumes (MMcfe) (b)(c)

     5,569        5,231         15,983        15,437   

Financial Data (millions):

         

Total domestic revenues

   $ 642      $ 967       $ 2,262      $ 2,834   

Total international revenues

   $ 35      $ 28       $ 100      $ 78   

Consolidated operating income (loss)

   $ (75   $ 22       $ (156   $ 156   

Consolidated capital expenditures

   $ 337      $ 405       $ 1,165      $ 1,088   

 

(a) Excludes production from our Arkoma Basin and Barnett Shale operations which are classified as discontinued operations and comprise less than 6 percent of our total production.
(b) Oil and NGLs were converted to MMcfe using the ratio of one barrel of oil, condensate or NGL to six thousand cubic feet of natural gas.
(c) Includes approximately 69 percent of Apco’s production (which corresponds to our ownership interest in Apco) and other minor directly held interests.

Our 2012 results continue to be impacted by lower realized natural gas prices coupled with lower natural gas liquids prices relative to the first nine months of 2011. Also, as a result of declines in forward natural gas prices during the first half of 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011, we recorded total impairments of costs of acquired unproved reserves primarily in the Powder River Basin of $117 million in total during the first half of 2012. Forward prices during the third quarter increased from June 30, 2012. Declines in the forward commodity prices during the fourth quarter that are greater than the increases noted during the third quarter could result in additional impairments of the costs of acquired unproved reserves. Additional future factors could also trigger impairments of our costs of acquired unproved reserves and include changes to estimates of reserve quantities, drilling plans, and expected capital and operating costs. Partially offsetting the impact of these declining natural gas and natural gas liquids prices and impairments, is the increase in our overall production volumes.

 

27


Table of Contents

As noted in our Form 10-K with regards to potential impairment of our producing assets, we estimated that approximately eight percent could be at risk for impairment if forward prices across all future periods declined by approximately 12 percent to 15 percent, on average, as compared to the forward prices at December 31, 2011. A substantial portion of the remaining carrying value of these other assets could be at risk for impairment if forward prices across all future periods decline by at least 24 percent, on average, as compared to the prices at December 31, 2011. Through June 30, 2012, forward natural gas prices had declined from December 31, 2011 and averaged a decline of 13 percent over all periods with a decline greater than 15 percent in 2012. Additionally, we observed declines in the forward prices as of June 30, 2012 for natural gas liquids and crude oil as compared to December 31, 2011. Because of the decline in the forward prices, we performed a review in the second quarter of a portion of our producing properties which we noted to be at risk if prices were to drop by 12 to 15 percent, on average, as compared to forward prices at December 31, 2011. While the review of the properties did not result in an impairment charge of our producing properties, we estimated that a marginal decline in the forward prices as of June 30, 2012 could result in impairment charges on approximately one percent of our producing assets and a price decline of six percent could result in impairment charges on approximately four percent of our producing properties. If forward prices, including crude oil, were to decline an additional 12 to 17 percent on average across all periods, approximately 89 percent of our producing assets would need to be assessed for impairment. Forward prices as of September 30, 2012 had increased as compared to June 30, 2012 by 10 percent on average across all periods. Our total net book value of our producing assets is approximately $6.8 billion as of September 30, 2012. Additional factors could also trigger impairments of our producing properties and include changes to estimates of proved reserves quantities, drilling plans, and expected capital and operating costs.

Outlook

For the remainder of 2012, we anticipate continued weakness in NGL realizations but an improving natural gas price. A significant portion of our natural gas and oil volumes in 2012 are hedged at attractive prices and we are well positioned to continue to execute on our business strategy of finding and developing reserves and producing natural gas, NGLs and oil at costs that generate an attractive return on our consolidated incremental development investments. We will continue to develop a more balanced reserve and production portfolio that includes a larger portion of oil and NGLs.

We believe that our portfolio of reserves provides us an opportunity to continue to grow our oil production, primarily in the Williston Basin. At current natural gas and NGL prices, we will continue to focus our drilling efforts first on the Piceance Basin and its higher concentration of NGLs and then the Marcellus Shale. The Piceance Basin remains an area with attractive incremental returns with our large-scale position and ability to extract liquids. In the Marcellus Shale we will focus our efforts on developing and drilling primarily in the Susquehanna County of Pennsylvania, our highest returning area in Appalachia with a strategic drilling plan focused on managing leasehold expirations. We will also focus on evaluating and acquiring new undeveloped acreage in areas we believe may have significant resource potential. We anticipate our capital spending in 2012 will be approximately $1.45 to $1.5 billion.

We continue to operate with a focus on increasing shareholder value and investing in our businesses in a way that enhances our competitive position by:

 

   

Continuing to invest in and grow our production and reserves;

 

   

Continuing to diversify our commodity portfolio through the development of our Bakken Shale oil play position in the Williston Basin and liquids-rich basins (primarily Piceance Basin) with high concentrations of NGLs;

 

   

Retaining the flexibility to make adjustments to our planned levels of capital and investment expenditures in response to changes in economic conditions or business opportunities; and

 

   

Continuing to maintain an active economic hedging program around our commodity price risks.

 

28


Table of Contents

Potential risks or obstacles that could impact the execution of our plan include:

 

   

Lower than anticipated energy commodity prices;

 

   

Higher capital costs of developing our properties;

 

   

Lower than expected levels of cash flow from operations;

 

   

Unavailability of capital;

 

   

Counterparty credit and performance risk;

 

   

Decreased drilling success;

 

   

General economic, financial markets or industry downturn;

 

   

Changes in the political and regulatory environments; and

 

   

Increase in the cost of, or shortages or delays in the availability of, drilling rigs and equipment supplies, skilled labor or transportation.

We anticipate some recovery on natural gas prices in 2013. Should this expected recovery not occur, we would need to either significantly reduce our capital spending or utilize our credit facility, or a combination of both. In addition, we expect an improvement in our NGL margins of approximately $25-$30 million due to contract provisions associated with gathering and processing agreements in the Piceance Basin that are effective January 1, 2013.

We continue to address certain of these risks through utilization of commodity hedging strategies, disciplined investment strategies and maintaining adequate liquidity. In addition, we utilize master netting agreements and collateral requirements with our counterparties to reduce credit risk and liquidity requirements.

Through December 2011, we elected to designate the majority of our applicable derivative instruments as cash flow hedges. In 2012, we began entering into commodity derivative contracts that continue to serve as economic hedges but are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes as we have elected not to utilize hedge accounting on new derivatives instruments. Changes in the fair value of non-hedge derivative instruments, hereafter referred to as economic hedges, are recognized as gains or losses in the earnings of the periods in which they occur, accordingly we believe this will result in future earnings that are more volatile. Hedge derivatives recorded at September 30, 2012 that are included in accumulated other comprehensive income have been and will continue to be transferred to earnings during the same periods in which the forecasted hedged transactions are recognized.

Commodity Price Risk Management

To manage the commodity price risk and volatility of owning producing gas and oil properties, we enter into derivative contracts for a portion of our future production. A portion of these contracts would be designated as cash flow hedges, while other contracts entered into after January 1, 2012 have not been designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. For the remainder of 2012, we have the following contracts as of September 30, 2012 shown at weighted average volumes and basin-level weighted average prices:

 

     Oct – Dec 2012 Natural Gas  
     Volume
(BBtu/d)
     Weighted Average
Price ($/MMBtu)
 

Location swaps—Rockies

     135       $ 4.76   

Location swaps—San Juan

     110       $ 4.94   

Location swaps—Mid-Continent

     88       $ 4.76   

Location swaps—Southern California

     33       $ 5.14   

Location swaps—Northeast

     138       $ 5.62   

 

29


Table of Contents
     Oct – Dec 2012 Crude Oil  
     Volume
(Bbls/d)
     Weighted Average
Price ($/Bbl)
Floor-Ceiling
for Collars
 

WTI crude oil fixed-price

     8,500         $98.20   

WTI crude oil costless collar

     2,000       $ 85.00 – $106.30   

 

     Oct – Dec 2012 Natural Gas Liquids  
     Volume
(Bbls/d)
     Weighted Average
Price ($/Bbl)
 

Natural Gas Liquid Swaps

     4,000       $ 50.74   

Additionally, we utilize contracted pipeline capacity to move our production from the Rockies to other locations when pricing differentials are favorable to Rockies pricing. We also hold a long-term obligation to deliver on a firm basis 200,000 MMbtu/d of natural gas at monthly index pricing to a buyer at the White River Hub (Greasewood-Meeker, CO), which is a major market hub exiting the Piceance Basin. Our interests in the Piceance Basin hold sufficient reserves to meet this obligation, which expires in 2014.

Results of Operations

Operations of our company are located in the United States and South America and are organized into domestic and international reportable segments.

Domestic includes natural gas, natural gas liquids and oil development and production and gas management activities located in Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota (Bakken Shale), Pennsylvania (Marcellus Shale) and Wyoming in the United States. Our development and production techniques specialize in production from tight-sands and shale formations as well as coal bed methane reserves in the Piceance, San Juan, Powder River, Green River, Williston (Bakken Shale) and Appalachian (Marcellus Shale) Basins. Associated with our commodity production are sales and marketing activities that include the management of various commodity contracts such as transportation, storage and related hedges coupled with the sale of our commodity volumes.

International primarily consists of our ownership in Apco, an oil and gas exploration and production company with concessions in Argentina and Colombia.

Three Month-Over-Three Month Results of Operations

Revenue Analysis

 

     Three  months
ended
September 30,
     $ Change     Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2012     2011       
     (Millions)               

Domestic revenues:

         

Natural gas sales

   $ 327      $ 436       $ (109     (25 )% 

Natural gas liquid sales

     65        109         (44     (40 )% 

Oil and condensate sales

     87        62         25        40
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total product revenues

     479        607         (128     (21 )% 

Gas management

     186        347         (161     (46 )% 

Net gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges

     (22     12         (34     NM   

Other

     (1     1         (2     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total domestic revenues

   $ 642      $ 967       $ (325     (34 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total international revenues

   $ 35      $ 28       $ 7        25
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total revenues

   $ 677      $ 995       $ (318     (32 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

NM: A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

 

 

30


Table of Contents

Domestic Revenues

Significant variances in comparative revenues reflect:

 

   

$109 million decrease in natural gas sales reflects a per Mcf price (including the impact of hedges) of $3.35 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $4.25 for the three months ended September 30, 2011 on production sales volumes of 97,310 MMcf and 102,615 MMcf for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Without hedges, our natural gas price per Mcf was $2.26 compared to $3.54 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$44 million decrease in natural gas liquids sales reflects a per barrel price of $24.43 compared to $42.54 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Production sales volumes were 2,613 Mbbls and 2,567 Mbbls for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$25 million increase in oil and condensate sales reflects increased production sales volumes of 1,076 Mbbls compared to 736 Mbbls despite lower price per barrel of $82.31 (including the impact of hedges) compared to $84.75 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$161 million decrease in gas management revenues primarily due to a 27 percent lower natural gas sales volumes as well as a 27 percent decrease in average prices on physical natural gas sales. We experienced a similar decrease of $159 million in related gas management costs and expenses.

 

   

$34 million change in net gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges primarily relates to unrealized mark-to-market losses on crude oil derivatives not designated as hedges.

International Revenues

International revenues increased primarily due to increased oil sales due to higher average oil sales prices in Argentina and new oil production in Colombia for the three months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

 

31


Table of Contents

Cost and operating expense and operating income (loss) analysis:

 

     Three months
ended
September 30,
     $ Change     Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2012     2011       
     (Millions)               

Domestic costs and expenses:

         

Lease and facility operating

   $ 60      $ 63       $ (3     (5 )% 

Gathering, processing and transportation

     124        130         (6     (5 )% 

Taxes other than income

     17        26         (9     (35 )% 

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     200        359         (159     (44 )% 

Exploration

     19        74         (55     (74 )% 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     236        233         3        1

General and administrative

     64        67         (3     (4 )% 

Other—net

     4        (2      6        NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total domestic costs and expenses

   $ 724      $ 950       $ (226     (24 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

International costs and expenses:

         

Lease and facility operating

   $ 8      $ 7       $ 1        14

Taxes other than income

     6        6         —          —  

Exploration

     3        —           3        NM   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     7        6         1        17

General and administrative

     3        3         —          —  

Other—net

     1        1        —          —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total international costs and expenses

   $ 28      $ 23       $ 5        22
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total costs and expenses

   $ 752      $ 973       $ (221     (23 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Domestic operating income (loss)

   $ (82   $ 17       $ (99     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

International operating income

   $ 7      $ 5       $ 2        40
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

NM: A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

Domestic Costs

Significant variances in comparative costs and expenses reflect:

 

   

Lease and facility operating expense averaged $0.51 per Mcfe for both of the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

Gathering, processing and transportation charges averaged $1.04 per Mcfe compared to $1.06 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

 

   

$9 million decrease in taxes other than income for the three months ended September 30, 2012 primarily reflecting the impact of decreased total product revenues (excluding hedges) resulting from lower commodity prices in 2012 compared to 2011. Taxes other than income averaged $0.14 per Mcfe for the third quarter 2012 compared to $0.22 per Mcfe for the same period in 2011.

 

   

$159 million decrease in gas management expenses, primarily due to a 27 percent decrease in natural gas sales volumes as well as a 27 percent decrease in average prices on physical natural gas cost of sales. Also included in gas management expenses are $12 million and $10 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for unutilized pipeline capacity.

 

32


Table of Contents
   

$55 million decrease in exploration expenses primarily reflects lower unproved leasehold impairment, amortization and expiration expenses which includes a $50 million write-off impairment in 2011 of acreage in Columbia County, Pennsylvania that we no longer planned to develop. Additionally in 2011 we incurred approximately $11 million of dry hole expenses in connection with a Marcellus Shale well in Columbia County. Those decreases were partially offset by increased geologic and geophysical costs.

 

   

During the three months ended September 30, 2012, our depreciation, depletion and amortization averaged $1.98 per Mcfe compared to an average $1.90 per Mcfe for the same period in 2011. During third quarter 2012, we adjusted our estimated proved reserves used for the calculation of depletion and amortization to reflect the impact of the decrease in the 12 month average price as of September 30, 2012. This resulted in $4 million of additional depreciation, depletion and amortization expense for third quarter 2012.

 

   

General and administrative expense averaged $0.53 per Mcfe compared to $0.55 per Mcfe for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

International costs

International costs increased primarily due to increased exploration expenses related to dry hole expenses as well as 3-D seismic acquisition costs.

Consolidated results below operating income (loss)

 

     Three  months
ended
September 30,
    $ Change     Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2012     2011      
     (Millions)              

Consolidated operating income (loss)

   $ (75   $ 22      $ (97     NM   

Interest expense

     (25     —          (25     NM   

Interest capitalized

     2        —          2        NM   

Investment income and other

     7        7        —          —  
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (91     29        (120     NM   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (28     10        (38     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (63     19        (82     NM   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     2        (3     5        NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income (loss)

     (61     16        (77     NM   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     3        2        1        50
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income (loss) attributable to WPX Energy

   $ (64   $ 14      $ (78     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

NM: A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

Interest expense in 2012 reflects interest accrued on our senior notes issued in November 2011. Through June 30, 2011 we had interest associated with our unsecured notes payable with Williams. The outstanding amounts were cancelled by Williams and contributed to capital on June 30, 2011. As a result, no interest expense was recorded from July 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012.

Our investment income results primarily from equity earnings associated with our international and domestic equity investments.

 

33


Table of Contents

Provision (benefit) for income taxes changed favorably due to the pre-tax loss in 2012 compared to the pre-tax income in 2011. See Note 7 for a discussion of the effective tax rates compared to the federal statutory rate for both periods.

Nine Month-Over-Nine Month Results of Operations

Revenue Analysis

 

     Nine months
ended
September 30,
     $ Change     Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2012      2011       
     (Millions)               

Domestic revenues:

          

Natural gas sales

   $ 987       $ 1,259       $ (272     (22 )% 

Natural gas liquid sales

     234         299         (65     (22 )% 

Oil and condensate sales

     262         159         103        65
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total product revenues

     1,483         1,717         (234     (14 )% 

Gas management

     710         1,092         (382     (35 )% 

Net gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges

     63         20         43        NM   

Other

     6         5         1        20
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total domestic revenues

   $ 2,262       $ 2,834       $ (572     (20 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total international revenues

   $ 100       $ 78       $ 22        28
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

Total revenues

   $ 2,362       $ 2,912       $ (550     (19 )% 
  

 

 

    

 

 

      

 

NM: A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

Domestic Revenues

Significant variances in comparative revenues reflect:

 

   

$272 million decrease in natural gas sales reflects a per Mcf price (including the impact of hedges) of $3.28 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to $4.34 for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 on production sales volumes of 300,819 MMcf and 290,295 MMcf for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Without hedges, our natural gas price per Mcf was $2.13 compared to $3.59 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$65 million decrease in natural gas liquids sales reflects a per barrel price of $28.68 compared to $39.84 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The decrease in sales due to lower prices was partially offset by increased production sales volumes of 8,138 Mbbls and 7,519 Mbbls for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$103 million increase in oil and condensate sales reflects increased production sales volumes of 3,147 Mbbls compared to 1,834 Mbbls despite lower price per barrel of $83.54 (including the impact of hedges) compared to $86.32 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$382 million decrease in gas management revenues primarily due to a 35 percent decrease in average prices on physical natural gas sales. We experienced a similar decrease of $371 million in related gas management costs and expenses.

 

   

$43 million increase in net gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedges. Items in 2012 included $15 million of gains that were recognized into earnings in 2012 for hedge transactions where the underlying transactions were no longer probable of occurring due to the sale of our Barnett properties and

 

34


Table of Contents
 

$31 million of unrealized mark to market gains on crude oil and natural gas liquids derivatives not designated as hedges.

International Revenues

International revenues increased primarily due to increased oil sales due to higher average oil sales prices in Argentina and new oil production in Colombia for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011.

Cost and operating expense and operating income (loss) analysis:

 

     Nine months
ended
September  30,
     $ Change     Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2012     2011       
     (Millions)               

Domestic costs and expenses:

         

Lease and facility operating

   $ 181      $ 176       $ 5        3

Gathering, processing and transportation

     379        363         16        4

Taxes other than income

     60        90         (30     (33 )% 

Gas management, including charges for unutilized pipeline capacity

     749        1,120         (371     (33 )% 

Exploration

     49        98         (49     (50 )% 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     700        654         46        7

Impairment of costs of acquired unproved reserves

     117        —           117        NM   

General and administrative

     197        192         5        3

Other—net

     9        2         7        NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total domestic costs and expenses

   $ 2,441      $ 2,695       $ (254     (9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

International costs and expenses:

         

Lease and facility operating

   $ 21      $ 18       $ 3        17

Taxes other than income

     18        15         3        20

Exploration

     11        2         9        NM   

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     19        16         3        19

General and administrative

     9        8         1        13

Other—net

     (1     2         (3     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total international costs and expenses

   $ 77      $ 61       $ 16        26
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Total costs and expenses

   $ 2,518      $ 2,756       $ (238     (9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

Domestic operating income (loss)

   $ (179   $ 139       $ (318     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

International operating income

   $ 23      $ 17       $ 6        35
  

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

NM: A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

Domestic Costs

Significant variances in comparative costs and expenses reflect:

 

   

Lease and facility operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 averaged $0.49 per Mcfe compared to $0.50 per Mcfe for the same period in 2011.

 

 

35


Table of Contents
   

$16 million increase in gathering, processing and transportation expenses primarily as a result of an increase in natural gas liquids volumes. This increase also includes a $9 million adjustment related to royalty calculations for prior periods. Excluding this adjustment our gathering, processing and transportation charges averaged $1.00 per Mcfe compared to an average of $1.05 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

 

   

$30 million decrease in taxes other than income for 2012 primarily reflecting the impact of decreased total product revenues (excluding hedges) resulting from lower commodity prices in 2012 compared to 2011. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 our taxes other than income averaged $0.16 per Mcfe compared to an average $0.26 per Mcfe for the same period in 2011.

 

   

$371 million decrease in gas management expenses, primarily due to a 35 percent decrease in average prices on physical natural gas cost of sales. Also included in gas management expenses are $35 million and $28 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, for unutilized pipeline capacity. Gas management expenses for the period ended September 30, 2012 also includes $11 million related to lower of cost or market charges to the carrying value of natural gas inventories in storage.

 

   

$49 million decrease in exploration expenses primarily reflects lower unproved leasehold impairment, amortization and expiration expenses which includes a $50 million write-off impairment in 2011 of acreage in Columbia County, Pennsylvania that we no longer planned to develop. Additionally in 2011 we incurred approximately $11 million of dry hole expenses in connection with a Marcellus Shale well in Columbia County. Those decreases were partially offset by increased geologic and geophysical costs.

 

   

$46 million higher depreciation, depletion and amortization expenses reflect higher production volumes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012 our depreciation, depletion and amortization averaged $1.90 per Mcfe compared to an average $1.89 per Mcfe for the same period in 2011. During second and third quarter 2012, we adjusted our estimated proved reserves used for the calculation of depletion and amortization to reflect the impact of the decrease in the 12 month average price as of June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012. This resulted in $12 million of additional depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in 2012.

 

   

$117 million of property impairments of cost of acquired unproved reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as previously discussed.

 

   

$5 million increase in general and administrative expense primarily relates to increased expenses related to the transition costs after the spin-off for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011. General and administrative expense averaged $0.53 per Mcfe compared to $0.55 per Mcfe for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

International costs

International costs increased primarily due to higher exploration expenses related to 3-D seismic acquisition costs and dry hole expenses. Costs also increased due to higher depreciation, depletion and amortization and higher production and lifting costs.

 

36


Table of Contents

Consolidated results below operating income (loss)

 

     Nine months
ended
September 30,
    $ Change     Percentage
Increase
(Decrease)
 
     2012     2011      
     (Millions)              

Consolidated operating income (loss)

   $ (156   $ 156      $ (312     NM   

Interest expense

     (77     (97     20        (21 )% 

Interest capitalized

     7        8        (1     (13 )% 

Investment income and other

     25        19        6        32
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

     (201     86        (287     NM   

Provision (benefit) for income taxes

     (71     30        (101     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (130     56        (186     NM   

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     23        (13     36        NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income (loss)

     (107     43        (150     NM   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     10        7        3        43
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

Net income (loss) attributable to WPX Energy

   $ (117   $ 36      $ (153     NM   
  

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

NM: A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to change in signs, a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

Interest expense in 2012 reflects interest accrued on our senior notes issued in November 2011. Through June 30, 2011, we had interest associated with our unsecured notes payable with Williams; however, the outstanding amounts were cancelled by Williams and contributed to capital on June 30, 2011. As a result, no interest expense was recorded from July 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012.

Our investment income results primarily from equity earnings associated with our international and domestic equity investments.

Provision (benefit) for income taxes changed favorably due to the pre-tax loss in 2012 compared to the pre-tax income in 2011. See Note 7 for a discussion of the effective tax rates compared to the federal statutory rate for both periods.

Income from discontinued operations in 2012 includes a $39 million before tax gain on the sale of our Barnett Shale and Arkoma Basin properties. See Note 2 for further discussion.

 

37


Table of Contents

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Liquidity

Outlook

We expect our capital structure will provide us financial flexibility to meet our requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and tax and debt payments while maintaining a sufficient level of liquidity. Despite lower realized commodity prices, we have demonstrated the financial flexibility to maintain an adequate cash balance and access to our $1.5 billion credit facility. Contributing positively to our available liquidity was the realization of approximately $301 million in proceeds from the sale of our Barnett Shale and Arkoma Basin properties. Despite the expectation of sustained lower commodity prices, the sources of liquidity along with our expected cash flows from operations should be sufficient to allow us to pursue our business strategy and goals for the remainder of 2012 and 2013.

If energy commodity prices for the remainder of 2012 continue to trend lower, we believe the effect on our cash flows from operations would be partially mitigated by our hedging program. In addition, we note the following assumptions for the remainder of 2012 and 2013:

 

   

Our capital expenditures are estimated to be approximately $1.45 to $1.5 billion in 2012, and are generally considered to be largely discretionary; and

 

   

Apco’s liquidity requirements will continue to be provided from its cash flows from operations.

Potential risks associated with our planned levels of liquidity and the planned capital and investment expenditures discussed above include:

 

   

Sustained reductions in energy commodity prices from the range of current expectations;

 

   

Lower than expected levels of cash flow from operations, primarily resulting from lower energy commodity prices and lower economic hedged volumes in 2013;

 

   

Significantly lower than expected capital expenditures could result in the loss of undeveloped leasehold;

 

   

Higher than expected collateral obligations that may be required, including those required under new commercial agreements; and

 

   

Reduced access to our credit facility.

Liquidity

We plan to conservatively manage our balance sheet and our level of capital spending. Based on our forecasted levels of cash flow from operations and other sources of liquidity, we expect to have sufficient liquidity to manage our businesses throughout 2012 and 2013. Our internal and external sources of consolidated liquidity include cash generated from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand and our credit facility. Additional sources of liquidity, if needed and if available, include bank financings, proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt and equity securities and proceeds from asset sales. As of September 30, 2012 we have not accessed our credit facility.

Sources (Uses) of Cash

 

     Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
     2012     2011  
     (Millions)  

Net cash provided (used) by:

    

Operating activities

   $ 589      $ 888   

Investing activities

     (854     (1,056

Financing activities

     (21     181   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

   $ (286   $ 13   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

38


Table of Contents

Operating activities

Our net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 decreased from the same period in 2011 primarily due to the decrease in our operating results and net changes in our operating assets and liabilities.

Investing activities

Significant transactions include expenditures for drilling and completion of $955 million and $982 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Also included in 2012, is $301 million in proceeds received from the sale of the Barnett and Arkoma properties. Increased spending in 2012 as compared to 2011 was largely attributable to Bakken Shale drilling and completion costs as we ramp up production in that area and the Marcellus Shale.

Financing activities

The use of cash in 2012 primarily relates to changes in our cash overdrafts. Cash provided in 2011 related to our net increase in notes payable to Williams.

Off-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

We had no guarantees of off-balance sheet debt to third parties or any other off-balance sheet arrangements at September 30, 2012 or at December 31, 2011.

Item 3

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Interest Rate Risk

Our current interest rate risk exposure is related primarily to our debt portfolio and has not materially changed during the first nine months of 2012.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to the impact of fluctuations in the market price of natural gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil, as well as other market factors, such as market volatility and energy commodity price correlations. We are exposed to these risks in connection with our owned energy-related assets, our long-term energy-related contracts and our proprietary trading activities. We manage the risks associated with these market fluctuations using various derivatives and nonderivative energy-related contracts. The fair value of derivative contracts is subject to many factors, including changes in energy commodity market prices, the liquidity and volatility of the markets in which the contracts are transacted and changes in interest rates.

We measure the risk in our portfolios using a value-at-risk methodology to estimate the potential one-day loss from adverse changes in the fair value of the portfolios. Value at risk requires a number of key assumptions and is not necessarily representative of actual losses in fair value that could be incurred from the portfolios. Our value-at-risk model uses a Monte Carlo method to simulate hypothetical movements in future market prices and assumes that, as a result of changes in commodity prices, there is a 95 percent probability that the one-day loss in fair value of the portfolios will not exceed the value at risk. The simulation method uses market forward prices, while correlations and volatilities are derived from historical forward prices. In applying the value-at-risk methodology, we do not consider that the simulated hypothetical movements affect the positions or would cause any potential liquidity issues, nor do we consider that changing the portfolios in response to market conditions could affect market prices and could take longer than a one-day holding period to execute. While a one-day holding period has historically been the industry standard, a longer holding period could more accurately represent the true market risk given market liquidity and our own credit and liquidity constraints.

 

39


Table of Contents

We segregate our derivative contracts into trading and nontrading contracts, as defined in the following paragraphs. We calculate value at risk separately for these two categories. Contracts designated as normal purchases or sales and nonderivative energy contracts have been excluded from our estimation of value at risk.

We have policies and procedures that govern our trading and risk management activities. These policies cover authority and delegation thereof in addition to control requirements, authorized commodities and term and exposure limitations. Value-at-risk is limited in aggregate and calculated at a 95 percent confidence level.

Trading

Our trading portfolio consists of derivative contracts entered into for purposes other than economically hedging our commodity price-risk exposure. The fair value of our trading derivatives was a net asset of $1 million at September 30, 2012 and a net liability of $4 million at December 31, 2011. The value at risk for contracts held for trading purposes was less than $1 million at both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Nontrading

Our nontrading portfolio consists of derivative contracts that hedge or could potentially hedge the price risk exposure from our natural gas purchases and sales. The fair value of our derivatives not designated as hedging instruments was a net asset of $36 million and $14 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.

The value at risk for derivative contracts held for nontrading purposes was $11 million at September 30, 2012, and $15 million at December 31, 2011. During the last 12 months, our value at risk for these contracts ranged from a high of $30 million to a low of $11 million.

Certain of the derivative contracts held for nontrading purposes are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Of the total fair value of nontrading derivatives, cash flow hedges had a net asset value of $88 million and $347 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The decrease in value is primarily due to 2012 natural gas realizations partially offset by favorable changes due to falling prices on a net short natural gas and crude positions. Though these contracts are included in our value-at-risk calculation, any changes in the fair value of the effective portion of these hedge contracts would generally not be reflected in earnings until the associated hedged item affects earnings.

Item 4

Controls and Procedures

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act) (“Disclosure Controls”) or our internal controls over financial reporting (“Internal Controls”) will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls is also based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated

 

40


Table of Contents

goals under all potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. We monitor our Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls and make modifications as necessary; our intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and Internal Controls will be modified as systems change and conditions warrant.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our Disclosure Controls was performed as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Third-Quarter 2012 Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes during the third quarter of 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our Internal Controls.

 

41


Table of Contents

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

The information called for by this item is provided in Note 8 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included under Part I, Item 1. Financial Statements of this report, which information is incorporated by reference into this item.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the year ended December 31, 2011, includes certain risk factors that could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Those Risk Factors have not materially changed, except as set forth below:

The Argentine government could take action with regard to our concessions before their contract terms expire.

During the first quarter of 2012, the Argentine government asserted that certain exploration and production companies operating in Argentina had not invested sufficiently to overcome Argentina’s domestic production declines, thereby leading to reduced levels of oil and natural gas production as well as reductions in oil and natural gas proved reserves. On that basis, six provinces rescinded certain of Repsol YPF S.A.’s (“YPF”) and other producers’ concessions. In addition, the federal government expropriated a majority interest in YPF, the largest oil producing company in Argentina. If the government subjectively determines that we have not sufficiently invested in our properties, they could take action with regard to our concessions before their contract terms expire.

 

Item 5. Other Information

Stockholder Proposals to Be Considered for Inclusion in Our Proxy Materials. To be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2013 Annual Meeting, stockholder proposals must be received no later than November 29, 2012 and be submitted in accordance with the SEC’s Rule 14a-8. Stockholder proposals received after the close of business on November 29, 2012 would be untimely. These stockholder proposals must be in writing and received by the deadline described above at our principal executive offices at WPX Energy, Inc., One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, Attention: Corporate Secretary. If we do not receive a stockholder proposal by the deadline described above, the proposal may be excluded from our proxy statement for our 2013 Annual Meeting.

Other Stockholder Proposals for Presentation at the 2013 Annual Meeting. A stockholder proposal that is not submitted for inclusion in our proxy statement for our 2013 Annual Meeting, but is instead sought to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting, must comply with the “advance notice” deadlines in our Bylaws. As such, these stockholder proposals must be received no earlier than January 22, 2013 and no later than the close of business on February 21, 2013. These stockholder proposals must be in writing and received within the “advance notice” deadlines described above at our principal executive offices at WPX Energy, Inc., One Williams Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74172, Attention: Corporate Secretary. These stockholder proposals must be in the form provided in our Bylaws and must include the information set forth in the Bylaws about the stockholder proposing the business and any associated person, including information about the direct and indirect ownership of or derivative positions in the Company’s common stock and arrangements and understandings related to the proposed business or the voting of the Company’s common stock. If we do not receive a stockholder proposal and the required information regarding the stockholder and any associated person by the “advance notice” deadlines described above, the proposal may be excluded from consideration at the 2013 Annual Meeting. The “advance notice” requirement described above supersedes the notice period in SEC Rule 14a-4(c)(1) of the federal proxy rules regarding the discretionary proxy voting authority with respect to such stockholder business.

 

42


Table of Contents

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.

  

Description

2.1   

Contribution Agreement, dated as of October 26, 2010, by and among Williams Production RMT

Company, LLC, Williams Energy Services, LLC, Williams Partners GP LLC, Williams Partners L.P., Williams Partners Operating LLC and Williams Field Services Group, LLC (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-173808) filed with the SEC on July 19, 2011)

3.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of WPX Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012)
3.2    Bylaws of WPX Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012)
4.1    Indenture, dated as of November 14, 2011, between WPX Energy, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) filed with the SEC on November 15, 2011)
10.1    Separation and Distribution Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2011, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and WPX Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011)
10.2    Employee Matters Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2011, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and WPX Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012)
10.3    Tax Sharing Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2011, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and WPX Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012)
10.4    Transition Services Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2011, between The Williams Companies, Inc. and WPX Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on January 6, 2012)
10.5    Credit Agreement, dated as of June 3, 2011, by and among WPX Energy, Inc., the lenders named therein, and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011)
10.6#    Amended and Restated Gas Gathering, Processing, Dehydrating and Treating Agreement by and among Williams Field Services Company, LLC, Williams Production RMT Company, LLC, Williams Production Ryan Gulch LLC and WPX Energy Marketing, LLC, effective as of August 1, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-1/A (File No. 333-173808) filed with the SEC on July 19, 2011)
10.7    Form of Change in Control Agreement between WPX Energy, Inc. and CEO (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on July 23, 2012)
10.8    Form of Change in Control Agreement between WPX Energy, Inc. and Tier One Executives (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-35322) filed with the SEC on July 23, 2012)

 

# Certain portions have been omitted pursuant to an Order Granting Confidential Treatment issued by the SEC on December 5, 2011. Omitted information has been filed separately with the SEC.

 

43


Table of Contents

Exhibit No.

 

Description

10.9   First Amendment to the Credit Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2011, by and among WPX Energy, Inc., the lenders named therein, and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to The Williams Companies, Inc.’s Current report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-04174) filed with the SEC on November 1, 2011)
10.10   WPX Energy, Inc. 2011 Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-178388) filed with the SEC on December 8, 2011)
10.11   WPX Energy, Inc. 2011 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s registration statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-178388) filed with the SEC on December 8, 2011)
10.12   Form of Restricted Stock Agreement between WPX Energy, Inc. and Non-Employee Directors (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011)
10.13   Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between WPX Energy, Inc. and Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011)
10.14   Form of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between WPX Energy, Inc. and Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011)
10.15   Form of Stock Option Agreement between WPX Energy, Inc. and Executive Officers (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to WPX Energy, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011)
12*   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
31.1*   Certification by the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2*   Certification by the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1*   Certification by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS**   XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB**   XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

 

* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith

 

44


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE

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

 

WPX Energy, Inc.

(Registrant)

By:   /S/ J. KEVIN VANN
 

J. Kevin Vann

Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: November 1, 2012

 

45