nfx10q-03312010.htm
 


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2010

OR
     
o
 
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: 1-12534

NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
   
Delaware
72-1133047
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification Number)

363 North Sam Houston Parkway East
Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77060
(Address and Zip Code of principal executive offices)

(281) 847-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
     
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 þ No o

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) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ No o

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 þ     
 
Accelerated filer o   
 
Non-accelerated filer o     
 
Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
     
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o No þ

     As of April 27, 2010, there were 133,399,285 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

 
 



 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
   
Page
PART I
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
     
     
     
     
PART II
     
     
     
     
 
 
ii
 
 


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(In millions, except share data)
(Unaudited)
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
ASSETS
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 112     $ 78  
Accounts receivable
    352       339  
Inventories
    83       84  
Derivative assets  
    349       269  
Other current assets 
    82       123  
             Total current assets  
    978       893  
Property and equipment, at cost, based on the full cost method of accounting for oil and gas properties
     ($1,480 and $1,223 were excluded from amortization at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
      10,977         10,406  
Less—accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (5,306 )     (5,159 )
             Total property and equipment, net     5,671       5,247  
                 
Derivative assets 
    75       19  
Long-term investments 
    54       55  
Deferred taxes
    26       26  
Other assets 
    23       14  
Total assets 
  $ 6,827     $ 6,254  
   
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 65     $ 83  
Current debt 
    32        
Accrued liabilities 
    649       640  
Advances from joint owners 
    49       51  
Asset retirement obligation 
    10       10  
Derivative liabilities
    1       2  
Deferred taxes 
    116       87  
Total current liabilities 
    922       873  
                 
Other liabilities 
    60       55  
Derivative liabilities
    11       5  
Long-term debt 
    2,189       2,037  
Asset retirement obligation 
    88       82  
Deferred taxes 
    537       434  
Total long-term liabilities 
    2,885       2,613  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) 
           
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock ($0.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued)
           
Common stock ($0.01 par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009;
             135,001,290 and 134,493,670 shares issued at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively) 
      1         1  
Additional paid-in capital 
    1,406       1,389  
Treasury stock (at cost; 1,715,643 and 1,488,968 shares at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)
    (43 )     (33 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):
               
Unrealized loss on investments
    (10 )     (11 )
Retained earnings 
    1,666       1,422  
Total stockholders' equity 
    3,020       2,768  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 
  $ 6,827     $ 6,254  

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.


 
1

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Oil and gas revenues
  $ 458     $ 262  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Lease operating 
    67       71  
Production and other taxes
    25       9  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 
    147       159  
General and administrative 
    36       32  
Ceiling test writedown 
          1,344  
Other 
    8       2  
Total operating expenses
    283       1,617  
                 
Income (loss) from operations 
    175       (1,355 )
                 
Other income (expenses):
               
Interest expense
    (38 )     (32 )
Capitalized interest  
    12       14  
Commodity derivative income 
    237       278  
Other 
    2       3  
Total other income (expenses) 
    213       263  
                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    388       (1,092 )
                 
Income tax provision (benefit):
               
Current
    13       5  
Deferred 
    131       (403 )
                Total income tax provision (benefit)     144       (398 )
                 
                Net income (loss) 
  $ 244     $ (694 )
                 
Income (loss) per share:
               
      Basic
  $ 1.87     $ (5.35 )
      Diluted 
  $ 1.84     $ (5.35 )
                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic income (loss) per share
    130       130  
                 
Weighted average number of shares outstanding for diluted income (loss) per share 
    133       130  

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.
 
 
 
2


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
  Net income (loss) 
  $ 244     $ (694 )
                 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    147       159  
Deferred tax provision (benefit) 
    131       (403 )
Stock-based compensation
    6       8  
Ceiling test writedown
          1,344  
Commodity derivative income 
    (237 )     (278 )
Cash receipts on derivative settlements 
    102       211  
                 
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable 
    (13 )     73  
(Increase) decrease in inventories 
    5       (17 )
(Increase) decrease in other current assets 
    42       (46 )
Decrease in other assets 
          7  
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
    (16 )     (54 )
Increase (decrease) in advances from joint owners 
    (2 )     22  
Increase in other liabilities 
    5       17  
                Net cash provided by operating activities 
    414       349  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
  Additions to oil and gas properties 
    (340 )     (403 )
  Acquisitions of oil and gas properties 
    (217 )     (9 )
  Proceeds from sales of oil and gas properties 
    2        
  Additions to furniture, fixtures and equipment 
    (2 )     (2 )
  Redemptions of investments 
    1       7  
                Net cash used in investing activities  
    (556 )     (407 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
  Proceeds from borrowings under credit arrangements 
    198       455  
  Repayments of borrowings under credit arrangements
    (562 )     (382 )
  Net proceeds from issuance of senior subordinated notes  
    686        
  Repayment of senior notes  
    (143 )      
  Proceeds from issuances of common stock
    11        
  Purchases of treasury stock, net  
    (14 )     (1 )
                Net cash provided by financing activities 
    176       72  
                 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 
    34       14  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    78       24  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 
  $ 112     $ 38  

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
 
3


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
                               
Accumulated
       
                       
Additional
     
Other
   
Total
 
   
Common Stock
 
Treasury Stock
   
Paid-in
 
Retained
 
Comprehensive
   
Stockholders'
 
   
Shares
 
Amount
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
 
Earnings
 
Income (Loss)
   
Equity
 
Balance, December 31, 2009
  134.5   $ 1     (1.5 )   $ (33 )   $ 1,389   $ 1,422   $ (11 )   $ 2,768  
Issuances of common and restricted stock
  0.5                           7                   7  
Treasury stock, at cost
              (0.2 )     (10 )                         (10 )
Stock-based compensation 
                              10                   10  
Comprehensive income:
                                                     
Net income 
                                    244             244  
Unrealized gain on investments
                                          1       1  
Total comprehensive income
                                                  245  
Balance, March 31, 2010 
  135.0   $ 1     (1.7 )   $ (43 )   $ 1,406   $ 1,666   $ (10 )   $ 3,020  

The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of this statement.

 
 
4


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
   
Organization and Principles of Consolidation
     
We are an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and gas properties. Our domestic areas of operation include the Anadarko and Arkoma Basins of the Mid-Continent, the Rocky Mountains, onshore Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. Internationally, we are active in Malaysia and China.
     
Our financial statements include the accounts of Newfield Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries. We proportionately consolidate our interests in oil and gas exploration and production ventures and partnerships in accordance with industry practice. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise requires, all references in these notes to “Newfield,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Newfield Exploration Company and its subsidiaries.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of our management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to state fairly our financial position as of, and results of operations for, the periods presented. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all disclosures required for financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for a full year.
     
These financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
  Dependence on Oil and Gas Prices
     
As an independent oil and gas producer, our revenue, profitability and future rate of growth are substantially dependent on prevailing prices for oil and gas. Historically, the energy markets have been very volatile, and there can be no assurance that oil and gas prices will not be subject to wide fluctuations in the future.  A substantial or extended decline in oil or gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and access to capital and on the quantities of oil and gas reserves that we can economically produce.

Use of Estimates
     
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and the reported amounts of proved oil and gas reserves. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Our most significant financial estimates are associated with our estimated proved oil and gas reserves and fair value of our derivative positions.

Investments

Investments consist primarily of debt and equity securities as well as auction rate securities, substantially all of which are classified as “available-for-sale” and stated at fair value. Accordingly, unrealized gains and losses and the related deferred income tax effects are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains or losses are computed based on specific identification of the securities sold. We regularly assess our investments for impairment and consider any impairment to be other than temporary if we intend to sell the security, it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security, or we do not expect to recover our cost of the security.  We realized interest income and gains on our investment securities of $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

 
 
5


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
   
Inventories
     
Inventories primarily consist of tubular goods and well equipment held for use in our oil and gas operations and oil produced in our operations offshore Malaysia and China but not sold. Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market. Crude oil from our operations offshore Malaysia and China is produced into FPSO’s and sold periodically as barge quantities are accumulated. The product inventory consisted of approximately 494,000 barrels and 289,000 barrels of crude oil valued at cost of $21 million and $11 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. Cost for purposes of the carrying value of oil inventory is the sum of production costs and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense.
   
Oil and Gas Properties

We use the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas producing activities. Under this method, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas properties, including salaries, benefits and other internal costs directly attributable to these activities, are capitalized into cost centers that are established on a country-by-country basis.
     
Capitalized costs and estimated future development costs are amortized on a unit-of-production method based on proved reserves associated with the applicable cost center. For each cost center, the net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties are limited to the lower of the unamortized cost or the cost center ceiling. For the three months ended March 31, 2010, a particular cost center ceiling is equal to the sum of:
 
 
the present value (10% per annum discount rate) of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves using the newly effective oil and gas reserve estimation requirements (See “New Accounting Requirements” in this Note) which require use of the unweighted average first-day-of-the-month commodity prices for the prior twelve months, adjusted for market differentials applicable to our reserves (including the effects of hedging contracts that are designated for hedge accounting, if any); plus
     
 
the lower of cost or estimated fair value of properties not included in the costs being amortized, if any; less
     
 
related income tax effects.
 
During the first quarter of 2009, the present value (10% per annum discount rate) of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves was calculated using the end of period quoted market prices for oil and gas.

Proceeds from the sale of oil and gas properties are applied to reduce the costs in the applicable cost center unless the reduction would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves, in which case a gain or loss is recognized.
     
If net capitalized costs of oil and gas properties exceed the cost center ceiling, we are subject to a ceiling test writedown to the extent of such excess. If required, a ceiling test writedown reduces earnings and stockholders’ equity in the period of occurrence and, holding other factors constant, results in lower depreciation, depletion and amortization expense in future periods.
     
The risk that we will be required to writedown the carrying value of our oil and gas properties increases when oil and gas prices decrease significantly or if we have substantial downward revisions in our estimated proved reserves. At March 31, 2010, the ceiling value of our reserves was calculated based upon the unweighted average first-day-of-the-month commodity prices for the prior twelve months of $3.98 per MMBtu for natural gas and $69.61 per barrel for oil, adjusted for market differentials.  Using these prices, the cost center ceilings with respect to our properties in the U.S., Malaysia and China exceeded the net capitalized costs of the respective properties.  As such, no ceiling test writedowns were required at March 31, 2010.

During the first quarter of 2009, natural gas prices decreased significantly as compared to prices in effect at December 31, 2008.  At March 31, 2009, the ceiling value of our reserves was calculated based upon quoted period-end market prices of $3.63 per MMBtu for natural gas and $49.65 per barrel for oil, adjusted for market differentials.  Using these prices, the unamortized net capitalized costs of our domestic oil and gas properties at March 31, 2009 exceeded the ceiling amount by approximately $1.3 billion ($854 million, after-tax).

 
 
6


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations
     
If a reasonable estimate of the fair value of an obligation to perform site reclamation, dismantle facilities or plug and abandon wells can be made, we record a liability (an asset retirement obligation or ARO) on our consolidated balance sheet and capitalize the present value of the asset retirement cost in oil and gas properties in the period in which the retirement obligation is incurred. In general, the amount of an ARO and the costs capitalized will be equal to the estimated future cost to satisfy the abandonment obligation assuming the normal operation of the asset, using current prices that are escalated by an assumed inflation factor up to the estimated settlement date, which is then discounted back to the date that the abandonment obligation was incurred using an assumed cost of funds for our company. After recording these amounts, the ARO is accreted to its future estimated value using the same assumed cost of funds and the additional capitalized costs are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis within the related full cost pool. Both the accretion and the depreciation are included in depreciation, depletion and amortization expense on our consolidated statement of income.
     
The change in our ARO for the three months ended March 31, 2010 is set forth below (in millions):
Balance as of January 1, 2010
  $ 92  
Accretion expense
    1  
Additions
    5  
Balance at March 31, 2010
  $ 98  
Less: Current portion of ARO at March 31, 2010
    (10 )
Total long-term ARO at March 31, 2010
  $ 88  

Income Taxes
     
We use the liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined by applying tax regulations existing at the end of a reporting period to the cumulative temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in our financial statements. A valuation allowance is established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the related tax benefits will not be realized.
     
During the first quarter of 2010, there was no change to our liability of $1 million for uncertain tax positions.  As of March 31, 2010, we had not accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2006-2009 remain open to examination for federal income tax purposes and by the other major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.  During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced a limited scope audit of our U.S. income tax return for the 2005 tax year.  The IRS issued a “No Change” letter for the 2005 tax year and closed the audit.
   
Derivative Financial Instruments
 
We account for our derivative activities by applying authoritative accounting and reporting guidance which requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as either an asset or a liability measured at its fair value and that changes in the derivative’s fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. All of the derivative instruments that we utilize are to manage the price risk attributable to our expected oil and gas production.  We have elected not to designate price risk management activities as accounting hedges under the accounting guidance, and, accordingly, account for them using the mark-to-market accounting method. Under this method, the changes in contract values are reported currently in earnings.  Previously, we also utilized derivatives to manage our exposure to variable interest rates.  See Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments—Interest Rate Swap.”

The related cash flow impact of our derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities.  See Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” for a more detailed discussion of our derivative activities.
 

 
7


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


New Accounting Requirements
     
In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-03, Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures (ASU 2010-03), which aligns the FASB’s oil and gas reserve estimation and disclosure requirements with the requirements in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s final rule, Modernization of the Oil and Gas Reporting Requirements (Final Rule), which was issued on December 31, 2008 and became effective for the year ended December 31, 2009.  We adopted the Final Rule and ASU 2010-03 effective December 31, 2009, as a change in accounting principle that is inseparable from a change in accounting estimate.  Such a change is accounted for prospectively under the authoritative accounting guidance.  Comparative disclosures applying the new rules for periods before the adoption of ASU 2010-03 and the Final Rule are not required.

In January 2010, the FASB issued additional disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements.  The guidance requires disclosure of transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons for the transfers and disclosure of major purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured under Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures which are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  We adopted the provisions for the quarter ending March 31, 2010, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which we will adopt for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.  Adopting the disclosure requirements for the quarter ending March 31, 2010 did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.  We do not expect adoption of the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures in 2011 to have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.


2.  Earnings Per Share:
     
Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net income (the numerator) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock (other than unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units) outstanding during the period (the denominator). Diluted earnings per share incorporates the dilutive impact of outstanding stock options and unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units (using the treasury stock method). Under the treasury stock method, the amount the employee must pay for exercising stock options, the amount of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock-based compensation grants and the amount of excess tax benefits that would be recorded when the award becomes deductible are assumed to be used to repurchase shares. Please see Note 11, “Stock-Based Compensation.”

The following is the calculation of basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding and EPS for the indicated periods:
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In millions, except per share data)
 
Income (numerator):
           
     Net income (loss) – basic and diluted 
  $ 244     $ (694 )
                 
Weighted average shares (denominator):
               
     Weighted average shares — basic 
    130       130  
     Dilution effect of stock options and unvested restricted
stock and restricted stock units outstanding at end of period (1)
    3        
     Weighted average shares — diluted 
    133       130  
                 
Income (loss) per share:
               
     Basic 
  $ 1.87     $ (5.35 )
     Diluted 
  $ 1.84     $ (5.35 )
 
     
(1)
 
The effect of stock options and unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units outstanding has not been included in the calculation of shares outstanding for diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as their effect would have been anti-dilutive. Had we recognized net income for this period, incremental shares attributable to the assumed exercise of outstanding options and the assumed vesting of unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units would have increased diluted weighted average shares outstanding by 1 million shares.
 
 
 
8

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


3.  Comprehensive Income (Loss):
     
For the periods indicated, our comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the following:
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Net income (loss)
  $ 244     $ (694 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax of $1
    1       (2 )
Total comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 245     $ (696 )
 

4.  Oil and Gas Assets:
   
Property and Equipment
     
Property and equipment consisted of the following at:

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Oil and gas properties:
           
Subject to amortization
  $ 9,402     $ 9,090  
Not subject to amortization
    1,480       1,223  
Gross oil and gas properties 
    10,882       10,313  
Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
    (5,253 )     (5,108 )
Net oil and gas properties 
    5,629       5,205  
Other property and equipment 
    95       93  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (53 )     (51 )
Net other property and equipment 
    42       42  
Total property and equipment, net
  $ 5,671     $ 5,247  

The following is a summary of Newfield’s oil and gas properties not subject to amortization as of March 31, 2010.  We believe that our evaluation activities related to substantially all of our properties not subject to amortization will be completed within four years except the Monument Butte field.  Because of its size, evaluation of the field in its entirety will take significantly longer than four years.

   
Costs Incurred In
       
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007 and prior
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
                               
Acquisition costs 
  $ 169     $ 154     $ 176     $ 389     $ 888  
Exploration costs
    101       109       54       17       281  
Development costs 
    47       40       34       27       148  
Fee mineral interests
    2                   23       25  
Capitalized interest 
    12       51       60       15       138  
          Total oil and gas properties not subject to amortization
  $ 331     $ 354     $ 324     $ 471     $ 1,480  

 
 
9

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Maverick Basin Asset Acquisition

On February 11, 2010, we acquired certain of TXCO Resources Inc.’s assets in the Maverick Basin of southwest Texas for approximately $215 million.  In the acquisition, Newfield obtained an interest in approximately 300,000 net acres, primarily in the Pearsall and Eagle Ford shale plays, as well as production of 1,500 barrels of oil equivalent per day.  Our consolidated financial statements include the cash flows and results of operations for these assets subsequent to February 11, 2010.


5.  Derivative Financial Instruments:
     
Commodity Derivative Instruments
     
We utilize swap, floor, collar and three-way collar derivative contracts to hedge against the variability in cash flows associated with the forecasted sale of our future oil and gas production. While the use of these derivative instruments limits the downside risk of adverse price movements, their use also may limit future revenues from favorable price movements.
     
With respect to a swap contract, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us if the settlement price for any settlement period is less than the swap price, and we are required to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is greater than the swap price. For a floor contract, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us if the settlement price for any settlement period is below the floor price. We are not required to make any payment in connection with the settlement of a floor contract. For a collar contract, the counterparty is required to make a payment to us if the settlement price for any settlement period is below the floor price, we are required to make payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is above the ceiling price and neither party is required to make a payment to the other party if the settlement price for any settlement period is equal to or greater than the floor price and equal to or less than the ceiling price. A three-way collar contract consists of a standard collar contract plus a put sold by us with a price below the floor price of the collar. This additional put requires us to make a payment to the counterparty if the settlement price for any settlement period is below the put price. Combining the collar contract with the additional put results in us being entitled to a net payment equal to the difference between the floor price of the standard collar and the additional put price if the settlement price is equal to or less than the additional put price. If the settlement price is greater than the additional put price, the result is the same as it would have been with a standard collar contract only. This strategy enables us to increase the floor and the ceiling price of the collar beyond the range of a traditional no cost collar while defraying the associated cost with the sale of the additional put.  None of our derivative contracts contain collateral posting requirements; however, two of our derivative contracts contain a provision that would permit the counterparty, in certain circumstances, to request adequate assurance of our performance under the contract.
     
All of our derivative contracts are carried at their fair value on our consolidated balance sheet under the captions “Derivative assets” and “Derivative liabilities.” Substantially all of our oil and gas derivative contracts are settled based upon reported prices on the NYMEX. The estimated fair value of these contracts is based upon various factors, including closing exchange prices on the NYMEX, over-the-counter quotations, volatility and, in the case of collars and floors, the time value of options. The calculation of the fair value of collars and floors requires the use of an option-pricing model. Please see Note 8, “Fair Value Measurements.”  We recognize all unrealized and realized gains and losses related to these contracts on a mark-to-market basis in our consolidated statement of income under the caption “Commodity derivative income.” Settlements of derivative contracts are included in operating cash flows on our consolidated statement of cash flows.


 
10

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
    
 At March 31, 2010, we had outstanding contracts with respect to our future production that are not designated for hedge accounting as set forth in the tables below.
   
Natural Gas

       
NYMEX Contract Price Per MMBtu
     
               
Collars
 
Estimated
 
       
Swaps
 
Additional Put
 
Floors
 
Ceilings
 
Fair Value
 
   
Volume in
 
(Weighted
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
 
Asset
 
Period and Type of Contract
 
MMMBtus
 
Average)
 
Range
 
Average
 
Range
 
Average
 
Range
 
Average
 
(Liability)
 
                                   
(In millions)
 
April 2010 – June 2010
                                     
Price swap contracts
  34,850   $ 6.41               $ 87  
July 2010 – September 2010
                                       
Price swap contracts
  35,200   6.41                 79  
October 2010 – December 2010
                                       
Price swap contracts
  28,320   6.49                 50  
January 2011 – December 2011
                                       
Price swap contracts
  63,840   6.55                 81  
    3-Way collar contracts
  42,590     $ 4.50   $ 4.50   $ 6.00   $ 6.00   $ 7.10 - $ 8.03   $ 7.84     27  
January 2012 – December 2012
                                       
    3-Way collar contracts
  25,620     4.50   4.50   5.75-6.00   5.85   6.20-7.55   6.87      
January 2013 – October 2013
                                       
    3-Way collar contracts
  21,280     4.50   4.50   5.75-6.00   5.82   6.60- 7.55   6.88      
                                    $ 324  
 
 Oil
  
       
NYMEX Contract Price Per Bbl
     
               
Collars
 
Estimated
 
       
Swaps
 
Additional Put
 
Floors
 
Ceilings
 
Fair Value
 
   
Volume in
 
(Weighted
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
     
Weighted
 
Asset
 
Period and Type of Contract
 
MBbls
 
Average)
 
Range
 
Average
 
Range
 
Average
 
Range
 
Average
 
(Liability)
 
                                     
(In millions)
 
April 2010 – June 2010
                                       
    Price swap contracts
  272     $ 86.44               $ 1  
    Collar contracts
  819           $125.50–$130.50   $ 127.97   $ 170.00   $ 170.00     36  
    3-Way collar contracts
  364       $ 50.00-$60.00   $ 55.00   60.00-75.00   67.50   100.00-112.10   106.28     ¾  
July 2010 – September 2010
                                         
    Price swap contracts
  274     86.42                 ¾  
    Collar contracts
  828           125.50–130.50   127.97   170.00   170.00     36  
    3-Way collar contracts
  368       50.00-60.00   55.00   60.00-75.00   67.50   100.00-112.10   106.28     ¾  
October 2010 – December 2010
                                         
    Price swap contracts
  274     86.42                 ¾  
    Collar contracts
  828           125.50–130.50   127.97   170.00   170.00     35  
    3-Way collar contracts
  368       50.00-60.00   55.00   60.00-75.00   67.50   100.00-112.10   106.28     ¾  
January 2011 – December 2011
                                         
    3-Way collar contracts
         4,564       60.00-65.00   60.80   75.00-80.00   75.80   102.25-121.50   108.30     1  
January 2012 – December 2012
                                         
    3-Way collar contracts
         3,294       60.00   60.00   75.00   75.00   111.00-111.50   111.31     (3 )
                                      $ 106  
 
 
11

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

Basis Contracts
 
 
At March 31, 2010, we had natural gas basis contracts that are not designated for hedge accounting to lock in the differential between the NYMEX Henry Hub posted prices and those of our physical pricing points in the Rocky Mountains and Mid-Continent, as set forth in the table below.

                   
   
Rocky Mountains
   
Mid-Continent
   
Estimated
 
         
Weighted
         
Weighted
   
Fair Value
 
   
Volume in
   
Average
   
Volume in
   
Average
   
Asset
 
   
MMMBtus
   
Differential
   
MMMBtus
   
Differential
   
(Liability)
 
                           
(In millions)
 
April 2010 – June 2010
    1,380     $ (0.99 )     1,820     $ (0.55 )   $ (2 )
July 2010 – September 2010
    1,380     $ (0.99 )     1,840     $ (0.55 )     (2 )
October 2010 – December 2010 
    1,380     $ (0.99 )     1,840     $ (0.55 )     (1 )
January 2011 – December 2011
    5,280     $ (0.95 )     10,350     $ (0.55 )     (5 )
January 2012 – December 2012
    4,920     $ (0.91 )     18,300     $ (0.55 )     (8 )
                                    $ (18 )

Interest Rate Swap
 
We previously entered into an interest rate swap agreement to take advantage of low interest rates and to obtain what we viewed as a more desirable proportion of variable and fixed rate debt. The agreement was designated as a fair value hedge of $50 million principal amount of our $175 million 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011.  The interest rate swap provided for us to pay variable and receive fixed interest payments.  Changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges were recognized as offsets to the changes in the fair value of the exposure being hedged. As a result, at December 31, 2009, the fair value of our interest rate swap was reflected as a derivative asset on our consolidated balance sheet and changes in its fair value were recorded as an adjustment to the carrying value of the associated debt. Receipts and payments related to our interest rate swap were reflected in interest expense.  The related cash flow impact was reflected as cash flows from operating activities in our consolidated statement of cash flows.  During the first quarter of 2010, we terminated the swap and received approximately $2 million in settlement of the swap.  The settlement of the swap is included under the caption “Operating expenses – Other” on our consolidated statement of income and partially offsets the early redemption premium paid for the tender of the associated 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011.  See Note 9, "Debt Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes" for a detailed discussion of this transction.

Additional Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

At March 31, 2010, we had derivative financial instruments recorded in our balance sheet as set forth below.

       
Estimated
 
Type of Contract
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value
 
       
(In millions)
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
         
    Natural gas contracts
 
Derivative assets – current
  $ 245  
    Oil contracts
 
Derivative assets – current
    110  
    Basis contracts
 
Derivative assets – current
    (6 )
    Natural gas contracts
 
Derivative assets – noncurrent
    79  
    Oil contracts
 
Derivative assets – noncurrent
    3  
    Basis contracts
 
Derivative assets – noncurrent
    (7 )
    Oil contracts
 
Derivative liabilities – current
    (1 )
    Oil contracts
 
Derivative liabilities – noncurrent
    (6 )
    Basis contracts
 
Derivative liabilities – noncurrent
    (5 )
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
    412  
             
Net derivative assets
  $ 412  


 
12

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The amount of gain (loss) recognized in income related to our derivative financial instruments was as follows:
           
       
Three Months Ended
 
   
Location of Gain/(Loss)
 
March 31,
 
Type of Contract
 
Recognized in Income
 
2010
   
2009
 
       
(In millions)
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
               
Natural gas contracts
 
Commodity derivative income
  $ 253     $ 274  
Oil contracts
 
Commodity derivative income
    (11 )     17  
Basis contracts
 
Commodity derivative income
    (5 )     (13 )
           Total  
 
  $ 237     $ 278  
 
 
The use of derivative transactions involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions.  Our derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize our exposure to any individual counterparty and we have netting arrangements with all of our counterparties that provide for offsetting payables against receivables from separate derivative instruments with that counterparty.  At March 31, 2010, Barclays Capital, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse Energy LLC, Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank London Branch, J Aron & Company and Societe Generale were the counterparties with respect to 86% of our future hedged production, the largest of which was J Aron & Company and accounted for 28% of our future hedged production.

A significant number of the counterparties to our derivative instruments also are lenders under our credit facility.  Our credit facility, senior subordinated notes and substantially all of our derivative instruments contain provisions that provide for cross defaults and acceleration of those debt and derivative instruments in certain situations.
 
 
6.  Accounts Receivable:
     
As of the indicated dates, our accounts receivable consisted of the following:
   
March 31,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Revenue
  $ 213     $ 214  
Joint interest  
    121       114  
Other   
    24       17  
Reserve for doubtful accounts 
    (6 )     (6 )
Total accounts receivable 
  $ 352     $ 339  
 
 
7.  Accrued Liabilities:
     
As of the indicated dates, our accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
   
March 31,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Revenue payable 
  $ 68     $ 55  
Accrued capital costs 
    295       289  
Accrued lease operating expenses  
    44       47  
Employee incentive expense  
    30       61  
Accrued interest on debt
    44       25  
Taxes payable   
    114       101  
Other   
    54       62  
       Total accrued liabilities  
  $ 649     $ 640  


 
13

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


8.  Fair Value Measurements:
     
Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The authoritative guidance requires disclosure of the framework for measuring fair value and requires that fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

 
Level 1:
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. We consider active markets as those in which transactions for the assets or liabilities occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.
     
 
Level 2:
Quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. This category includes those derivative instruments that we value using observable market data. Substantially all of these inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the derivative instrument, can be derived from observable data or supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. Instruments in this category include non-exchange traded derivatives such as over-the-counter commodity price swaps, certain investments and interest rate swaps.
     
 
Level 3:
Measured based on prices or valuation models that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and less observable from objective sources (i.e., supported by little or no market activity). Our valuation models for derivative contracts are primarily industry-standard models (i.e., Black-Scholes) that consider various inputs including: (a) quoted forward prices for commodities, (b) time value, (c) volatility factors, (d) counterparty credit risk and (e) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Our valuation methodology for investments is a discounted cash flow model that considers various inputs including: (a) the coupon rate specified under the debt instruments, (b) the current credit ratings of the underlying issuers, (c) collateral characteristics and (d) risk adjusted discount rates. Level 3 instruments primarily include derivative instruments, such as basis swaps, commodity price collars and floors and some financial investments. Although we utilize third party broker quotes to assess the reasonableness of our prices and valuation techniques, we do not have sufficient corroborating market evidence to support classifying these assets and liabilities as Level 2.
     
Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of the fair value of assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels.
 

 
14


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Fair Value of Investments and Derivative Instruments

The following tables summarize the valuation of our investments and financial instrument assets (liabilities) by pricing levels:

   
Fair Value Measurement Classification
       
   
Quoted Prices
                   
   
in Active
   
Significant
             
   
Markets for
   
Other
   
Significant
       
   
Identical Assets
   
Observable
   
Unobservable
       
   
or Liabilities
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
       
   
(Level 1)
   
(Level 2)
   
(Level 3)
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
As of December 31, 2009:
                       
   Money market fund investments
  $ 15     $     $     $ 15  
   Investments  available-for-sale:
                               
Equity securities
    7                   7  
Auction rate securities
                40       40  
   Oil and gas derivative swap contracts
          119       (14 )     105  
   Oil and gas derivative option contracts
                173       173  
   Interest rate swap
          3             3  
Total
  $ 22     $ 122     $ 199     $ 343  
                                 
As of March 31, 2010:
                               
Money market fund investments
  $ 67     $     $     $ 67  
Investments available-for-sale:
                               
Equity securities
    8                   8  
Auction rate securities
                40       40  
Oil and gas derivative swap contracts
          298       (18 )     280  
   Oil and gas derivative option contracts
                132       132  
Total
  $ 75     $ 298     $ 154     $ 527  
                                 

The determination of the fair values above incorporates various factors which include not only the impact of our non-performance risk on our liabilities but also the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits, letters of credit and priority interests).  We utilize credit default swap values to assess the impact of non-performance risk when evaluating both our liabilities to and receivables from counterparties.
     
As of March 31, 2010, we continued to hold $40 million of auction rate securities maturing beginning in 2033 that are classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement. This amount reflects a decrease in the fair value of these investments of $13 million ($10 million net of tax), recorded under the caption “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” on our consolidated balance sheet.  The debt instruments underlying these investments are investment grade (rated BBB- or better) and are guaranteed by the United States government or backed by private loan collateral.  We do not believe the decrease in the fair value of these securities is permanent because we currently intend to hold these investments until the auction succeeds, the issuer calls the securities or the securities mature. Our current available borrowing capacity under our credit arrangements provides us the liquidity to continue to hold these securities.
     

 
15

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following tables set forth a reconciliation of changes in the fair value of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for the indicated periods:

 
   
Investments
   
Derivatives
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Balance at January 1, 2009
  $ 59     $ 542     $ 601  
    Total realized or unrealized gains (losses):
                       
        Included in earnings
          27       27  
        Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
    (2 )           (2 )
    Purchases, issuances and settlements
    (7 )     (77 )     (84 )
    Transfers in and out of Level 3
                 
Balance at March 31, 2009
  $ 50     $ 492     $ 542  
                         
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to investments and derivatives still held at March 31, 2009
  $ (2 )   $ 9     $ 7  
                         
                         
Balance at January 1, 2010
  $ 40     $ 159     $ 199  
    Total realized or unrealized gains (losses):
                       
        Included in earnings
          (20 )     (20 )
        Included in other comprehensive income (loss)
    1             1  
    Purchases, issuances and settlements
    (1 )     (25 )     (26 )
    Transfers in and out of Level 3
                 
Balance at March 31, 2010
  $ 40     $ 114     $ 154  
                         
Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to investments and derivatives still held at March 31, 2010
  $ 1     $ (14 )   $ (13 )

 
 
16


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Fair Value of Debt

The estimated fair value of our notes, based on quoted market prices on March 31, 2010, was as follows (in millions):

7 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2011
  $ 32  
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
    336  
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016
    560  
7 ⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018
    608  
6 ⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
    694  

Amounts outstanding under our credit arrangements at March 31, 2010 are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.  Please see Note 9, “Debt.”
 
 
9.  Debt:
     
As of the indicated dates, our debt consisted of the following:
 
   
March 31,
2010
   
December 31,
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
Senior unsecured debt:
           
Revolving credit facility:
           
LIBOR based loans
  $ 20     $ 384  
                 
7 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2011 
    32       175  
Fair value of interest rate swap (1)
          3  
Total senior unsecured notes  
    32       178  
Total senior unsecured debt 
    52       562  
                 
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 
    325       325  
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 
    550       550  
7 ⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 
    600       600  
6 ⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
    694        
Total debt
    2,221       2,037  
Less: Current portion of debt
    32        
Total long-term debt 
  $ 2,189     $ 2,037  

     
(1)
 
We previously hedged $50 million principal amount of our $175 million 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011 through an interest rate swap.  The swap provided for us to pay variable and receive fixed interest payments.  During the first quarter of 2010, we terminated the swap and received approximately $2 million in settlement of the swap.  See Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments – Interest Rate Swap.”

Credit Arrangements
     
We have a revolving credit facility which provides for loan commitments of $1.25 billion from a syndicate of more than 15 financial institutions, led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, as agent, and matures June 2012. However, the amount that we can borrow under the facility could be limited by changing expectations of future oil and gas prices because the maximum amount that we can borrow under the facility is determined by our lenders annually each May (and may be adjusted at the option of our lenders in the case of certain acquisitions or divestitures) using a process that takes into account the value of our estimated reserves and hedge position and the lenders’ commodity price assumptions. In the future, total loan commitments under the facility could be increased to a maximum of $1.65 billion if the existing lenders increase their individual loan commitments or new financial institutions are added to the facility. We do not believe we could access such additional capacity in the current credit market. As of March 31, 2010, the largest commitment was 16% of total commitments.


 
17

 
   NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


Loans under the credit facility bear interest, at our option, equal to (a) a rate per annum equal to the higher of the prime rate announced from time to time by JPMorgan Chase Bank or the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System during the last preceding business day plus 50 basis points or (b) a base Eurodollar rate substantially equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate, plus a margin that is based on a grid of our debt rating (87.5 basis points per annum at March 31, 2010).

We pay commitment fees on available but undrawn amounts based on a grid of our debt rating (0.175% per annum at March 31, 2010). We incurred fees under this arrangement of approximately $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, which are recorded in interest expense on our consolidated statement of income.

Our credit facility has restrictive covenants that include the maintenance of a ratio of total debt to book capitalization not to exceed 0.6 to 1.0; maintenance of a ratio of total debt to earnings before gain or loss on the disposition of assets, interest expense, income taxes and noncash items (such as depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivatives, ceiling test writedowns, and goodwill impairments) of at least 3.5 to 1.0. In addition, for as long as our debt rating is below investment grade, we must maintain a ratio of the calculated net present value of our oil and gas reserves to total debt of at least 1.75 to 1.00. For purposes of this ratio, total debt includes only 50% of the principal amount of our senior subordinated notes.  At March 31, 2010 we were in compliance with all of our debt covenants.

As of March 31, 2010, we had no letters of credit outstanding under our credit facility. Letters of credit are subject to an issuance fee of 12.5 basis points and annual fees based on a grid of our debt rating (87.5 basis points at March 31, 2010).
     
Subject to compliance with the restrictive covenants in our credit facility, we also have a total of $120 million of borrowing capacity under money market lines of credit with various financial institutions, the availability of which is at the discretion of the financial institutions.

Our credit facility and senior and senior subordinated notes contain standard events of default and, if any such events of default were to occur, our lenders could terminate future lending commitments under the credit facility and our lenders could declare the outstanding borrowings due and payable.  In addition, our credit facility, senior subordinated notes and substantially all of our hedging arrangements contain provisions that provide for cross defaults and acceleration of those debt and hedging instruments in certain situations.

Senior and Senior Subordinated Notes

On January 25, 2010, we sold $700 million of 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 and received net proceeds of $686 million (net of discount and offering costs).  These notes were issued at 99.109% of par to yield 7%.  We used $294 million of the net proceeds to repay all of our then outstanding borrowings under our credit facility and $215 million to fund the acquisition of assets from TXCO Resources Inc.

On February 19, 2010, we accepted for purchase and payment approximately $143 million of our $175 million aggregate principal amount of 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011, representing approximately 82% of the outstanding principal.  The tender included the payment of an early redemption premium of $10 million.  This premium was recorded under the caption “Operating expenses – Other” on our consolidated statement of income.  We funded the tender offer with a portion of the proceeds from our January 25, 2010 Senior Subordinated Notes issuance.


 
18

 
   NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


10.  Income Taxes:
     
The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the indicated periods was different than the amount computed using the federal statutory rate (35%) for the following reasons:

   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Amount computed using the statutory rate
  $ 136     $ (382 )
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:
               
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect
    6       (19 )
Net effect of different tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions
    2        
Valuation allowance
          3  
Total income tax provision (benefit)
  $ 144     $ (398 )
 
As of March 31, 2010, we had net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards for international income tax purposes of approximately $17 million. We currently estimate that we will not be able to utilize our international NOLs because we do not have sufficient estimated future taxable income in the appropriate jurisdictions.  Therefore, valuation allowances have been established for these items.  Estimates of future taxable income can be significantly affected by changes in oil and gas prices, estimates of the timing and amount of future production and estimates of future operating and capital costs.
 
 
11.  Stock-Based Compensation:
     
We make stock-based compensation awards to employees through the Newfield Exploration Company 2009 Omnibus Stock Plan (the 2009 Omnibus Stock Plan) and to non-employee directors through the Newfield Exploration Company 2009 Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Plan.  We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options and a lattice-based model for our performance and market-based restricted stock and restricted stock units.
     
Historically, we have used unissued shares of stock when stock options are exercised.  Beginning in 2009, we began to utilize treasury shares when stock options are exercised, restricted stock is issued or restricted stock units vest.
     
Shares available for grant under our 2009 Omnibus Stock Plan are reduced by 1.5 times the number of shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units awarded under the plan, and are reduced by 1 times the number of shares subject to stock options awarded under the plan.  At March 31, 2010, we had approximately (1) 1.9 million additional shares available for issuance pursuant to our existing employee and director plans if all future employee awards under our 2009 Omnibus Stock Plan are stock options, or (2) 1.2 million additional shares available for issuance pursuant to our existing employee and director plans if all future employee awards under our 2009 Omnibus Stock Plan are restricted stock or restricted stock units. Thus far, all awards under our 2009 Omnibus Stock Plan have been restricted stock unit awards.

For the three month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, we recorded stock-based compensation expense of $10 million and $12 million, respectively, for all plans. Of these amounts, $3 million and $4 million, respectively, were capitalized in oil and gas properties.
     
The excess tax benefit realized from stock options exercised is recognized as a credit to additional paid in capital and is calculated as the amount by which the tax deduction we receive exceeds the deferred tax asset associated with recorded stock compensation expense. We did not realize an excess tax benefit from stock compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2010 or 2009 because we do not anticipate having sufficient taxable income to fully realize the deduction. Any excess tax benefits associated with the exercise of stock options in 2010 will be realized when the deduction can be utilized to reduce current income taxes on future tax returns.


 
19

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


As of March 31, 2010, we had approximately $68 million of total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock-based compensation awards. This compensation expense is expected to be recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable remaining vesting period. The full amount is expected to be recognized within approximately five years.

Stock Options.  We have granted stock options under several plans. Options generally expire ten years from the date of grant and become exercisable at the rate of 20% per year. The exercise price of options cannot be less than the fair market value per share of our common stock on the date of grant.

The following table provides information about stock option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010:
 
   
Number of
Shares
Underlying
Options
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
per Share
   
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
per Share
   
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
   
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value(1)
 
   
(In millions)
               
(In years)
   
(In millions)
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2009 
   2.9       $   29.82              4.7       $   56    
                                       
Granted    
   ―        ―       $                      
Exercised  
   (0.5 )      22.64                        15    
Forfeited 
   ―        ―                            
Outstanding at March 31, 2010 
   2.4       $   31.29                4.8       $   49    
                                         
Exercisable at March 31, 2010 
   2.1       $   28.90                4.4       $   48    

     
(1)
The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of our common stock at the indicated date, or at the time of exercise, exceeds the exercise price of the option.
   
On March 31, 2010, the last reported sales price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $52.05 per share.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2010:

Options Outstanding
 
Options Exercisable
   
Number of
 
Weighted
    Weighted  
Number of
 
Weighted
   
Shares
 
Average
    Average  
Shares
 
Average
Range of
 
Underlying
 
Remaining
    Exercise Price  
Underlying
 
Exercise Price
Exercise Prices
 
Options
 
Contractual Life
    per Share  
Options
 
per Share
   
(In millions)
 
(In years)
       
(In millions)
   
$ 12.51 to $ 17.50   0.4   2.4    $    16.60   0.4   $   16.60
17.51 to 22.50
  0.2   2.4       18.70   0.2       18.70
22.51 to 27.50
  0.4   3.9       24.76   0.4       24.76
27.51 to 35.00
  0.7   4.8       31.19   0.7       31.18
35.01 to 41.72
  0.1   5.1       37.33   0.1       37.03
41.73 to 48.45
  0.6   7.9       48.85   0.3       48.45
    2.4   4.8    $    31.29   2.1   $   28.90
     
Restricted Stock.  At March 31, 2010, our employees held an aggregate of 2.3 million shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units that primarily vest over a service period of three to five years. The vesting of these shares and units is dependant upon the employee’s continued service with our company.  In addition, at March 31, 2010, our employees held 0.3 million shares of restricted stock subject to performance-based vesting criteria (substantially all of which are considered market-based restricted stock under authoritative accounting guidance).
     

 
20


NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)


The following table provides information about restricted stock and restricted stock unit activity for the three months ended March 31, 2010:
   
Service-Based
Shares
   
 
Performance/
Market-Based
Shares
   
 
 
 
Total Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
per Share
 
   
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
                         
Non-vested shares outstanding at December 31, 2009
    2,424       782       3,206     $ 31.60  
                                 
Granted
    298       140       438       50.14  
Forfeited
    (46 )     (73 )     (119 )     28.83  
Vested
    (347 )     (521 )     (868 )     31.43  
                                 
Non-vested shares outstanding at March 31, 2010
    2,329       328       2,657     $ 34.83  
     
The total fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units that vested during the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $27 million.
     
Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  Pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan, for each six month period beginning on January 1 or July 1 during the term of the plan, each eligible employee has the opportunity to purchase our common stock for a purchase price equal to 85% of the lesser of the fair market value of our common stock on the first day of the period or the last day of the period. No employee may purchase common stock under the plan valued at more than $25,000 in any calendar year. Employees of our foreign subsidiaries are not eligible to participate in the plan.
     
During the first three months of 2010, options to purchase 40,821 shares of our common stock were issued under the plan.  The weighted average fair value of each option was $13.08 per share.  The fair value of the options granted was determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation method assuming no dividends, a risk-free weighted average interest rate of 0.20%, an expected life of six months and weighted average volatility of 43%.  At March 31, 2010, 358,651 shares of our common stock remained available for issuance under the plan.
 
 
12.  Commitments and Contingencies:
     
We have been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits and are involved in various other disputes, all arising in the ordinary course of our business, such as (1) claims from royalty owners for disputed royalty payments, (2) commercial disputes, (3) personal injury claims and (4) property damage claims. Although the outcome of these lawsuits and disputes cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.
 
 
13.  Segment Information:
     
While we only have operations in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, we are organizationally structured along geographic operating segments. Our current operating segments are the United States, Malaysia, China and Other International. The accounting policies of each of our operating segments are the same as those described in Note 1, “Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.”
     
The following tables provide the geographic operating segment information as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Income tax allocations have been determined based on statutory rates in the applicable geographic segment.


 
21

 
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)

   
Domestic
   
Malaysia
   
China
   
Other
International
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2010:
                             
                               
Oil and gas revenues 
  $ 359     $ 84     $ 15     $     $ 458  
                                         
Operating expenses:
                                       
Lease operating 
    56       10       1             67  
Production and other taxes 
    16       7       2             25  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    115       25       4       3       147  
General and administrative
    35       1                   36  
Other
    8                         8  
Allocated income taxes 
    47       16       2                
Net income (loss) from oil and gas properties
  $ 82     $ 25     $ 6     $ (3 )        
                                         
Total operating expenses 
                                    283  
Income from operations
                                    175  
Interest expense, net of interest income,
        capitalized interest and other
                                    (24 )
Commodity derivative income
                                    237  
Income before income taxes  
                                  $ 388  
                                         
Total long-lived assets 
  $ 5,078     $ 392     $ 159     $     $ 5,629  
                                         
Additions to long-lived assets 
  $ 525     $ 42     $ 8     $     $ 575  

   
Domestic
   
Malaysia
   
China
   
Other
International
   
Total
 
   
(In millions)
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009:
                             
                               
Oil and gas revenues 
  $ 213     $ 44     $ 5     $     $ 262  
                                         
Operating expenses:
                                       
Lease operating 
    59       11       1             71  
Production and other taxes 
    7       2                   9  
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
    134       23       2             159  
General and administrative  
    32                         32  
Ceiling test writedown 
    1,344                         1,344  
Other 
    2                         2  
Allocated income taxes
    (491 )     3                      
Net income (loss) from oil and gas properties  
  $ (874 )   $ 5     $ 2     $          
                                         
Total operating expenses 
                                    1,617  
Loss from operations 
                                    (1,355 )
Interest expense, net of interest income,
        capitalized interest and other
                                    (15 )
Commodity derivative income
                                    278  
Loss before income taxes 
                                  $ (1,092 )
                                         
Total long-lived assets 
  $ 4,077     $ 388     $ 112     $ 3     $ 4,580  
                                         
Additions to long-lived assets
  $ 339     $ 24     $ 6     $     $ 369  
 

 
22

 
 
Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     
We are an independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and gas properties. Our domestic areas of operation include the Anadarko and Arkoma Basins of the Mid-Continent, the Rocky Mountains, onshore Texas and the Gulf of Mexico. Internationally, we are active in Malaysia and China.
     
Our revenues, profitability and future growth depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil and gas and on our ability to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported results of operations and the amount of our reported assets, liabilities and proved oil and gas reserves. We use the full cost method of accounting for our oil and gas activities.
     
Oil and Gas Prices.  Prices for oil and gas fluctuate widely. Oil and gas prices affect:

 
the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures;
     
 
our ability to borrow and raise additional capital;
     
 
the quantity of oil and gas that we can economically produce; and
     
 
the accounting for our oil and gas activities including among other items, the determination of ceiling test writedowns.
 
Any extended decline in oil and gas prices could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and access to capital. Please see the discussion under “Lower oil and gas prices and other factors have resulted in ceiling test writedowns in the past and may in the future result in additional ceiling test writedowns or other impairments”  in Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and “— Liquidity and Capital Resources” below.
     
As part of our risk management program, we generally hedge a substantial, but varying, portion of our anticipated future oil and gas production. Reducing our exposure to price volatility helps ensure that we have adequate funds available for our capital programs and helps us manage returns on some of our acquisitions and more price sensitive drilling programs.
 
        Reserve Replacement. To maintain and grow our production and cash flow, we must continue to develop existing reserves and locate or acquire new oil and gas reserves to replace those reserves being produced. Substantial capital expenditures are required to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves.
     
Significant Estimates.  We believe the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments and estimates we must make in connection with the preparation of our financial statements are:

 
the quantity of our proved oil and gas reserves;
     
 
the timing of future drilling, development and abandonment activities;
     
 
the cost of these activities in the future;
     
 
the fair value of the assets and liabilities of acquired companies;
     
 
the fair value of our financial instruments including derivative positions; and
     
 
the fair value of stock-based compensation.
   

 
23


 
Accounting for Hedging Activities. We do not designate price risk management activities as accounting hedges. Because hedges not designated for hedge accounting are accounted for on a mark-to-market basis, we have in the past experienced, and are likely in the future to experience, significant non-cash volatility in our reported earnings during periods of commodity price volatility. As of March 31, 2010, we had net derivative assets of $412 million, of which 28% was measured based upon our valuation model (i.e. Black-Scholes) and, as such, is classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement. We value these contracts using a model that considers various inputs including (a) quoted forward prices for commodities, (b) time value, (c) volatility factors, (d) counterparty credit risk and (e) current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments. We utilize credit default swap values to assess the impact of non-performance risk when evaluating both our liabilities to and receivables from counterparties.  Please see Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” and Note 8, “Fair Value Measurements,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report for a discussion of the accounting applicable to our oil and gas derivative contracts.

Other factors. Please see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a discussion of a number of other factors that affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. This report should be read together with those discussions.

Results of Operations
     
Revenues. All of our revenues are derived from the sale of our oil and gas production. The effects of the settlement of hedges designated for hedge accounting are included in revenue, but those not so designated have no effect on our reported revenues. None of our outstanding oil and gas hedging contracts as of March 31, 2010 are designated for hedge accounting and the settlement of all hedging contracts during the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 had no effect on reported revenues. Please see Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report for a discussion of the accounting applicable to our oil and gas derivative contracts.
     
Our revenues may vary significantly from period to period as a result of changes in commodity prices or volumes of production sold. In addition, crude oil from our operations offshore Malaysia and China is produced into FPSOs and “lifted” and sold periodically as barge quantities are accumulated. Revenues are recorded when oil is lifted and sold, not when it is produced into the FPSO. As a result, the timing of liftings may impact period to period results.
     
Revenues of $458 million for the first quarter of 2010 were 75% higher than the comparable period of 2009 due to significantly higher average realized oil and gas prices, combined with increased oil and gas production.
 
 
 
24

 
 
   
Three Months Ended
March 31,
   
Percentage
Increase
   
2010
   
2009
   
(Decrease)
Production (1):
               
Domestic:
               
Natural gas (Bcf) 
    46.8       44.8      5 %
Oil and condensate (MBbls) 
    1,759       1,768      (1 )%
Total (Bcfe) 
    57.4       55.4      4 %
International:
                     
Natural gas (Bcf)  
               —  
Oil and condensate (MBbls) 
    1,402       1,201      17 %
Total (Bcfe)  
    8.4       7.2      17 %
Total:
                     
Natural gas (Bcf)  
    46.8       44.8      5 %
Oil and condensate (MBbls) 
    3,161       2,969      6 %
Total (Bcfe) 
    65.8       62.6      5 %
                       
Average Realized Prices (2):
                     
Domestic:
                     
Natural gas (per Mcf)  
  $ 5.04     $ 3.48      45 %
Oil and condensate (per Bbl)   
    69.28       32.26      115 %
Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe) 
    6.26       3.84      63 %
International:
                     
Natural gas (per Mcf) 
  $     $      —  
Oil and condensate (per Bbl)
    70.50       40.67      73 %
Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe)
    11.75       6.78      73 %
Total:
                     
Natural gas (per Mcf) 
  $ 5.04     $ 3.48      45 %
Oil and condensate (per Bbl)  
    69.82       35.66      96 %
Natural gas equivalent (per Mcfe)  
    6.96       4.18      66 %
 
     
(1)
Represents volumes lifted and sold regardless of when produced.
   
(2)
Had we included the effects of hedging contracts not designated for hedge accounting, our average realized price for total natural gas would have been $6.34 and $5.48 per Mcf for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Our total oil and condensate average realized price would have been $80.45 and $74.42 per Bbl for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
     
Domestic Production.  Our first quarter 2010 domestic oil and gas production, stated on a natural gas equivalent basis, increased 4% over the comparable period of 2009 primarily due to increased production from continued development of our Gulf of Mexico deepwater discoveries, combined with increased production in our Mid-Continent division as a result of continued successful development drilling efforts, partially offset by a decline in our onshore Gulf Coast production.
    
International Production. Our first quarter 2010 international oil production, stated on a natural gas equivalent basis, increased 17% over the comparable period of 2009 primarily due to the timing of liftings from our oil production in Malaysia and China.
 

 
25


 
Operating Expenses. We believe the most informative way to analyze changes in our operating expenses from period to period is on a unit-of-production, or per Mcfe, basis.
     
The following table presents information about our operating expenses for the three months ended March 31,  2010 and 2009.

   
Unit-of-Production
 
Total Amount
 
   
Three Months Ended
    Percentage  
Three Months Ended
 
Percentage
   
March 31,
    Increase  
March 31,
 
Increase
   
2010
 
2009
    (Decrease)  
2010
 
2009
 
(Decrease)
   
(Per Mcfe)
         
(In millions)
     
Domestic:
                               
Lease operating
  $   0.97     $   1.05     (8  )%   $  56     $ 59     (5 )% 
Production and other taxes
      0.27         0.12     125  %      16        7     132
Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization
      2.01         2.42     (17  )%      115        134     (14 )% 
General and administrative
      0.62         0.58     %      35        32     10
Ceiling test writedown
        —         24.25     (100  )%      —        1,344     (100 )% 
Other
      0.14         0.03      367 %      8        2     454
Total operating expenses
      4.01         28.45     (86  )%      230        1,578     (85 )% 
International:
                                           
Lease operating
  $   1.34     $   1.73     (23  )%   $  11     $ 12     (10 )% 
Production and other taxes
      1.10         0.34     224  %      9        2     280
Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization
      3.82         3.46     10  %       32         25     29
General and administrative
      0.11         0.03     267  %      1        —     271
Total operating expenses
      6.37         5.56     15  %      53        39     34
Total:
                                           
Lease operating
  $   1.02     $   1.13     (10  )%   $  67     $ 71     (5 )% 
Production and other taxes
      0.38         0.15     153  %      25        9     171
Depreciation, depletion and
      amortization
      2.24         2.54     (12  )%       147         159     (7 )% 
General and administrative
      0.55         0.52     %      36        32     12
Ceiling test writedown
        —         21.46     (100  )%      —        1,344     (100 )% 
Other
      0.12         0.02     500  %      8        2     454
Total operating expenses
      4.31         25.82     (83  )%      283        1,617     (82 )% 
     
Domestic Operations.  Our domestic operating expenses for the three months ended March 31,  2010, stated on a Mcfe basis, decreased 86% over the same period of 2009 primarily due to the full cost ceiling test writedown recorded at March 31, 2009.  The components of the period to period change are as follows:

 
Lease operating expense (LOE) per Mcfe decreased 8% due to lower overall operating and service costs and the 4% increase in production volumes period over period.
     
 
Production and other taxes per Mcfe increased 125% due to significantly higher realized commodity prices period over period.  We received refunds of $2 million ($0.04 per Mcfe) during the first quarter of 2010 related to production tax exemptions on some of our onshore wells, whereas we received similar refunds of $8 million ($0.14 per Mcfe) during the same period of 2009.
     
 
Our depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) rate per Mcfe decreased 17% primarily as a result of the ceiling test writedown recorded at March 31, 2009.
     
 
General and administrative (G&A) expense per Mcfe increased 7% primarily due to increased employee-related expenses associated with our growing domestic workforce.  During the first quarter of 2010, we capitalized $16 million of direct internal costs as compared to $13 million in the first quarter of 2009.
     
 
At March 31, 2009, we recorded a ceiling test writedown of $1.3 billion ($24.25 per Mcfe) due to significantly lower natural gas prices.
     
 
Other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010, includes the early redemption premium of $10 million associated with the tender of approximately $143 million of our $175 million aggregate principal amount 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011, partially offset by the $2 million cash received resulting from the termination of the associated interest rate swap.  Other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 includes long-term rig contract termination fees.
 
 
 
26

 
 
International Operations.  Our international operating expenses for the three months ended March 31,  2010, stated on a Mcfe basis, increased 15% over the same period of 2009. The components of the period to period change are as follows:

 
LOE per Mcfe decreased 23% due to lower overall operating and service costs and the 17% increase in production volumes period over period.
     
 
Production and other taxes increased significantly due to substantially higher realized oil prices period over period.
     
 
The DD&A rate per Mcfe increased 10% primarily due to unsuccessful exploratory drilling efforts in offshore China.
     
 
G&A expense per Mcfe increased $0.08 primarily due to increased employee-related expenses and consulting and contracting expenses associated with our growing international operations.
 
   
Commodity Derivative Income
     
The significant fluctuation in commodity derivative income from period to period is due to the extreme volatility of oil and gas prices and changes in our outstanding hedging contracts during these periods.

Interest Expense
     
The following table presents information about interest expense for the indicated periods.
 
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Gross interest expense:
           
Credit arrangements
  $ 1     $ 2  
Senior notes
    2       3  
Senior subordinated notes
    35       26  
Other
          1  
Total gross interest expense
    38       32  
Capitalized interest
    (12 )     (14 )
Net interest expense
  $ 26     $ (18 )
 
The 18% increase in gross interest expense for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period of 2009 primarily resulted from the issuance of $700 million of 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 in January 2010, partially offset by the tender of $143 million of our $175 million aggregate principal amount of 7⅝% Senior Notes.  See Note 9, “Debt,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report.

Taxes.  The effective tax rates for the first quarter of 2010 and 2009 were 37.1% and 36.4%, respectively.  Our effective tax rate for all periods was different than the federal statutory tax rate due to deductions that do not generate tax benefits, state income taxes and the differences between international and U.S. federal statutory rates.  Estimates of future taxable income can be significantly affected by changes in oil and gas prices, the timing, amount, and location of future production and future operating expenses and capital costs.

 
 
27

 
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
        We must find new and develop existing reserves to maintain and grow our production and cash flow.  We accomplish this through successful drilling programs and the acquisition of properties.  These activities require substantial capital expenditures.  Lower prices for oil and gas may reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can economically produce, and can also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow and raise additional capital, as further described below.

We establish a capital budget at the beginning of each calendar year. Our 2010 capital budget is $1.6 billion and focuses on projects we believe will generate and lay the foundation for production growth. Our 2010 capital budget (excluding acquisitions) is guided by our anticipated 2010 cash flows.

Actual levels of capital expenditures may vary significantly due to many factors, including drilling results, oil and gas prices, industry conditions, the prices and availability of goods and services and the extent to which properties are acquired. In addition, in the past, we often have increased our capital budget during the year as a result of acquisitions or successful drilling. We continue to screen for attractive acquisition opportunities; however, the timing and size of acquisitions are unpredictable. We have the operational flexibility to react quickly with our capital expenditures to changes in circumstances and our cash flows from operations.
     
On January 25, 2010, we sold $700 million of 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 and received net proceeds of $686 million (net of discount and offering costs).  These notes were issued at 99.109% of par to yield 7%.  We used $294 million of the net proceeds to repay all of our then outstanding borrowings under our credit facility and $215 million to fund the acquisition of assets from TXCO Resources Inc.

On February 19, 2010, we accepted for purchase and payment approximately $143 million of our $175 million aggregate principal amount 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011, representing approximately 82% of the outstanding principal.  The tender included the payment of an early redemption premium of $10 million.  This premium was recorded under the caption “Operating expenses – Other” on our consolidated statement of income.  We funded the tender offer with a portion of the proceeds from our January 25, 2010 Senior Subordinated Notes issuance.
 
        We continue to hold auction rate securities with a fair value of $40 million. We attempt to sell these securities every 7-28 days until the auctions succeed, the issuer calls the securities or the securities mature. We currently do not believe that the decrease in the fair value of these investments is permanent or that the failure of the auction mechanism will have a material impact on our liquidity given the amount of our available borrowing capacity under our credit arrangements. See Note 8, “Fair Value Measurements,” for more information regarding the auction rate securities.
 
        Credit Arrangements.  We have a revolving credit facility that matures in June 2012 and provides for loan commitments of $1.25 billion from a syndicate of more than 15 financial institutions, led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, as agent. As of March 31, 2010, the largest commitment was 16% of total commitments. However, the amount that we can borrow under the facility could be limited by changing expectations of future oil and gas prices because the maximum amount that we may borrow under the facility is determined by our lenders annually each May (and may be adjusted at the option of our lenders in the case of certain acquisitions or divestitures) using a process that takes into account the value of our estimated reserves and hedge position and the lenders’ commodity price assumptions.
 
        In the future, total commitments under the facility could be increased to a maximum of $1.65 billion if the existing lenders increase their individual loan commitments or new financial institutions are added to the facility. We do not believe we could access such additional capacity in the current credit market.  In addition, subject to compliance with covenants in our credit facility that restrict our ability to incur additional debt, we also have a total of $120 million of borrowing capacity under money market lines of credit with various financial institutions, the availability of which is at the discretion of the financial institution. For a more detailed description of the terms of our credit arrangements, please see Note 9, “Debt,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report.
     
At April 27, 2010, we had no letters of credit or outstanding borrowings under our $1.25 billion credit facility.  Our available borrowing capacity under our credit arrangements was approximately $1.4 billion as of April 27, 2010.

Working Capital.  Our working capital balance fluctuates as a result of the timing and amount of borrowings or repayments under our credit arrangements and changes in the fair value of our outstanding commodity derivative instruments. Without the effects of commodity derivative instruments, we typically have a working capital deficit or a relatively small amount of positive working capital. Although we anticipate that our 2010 capital spending (excluding acquisitions) will correspond with our anticipated 2010 cash flows, we may borrow and repay funds under our credit arrangements throughout the year since the timing of expenditures and the receipt of cash flows from operations do not necessarily match.

At March 31, 2010, we had positive working capital of $56 million compared to $20 million at December 31, 2009. The increase in our working capital as compared to December 31, 2009 is primarily due to an increase in our cash balance of $34 million and the increase in our net derivative assets of $81 million due to lower natural gas futures prices at March 31, 2010 as compared to December 31, 2009, partially offset by the related increase in the associated deferred tax liability of $29 million.  The increase was partially offset by the reclassification of the remaining $32 million of our 7⅝% Senior Notes due February 2011 as a current liability.

 
 
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Cash Flows from Operations.  Cash flows from operations are primarily affected by production and commodity prices, net of the effects of settlements of our derivative contracts and changes in working capital.  We sell substantially all of our oil and gas production under floating price market sensitive contracts. We generally hedge a substantial, but varying, portion of our anticipated future oil and gas production for the next 12-24 months. See “—Oil and Gas Hedging” below.

We typically receive the cash associated with oil and gas sales within 45-60 days of production. As a result, cash flows from operations and income from operations generally correlate, but cash flows from operations are impacted by changes in working capital and are not affected by DD&A, ceiling test writedowns, other impairments, or other non-cash charges or credits.
     
Our net cash flows from operations were $414 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010, an increase of 19% compared to net cash flows from operations of $349 million for the same period in 2009.  Our first quarter of 2010 net cash flows from operations were positively impacted by significantly higher average realized commodity prices and lower overall operating and service costs.
     
Cash Flows from Investing Activities.  Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 was $556 million compared to $407 million for the same period in 2009.
     
During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we:

 
spent $557 million (including $217 million for acquisitions of oil and gas properties).
    
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we:

 
spent $412 million (including $9 million for acquisitions of oil and gas properties); and
     
 
redeemed investments of $7 million.
     
Capital Expenditures.  Our capital spending of $570 million for the first quarter of 2010 increased 55% from our capital spending of $368 million during the same period of 2009. These amounts exclude recorded asset retirement obligations of $5 million and $1 million in the 2010 and 2009 periods, respectively. Of the $570 million spent during the first quarter of 2010, we invested $254 million in domestic exploitation and development, $38 million in domestic exploration (exclusive of exploitation and leasehold activity), $231 million in acquisitions of proved and unproved property (leasehold) and domestic leasing activity and $47 million outside the United States. Of the $368 million spent during the first quarter of 2009, we invested $285 million in domestic exploitation and development, $52 million in domestic exploration (exclusive of exploitation and leasehold activity), $1 million in domestic leasehold activity and $30 million outside the United States.
     
We have budgeted $1.6 billion for capital spending in 2010 (excluding acquisitions), including $124 million of estimated capitalized interest and overhead. As a result of the continued spread between oil and gas prices, we have re-allocated approximately $200 million of our budget from natural gas projects to oil projects in our portfolio. We currently expect to invest approximately $700 million in oil projects in 2010, or nearly 45% of our total budget.  The 2010 capital budget is based on our expectation that we will live within anticipated cash flow from operations (excluding acquisitions). Actual levels of capital expenditures may vary significantly due to many factors, including drilling results, oil and gas prices, industry conditions, the prices and availability of goods and services and the extent to which properties are acquired. In addition, in the past, we often have increased our capital budget during the year as a result of acquisitions or successful drilling. We continue to screen for attractive acquisition opportunities; however, the timing and size of acquisitions are unpredictable.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities.  Net cash flows provided by financing activities for the first three months of 2010 were $176 million compared to $72 million for the same period in 2009.

During the three months ended March 31, 2010, we:

 
borrowed $198 million and repaid $562 million under our credit arrangements;
     
 
issued $700 million aggregate principal amount of our 6⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 at 99.109% of par and paid $8 million in associated debt issue costs;
     
 
repaid $143 million of our $175 million aggregate principal amount 7⅝% Senior Notes due 2011;
     
 
repurchased $14 million of our common stock surrendered by employees to pay tax withholding upon the vesting of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards; and
     
 
received proceeds of $11 million from the issuance of shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options.

During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we borrowed $455 million and repaid $382 million under our credit arrangements.

 
 
29

 
 
Contractual Obligations
     
The table below summarizes our significant contractual obligations by maturity as of March 31, 2010.
 
   
Total
   
Less than
1 Year
   
2-3 Years
   
4-5 Years
   
More than
5 Years
 
   
(In millions)
 
Debt:
                             
Revolving credit facility
  $ 20     $     $ 20     $     $  
7 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2011
    32       32                    
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
    325                   325        
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016
    550                         550  
7 ⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018
    600                         600  
6 ⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020
    700                         700  
     Total debt
    2,227       32       20       325       1,850  
                                         
Other obligations:
                                       
Interest payments(1) 
    1,180       152       298       286       444  
Net derivative (assets) liabilities
    (412 )     (349 )     (63 )            
Asset retirement obligations
    98       10       13       13       62  
Operating leases
    124       48       23       22       31  
Deferred acquisition payments
    2       2                    
Firm transportation
    602       47       131       140       284  
Oil and gas activities(2) 
    123                          
     Total other (assets) obligations
    1,717       (90 )     402       461       821  
     Total contractual (assets) obligations
  $ 3,944     $ (58 )   $ 422     $ 786     $ 2,671  


     
(1)
Interest associated with our revolving credit facility was calculated using a weighted average interest rate of approximately 1.1% at March 31, 2010 and is included through the maturity of the facility.
   
(2)
As is common in the oil and gas industry, we have various contractual commitments pertaining to exploration, development and production activities. We have work-related commitments for, among other things, drilling wells, obtaining and processing seismic data, natural gas transportation, and fulfilling other cash commitments. At March 31, 2010, these work-related commitments totaled $123 million, all of which were attributable to our international business.

As of March 31, 2010, we have delivery commitments through 2011 to deliver to third party purchasers approximately 100,000 MMBtu of our daily production, principally from our Mid-Continent division.  These commitments continue through 2012 at approximately 60,000 MMBtu of our daily production.  Given the size of our proved natural gas reserves and production capacity in our Mid-Continent division, we currently believe that we have sufficient reserves and production to fulfill these delivery commitments.

Oil and Gas Hedging
     
As part of our risk management program, we generally hedge a substantial, but varying, portion of our anticipated future oil and gas production for the next 12-24 months to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and gas prices. In the case of significant acquisitions, we may hedge acquired production for a longer period. In addition, we may utilize basis contracts to hedge the differential between the NYMEX Henry Hub posted prices and those of our physical pricing points. Reducing our exposure to price volatility helps ensure that we have adequate funds available for our capital programs and helps us manage returns on some of our acquisitions and more price sensitive drilling programs. Our decision on the quantity and price at which we choose to hedge our future production is based in part on our view of current and future market conditions.
 
While the use of these hedging arrangements limits the downside risk of adverse price movements, their use also may limit future revenues from favorable price movements. In addition, the use of hedging transactions may involve basis risk. All of our hedging transactions have been carried out in the over-the-counter market. The use of hedging transactions also involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions. Our derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize our exposure to any individual counterparty and we have netting arrangements with all of our counterparties that provide for offsetting payables against receivables from separate hedging arrangements with that counterparty. At March 31, 2010, Barclays Capital, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse Energy LLC, Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank London Branch, J Aron & Company and Societe Generale were the counterparties with respect to 86% of our future hedged production, the largest of which was J Aron & Company and accounted for 28% of our future hedged production.
 
 
 
30

 
 
A significant number of the counterparties to our hedging arrangements also are lenders under our credit facility.  Our credit facility, senior subordinated notes and substantially all of our hedging arrangements contain provisions that provide for cross defaults and acceleration of those debt and hedging instruments in certain situations.  None of our derivative contracts contain collateral posting requirements; however, two of our derivative contracts contain a provision that would permit the counterparty, in certain circumstances, to request adequate assurance of our performance under the contract.

Substantially all of our hedging transactions are settled based upon reported settlement prices on the NYMEX. Historically, a majority of our hedged oil and gas production has been sold at market prices that have had a high positive correlation to the settlement price for such hedges.
 
The price that we receive for natural gas production from the Gulf of Mexico and onshore Gulf Coast, after basis differentials, transportation and handling charges, typically averages $0.25-$0.50 per MMBtu less than the Henry Hub Index. Realized natural gas prices for our Mid-Continent properties, after basis differentials, transportation and handling charges, typically average 85-90% of the Henry Hub Index.  In the Rocky Mountains, we hedged basis associated with approximately 14 Bcf of our natural gas production from April 2010 through December 2012 to lock in the differential at a weighted average of $0.95 per MMBtu less than the Henry Hub Index.  In total, this hedge and the 8,000 MMBtus per day we have sold on a fixed physical basis for the same period results in an average basis hedge of $0.93 per MMBtu.  In the Mid-Continent, we hedged basis associated with approximately 10 Bcf of our anticipated Stiles/Britt Ranch natural gas production from April 2010 through August 2011.  In total, this hedge and the 30,000 MMBtus per day we have sold on a fixed physical basis for the same period results in an average basis hedge of $0.52 per MMBtu.  We have also hedged basis associated with approximately 23 Bcf of our natural gas production from this area for the period September 2011 through December 2012 at an average of $0.55 per MMBtu.

The price we receive for our Gulf Coast oil production typically averages about 90-95% of the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (WTI) price. The price we receive for our oil production in the Rocky Mountains is currently averaging about $12-$14 per barrel below the WTI price. Oil production from our Mid-Continent properties typically averages 88-92% of the WTI price. Oil sales from our operations in Malaysia typically sell at a slight discount to Tapis, or about 90-95% of WTI. Oil sales from our operations in China typically sell at $4-$6 per barrel less than the WTI price.

Between April 1, 2010 and April 28, 2010, we entered into additional natural gas derivative contracts as set forth below.

         
Weighted
 
         
Average
 
         
NYMEX
 
         
Contract
 
   
Volume in
   
Price per
 
Period and Type of Contract
 
MMMBtus
   
MMBtu
 
January 2011-December 2011
           
Price swap contracts
   21,900       $     5.42  
January 2012-October 2012
               
Price swap contracts
   18,300             5.42  

New Accounting Standards

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-03, Oil and Gas Reserve Estimation and Disclosures (ASU 2010-03), which aligns the FASB’s oil and gas reserve estimation and disclosure requirements with the requirements in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s final rule, Modernization of the Oil and Gas Reporting Requirements (Final Rule), which was issued on December 31, 2008 and became effective for the year ended December 31, 2009.  We adopted the Final Rule and ASU 2010-03 effective December 31, 2009, as a change in accounting principle that is inseparable from a change in accounting estimate.  Such a change is accounted for prospectively under the authoritative accounting guidance.  Comparative disclosures applying the new rules for periods before the adoption of ASU 2010-03 and the Final Rule are not required.

In January 2010, the FASB issued additional disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements.  The guidance requires disclosure of transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 in the fair value measurement hierarchy, including the reasons for the transfers and disclosure of major purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis in the reconciliation of the assets and liabilities measured under Level 3 of the fair value measurement hierarchy. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures which are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2010.  We adopted the provisions for the quarter ending March 31, 2010, except for the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures, which we will adopt for the quarter ending March 31, 2011.  Adopting the disclosure requirements for the quarter ending March 31, 2010 did not have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.  We do not expect adoption of the Level 3 reconciliation disclosures in 2011 to have an impact on our financial position or results of operations.
 
 
 
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General Information
     
General information about us can be found at www.newfield.com. In conjunction with our web page, we also maintain an electronic publication entitled @NFX. @NFX is periodically published to provide updates on our operating activities and our latest publicly announced estimates of expected production volumes, costs and expenses for the then current quarter. Recent editions of @NFX are available on our web page. To receive @NFX directly by email, please forward your email address to info@newfield.com or visit our web page and sign up. Unless specifically incorporated, the information about us at www.newfield.com or in any edition of @NFX is not part of this report.
     
Our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file or furnish them to the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-Looking Information

This report contains information that is forward-looking or relates to anticipated future events or results, such as planned capital expenditures, the availability and sources of capital resources to fund capital expenditures and other plans and objectives for future operations. Although we believe that these expectations are reasonable, this information is based upon assumptions and anticipated results that are subject to numerous uncertainties and risks. Actual results may vary significantly from those anticipated due to many factors, including:
 
 
oil and gas prices;
     
 
general economic, financial, industry or business conditions;
     
 
the impact of governmental regulations;
     
 
the availability and cost of capital to fund our operations and business strategies;
     
 
the ability and willingness of current or potential lenders, hedging contract counterparties, customers, and working interest owners to fulfill their obligations to us or to enter into transactions with us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us;
     
 
the availability of refining capacity for the crude oil we produce from our Monument Butte field;
     
 
drilling results;
     
 
the prices of goods and services;
     
 
the availability of drilling rigs and other support services;
     
 
labor conditions;
     
 
weather conditions, and changes in weather patterns, including adverse conditions and changes in patterns due to climate change;
     
 
the effect of worldwide energy conservation measures;
     
 
the price and availability of, and demand for, competing energy sources; and
     
 
the other factors affecting our business described under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
All forward-looking statements in this report, as well as all other written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section and elsewhere in this report and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.  See “Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” for additional information about factors that may affect our businesses and operating results. These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could affect us. Use caution and common sense when considering these forward-looking statements. We do not intend to update these statements unless securities laws require us to do so.
 
 
 
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Commonly Used Oil and Gas Terms
     
Below are explanations of some commonly used terms in the oil and gas business.
     
Basis risk. The risk associated with the sales point price for oil or gas production varying from the reference (or settlement) price for a particular hedging transaction.

Barrel or Bbl. One stock tank barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume.
     
Bcf. Billion cubic feet.
     
Bcfe. Billion cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil or condensate.
     
Btu. British thermal unit, which is the heat required to raise the temperature of a one-pound mass of water from 58.5 to 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
 
Completion.  The installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or natural gas.

Deepwater.  Generally considered to be water depths in excess of 1,000 feet.

Development well. A well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.
 
Exploitation well. An exploration well drilled to find and produce probable reserves. Most of the exploitation wells we drill are located in the Mid-Continent or the Monument Butte field. Exploitation wells in those areas have less risk and less reserve potential and typically may be drilled at a lower cost than other exploration wells. For internal reporting and budgeting purposes, we combine exploitation and development activities.

Exploration well. An exploration well is a well drilled to find a new field or to find a new reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or gas in another reservoir.  Generally, an exploratory well is any well that is not a development well, an extension well, a service well, or a stratigraphic test well.  For internal reporting and budgeting purposes, we exclude exploitation activities from exploration activities.

Field. An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature or stratigraphic condition.
 
FPSO.  A floating production, storage and off-loading vessel commonly used overseas to produce oil from locations where pipeline infrastructure is not available.

MBbls. One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.
     
Mcf. One thousand cubic feet.
     
Mcfe. One thousand cubic feet equivalent, determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil or condensate.
     
MMBtu. One million Btus.
     
MMMBtu. One billion Btus.
     
NYMEX. The New York Mercantile Exchange.
     
NYMEX Henry Hub. Henry Hub is the major exchange for pricing natural gas futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange.  It is frequently referred to as the Henry Hub Index.

Proved reserves. Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible – from a given date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations – prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation.  The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

Working interest.  The operating interest that gives the owner the right to drill, produce and conduct operating activities on the property and a share of production.
 
 
 
33


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
     
We are exposed to market risk from changes in oil and gas prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates as discussed below.

Oil and Gas Prices
     
We generally hedge a substantial, but varying, portion of our anticipated oil and gas production for the next 12-24 months as part of our risk management program. In the case of significant acquisitions, we may hedge acquired production for a longer period. In addition, we may utilize basis contracts to hedge the differential between NYMEX Henry Hub posted prices and those of our physical pricing points. We use hedging to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in oil and gas prices. Reducing our exposure to price volatility helps ensure that we have adequate funds available for our capital programs and helps us manage returns on some of our acquisitions and more price sensitive drilling programs. Our decision on the quantity and price at which we choose to hedge our production is based in part on our view of current and future market conditions. While hedging limits the downside risk of adverse price movements, it also may limit future revenues from favorable price movements.  The use of hedging transactions also involves the risk that the counterparties, which generally are financial institutions, will be unable to meet the financial terms of such transactions.  Our derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize our exposure to any individual counterparty. For a further discussion of our hedging activities, see the information under the caption “Oil and Gas Hedging” in Item 2 of this report and the discussion and tables in Note 5, “Derivative Financial Instruments,” to our consolidated financial statements appearing earlier in this report.

Interest Rates
     
At March 31, 2010, our debt was comprised of:
   
Fixed
Rate Debt
   
Variable
Rate Debt
 
   
(In millions)
 
             
Bank revolving credit facility 
  $     $ 20  
7 ⅝% Senior Notes due 2011
    32        
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014
    325        
6 ⅝% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 
    550        
7 ⅛% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 
    600        
6 ⅞% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 
    694        
Total debt                                                                             
  $ 2,201     $ 20  
     
We consider our interest rate exposure to be minimal because approximately 99% of our debt obligations were at fixed rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
     
The functional currency for all of our foreign operations is the U.S. dollar. To the extent that business transactions in these countries are not denominated in the respective country’s functional currency, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange risk. We consider our current risk exposure to exchange rate movements, based on net cash flow, to be immaterial. We did not have any open derivative contracts relating to foreign currencies at March 31, 2010.


 
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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
        As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2010.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
        As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of our internal control over financial reporting to determine whether any changes occurred during the first quarter of 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Based on that evaluation, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

There have been no material changes with respect to Newfield’s legal proceedings previously reported in Newfield’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

There have been no material changes with respect to Newfield’s risk factors previously reported in Newfield’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2010.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Period
 
 
 
 
 
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
   
 
 
 
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
   
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or Programs
   
 
Maximum Number
(or Approximate)
Dollar Value) of
Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
 
January 1 – January 31, 2010
    1,803     $ 50.09              
February 1 – February 28, 2010
    206,450       50.61              
March 1 – March 31, 2010
    68,671       52.01              
Total
    276,924     $ 50.96              
 
     
(1)
All of the shares repurchased were surrendered by employees to pay tax withholding upon the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units. These repurchases were not part of a publicly announced program to repurchase shares of our common stock.
   
 
 
 
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Item 6.  Exhibits

Exhibit Number
 
Description
4.1.1
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 19, 2010, to Senior Indenture dated as of February 28, 2001 between Newfield and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor to First Union National Bank), as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Newfield’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2010 (File No. 1-12534))
     
4.2.4
 
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 25, 2010, to Subordinated Indenture dated as of December 10, 2001 between Newfield and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Newfield’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010 (File No. 1-12534))
     
10.20
 
Form of 2010 TSR Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between Newfield and its executive officers dated as of February 4, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 1-12534))
     
10.21
 
Form of 2010 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between Newfield and its executive officers dated as of February 4, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 1-12534))
     
10.23
 
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 1-12534))
     
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
*      Filed or furnished herewith.
 

 
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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.

         
   
NEWFIELD EXPLORATION COMPANY
         
Date: April 30, 2010
 
By:
 
/s/ TERRY W. RATHERT
       
Terry W. Rathert
       
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


 
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Exhibit Index

Exhibit Number
 
Description
4.1.1
 
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 19, 2010, to Senior Indenture dated as of February 28, 2001 between Newfield and U.S. Bank National Association (as successor to First Union National Bank), as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Newfield’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 19, 2010 (File No. 1-12534))
     
4.2.4
 
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 25, 2010, to Subordinated Indenture dated as of December 10, 2001 between Newfield and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Newfield’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 25, 2010 (File No. 1-12534))
     
10.20
 
Form of 2010 TSR Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between Newfield and its executive officers dated as of February 4, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 1-12534))
     
10.21
 
Form of 2010 Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between Newfield and its executive officers dated as of February 4, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 1-12534))
     
10.23
 
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Newfield’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (File No. 1-12534))
     
31.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
31.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 7241, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.1*
 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Newfield pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
32.2*
 
Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Newfield pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
*      Filed or furnished herewith.
 
 
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