UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Commission File No. 001-03262

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco, Texas 75034

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(972) 668-8800

(Registrant’s telephone number and area code)

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

 

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

None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.   ü  

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):

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).

The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing price of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30, 2013 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter), was $705.7 million.

As of February 26, 2014, there were 47,837,224 shares of common stock of the registrant outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2014 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

are incorporated by reference into Part III of this report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC.

ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2013

CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information contained in this report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms such as “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe” and similar terms. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this report, are forward-looking statements, including statements mentioned under “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” regarding:

Any or all of our forward-looking statements in this report may turn out to be incorrect. They can be affected by a number of factors, including, among others:

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DEFINITIONS

The following are abbreviations and definitions of terms commonly used in the oil and gas industry and this report. Natural gas equivalents and crude oil equivalents are determined using the ratio of six Mcf to one barrel. All references to “us,” “our,” “we” or “Comstock” mean the registrant, Comstock Resources, Inc. and where applicable, its consolidated subsidiaries.

“Bbl” means a barrel of U.S. 42 gallons of oil.

“Bcf” means one billion cubic feet of natural gas.

“Bcfe” means one billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

“BOE” means one barrel of oil equivalent.

“Btu” means British thermal unit, which is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water from 58.5 to 59.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Completion” means the installation of permanent equipment for the production of oil or gas.

“Condensate” means a hydrocarbon mixture that becomes liquid and separates from natural gas when the gas is produced and is similar to crude oil.

“Development well” means a well drilled within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

“Dry hole” means a well found to be incapable of producing hydrocarbons in sufficient quantities such that proceeds from the sale of such production exceed production expenses and taxes.

“Exploratory well” means a well drilled to find and produce oil or natural gas reserves not classified as proved, to find a new productive reservoir in a field previously found to be productive of oil or natural gas in another reservoir or to extend a known reservoir.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

“Gross” when used with respect to acres or wells, production or reserves refers to the total acres or wells in which we or another specified person has a working interest.

“MBbls” means one thousand barrels of oil.

“MBbls/d” means one thousand barrels of oil per day.

“Mcf” means one thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

“Mcfe” means one thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

“MMBbls” means one million barrels of oil.

“MMBOE” means one million barrels of oil equivalent.

“MMBtu” means one million British thermal units.

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“MMcf” means one million cubic feet of natural gas.

“MMcf/d” means one million cubic feet of natural gas per day.

“MMcfe/d” means one million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent per day.

“MMcfe” means one million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

“Net” when used with respect to acres or wells, refers to gross acres of wells multiplied, in each case, by the percentage working interest owned by us.

“Net production” means production we own less royalties and production due others.

“Oil” means crude oil or condensate.

“Operator” means the individual or company responsible for the exploration, development, and production of an oil or gas well or lease.

“PV 10 Value” means the present value of estimated future revenues to be generated from the production of proved reserves calculated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission guidelines, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices and costs as of the date of estimation without future escalation, without giving effect to non-property related expenses such as general and administrative expenses, debt service, future income tax expense and depreciation, depletion and amortization, and discounted using an annual discount rate of 10%. This amount is the same as the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows related to proved oil and natural gas reserves except that it is determined without deducting future income taxes. Although PV 10 Value is not a financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, management believes that the presentation of PV 10 Value is relevant and useful to our investors because it presents the discounted future net cash flows attributable to our proved reserves prior to taking into account corporate future income taxes and our current tax structure. We use this measure when assessing the potential return on investment related to our oil and gas properties. Because many factors that are unique to any given company affect the amount of estimated future income taxes, the use of a pre-tax measure is helpful to investors when comparing companies in our industry.

“Proved developed reserves” means reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

“Proved developed non-producing” means reserves (i) expected to be recovered from zones capable of producing but which are shut-in because no market outlet exists at the present time or whose date of connection to a pipeline is uncertain or (ii) currently behind the pipe in existing wells, which are considered proved by virtue of successful testing or production of offsetting wells.

“Proved developed producing” means reserves expected to be recovered from currently producing zones under continuation of present operating methods. This category includes recently completed shut-in gas wells scheduled for connection to a pipeline in the near future.

“Proved reserves” means the estimated quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids which geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions, i.e., prices and costs as of the date the estimate is made. Prices include consideration of changes in existing prices provided by contractual arrangements.

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“Proved undeveloped reserves” means reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those drilling locations offsetting productive wells that are reasonably certain of production when drilled or where it can be demonstrated with certainty that there is continuity of production from the existing productive formation.

“Recompletion” means the completion for production of an existing well bore in another formation from which the well has been previously completed.

“Reserve life” means the calculation derived by dividing year-end reserves by total production in that year.

“Reserve replacement” means the calculation derived by dividing additions to reserves from acquisitions, extensions, discoveries and revisions of previous estimates in a year by total production in that year.

“Royalty” means an interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to receive a portion of the production from the leased acreage (or of the proceeds of the sale thereof), but generally does not require the owner to pay any portion of the costs of drilling or operating the wells on the leased acreage. Royalties may be either landowner’s royalties, which are reserved by the owner of the leased acreage at the time the lease is granted, or overriding royalties, which are usually reserved by an owner of the leasehold in connection with a transfer to a subsequent owner.

“3-D seismic” means an advanced technology method of detecting accumulations of hydrocarbons identified by the collection and measurement of the intensity and timing of sound waves transmitted into the earth as they reflect back to the surface.

“Tcfe” means one trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

“Working interest” means an interest in an oil and gas lease that gives the owner of the interest the right to drill for and produce oil and gas on the leased acreage and requires the owner to pay a share of the costs of drilling and production operations. The share of production to which a working interest owner is entitled will always be smaller than the share of costs that the working interest owner is required to bear, with the balance of the production accruing to the owners of royalties. For example, the owner of a 100% working interest in a lease burdened only by a landowner’s royalty of 12.5% would be required to pay 100% of the costs of a well but would be entitled to retain 87.5% of the production.

“Workover” means operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.

 

 

 

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PART I

 

ITEMS 1 and 2.   BUSINESS AND PROPERTIES

We are engaged in the acquisition, development, production and exploration of oil and natural gas. Our common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange. In May 2013, we divested all of our oil and gas properties in West Texas and, accordingly, the discussion which follows pertains solely to our continuing oil and gas operations.

Our oil and gas operations are concentrated in Texas and Louisiana. Our oil and natural gas properties are estimated to have proved reserves of 585 Bcfe with an estimated PV 10 Value of $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2013 and a standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of $0.8 billion. Our proved oil and natural gas reserve base is 77% natural gas and 23% oil and are 73% developed as of December 31, 2013.

Our proved reserves at December 31, 2013 and our 2013 average daily production are summarized below:

 

Strengths

High Quality Properties.     Our operations are currently focused in two operating areas: East Texas/North Louisiana and South Texas. Our properties have an average reserve life of approximately 8.4 years and have extensive development and exploration potential. In response to the low natural gas price environment in recent years, we have focused our drilling activity primarily on oil projects and limited our natural gas drilling to wells required to hold acreage. Our Eagleville field includes 31,755 acres (25,316 net to us) located in the oil window of the Eagle Ford shale in South Texas. In 2013 94% of our drilling and completion expenditures were related to our Eagleville field development. During 2013, we acquired acreage in two additional areas that are prospective for oil, including 33,624 acres (21,034 net to us) in the oil window of the Eagleford shale in or near Burleson County, Texas, and 53,470 acres (51,017 net to us) in Mississippi and Louisiana that are prospective for development in the Tuscaloosa Marine shale. Our properties in the East Texas/North Louisiana region, which are primarily prospective for natural gas, include 84,875 acres (72,232 net to us) in the Haynesville or Bossier shale formations.

Successful Exploration and Development Program.     In 2013 we spent $481.1 million on exploration and development activities. We spent $338.0 million on drilling and completing wells in 2013. We drilled 77 wells (53.6 net to us) and completed 67 wells (44.1 net to us). We also spent $137.1 million in 2013 to acquire additional leasehold, $0.4 million to acquire seismic data and $5.6 million for recompletions, workovers, abandonment, and production facilities. Of our 2013 capital expenditures, 95% were directed towards oil projects. Our drilling activities in 2013 added 13.2 MMBOE to our proved reserves and increased our oil production in 2013 by 29% from 2012's oil production.

Efficient Operator.     We operated 95% of our proved reserve base as of December 31, 2013. As operator we are better able to control operating costs, the timing and plans for future development, the

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level of drilling and lifting costs and the marketing of production. As an operator, we receive reimbursements for overhead from other working interest owners, which reduces our general and administrative expenses.

Successful Acquisitions.   We have had significant growth over the years as a result of our acquisition activity. In recent years we have focused primarily on acquiring undrilled acreage rather than producing properties. We apply strict economic and reserve risk criteria in evaluating acquisitions. Over the last twenty years, we have added 1.1 Tcfe of proved oil and natural gas reserves from 38 acquisitions of producing oil and gas properties at an average cost of $1.17 per Mcfe. Our application of strict economic and reserve risk criteria have enabled us to successfully evaluate and integrate acquisitions.

Business Strategy

 

Pursue Exploration Opportunities.   Each year, we conduct exploration activities to grow our reserve base and to replace our production. In recent years we have been focused on oil development, and we limited our drilling on natural gas properties due to weak natural gas prices.

In 2013 our Eagleville field in South Texas was the primary focus of our drilling activity. From 2010 through 2013, we spent approximately $169.5 million leasing acreage in McMullen, Atascosa, Frio, La Salle, Karnes and Wilson Counties in South Texas, which we believe to be prospective for oil in the Eagle Ford shale formation. In 2012 we entered into a joint venture arrangement to allow us to accelerate the development of this field. Our joint venture partner participates for a one-third interest in the wells that we drill in exchange for paying $25,000 per net acre that is earned by their participation. Through December 31, 2013, we have drilled 128 wells (94.3 net to us) in our Eagleville field including 75 wells (51.6 net to us) drilled in 2013. Our joint venture partner participated in 96 of these wells and contributed $61.3 million through December 31, 2013 for acreage and an additional $5.0 million to reimburse us for a portion of common production facilities. In 2013, we added 6.1 MMBOE to our proved reserves from our drilling activity in Eagleville. We have budgeted to spend $344.0 million in 2014, net of reimbursements from our joint venture partner, to drill 59 wells (40.2 net to us) and to complete 18 wells (13.3 net to us) that were drilled in 2013.

In May 2013 we completed the divestiture of our West Texas properties that were acquired in 2011.  We received proceeds of $823.1 million from the sale and recognized a gain of $230.0 million ($148.6 million after income taxes).  We divested of the properties due to the substantial drilling required to maintain the leases, the opportunity to earn a substantial profit from our investment and the low returns we were realizing from our 2012 drilling activity.  The divestiture allowed us to repay $722.0 million of our long-term debt and to accelerate the development of our Eagleville field.

We spent $67.4 million in 2013 to lease 33,624 acres (21,034 net to us) in or near Burleson County,  Texas which are prospective for oil in the Eagle Ford shale formation, and we spent $53.3 million to acquire 53,470 acres (51,017 net to us) in Louisiana and Mississippi, which are prospective for oil in the Tuscaloosa Marine shale.  We have budgeted $77.0 million in 2014 for drilling 12 wells (7.4 net to us) on the new acreage.

We have a significant acreage position of 84,875 acres (72,232 net to us) in East Texas and North Louisiana with Haynesville or Bossier shale natural gas potential, but in 2013 we elected to defer most of our drilling operations until natural gas prices improve. We drilled two Haynesville and Bossier shale horizontal wells (2.0 net to us) in 2013, which added 37 Bcfe to our proved reserves.

Exploit Existing Reserves.   We seek to maximize the value of our oil and gas properties by increasing production and recoverable reserves through development drilling and workover, recompletion and exploitation activities. We utilize advanced industry technology, including 3-D seismic data, horizontal drilling, enhanced logging tools, and formation stimulation techniques.

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Maintain Flexible Capital Expenditure Budget.   The timing of most of our capital expenditures is discretionary because we have not made any significant long-term capital expenditure commitments except for contracted drilling and completion services. We operate most of the drilling projects in which we participate. Consequently, we have a significant degree of flexibility to adjust the level of such expenditures according to market conditions. We have budgeted to spend approximately $450.0 million in 2014 on our development and exploration projects and $28.0 million for lease acquisition activity.

Acquire High Quality Properties at Attractive Costs.   Historically, we have had a successful track record of increasing our oil and natural gas reserves through opportunistic acquisitions. Over the last twenty years, we have added 1.1 Tcfe of proved oil and natural gas reserves from 38 acquisitions of producing oil and gas properties at a total cost of $1.3 billion, or $1.17 per Mcfe. The acquisitions were acquired at an average of 67% of their PV 10 Value in the year the acquisitions were completed. In evaluating acquisitions, we apply strict economic and reserve risk criteria. We target properties in our core operating areas with established production and low operating costs that also have potential opportunities to increase production and reserves through exploration and exploitation activities. We also evaluate our existing properties and consider divesting of non-strategic assets when market conditions are favorable.

Primary Operating Areas

The following table summarizes the estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves for our fifteen largest field areas as of December 31, 2013:

 

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East Texas/North Louisiana Region

Approximately 59% or 343.8 Bcfe of our proved reserves are located in East Texas and North Louisiana where we own interests in 956 producing wells (584.8 net to us) in 28 field areas. We operate 662 of these wells. The largest of our fields in this region are the Logansport, Toledo Bend, Beckville, Waskom, Blocker, Mansfield, Douglass and Darco fields. Production from this region averaged 128 MMcf of natural gas per day and 175 barrels of oil per day during 2013 or 130 MMcfe per day. Most of the reserves in this area produce from the upper Jurassic aged Haynesville or Bossier shale or Cotton Valley formations and the Cretaceous aged Travis Peak/Hosston formation. In 2013, we spent $16.7 million drilling two wells (2.0 net to us) and $2.3 million on workovers and recompletions in this region. The two wells we drilled in 2013 were Bossier shale horizontal wells. We have not budgeted to drill any wells in this region in 2014.

Logansport

The Logansport field located in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana primarily produces from the Haynesville and Bossier shale formations at a depth of 11,100 to 11,500 feet and from multiple sands in the Cotton Valley and Hosston formations at an average depth of 8,000 feet. Our proved reserves of 232.8 Bcfe in the Logansport field represent approximately 40% of our proved reserves. We own interests in 252 wells (161.9 net to us) and operate 178 of these wells in this field.

Toledo Bend

The Toledo Bend field in DeSoto and Sabine Parishes, Louisiana was discovered in 2008 with our first horizontal Haynesville shale well. Production from the Haynesville shale in the Toledo Bend field ranges from 11,400 to 11,800 feet and from 10,880 to 11,300 feet in the Bossier shale. Our proved reserves of 31.1 Bcfe in the Toledo Bend field represent approximately 5% of our reserves. We own interests in 76 producing wells (39.3 net to us) and operate 41 of these wells in this field. During 2013 we drilled two horizontal wells (2.0 net to us) at Toledo Bend and we completed two wells (0.1 net to us) that were drilled in 2012.

Beckville

The Beckville field, located in Panola and Rusk Counties, Texas, has estimated proved reserves of 30.6 Bcfe which represents approximately 5% of our proved reserves. We operate 191 wells in this field and own interests in 78 additional wells for a total of 269 wells (159.3 net to us). The Beckville field produces primarily from the Cotton Valley formation at depths ranging from 9,000 to 10,000 feet. The field is also prospective for future Haynesville shale development.

Waskom

The Waskom field, located in Harrison and Panola Counties in Texas, represents approximately 2% (12.7 Bcfe) of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2013. We own interests in 63 wells in this field (39.8 net to us) and operate 47 wells in this field. The Waskom field produces from the Cotton Valley formation at depths ranging from 9,000 to 10,000 feet and from the Haynesville shale formation at depths of 10,800 to 10,900 feet.

Blocker

Our proved reserves of 12.1 Bcfe in the Blocker field located in Harrison County, Texas represent approximately 2% of our proved reserves. We own interests in 77 wells (71.0 net to us) and operate 71 of these wells. Most of this production is from the Cotton Valley formation between 8,600 and 10,150 feet and the Haynesville shale formation between 11,100 and 11,450 feet.

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Mansfield

The Mansfield field is located in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana and produces from the Haynesville shale between 12,250 and 12,350 feet. We own interests in 17 wells (4.6 net to us) and operate 4 of these wells. Our proved reserves in this field of 7.1 Bcfe represent approximately 1% of our total reserves.

Douglass

The Douglass field is located in Nacogdoches County, Texas and is productive from stratigraphically trapped reservoirs in the Pettet Lime and Travis Peak formations. These reservoirs are found at depths from 9,200 to 10,300 feet. Our proved reserves of 3.6 Bcfe in the Douglass field represent less than 1% of our reserves. We own interests in 40 wells (25.8 net to us) and operate 33 of these wells.

Darco

The Darco field is located in Harrison County, Texas and produces from the Cotton Valley formation at depths from approximately 9,800 to 10,200 feet.  Our proved reserves of 2.8 Bcfe in the Darco field represent less than 1% of our reserves.  We own interests in 23 wells (18 net to us) and operate all of these wells.  

South Texas Region

Approximately 39%, or 37.9 MMBOE (227.6 Bcfe), of our proved reserves are located in South Texas, where we own interests in 240 producing wells (151.7 net to us). We own interests in 13 field areas in the region, the largest of which are the Eagleville, Fandango, Rosita, Javelina, Las Hermanitas and Lopeno fields. Net daily production rates from this region averaged 6,110 barrels of oil and 20 MMcf of natural gas during 2013 or 9,388 BOE per day. We spent $325.0 million in 2013 to drill 75 oil wells (51.6 net to us) targeting the Eagle Ford shale and for other development activity. We also spent $77.2 million in this region in 2013 to acquire acreage, including $67.4 million for 33,624 acres (21,034 net to us) in or near Burleson County, Texas which are prospective in the Eagle Ford shale formation.   We plan to spend approximately $264.0 million in 2014 to drill 59 horizontal wells (40.2 net to us) in our Eagleville field, $50.0 million to drill ten wells (5.6 net to us) in our newly acquired Eagle Ford shale acreage, $80.0 million to complete 18 Eagleville wells (13.3 net to us) that were drilled in 2013 and $25.0 million on facilities, recompletions and other capital projects.

Eagleville

We have 31,755 acres (25,316 net to us) in McMullen, Atascosa, Frio, La Salle, Karnes and Wilson Counties which comprise our Eagleville field. The Eagle Ford shale is found between 7,500 feet and 11,500 feet across our acreage position. At December 31, 2013 we had 101 wells (74.6 net to us) producing in the Eagleville field. Our proved reserves in this field are estimated to be 24.4 MMBOE (146.6 Bcfe) (87% oil) and represent 25% of our total proved reserves. We plan to spend approximately $264.0 million in 2014 to drill 59 horizontal wells (40.2 net to us) and $80.0 million to complete wells that were drilled in 2013 in the Eagleville field.

Fandango

We own interests in 19 wells (19.0 net to us) in the Fandango field located in Zapata County, Texas. We operate all of these wells which produce from the Wilcox formation at depths from approximately 13,000 to 18,000 feet. Our proved reserves of 45.4 Bcfe in this field represent approximately 8% of our total proved reserves.

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Rosita

We own interests in 29 wells (15.7 net to us) in the Rosita field, located in Duval County, Texas. We operate 28 of these wells which produce from the Wilcox formation at depths from approximately 9,300 to 17,000 feet. Our proved reserves of 16.3 Bcfe in this field represent approximately 3% of our total proved reserves.

Javelina

We own interests in and operate 18 wells (18.0 net to us) in the Javelina field in Hidalgo County in South Texas. These wells produce primarily from the Vicksburg formation at a depth of approximately 10,900 to 12,500 feet. Proved reserves attributable to our interests in the Javelina field are 7.8 Bcfe, which represents approximately 1% of our total proved reserves.

Las Hermanitas

We own interests in and operate 11 natural gas wells (11.0 net to us) in the Las Hermanitas field, located in Duval County, Texas. These wells produce from the Wilcox formation at depths from approximately 11,400 to 11,800 feet. Our proved reserves of 5.7 Bcfe in this field represent approximately 1% of our total proved reserves.

Lopeno

The Lopeno Field located in Zapata County, Texas has estimated proved reserves of 2.5 Bcfe which represents less than 1% of our total company proved reserves.  Production is from shallow Queen City sands between 2,200 feet and 2,600 feet and deeper Wilcox sands between 6,400 feet and 12,500 feet.  We own interests in 17 wells (2.7 net to us) and operate one of these wells.  

Other Regions

Approximately 2%, or 13.1 Bcfe, of our proved reserves are in other regions, primarily in New Mexico and the Mid-Continent region. We own interests in 339 producing wells (85.3 net to us) in 15 fields within these regions. The field with the largest proved reserves is our San Juan Basin properties in New Mexico. Net daily production from our other regions during 2013 totaled 5 MMcf of natural gas and 54 barrels of oil or 5 MMcfe per day.

During 2013, we spent $53.3 million to acquire 53,470 acres (51,017 net to us) in Louisiana and Mississippi which are prospective for oil in the Tuscaloosa Marine shale.  We have budgeted $27.0 million in 2014 to drill two wells (1.8 net to us) on this acreage.

San Juan

Our San Juan Basin properties are located in the west-central portion of San Juan County, New Mexico. These wells produce from multiple sands of the Cretaceous Dakota formation and the Fruitland Coal seams. The Dakota is generally found at about 6,000 feet with the shallower Fruitland seams encountered at 2,500 to 3,000 feet. Our proved reserves of 2.8 Bcfe in the San Juan field represent less than 1% of our reserves. We own interests in 92 wells (14.0 net to us) in this field.

Major Property Acquisitions

As a result of our acquisitions of producing oil and gas properties, we have added 1.1 Tcfe of proved oil and natural gas reserves since 1991. Our ten largest acquisitions include the following:

Delaware Basin Acquisition.   In December 2011, we acquired certain oil and gas properties from Eagle Oil & Gas Co. and other third parties for $348.7 million. The properties acquired had estimated

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proved reserves of approximately 151.2 Bcfe and included approximately 65,000 exploratory acres (39,100 net to us). We divested of these properties in May 2013.

Shell Wilcox Acquisition.   In December 2007, we completed the acquisition of certain oil and natural gas properties and related assets from SWEPI LP, an affiliate of Shell Oil Company for $160.1 million. The properties acquired had estimated proved reserves of approximately 70.1 Bcfe. Major fields acquired in the acquisition include the Fandango and Rosita fields.

Javelina Acquisition.   In June 2007, we acquired additional working interests in oil and gas properties in the Javelina field in South Texas from Abaco Operating LLC for $31.2 million. The properties acquired had estimated proved reserves of approximately 9.1 Bcfe.

Denali Acquisition.   In September 2006, we acquired proved and unproved oil and gas properties in the Las Hermanitas field in South Texas from Denali Oil & Gas Partners LP and other working interest owners for $67.2 million. The properties acquired had estimated proved reserves of approximately 16.5 Bcfe.

Ensight Acquisition.   In May 2005, we completed the acquisition of certain oil and natural gas properties and related assets from Ensight Energy Partners, L.P., Laurel Production, LLC, Fairfield Midstream Services, LLC and Ensight Energy Management, LLC (collectively, “Ensight”) for $190.9 million. We also purchased additional interests in those properties from other owners for $10.9 million in July 2005. The properties acquired had estimated proved reserves of approximately 121.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent and included 312 active wells, of which 119 are operated by us. Major fields acquired include the Darco, Douglass, Cadeville, and Laurel fields. We divested of the Laurel field in 2010.

Ovation Energy Acquisition.   In October 2004, we acquired producing oil and gas properties in the East Texas, Arkoma, Anadarko and San Juan basins from Ovation Energy, L.P. for $62.0 million. The properties acquired had estimated proved reserves of approximately 41.0 billion cubic feet of gas equivalent and included 165 active wells, of which 69 were operated by us.

DevX Energy Acquisition.   In December 2001, we completed the acquisition of DevX Energy, Inc. by acquiring 100% of the common stock of DevX for $92.6 million. The total purchase price including debt and other liabilities assumed in the acquisition was $160.8 million. The acquisition included 600 producing wells located onshore primarily in East and South Texas, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Kansas with 1.2 MMBbls of oil reserves and 156.5 Bcf of natural gas reserves at the time of the acquisition.

Bois d’Arc Acquisition.   In December 1997, Comstock acquired working interests in certain producing offshore Louisiana oil and gas properties as well as interests in undeveloped offshore oil and natural gas leases for approximately $200.9 million from Bois d’Arc Resources and certain of its affiliates and working interest partners. We acquired interests in 43 wells (29.6 net to us) and eight separate production complexes located in the Gulf of Mexico offshore of Plaquemines and Terrebonne Parishes, Louisiana. The acquisition included interests in the Louisiana state and federal offshore areas of Main Pass Block 21, Ship Shoal Blocks 66, 67, 68 and 69 and South Pelto Block 1. The net proved reserves acquired in this acquisition were estimated at 14.3 MMBbls of oil and 29.4 Bcf of natural gas. We divested of these offshore properties in 2008.

Black Stone Acquisition.   In May 1996, we acquired 100% of the capital stock of Black Stone Oil Company and interests in producing and undeveloped oil and gas properties located in South Texas for $100.4 million. We acquired interests in 19 wells (7.7 net to us) that were located in the Double A Wells field in Polk County, Texas and we became the operator of most of the wells in the field. The net proved

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reserves acquired in this acquisition were estimated at 5.9 MMBbls of oil and 100.4 Bcf of natural gas. We divested of these properties in 2012.

Sonat Acquisition.   In July 1995, we purchased interests in certain producing oil and gas properties located in East Texas and North Louisiana from Sonat Inc. for $48.1 million. We acquired interests in 319 producing wells (188.0 net to us). The acquisition included interests in the Logansport, Beckville, Waskom, Hico-Knowles, and Blocker fields. The net proved reserves acquired in this acquisition were estimated at 0.8 MMBbls of oil and 104.7 Bcf of natural gas. We divested of the Hico-Knowles field in 2012.

Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

The following table sets forth our estimated proved oil and natural gas reserves and the PV 10 Value as of December 31, 2013:

 

 

The following table sets forth our year end reserves as of December 31 for each of the last three fiscal years:

 

 

Proved reserves that are attributable to existing producing wells are primarily determined using decline curve analysis and rate transient analysis, which incorporates the principles of hydrocarbon flow. Proved reserves attributable to producing wells with limited production history and for undeveloped locations are estimated using performance from analogous wells in the surrounding area and geologic data to assess the reservoir continuity. Technologies relied on to establish reasonable certainty of economic producibility include, but are not limited to, electrical logs, radioactivity logs, core analyses, geologic maps and available production data, seismic data and well test data.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved oil and natural gas reserves. Oil and natural gas reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be precisely measured. The accuracy of any reserve estimate is a function of the quality of available data and of engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Results of drilling, testing and production subsequent to the date of the estimate may justify

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revision of such estimate. Accordingly, reserves estimates are often different from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered.

The average prices that we realized from sales of oil and natural gas and lifting costs including severance and ad valorem taxes and transportation costs, for each of the last three fiscal years were as follows:

 

Prices used in determining quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and future cash inflows from oil and natural gas reserves represent the average first of the month prices received at the point of sale for the last twelve months. These prices have been adjusted from posted prices for both location and quality differences. The oil and natural gas prices used for reserves estimation were as follows:

 

Reserves may be classified as proved undeveloped if there is a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered, and they are scheduled to be drilled within five years of their initial inclusion as proved reserves, unless specific circumstances justify a longer time. In connection with estimating proved undeveloped reserves for our December 31, 2013 reserve report, reserves on undrilled acreage were limited to those that are reasonably certain of production when drilled where we can verify the continuity of the reservoir. Using empirical evidence, we utilize control points and sample sizes to show continuity in the reservoir. We reflect changes to undeveloped reserves that occur in the same field as revisions to the extent that proved undeveloped locations are revised due to changes in future development plans, including changes to proposed lateral lengths, development spacing and timing of development.

As of December 31, 2013, our proved undeveloped reserves included 8.1 MMBbls of oil and 108.4 Bcf of natural gas, for a total of 157 Bcfe of undeveloped reserves. All of our undeveloped oil reserves   and 5 Bcf of natural gas of our proved undeveloped reserves were associated with our Eagleville properties in South Texas. The proved undeveloped reserves associated with our Haynesville and Bossier shale properties represented approximately 87 Bcf of our proved undeveloped natural gas reserves at December 31, 2013. The remaining proved undeveloped natural gas reserves are primarily associated with developing reserves in our Wilcox and Vicksburg reservoirs in South Texas. In 2013, we focused on drilling oil properties due to the weak natural gas prices. 28 of the Eagle Ford shale wells we drilled in 2013 resulted in conversions of proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed producing reserves at December 31, 2013. Our proved undeveloped oil reserves decreased by 2.4 MMBbls during 2013. This decrease was primarily due to converting 3.0 MMBbls of our proved undeveloped oil reserves to developed in 2013 and new reserves additions of 0.6 MMBbls. Our proved undeveloped natural gas reserves increased by 33 Bcf at December 31, 2013 as compared with December 31, 2012. This increase was primarily related to reserve additions of 36 Bcf of natural gas which were partially offset by undeveloped reserves converted to developed reserves of 3 Bcf.

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As of December 31, 2012, our proved undeveloped reserves included 10.5 MMBbls of oil and 75 Bcf of natural gas, for a total of 138 Bcfe of undeveloped reserves. All of our undeveloped oil reserves and 7 Bcf of natural gas were associated with our Eagleville shale properties in South Texas. The proved undeveloped natural gas reserves associated with our Haynesville and Bossier shale properties represented approximately 55 Bcf of our total natural gas proved undeveloped reserves at December 31, 2012. The remaining proved undeveloped reserves are primarily associated with developing reserves in our Cotton Valley and Hosston sand reservoirs in East Texas/North Louisiana and our Wilcox and Vicksburg reservoirs in South Texas. In 2012, we focused on drilling oil wells due to the weak natural gas prices. Seven of the Eagleville  wells we drilled in 2012 resulted in conversions of proved undeveloped reserves to proved developed producing reserves at December 31, 2012. Our oil proved undeveloped reserves increased by 3.8 MMBbls during 2012. This increase was primarily due to our drilling program which added 8.1 MMBbls in the Eagle Ford shale.  Sales of oil reserves in 2012 of 3.1 MMbls and conversions of proved developed oil reserves of 1.3 MMBbls partially offset the increase from reserve adds.  Our natural gas proved undeveloped reserves decreased by 459 Bcf during 2012. This decrease was primarily related to the decline of natural gas prices which caused 465 Bcf of our natural gas proved undeveloped reserves to become uneconomical under the natural gas prices used to determine proved reserves in 2012.

The following table presents the changes in our estimated proved undeveloped oil and natural gas reserves for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:

 

The timing, by year, when our proved undeveloped reserve quantities were estimated to be converted to proved developed reserves is as follows:

 

 

Our estimates of oil and natural gas reserves at December 31, 2013 include 47 Bcfe related to undrilled wells that have positive undiscounted future cash flows but which, based upon oil and natural

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gas prices that we use to prepare the proved reserve estimates, have a rate of return that is less than the 10% discount rate used in the Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Cash Flows attributable to the proved reserve estimates. We intend to drill the proved undeveloped wells in the time frame reflected in the estimates of proved oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2013 based upon the oil and natural gas prices that we used to prepare the reserve estimates. We anticipate drilling such proved undeveloped locations based on our current development plans for our properties. Certain of these wells may be drilled to retain leasehold interests or to properly manage reservoir performance. To the extent that actual oil or natural gas prices are substantially weaker, we may have to modify our development plans or we may not fully recover our investment in drilling these wells from future cash flows.

The following table presents the estimated timing of our estimated future development capital costs to be incurred for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:

 

 

The following table presents the changes in our estimated future development costs for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013:

 

Our estimated future capital costs to develop proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2013 of $543.2 million increased by $89.8 million from our estimated future capital costs of $453.4 million as of December 31, 2012. We incurred approximately $105.7 million during 2013 to develop proved undeveloped reserves, primarily in our Eagle Ford shale properties. Our oil focused future capital expenditures increased by $114.5 million and our natural gas focused capital expenditures increased by $68.2 million.

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Our estimated future capital costs to develop proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2012 of $453.4 million decreased by $896.8 million from our estimated future capital costs of $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2011. During 2012, we incurred approximately $43.4 million to develop proved undeveloped reserves in our Eagle Ford shale properties. Our oil focused future capital expenditures increased by $174.2 million and our natural gas focused capital expenditures decreased by $954.8 million. Approximately $749.0 million of the reduction in our estimated future development costs in 2012 was associated with wells that, as of December 31, 2011, had positive undiscounted cash flows but had a rate of return of less than 10%.

The estimates of our oil and natural gas reserves were determined by Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc. (“Lee Keeling”), an independent petroleum engineering firm. Lee Keeling has been providing consulting engineering and geological services for over fifty years. Lee Keeling’s professional staff is comprised of qualified petroleum engineers who are experienced in all productive areas of the United States. The technical person responsible for review of our reserve estimates at Lee Keeling meets the requirements regarding qualifications, independence, objectivity and confidentiality set forth in the Standards Pertaining to Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information promulgated by the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Lee Keeling does not own any interests in our properties and is not employed on a contingent fee basis.

We have established, and maintain, internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the estimates of proved reserves are computed and reported in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC. These internal controls include documented process workflows, employing qualified professional engineering and geological personnel, and on-going education for personnel involved in our reserves estimation process. Our internal audit function routinely tests our processes and controls. Inputs to our reserves estimation process, which we provide to Lee Keeling for use in their reserves evaluation, are based upon our historical results for production history, oil and natural gas prices, lifting and development costs, ownership interests and other required data. Our Reservoir Engineering Department, comprised of qualified petroleum engineers and technical support staff, works with our operating, accounting, land and marketing departments in order to accumulate the information required for the reserves estimation process. Our Vice President of Reservoir Engineering is the primary person in charge of overseeing our reserve estimates and our Reservoir Engineering Department. He has a BS Degree and a Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering, is a Registered Professional Engineer and has over thirty-five years of experience in various technical roles within the oil and gas industry. During the reserves estimation process our petroleum engineers work with Lee Keeling to ensure that all data we provide is properly reflected in the final reserves estimates and they consult with Lee Keeling throughout the reserves estimation process on technical questions regarding the reserve estimates. We also regularly communicate with Lee Keeling throughout the year about our operations and the potential impact of operational changes and events on our reserve estimates.

We did not provide estimates of total proved oil and natural gas reserves during the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 or 2013 to any federal authority or agency, other than the SEC.

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Drilling Activity Summary

During the three-year period ended December 31, 2013, we drilled development and exploratory wells as set forth in the table below:

 

 

In 2014 to the date of this report, we have drilled eleven wells (8.6 net to us) and we have nine wells (6.0 net to us) in the process of being drilled.

Producing Well Summary

The following table sets forth the gross and net producing oil and natural gas wells in which we owned an interest at December 31, 2013:

 

 

We operate 895 of the 1,535 producing wells presented in the above table. As of December 31, 2013, we owned interests in 14 wells containing multiple completions, which means that a well is producing from more than one completed zone. Wells with more than one completion are reflected as one well in the table above.

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Acreage

The following table summarizes our developed and undeveloped leasehold acreage at December 31, 2013, all of which is onshore in the continental United States. We have excluded acreage in which our interest is limited to a royalty or overriding royalty interest.

 

Our undeveloped acreage expires as follows:

 

Title to our oil and natural gas properties is subject to royalty, overriding royalty, carried and other similar interests and contractual arrangements customary in the oil and gas industry, liens incident to operating agreements and for current taxes not yet due and other minor encumbrances. All of our oil and natural gas properties are pledged as collateral under our bank credit facility. As is customary in the oil and gas industry, we are generally able to retain our ownership interest in undeveloped acreage by production of existing wells, by drilling activity which establishes commercial reserves sufficient to maintain the lease, by payment of delay rentals or by the exercise of contractual extension rights. We anticipate retaining ownership of a substantial amount of the acreage with primary terms expiring in 2014 through drilling activity or by extending the leases.

Markets and Customers

The market for our production of oil and natural gas depends on factors beyond our control, including the extent of domestic production and imports of oil and natural gas, the proximity and capacity of natural gas pipelines and other transportation facilities, demand for oil and natural gas, the marketing of competitive fuels and the effects of state and federal regulation. The oil and gas industry also competes with other industries in supplying the energy and fuel requirements of industrial, commercial and individual consumers.

Our oil production is currently sold under short-term contracts with a duration of six months or less. The contracts require the purchasers to purchase the amount of oil production that is available at prices tied to the spot oil markets. Our natural gas production is primarily sold under contracts with various terms and priced on first of the month index prices or on daily spot market prices. Approximately 87% of our 2013 natural gas sales were priced utilizing first of the month index prices and approximately 13% were priced utilizing daily spot prices. BP Energy Company and its subsidiaries and Shell Oil Company and its subsidiaries accounted for 51% and 36%, respectively, of our total 2013 sales. The loss of either of these customers would not have a material adverse effect on us as there is an available market for our crude oil and natural gas production from other purchasers.

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We have entered into longer term marketing arrangements to ensure that we have adequate transportation to get our natural gas production in North Louisiana to the markets. As an alternative to constructing our own gathering and treating facilities, we have entered into a variety of gathering and treating agreements with midstream companies to transport our natural gas to the long-haul natural gas pipelines. We have entered into certain agreements with a major natural gas marketing company to provide us with firm transportation for 55,000 MMBtus per day for our North Louisiana natural gas production on the long-haul pipelines. These agreements expire from 2015 to 2019. To the extent we are not able to deliver the contracted natural gas volumes, we may be responsible for the transportation costs. Our production available to deliver under these agreements in North Louisiana is expected to exceed the firm transportation arrangements we have in place. In addition, the marketing company managing the firm transportation is required to use reasonable efforts to supplement our deliveries should we have a shortfall during the term of the agreements.

Competition

The oil and gas industry is highly competitive. Competitors include major oil companies, other independent energy companies and individual producers and operators, many of which have financial resources, personnel and facilities substantially greater than we do. We face intense competition for the acquisition of oil and natural gas properties and leases for oil and gas exploration.

Regulation

General. Various aspects of our oil and natural gas operations are subject to extensive and continually changing regulation, as legislation affecting the oil and natural gas industry is under constant review for amendment or expansion. Numerous departments and agencies, both federal and state, are authorized by statute to issue, and have issued, rules and regulations binding upon the oil and natural gas industry and its individual members. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or “FERC,” regulates the transportation and sale for resale of natural gas in interstate commerce pursuant to the Natural Gas Act of 1938, or “NGA,” and the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978, or “NGPA.” In 1989, however, Congress enacted the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act, which removed all remaining price and nonprice controls affecting all “first sales” of natural gas, effective January 1, 1993, subject to the terms of any private contracts that may be in effect. While sales by producers of natural gas and all sales of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids can currently be made at uncontrolled market prices, in the future Congress could reenact price controls or enact other legislation with detrimental impact on many aspects of our business. Under the provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (the “2005 Act”), the NGA has been amended to prohibit any form of market manipulation with the purchase or sale of natural gas, and the FERC has issued new regulations that are intended to increase natural gas pricing transparency. The 2005 Act has also significantly increased the penalties for violations of the NGA. The FERC has issued Order No. 704 et al. which requires a market participant to make an annual filing if it has sales or purchases equal to or greater than 2.2 million MMBtu in the reporting year to facilitate price transparency.

Regulation and transportation of natural gas.   Our sales of natural gas are affected by the availability, terms and cost of transportation. The price and terms for access to pipeline transportation are subject to extensive regulation. The FERC requires interstate pipelines to provide open-access transportation on a not unduly discriminatory basis for similarly situated shippers. The FERC frequently reviews and modifies its regulations regarding the transportation of natural gas, with the stated goal of fostering competition within the natural gas industry.

Intrastate natural gas transportation is subject to regulation by state regulatory agencies. The Texas Railroad Commission has been changing its regulations governing transportation and gathering services provided by intrastate pipelines and gatherers. While the changes by these state regulators affect us only

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indirectly, they are intended to further enhance competition in natural gas markets. We cannot predict what further action the FERC or state regulators will take on these matters; however, we do not believe that we will be affected differently in any material respect than other natural gas producers with which we compete by any action taken.

Additional proposals and proceedings that might affect the natural gas industry are pending before Congress, the FERC, state commissions and the courts. The natural gas industry historically has been very heavily regulated; therefore, there is no assurance that the less stringent regulatory approach pursued by the FERC, Congress and state regulatory authorities will continue.

Federal leases.   Some of our operations are located on federal oil and natural gas leases that are administered by the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) of the United States Department of the Interior. These leases are issued through competitive bidding and contain relatively standardized terms. These leases require compliance with detailed Department of Interior and BLM regulations and orders that are subject to interpretation and change. These leases are also subject to certain regulations and orders promulgated by the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation & Enforcement (“BOEMRE”), through its Minerals Revenue Management Program, which is responsible for the management of revenues from both onshore and offshore leases.

Oil and natural gas liquids transportation rates.   Our sales of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids are not currently regulated and are made at market prices. In a number of instances, however, the ability to transport and sell such products is dependent on pipelines whose rates, terms and conditions of service are subject to FERC jurisdiction under the Interstate Commerce Act. In other instances, the ability to transport and sell such products is dependent on pipelines whose rates, terms and conditions of service are subject to regulation by state regulatory bodies under state statutes. The price received from the sale of these products may be affected by the cost of transporting the products to market.

The FERC’s regulation of pipelines that transport crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids under the Interstate Commerce Act is generally more light-handed than the FERC’s regulation of natural gas pipelines under the NGA. FERC-regulated pipelines that transport crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids are subject to common carrier obligations that generally ensure non-discriminatory access. With respect to interstate pipeline transportation subject to regulation of the FERC under the Interstate Commerce Act, rates generally must be cost-based, although settlement rates agreed to by all shippers are permitted and market-based rates are permitted in certain circumstances. Effective January 1, 1995, the FERC implemented regulations establishing an indexing system (based on inflation) for transportation rates governed by the Interstate Commerce Act that allowed for an increase or decrease in the transportation rates. The FERC’s regulations include a methodology for such pipelines to change their rates through the use of an index system that establishes ceiling levels for such rates. The mandatory five year review in 2005 revised the methodology for this index to be based on Producer Price Index for Finished Goods (PPI-FG) plus 1.3 percent for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2011. The mandatory five year review in 2012 revised the methodology for this index to be based on PPI-FG plus 2.65 percent for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2016. The regulations provide that each year the Commission will publish the oil pipeline index after the PPI-FG becomes available.

With respect to intrastate crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids pipelines subject to the jurisdiction of state agencies, such state regulation is generally less rigorous than the regulation of interstate pipelines. State agencies have generally not investigated or challenged existing or proposed rates in the absence of shipper complaints or protests. Complaints or protests have been infrequent and are usually resolved informally.

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We do not believe that the regulatory decisions or activities relating to interstate or intrastate crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids pipelines will affect us in a way that materially differs from the way it affects other crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids producers or marketers.

Environmental regulations.   We are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws. These laws, among other things, govern the issuance of permits to conduct exploration, drilling and production operations, the amounts and types of materials that may be released into the environment, the discharge and disposition of waste materials, the remediation of contaminated sites and the reclamation and abandonment of wells, sites and facilities. Numerous governmental departments issue rules and regulations to implement and enforce such laws, which are often difficult and costly to comply with and which carry substantial civil and even criminal penalties for failure to comply. Some laws, rules and regulations relating to protection of the environment may, in certain circumstances, impose strict liability for environmental contamination, rendering a person liable for environmental damages and cleanup cost without regard to negligence or fault on the part of such person. Other laws, rules and regulations may restrict the rate of oil and natural gas production below the rate that would otherwise exist or even prohibit exploration and production activities in sensitive areas. In addition, state laws often require various forms of remedial action to prevent pollution, such as closure of inactive pits and plugging of abandoned wells. The regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business and consequently affects our profitability. These costs are considered a normal, recurring cost of our on-going operations. Our domestic competitors are generally subject to the same laws and regulations.

We believe that we are in substantial compliance with current applicable environmental laws and regulations and that continued compliance with existing requirements will not have a material adverse impact on our operations. However, environmental laws and regulations have been subject to frequent changes over the years, and the imposition of more stringent requirements or new regulatory schemes such as carbon “cap and trade” programs could have a material adverse effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position, including the suspension or cessation of operations in affected areas. As such, there can be no assurance that material cost and liabilities will not be incurred in the future.

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or “CERCLA,” imposes liability, without regard to fault, on certain classes of persons that are considered to be responsible for the release of a “hazardous substance” into the environment. These persons include the current or former owner or operator of the disposal site or sites where the release occurred and companies that disposed or arranged for the disposal of hazardous substances. Under CERCLA, such persons may be subject to joint and several liability for the cost of investigating and cleaning up hazardous substances that have been released into the environment, for damages to natural resources and for the cost of certain health studies. In addition, companies that incur liability frequently also confront third party claims because it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by hazardous substances or other pollutants released into the environment from a polluted site.

The Federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, or “RCRA,” regulates the generation, transportation, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes and can require cleanup of hazardous waste disposal sites. RCRA currently excludes drilling fluids, produced waters and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of oil and natural gas from regulation as “hazardous waste.” Disposal of such non-hazardous oil and natural gas exploration, development and production wastes usually are regulated by state law. Other wastes handled at exploration and production sites or used in the course of providing well services may not fall within this exclusion. Moreover, stricter standards for waste handling and disposal may be imposed on the oil and natural gas industry in the future. From time to time, legislation is proposed in

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Congress that would revoke or alter the current exclusion of exploration, development and production wastes from RCRA’s definition of “hazardous wastes,” thereby potentially subjecting such wastes to more stringent handling, disposal and cleanup requirements. If such legislation were enacted, it could have a significant impact on our operating costs, as well as the oil and natural gas industry in general. The impact of future revisions to environmental laws and regulations cannot be predicted.

Our operations are also subject to the Clean Air Act, or “CAA,” and comparable state and local requirements. Amendments to the CAA were adopted in 1990 and contain provisions that may result in the gradual imposition of certain pollution control requirements with respect to air emissions from our operations. On April 17, 2012, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency or “EPA” promulgated new emission standards for the oil and gas industry. These rules require a nearly 95 percent reduction in volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) emitted from hydraulically fractured gas wells by January 1, 2015. This significant reduction in emissions is to be accomplished primarily through the use of “green completions” (i.e., capturing natural gas that currently escapes to the air). These rules also have notification and reporting requirements. On September 23, 2013, EPA revised the emission requirements for storage tanks emitting certain levels of VOCs requiring a 95% reduction of VOC emissions by April 15, 2014 and April 15, 2015 (depending upon the date of construction of the storage tank).  We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures in the future for air pollution control equipment in connection with obtaining and maintaining operating permits and approvals for air emissions. However, we believe our operations will not be materially adversely affected by any such requirements, and the requirements are not expected to be any more burdensome to us than to other similarly situated companies involved in oil and natural gas exploration and production activities.

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended, or the “Clean Water Act,” imposes restrictions and controls on the discharge of produced waters and other wastes into navigable waters. Permits must be obtained to discharge pollutants into state and federal waters and to conduct construction activities in waters and wetlands. Certain state regulations and the general permits issued under the Federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program prohibit the discharge of produced waters and sand, drilling fluids, drill cuttings and certain other substances related to the oil and natural gas industry into certain coastal and offshore waters, unless otherwise authorized. Further, the EPA has adopted regulations requiring certain oil and natural gas exploration and production facilities to obtain permits for storm water discharges. Costs may be associated with the treatment of wastewater or developing and implementing storm water pollution prevention plans. The Clean Water Act and comparable state statutes provide for civil, criminal and administrative penalties for unauthorized discharges for oil and other pollutants and impose liability on parties responsible for those discharges for the cost of cleaning up any environmental damage caused by the release and for natural resource damages resulting from the release. We believe that our operations comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Clean Water Act and state statutes enacted to control water pollution.

The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974, as amended, requires EPA to develop minimum federal requirements for Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) programs and other safeguards to protect public health by preventing injection wells from contaminating underground sources of drinking water. The UIC program does not regulate wells that are solely used for production. However, EPA has authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing when diesel fuels are used in fluids or propping agents. In 2012, EPA issued draft guidance on when UIC permitting requirements apply to fracking fluids containing diesel. We are not able to predict at this time the effect on our operations should EPA impose changes to the UIC permitting program when utilizing diesel as a fracking agent. However, we believe our operations will not be materially adversely affected by any such requirements, and the requirements are not expected to be any more burdensome to us than to other similarly situated companies involved in oil and natural gas exploration and production activities.

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Federal regulators require certain owners or operators of facilities that store or otherwise handle oil to prepare and implement spill prevention, control, countermeasure and response plans relating to the possible discharge of oil into surface waters. The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (“OPA”) contains numerous requirements relating to the prevention and response to oil spills in the waters of the United States. The OPA subjects owners of facilities to strict joint and several liability for all containment and cleanup costs and certain other damages relating to a spill. Noncompliance with OPA may result in varying civil and criminal penalties and liabilities.

Executive Order 13158, issued on May 26, 2000, directs federal agencies to safeguard existing Marine Protected Areas, or “MPAs,” in the United States and establish new MPAs. The order requires federal agencies to avoid harm to MPAs to the extent permitted by law and to the maximum extent practicable. It also directs the EPA to propose new regulations under the Clean Water Act to ensure appropriate levels of protection for the marine environment. This order has the potential to adversely affect our operations by restricting areas in which we may carry out future exploration and development projects and/or causing us to incur increased operating expenses.

Certain flora and fauna that have officially been classified as “threatened” or “endangered” are protected by the Endangered Species Act. This law prohibits any activities that could “take” a protected plant or animal or reduce or degrade its habitat area. If endangered species are located in an area we wish to develop, the work could be prohibited or delayed and/or expensive mitigation might be required.

Other statutes that provide protection to animal and plant species and which may apply to our operations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the Oil Pollution Act, the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the National Historic Preservation Act. These laws and regulations may require the acquisition of a permit or other authorization before construction or drilling commences and may limit or prohibit construction, drilling and other activities on certain lands lying within wilderness or wetlands and other protected areas and impose substantial liabilities for pollution resulting from our operations. The permits required for our various operations are subject to revocation, modification and renewal by issuing authorities. In addition, laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act may make the process of obtaining certain permits more difficult or time consuming, resulting in increased costs and potential delays that could affect the viability or profitability of certain activities.

Certain statutes such as the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act require the reporting of hazardous chemicals manufactured, processed, or otherwise used, which may lead to heightened scrutiny of the company’s operations by regulatory agencies or the public. In 2012, the EPA adopted a new reporting requirement, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule (40 C.F.R. Part 98, Subpart W), which requires certain onshore petroleum and natural gas facilities to begin collecting data on their emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”) in January 2012, with the first annual reports of those emissions due on September 28, 2012. GHGs include gases such as methane, a primary component of natural gas, and carbon dioxide, a byproduct of burning natural gas. Different GHGs have different global warming potentials with CO₂ having the lowest global warming potential, so emissions of GHGs are typically expressed in terms of CO₂ equivalents, or CO₂e. The rule applies to facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons of CO₂e or more per year, and requires onshore petroleum and natural gas operators to group all equipment under common ownership or control within a single hydrocarbon basin together when determining if the threshold is met. We have determined that these reporting requirements apply to us and we believe we have met all of the EPA required reporting deadlines and strive to ensure accurate and consistent emissions data reporting. Other EPA actions with respect to the reduction of greenhouse gases (such as EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding, and

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EPA’s Prevention of Significant Deterioration and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule) and various state actions have or could impose mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. We are unable to predict at this time how much the cost of compliance with any legislation or regulation of greenhouse gas emissions will be in future periods.

Such changes in environmental laws and regulations which result in more stringent and costly reporting, or waste handling, storage, transportation, disposal or cleanup activities, could materially affect companies operating in the energy industry. Adoption of new regulations further regulating emissions from oil and gas production could adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations and prospects, as could the adoption of new laws or regulations which levy taxes or other costs on greenhouse gas emissions from other industries, which could result in changes to the consumption and demand for natural gas. We may also be assessed administrative, civil and/or criminal penalties if we fail to comply with any such new laws and regulations applicable to oil and natural gas production.

We maintain insurance against “sudden and accidental” occurrences, which may cover some, but not all, of the risks described above. Most significantly, the insurance we maintain will not cover the risks described above which occur over a sustained period of time. Further, there can be no assurance that such insurance will continue to be available to cover all such cost or that such insurance will be available at a cost that would justify its purchase. The occurrence of a significant event not fully insured or indemnified against could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Regulation of oil and natural gas exploration and production.   Our exploration and production operations are subject to various types of regulation at the federal, state and local levels. Such regulations include requiring permits and drilling bonds for the drilling of wells, regulating the location of wells, the method of drilling and casing wells and the surface use and restoration of properties upon which wells are drilled. Many states also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters, including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells and the regulation of spacing, plugging and abandonment of such wells. Some state statutes limit the rate at which oil and natural gas can be produced from our properties.

State regulation.   Most states regulate the production and sale of oil and natural gas, including requirements for obtaining drilling permits, the method of developing new fields, the spacing and operation of wells and the prevention of waste of oil and gas resources. The rate of production may be regulated and the maximum daily production allowable from both oil and gas wells may be established on a market demand or conservation basis or both.

Office and Operations Facilities

Our executive offices are located at 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500 in Frisco, Texas 75034 and our telephone number is (972) 668-8800. We lease office space in Frisco, Texas covering 66,382 square feet at a monthly rate of $118,934, which escalates to $124,466 beginning August 1, 2014. This lease expires on December 31, 2021. We also own production offices and pipe yard facilities near Marshall, Pleasanton and Zapata, Texas and Logansport, Louisiana.

Employees

As of December 31, 2013, we had 131 employees and utilized contract employees for certain of our field operations. We consider our employee relations to be satisfactory.

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Directors and Executive Officers

The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers and directors.

 

Executive Officers

A brief biography of each person who serves as a director or executive officer follows below.

M. Jay Allison has been a director since 1987, and our Chief Executive Officer since 1988. Mr. Allison was elected Chairman of the board of directors in 1997. From 1988 to 2013, Mr. Allison served as our President and before that he served as our Vice President and Secretary. From 1981 to 1987, he was a practicing oil and gas attorney with the firm of Lynch, Chappell & Alsup in Midland, Texas. Mr. Allison was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. from the time of its formation in 2004 until its merger with Stone Energy Corporation in 2008. He received B.B.A., M.S. and J.D. degrees from Baylor University in 1978, 1980 and 1981, respectively. Mr. Allison also currently serves as a Director of Tidewater, Inc. and is on the Board of Regents for Baylor University.

Roland O. Burns has been our President since 2013, Chief Financial Officer since 1990, Secretary since 1991 and a director since 1999. Mr. Burns served as our Senior Vice President from 1994 to 2013 and Treasurer from 1990 to 2013. From 1982 to 1990, Mr. Burns was employed by the public accounting firm, Arthur Andersen. During his tenure with Arthur Andersen, Mr. Burns worked primarily in the firm’s oil and gas audit practice. Mr. Burns was a director, Senior Vice President and the Chief Financial Officer of Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. from the time of its formation in 2004 until its merger with Stone Energy Corporation in 2008. Mr. Burns received B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Mississippi in 1982 and is a Certified Public Accountant. Mr. Burns also serves on the Board of Directors of the University of Mississippi Foundation and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association.

Mark A. Williams has been our Chief Operating Officer since 2012. From 2011 to early 2012, he served as Vice President of Operations. From 2007 to 2011, he served as our Engineering and Operations Manager. From 1996 until 2007, Mr. Williams served as our Drilling Manager and as our South Texas District Engineer. Prior to joining Comstock Mr. Williams was a production engineer at Mitchell Energy Corporation and Citation Oil & Gas. Mr. Williams received a B.S. degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1984.

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Gerry L. Blackshear has been our Vice President of Exploration since 2012. From 2007 to early 2012 Mr. Blackshear served as our Geoscience Manager. Prior to joining us, Mr. Blackshear was a lead geologist at Encana Oil & Gas from 2004 to 2007. Prior to 2004 he worked as a senior geologist for several large independent oil and gas exploration and development companies. Mr. Blackshear received a B.S. degree in Geology from East Texas State University in 1981 and is a Certified Petroleum Geologist.

D. Dale Gillette has been our Vice President of Land and General Counsel since 2006. Prior to joining us, Mr. Gillette practiced law extensively in the energy sector for 34 years, most recently as a partner with Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP, and before that with Locke Liddell & Sapp LLP (now known as Locke Lord LLP). During that time he represented independent exploration and production companies and large financial institutions in numerous oil and gas transactions. Mr. Gillette has also served as corporate counsel in the legal department of Mesa Petroleum Co. and in the legal department of Enserch Corp. Mr. Gillette holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Texas and is a member of the State Bar of Texas.

Michael D. McBurney was named our Vice President of Marketing in July 2013. Mr. McBurney has over 32 years of energy industry experience within the oil, natural gas, LNG, and power segments. For the past seven years Mr. McBurney worked for EXCO Resources, Inc., an independent exploration and production company where he was responsible for natural gas and natural gas liquids marketing. From 2000 to 2006, Mr. McBurney was with FPL Energy of Florida, where he was responsible for Fuel and Transportation logistics for large scale power generation facilities located throughout the U.S. Mr. McBurney received a B.B.A. in Finance from the University of North Texas in 1978.

Daniel K. Presley was named our Treasurer in 2013. Mr. Presley, who has been with us since 1989, also continues to serve as our Vice President of Accounting and controller, positions he has had held since 1997 and 1991, respectively. Prior to joining us, Mr. Presley had six years of experience with several independent oil and gas companies including AmBrit Energy, Inc. Prior thereto, Mr. Presley spent two and one-half years with B.D.O. Seidman, a public accounting firm. Mr. Presley received a B.B.A. degree from Texas A & M University in 1983.

Russell W. Romoser has been our Vice President of Reservoir Engineering since 2012. Mr. Romoser has over 35 years of experience as a reservoir engineer both with industry and with a petroleum engineering consulting firm. Prior to joining us, Mr. Romoser served eleven years as the Acquisitions Engineering Manager for EXCO Resources, Inc. Mr. Romoser received a B.S. Degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1975 and a Masters Degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1976 from the University of Texas and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Oklahoma and Texas.

Richard D. Singer has been our Vice President of Financial Reporting since 2005. Mr. Singer has over 35 years of experience in financial accounting and reporting. Prior to joining us, Mr. Singer most recently served as an assistant controller for Holly Corporation from 2004 to 2005 and as assistant controller for Santa Fe International Corporation from 1988 to 2002. Mr. Singer received a B.S. degree from the Pennsylvania State University in 1976 and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Blaine M. Stribling has been our Vice President of Corporate Development since 2012. From 2007 to early 2012, Mr. Stribling served as our Asset & Corporate Development Manager. Prior to joining us, Mr. Stribling managed a development project team at Encana Oil & Gas from 2005 to 2007. Prior to 2005 he worked in various petroleum engineering operations management positions of increasing responsibility for several independent oil and gas exploration and development companies. Mr. Stribling received a B.S. Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines.

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Outside Directors

David K. Lockett has served as a director since 2001. Mr. Lockett was a Vice President with Dell Inc. and held executive management positions in several divisions within Dell from 1991 until his retirement from Dell in 2012. Mr. Lockett, who has over 35 years of experience in the technology industry, is presently providing consulting services to small and mid-size companies. Mr. Lockett was a director of Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. from May 2005 until its merger with Stone Energy Corporation in August 2008. Mr. Lockett received a B.B.A. degree from Texas A&M University in 1976.

Cecil E. Martin has served as a director since 1989 and is currently the chairman of our audit committee and our Lead Director. Mr. Martin is an independent commercial real estate investor who has primarily been managing his personal real estate investments since 1991. From 1973 to 1991, he also served as chairman of a public accounting firm in Richmond, Virginia. Mr. Martin was a director and chairman of the Audit Committee of Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. from May 2005 until its merger with Stone Energy Corporation in August 2008. Mr. Martin also serves on the board of directors of Crosstex Energy, Inc. and Crosstex Energy, L.P. and on the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of Garrison Capital, a privately held business development company. Mr. Martin holds a B.B.A. degree from Old Dominion University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Frederic D. Sewell has served as a director since May 2012. Mr. Sewell has extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, where he has had a distinguished career as an executive leader and a petroleum engineer. Mr. Sewell was the co-founder of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., a worldwide oil and gas consulting firm, where he served as the chairman and chief executive officer until his retirement in 2008. Mr. Sewell is presently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Resources LLC, an exploration and production company that he founded. Mr. Sewell holds a B.S. Degree in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas.

David W. Sledge has served as a director since 1996. Mr. Sledge is the Chief Operating Officer of ProPetro Services, Inc. Mr. Sledge was President and Chief Operating Officer of Sledge Drilling Company until it was acquired by Basic Energy Services, Inc. in April 2007 and served as a Vice President of Basic Energy Services, Inc. from April 2007 to February 2009. He served as an area operations manager for Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. from May 2004 until January 2006. From March 2009 through October 2011, and from October 1996 until May 2004, Mr. Sledge managed his personal investments in oil and gas exploration activities. Mr. Sledge was a director of Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc. from May 2005 until its merger with Stone Energy Corporation in August 2008. Mr. Sledge is a past director of the International Association of Drilling Contractors and is a past chairman of the Permian Basin chapter of this association. He received a B.B.A. degree from Baylor University in 1979.

Nancy E. Underwood has served as a director since 2004. Ms. Underwood is owner and President of Underwood Financial Ltd., a position she has held since 1986. Ms. Underwood holds B.S. and J.D. degrees from Emory University and practiced law at an Atlanta, Georgia based law firm before joining River Hill Development Corporation in 1981. Ms. Underwood currently serves on the Executive Board and Campaign Steering Committee of the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and on the Board of Directors of Texas Health Presbyterian Foundation.

Available Information

Our executive offices are located at 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco, Texas 75034. Our telephone number is (972) 668-8800. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The public may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference

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Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information that is electronically filed with the SEC. The public can obtain any documents that we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov. We also make available free of charge on our website (www.comstockresources.com) our Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and, if applicable, amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after we file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC.

 

ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors

You should carefully consider the following risk factors as well as the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this report, as these important factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ from our expected or historical results. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors. Consequently, you should not consider any such list to be a complete statement of all of our potential risks or uncertainties.

A substantial or extended decline in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our business, financial condition, cash flow, liquidity or results of operations and our ability to meet our capital expenditure obligations and financial commitments and to implement our business strategy.

Our business is heavily dependent upon the prices of, and demand for, oil and natural gas. Historically, the prices for oil and natural gas have been volatile and are likely to remain volatile in the future. Prices for oil remained strong in 2013, and our realized natural gas prices increased by 36% in 2013 to $3.38 per Mcf. However natural gas prices by historical standards remain low.  

The prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production continue to be subject to wide fluctuations and depend on numerous factors beyond our control, including the following:

Lower oil and natural gas prices will adversely affect:

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We pursue acquisitions as part of our growth strategy and there are risks in connection with acquisitions.

Our growth has been attributable in part to acquisitions of producing properties and companies. More recently we have been focused on acquiring acreage for our drilling program. We expect to continue to evaluate and, where appropriate, pursue acquisition opportunities on terms we consider favorable. However, we cannot assure you that suitable acquisition candidates will be identified in the future, or that we will be able to finance such acquisitions on favorable terms. In addition, we compete against other companies for acquisitions, and we cannot assure you that we will successfully acquire any material property interests. Further, we cannot assure you that future acquisitions by us will be integrated successfully into our operations or will increase our profits.

The successful acquisition of producing properties requires an assessment of numerous factors beyond our control, including, without limitation:

In connection with such an assessment, we perform a review of the subject properties that we believe to be generally consistent with industry practices. The resulting assessments are inexact and their accuracy uncertain, and such a review may not reveal all existing or potential problems, nor will it necessarily permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their merits and deficiencies. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and structural and environmental problems are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is made.

Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business depending upon the character of the acquired properties, which may be substantially different in operating and geologic characteristics or geographic location than our existing properties. While our current operations are focused in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, we may pursue acquisitions or properties located in other geographic areas.

Our future production and revenues depend on our ability to replace our reserves.

Our future production and revenues depend upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Our proved reserves will generally decline as reserves are depleted, except to the extent that we conduct successful exploration or development activities or acquire properties containing proved reserves, or both. To increase reserves and production, we must continue our acquisition and drilling activities. We cannot assure you, however, that our acquisition and drilling activities will result in significant additional reserves or that we will have continuing success drilling productive wells at low finding and development costs. Furthermore, while our revenues may increase if prevailing oil and natural gas prices increase significantly, our finding costs for additional reserves could also increase.

Prospects that we decide to drill may not yield oil or natural gas in commercially viable quantities or quantities sufficient to meet our targeted rate of return.

A prospect is a property in which we own an interest or have operating rights and that has what our geoscientists believe, based on available seismic and geological information, to be an indication of

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potential oil or natural gas. Our prospects are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from a prospect that is ready to be drilled to a prospect that will require substantial additional evaluation and interpretation. There is no way to predict in advance of drilling and testing whether any particular prospect will yield oil or natural gas in sufficient quantities to recover drilling or completion costs or to be economically viable. The use of seismic data and other technologies and the study of producing fields in the same area will not enable us to know conclusively prior to drilling whether oil or natural gas will be present or, if present, whether oil or natural gas will be present in commercial quantities. The analysis that we perform using data from other wells, more fully explored prospects and/or producing fields may not be useful in predicting the characteristics and potential reserves associated with our drilling prospects. If we drill additional unsuccessful wells, our drilling success rate may decline and we may not achieve our targeted rate of return.

Our business involves many uncertainties and operating risks that can prevent us from realizing profits and can cause substantial losses.

Our future success will depend on the success of our exploration and development activities. Exploration activities involve numerous risks, including the risk that no commercially productive natural gas or oil reserves will be discovered. In addition, these activities may be unsuccessful for many reasons, including weather, cost overruns, equipment shortages and mechanical difficulties. Moreover, the successful drilling of a natural gas or oil well does not ensure we will realize a profit on our investment. A variety of factors, both geological and market-related, can cause a well to become uneconomical or only marginally economical. In addition to their costs, unsuccessful wells can hurt our efforts to replace production and reserves.

Our business involves a variety of operating risks, including:

If we experience any of these problems, well bores, gathering systems and processing facilities could be affected, which could adversely affect our ability to conduct operations.

We could also incur substantial losses as a result of:

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We operate in a highly competitive industry, and our failure to remain competitive with our competitors, many of which have greater resources than we do, could adversely affect our results of operations.

The oil and natural gas industry is highly competitive in the search for and development and acquisition of reserves. Our competitors often include companies that have greater financial and personnel resources than we do. These resources could allow those competitors to price their products and services more aggressively than we can, which could hurt our profitability. Moreover, our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to close transactions in a highly competitive environment.

If oil and natural gas prices decline, we may be required to write-down the carrying values and/or the estimates of total reserves of our oil and natural gas properties, which would constitute a non-cash charge to earnings and adversely affect our results of operations.

Accounting rules applicable to us require that we review periodically the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties for possible impairment. Based on specific market factors and circumstances at the time of prospective impairment reviews and the continuing evaluation of development plans, production data, economics and other factors, we may be required to write down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties. A write-down constitutes a non-cash charge to earnings. We may incur non-cash charges in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken. We may also reduce our estimates of the reserves that may be economically recovered, which could have the effect of reducing the total value of our reserves.

Our hedging transactions could result in financial losses or could reduce our income. To the extent we have hedged a significant portion of our expected production and actual production is lower than we expected or the costs of goods and services increase, our profitability would be adversely affected.

To achieve more predictable cash flows and to reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in the prices of oil and gas, we have entered into and may in the future enter into hedging transactions for certain of our expected oil and natural gas production. These transactions could result in both realized and unrealized hedging losses.

The extent of our commodity price exposure is related largely to the effectiveness and scope of our derivative activities. For example, the derivative instruments we utilize are primarily based on New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") futures prices, which may differ significantly from the actual crude oil and gas prices we realize in our operations. Furthermore, we have adopted a policy that requires, and our revolving credit facility also requires, that we enter into derivative transactions related to only a portion of our expected production volumes and, as a result, we will continue to have direct commodity price exposure on the portion of our production volumes not covered by these derivative financial instruments.

Our actual future production may be significantly higher or lower than we estimate at the time we enter into derivative transactions. If our actual future production is higher than we estimated, we will have greater commodity price exposure than we intended. If our actual future production is lower than the nominal amount that is subject to our derivative financial instruments, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our derivative transactions without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale or purchase of the underlying physical commodity, resulting in a substantial diminution in our profitability and liquidity. As a result of these factors, our derivative activities may not be as effective as we intend in reducing the volatility of our cash flows, and in certain circumstances may actually increase the volatility of our cash flows.

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In addition, our hedging transactions are subject to the following risks:

Our reserve estimates depend on many assumptions that may turn out to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in our reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.

Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating the recovery from underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be precisely measured. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, production history and engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Because all reserve estimates are to some degree imprecise, the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered, production and operating costs, the amount and timing of future development expenditures and future oil and natural gas prices may all differ materially from those assumed in these estimates. The information regarding present value of the future net cash flows attributable to our proved oil and natural gas reserves is only estimated and should not be construed as the current market value of the oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. Thus, such information includes revisions of certain reserve estimates attributable to proved properties included in the preceding year’s estimates. Such revisions reflect additional information from subsequent activities, production history of the properties involved and any adjustments in the projected economic life of such properties resulting from changes in product prices. Any future downward revisions could adversely affect our financial condition, our borrowing ability, our future prospects and the value of our common stock.

As of December 31, 2013, 27% of our total proved reserves were undeveloped and 13% were developed non-producing. These reserves may not ultimately be developed or produced. Furthermore, not all of our undeveloped or developed non-producing reserves may be ultimately produced at the time periods we have planned, at the costs we have budgeted, or at all. As a result, we may not find commercially viable quantities of oil and natural gas, which in turn may result in a material adverse effect on our results of operations.

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The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies or qualified personnel and oilfield services could adversely affect our ability to execute our exploration and development plans on a timely basis and within our budget.

Our industry has experienced a shortage of drilling rigs, equipment, supplies and qualified personnel in prior years as the result of higher demand for these services. Shortages of drilling rigs, equipment or supplies or qualified personnel in the areas in which we operate could delay or restrict our exploration and development operations, which in turn could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations because of our concentration in those areas.

If we are unsuccessful at marketing our oil and natural gas at commercially acceptable prices, our profitability will decline.

Our ability to market oil and natural gas at commercially acceptable prices depends on, among other factors, the following:

Our inability to respond appropriately to changes in these factors could negatively affect our profitability.

Market conditions or operational impediments may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our production.

Market conditions or the unavailability of satisfactory oil and natural gas transportation arrangements may hinder our access to oil and natural gas markets or delay our production. The availability of a ready market for our oil and natural gas production depends on a number of factors, including the demand for and supply of oil and natural gas and the proximity of reserves to pipelines and processing facilities. Our ability to market our production depends in a substantial part on the availability and capacity of gathering systems, pipelines and processing facilities, in some cases owned and operated by third parties. Our failure to obtain such services on acceptable terms could materially harm our business. We may be required to shut in wells for a lack of a market or because of the inadequacy or unavailability of pipelines or gathering system capacity. If that were to occur, then we would be unable to realize revenue from those wells until arrangements were made to deliver our production to market.

We are subject to extensive governmental laws and regulations that may adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of doing business.

Our operations and facilities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the exploration for, and the development, production and transportation of, oil and natural gas, and operating safety. Future laws or regulations, any adverse changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations or our failure to comply with existing legal requirements may harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. We may be required to make large and unanticipated capital expenditures to comply with governmental laws and regulations, such as:

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Under these laws and regulations, we could be liable for:

Our operations could be significantly delayed or curtailed and our cost of operations could significantly increase as a result of regulatory requirements or restrictions. We are unable to predict the ultimate cost of compliance with these requirements or their effect on our operations.

Recently approved final rules regulating air emissions from natural gas production operations could cause us to incur increased capital expenditures and operating costs, which may be significant.

On August 16, 2012, the EPA adopted final regulations under the Clean Air Act that, among other things, require additional emissions controls for natural gas and natural gas liquids production, including New Source Performance Standards to address emissions of sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds ("VOCs") and a separate set of emission standards to address hazardous air pollutants frequently associated with such production activities. The final regulations require the reduction of VOC emissions from natural gas wells through the use of reduced emission completions or "green completions" on all hydraulically fractured wells constructed or refractured after January 1, 2015. For well completion operations occurring at such well sites before January 1, 2015, the final regulations allow operators to capture and direct flowback emissions to completion combustion devices, such as flares, in lieu of performing green completions. These regulations also establish specific new requirements regarding emissions from dehydrators, storage tanks and other production equipment. On September 23, 2013, the EPA revised the emission requirements for storage tanks emitting certain levels of VOCs requiring a 95% reduction of VOC emissions by April 15, 2014 and April 15, 2015 (depending on the date of construction of the storage tank). Compliance with these requirements could increase our costs of development and production, though we do not expect these requirements to be any more burdensome to us than to other similarly situated companies involved in oil and natural gas exploration and production activities.

Our operations are substantially dependent on the availability of water. Restrictions on our ability to obtain water may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Water is an essential component of both the drilling and hydraulic fracturing processes. Historically, we have been able to purchase water from various sources for use in our operations. In recent years South Texas has experienced the lowest inflows of water in recent history. As a result of this severe drought, some local water districts may begin restricting the use of water subject to their jurisdiction for drilling and hydraulic fracturing in order to protect the local water supply. If we are unable to obtain water to use in our operations from local sources, we may be unable to economically produce oil and natural gas, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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Our operations may incur substantial liabilities to comply with environmental laws and regulations.

Our oil and natural gas operations are subject to stringent federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the release or disposal of materials into the environment and otherwise relating to environmental protection. These laws and regulations:

Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in:

In June 2009 the United States House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. A similar bill, the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, introduced in the Senate, did not pass. Both bills contained the basic feature of establishing a “cap and trade” system for restricting greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Under such a system, certain sources of greenhouse gas emissions would be required to obtain greenhouse gas emission “allowances” corresponding to their annual emissions of greenhouse gases. The number of emission allowances issued each year would decline as necessary over time to meet overall emission reduction goals. As the number of greenhouse gas emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of allowances is expected to escalate significantly. It appears that the prospects for a cap and trade system such as that proposed in these bills have dimmed significantly; however, the EPA has moved ahead with its efforts to regulate GHG emissions from certain sources by rule. The EPA issued Subpart W of the Final Mandatory Reporting of Greenhouse Gases Rule, which required petroleum and natural gas systems that emit 25,000 metric tons of CO₂e or more per year to begin collecting GHG emissions data under a new reporting system. We believe we have met all of the reporting requirements under these new regulations. Beyond measuring and reporting, the EPA issued an “Endangerment Finding” under section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, concluding greenhouse gas pollution threatens the public health and welfare of current and future generations. The EPA has adopted regulations that would require permits for and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for certain facilities. States in which we operate may also require permits and reductions in GHG emissions.  Since all of our oil and natural gas production is in the United States, these laws or regulations that have been or may be adopted to restrict or reduce emissions of greenhouse gases could require us to incur substantial increased operating costs, and could have an adverse effect on demand for the oil and natural gas we produce.

In 2010 the Bureau of Land Management began implementation of a proposed oil and gas leasing reform. The leasing reform requires, among other things, a more detailed environmental review prior to leasing oil and natural gas resources on federal lands, increased public engagement in the development of Master Leasing Plans prior to leasing areas where intensive new oil and gas development is anticipated, and a comprehensive parcel review process with greater public involvement in the identification of key

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environmental resource values before a parcel is leased. New leases would incorporate adaptive management stipulations, requiring lessees to monitor and respond to observed environmental impacts, possibly through the implementation of expensive new control measures or curtailment of operations, potentially reducing profitability. The leasing reform policy could have the effect of reducing the amount of new federal lands made available for lease, increasing the competition for and cost of available parcels.

Changes in environmental laws and regulations occur frequently, and any changes that result in more stringent or costly restrictions on emissions, and/or waste handling, storage, transport, disposal or cleanup requirements could require us to make significant expenditures to reach and maintain compliance and may otherwise have a material adverse effect on our industry in general and on our own results of operations, competitive position or financial condition. Under these environmental laws and regulations, we could be held strictly liable for the removal or remediation of previously released materials or property contamination regardless of whether we were responsible for the release or contamination or if our operations met previous standards in the industry at the time they were performed. Future environmental laws and regulations, including proposed legislation regulating climate change, may negatively impact our industry. The costs of compliance with these requirements may have an adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The enactment of derivatives legislation and regulation could have an adverse effect on our ability to use derivative instruments to reduce the effect of commodity price, interest rate and other risks associated with our business.

On July 21, 2010, new comprehensive financial reform legislation, known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank"), was enacted that established federal oversight regulation of over-the-counter derivatives market and entities, such as us, that participate in that market. Dodd-Frank requires the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, the SEC and other regulators to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the new legislation. The final rules adopted under Dodd-Frank identify the types of products and the classes of market participants subject to regulation and will require us in connection with certain derivatives activities to comply with clearing and trade-execution requirements (or take steps to qualify for an exemption from such requirements). In addition, new regulations may require us to comply with margin requirements, although these regulations are not finalized and their application to us is uncertain at this time. Other regulations also remain to be finalized, and the CFTC recently has delayed the compliance dates for various regulations already finalized. As a result, it is not possible at this time to predict with certainty the full effects of Dodd-Frank and CFTC rules on us or the timing of such effects. Dodd-Frank may also require the counterparties to our derivative instruments to spin off some of their derivatives activities to separate entities, which may not be as creditworthy as the current counterparties. Dodd-Frank and associated regulations could significantly increase the cost of derivative contracts from additional recordkeeping and reporting requirements and through requirements to post collateral which could adversely affect our available liquidity. Dodd-Frank could also materially alter the terms of derivative contracts, reduce the availability of derivatives to protect against risks that we encounter, reduce our ability to monetize or restructure our existing derivative contracts and increase our exposure to less creditworthy counterparties. If we reduce our use of derivatives as a result of Dodd-Frank and associated regulations, our results of operations may become more volatile and our cash flows may be less predictable, which could adversely affect our ability to plan for and fund capital expenditures. Finally, Dodd-Frank was intended, in part, to reduce the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, which some legislators attributed to speculative trading in derivatives and commodity instruments related to oil and natural gas. Our revenues could therefore be adversely affected if a consequence of Dodd-Frank is to lower commodity prices. Any of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

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Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays as well as restrict our access to our oil and gas reserves.

Hydraulic fracturing is an essential and common practice that is used to stimulate production of oil and natural gas from dense subsurface rock formations such as shale and tight sands. We routinely apply hydraulic fracturing techniques in completing our wells. The process involves the injection of water, sand and additives under pressure into a targeted subsurface formation. The water and pressure create fractures in the rock formations, which are held open by the grains of sand, enabling the oil or natural gas to flow to the wellbore. The use of hydraulic fracturing is necessary to produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas from many reservoirs including the Haynesville shale, Bossier shale, Eagle Ford shale, Tuscaloosa Marine shale, Cotton Valley and other tight natural gas and oil reservoirs. Substantially all of our proved oil and gas reserves that are currently not producing and our undeveloped acreage require hydraulic fracturing to be productive. All of the wells being drilled by us in 2014 utilize hydraulic fracturing in their completion. We estimate we will incur approximately $132.0 million for hydraulic fracturing services in connection with our 2014 drilling and completion program.

The use of hydraulic fracturing in our well completion activities could expose us to liability for negative environmental effects that might occur. Although we have not had any incidents related to hydraulic fracturing operations that we believe have caused any negative environmental effects, we have established operating procedures to respond and report any unexpected fluid discharge which might occur during our operations, including plans to remediate any spills that might occur. In the event that we were to suffer a loss related to hydraulic fracturing operations, our insurance coverage will be net of a  deductible per occurrence and our ability to recover costs will be limited to a total aggregate policy limit of $26.0 million, which may or may not be sufficient to pay the full amount of our losses incurred.

Drilling and completion activities are typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions. Our drilling and completion activities are conducted primarily in Louisiana and Texas. Texas adopted a law in June 2012 requiring disclosure to the Railroad Commission of Texas and the public of certain information regarding the components used in the hydraulic-fracturing process. Several proposals are before the United States Congress that, if implemented, would subject the process of hydraulic fracturing to regulation under the Safe Drinking Water Act. At the direction of Congress, the EPA is currently conducting an extensive, multi-year study into the potential effects of hydraulic fracturing on underground sources of drinking water, and the results of that study have the potential to impact the likelihood or scope of future legislation or regulation.

Potential changes to US federal tax regulations, if passed, could have an adverse effect on us.

The United States Congress continues to consider imposing new taxes and repealing many tax incentives and deductions that are currently used by independent oil and gas producers.  Such changes include, but are not limited to:

It is unclear, however, whether any such changes will be enacted or how soon such changes could be effective.  The passage of any legislation containing these or similar changes in U.S. federal income tax law could eliminate or defer certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and gas

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exploration and development, and any such changes could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.  A reduction in operating cash flow could require us to reduce our drilling activities.  Since none of these proposals have yet been included in new legislation, we do not know the ultimate impact they may have on our business.

Our debt service requirements could adversely affect our operations and limit our growth.

We had $798.7 million in debt as of December 31, 2013, and our ratio of total debt to total capitalization was approximately 46%.

Our outstanding debt will have important consequences, including, without limitation:

In addition, future acquisition or development activities may require us to alter our capitalization significantly. These changes in capitalization may significantly increase our debt. Moreover, our ability to meet our debt service obligations and to reduce our total debt will be dependent upon our future performance, which will be subject to general economic conditions and financial, business and other factors affecting our operations, many of which are beyond our control. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future to service our indebtedness and to meet other commitments, we will be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as refinancing or restructuring our indebtedness, selling material assets or seeking to raise additional debt or equity capital. We cannot assure you that any of these actions could be effected on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms or that these actions would enable us to continue to satisfy our capital requirements.

Our bank credit facility contains a number of significant covenants. These covenants will limit our ability to, among other things:

Our failure to comply with any of these covenants could cause a default under our bank credit facility and the respective indentures governing our senior notes. A default, if not waived, could result in acceleration of our indebtedness, in which case the debt would become immediately due and payable. If this occurs, we may not be able to repay our debt or borrow sufficient funds to refinance it given the current status of the credit markets. Even if new financing is available, it may not be on terms that are acceptable to us. Complying with these covenants may cause us to take actions that we otherwise would not take or not take actions that we otherwise would take.

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Substantial exploration and development activities could require significant outside capital, which could dilute the value of our common shares and restrict our activities. Also, we may not be able to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a limitation of our future business opportunities and a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.

We expect to expend substantial capital in the acquisition of, exploration for and development of oil and natural gas reserves. In order to finance these activities, we may need to alter or increase our capitalization substantially through the issuance of debt or equity securities, the sale of non-strategic assets or other means. The issuance of additional equity securities could have a dilutive effect on the value of our common shares, and may not be possible on terms acceptable to us given the current volatility in the financial markets. The issuance of additional debt would require that a portion of our cash flow from operations be used for the payment of interest on our debt, thereby reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, dividends and general corporate requirements, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage relative to other competitors. Additionally, if our revenues decrease as a result of lower oil or natural gas prices, operating difficulties or declines in reserves, our ability to obtain the capital necessary to undertake or complete future exploration and development programs and to pursue other opportunities may be limited, which could result in a curtailment of our operations relating to exploration and development of our prospects, which in turn could result in a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.

We depend on our key personnel and the loss of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

We believe that the success of our business strategy and our ability to operate profitably depend on the continued employment of M. Jay Allison, Chief Executive Officer, and Roland O. Burns, our President and Chief Financial Officer, and a limited number of other senior management personnel. Loss of the services of Mr. Allison, Mr. Burns or any of those other individuals could have a material adverse effect on our operations.

Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient or may not be available to cover some liabilities or losses that we may incur.

If we suffer a significant accident or other loss, our insurance coverage will be net of our deductibles and may not be sufficient to pay the full current market value or current replacement value of our lost investment, which could result in a material adverse impact on our operations and financial condition. Our insurance does not protect us against all operational risks. We do not carry business interruption insurance. For some risks, we may not obtain insurance if we believe the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the risks presented. Because third party drilling contractors are used to drill our wells, we may not realize the full benefit of workers’ compensation laws in dealing with their employees. In addition, some risks, including pollution and environmental risks, generally are not fully insurable.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation, bylaws and Nevada law will make it more difficult to effect a change in control of us, which could adversely affect the price of our common stock.

Nevada corporate law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could delay, defer or prevent a change in control of us. These provisions include:

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These provisions could make an acquisition of us by means of a tender offer or proxy contest or removal of our incumbent directors more difficult. As a result, these provisions could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would benefit our stockholders, which may limit the price that investors are willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

 

ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

We are not a party to any legal proceedings which management believes will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

 

ITEM  4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

 

 

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CRK.” The following table sets forth, on a per share basis for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices by calendar quarter for the periods indicated as reported by the New York Stock Exchange.

 

 

As of February 26, 2014, we had 47,837,224 shares of common stock outstanding, which were held by 219 holders of record and approximately 9,000 beneficial owners who maintain their shares in “street name” accounts.

We paid cash dividends on our common stock in 2013 of 12.5¢ per share on June 17, September 16 and December 16, 2013. Any future determination as to the payment of dividends will depend upon the results of our operations, capital requirements, our financial condition and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant.

Our Board of Directors approved an open market share repurchase plan in 2013 which provides for the repurchase of common stock on the open market.  We made various open market purchases of a total of 631,096 shares at an aggregate cost of $9.2 million during 2013 but we did not repurchase any shares during the fourth quarter of 2013.

Stockholder Return Performance

A peer group of companies is used by our compensation committee to benchmark our executives’ compensation and to determine total stockholder return performance for purposes of vesting of performance share units granted to executives under our 2009 Long-term Incentive Plan.  Our Prior Peer Group represents those companies previously included in our peer group of companies for benchmarking our executives’ compensation and determining vesting of performance share unit awards made in 2012.  

Prior Peer Group.  Our prior peer group consisted of Bill Barrett Corporation, Cheniere Energy Inc., Cimarex Energy Co., Clayton Williams Energy Inc., Contango Oil & Gas Co., EPL Oil & Gas Inc., Exco Resources Inc., Forest Oil Corp., Newfield Exploration Co., Northern Oil & Gas Inc., PDC Energy Inc., QEP Resources, Inc., SM Energy, Inc., Swift Energy Co., Ultra Petroleum Corp., W&T Offshore Inc., Whiting Petroleum Corp., and WPX Energy, Inc.

New Peer Group. During 2013, our compensation committee engaged a new independent compensation consultant to review our executive compensation plans, including the composition of our peer group.  The compensation consultant recommended that larger peer companies including Newfield Exploration, QEP Resources, Whiting Petroleum and WPX Energy, should be removed from our peer group and smaller companies including Approach Resources, Carrizo Oil & Gas, Kodiak Oil & Gas,

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Laredo Petroleum, Oasis Petroleum, Quicksilver Resources, Rosetta Resources, and Stone Energy should be added to our peer group.  The compensation committee approved our New Peer Group, which consists of Approach Resources. Inc., Bill Barrett Corporation, Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc., Cimarex Energy Co., Forest Oil Corp., Kodiac Oil & Gas Corp., Laredo Petroleum Holdings Inc., Oasis Petroleum Inc., PDC Energy Inc., Quicksilver Resources Inc., Rosetta Resources Inc., SM Energy, Inc., Stone Energy Corporation, Swift Energy Co., and Ultra Petroleum Corp.

The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the five years ended December 31, 2013 with the cumulative return on the New York Stock Exchange Index, the cumulative return for our New Peer Group, and the cumulative return for our Prior Peer Group.  The graph assumes that $100.00 was invested on the last trading day of 2008, and that dividends, if any, were reinvested.

 

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

Among Comstock Resources, the NYSE Composite Index,

Our New Peer Group, and our Prior Peer Group

 

____________

 

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ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The historical financial data presented in the table below as of and for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2013 are derived from our consolidated financial statements. The financial results are not necessarily indicative of our future operations or future financial results. The data presented below should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” During 2013, we divested all of our interests in our West Texas operations. Accordingly, we have adjusted the presentation of selected financial data to reflect these operations on a discontinued basis.

Statement of Operations Data:

 

 ____________

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Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

Cash Flow Data:

 

 

 

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our selected historical consolidated financial data and our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes to those financial statements included elsewhere in this report. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed below and elsewhere in this report, particularly in “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

 

Overview

We are an independent energy company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas in the United States. We own interests in 1,535 producing oil and natural gas wells (821.8 net to us) and we operate 895 of these wells. In managing our business, we are concerned primarily with maximizing return on our stockholders’ equity. To accomplish this goal, we focus on profitably increasing our oil and natural gas reserves and production.

In 2011, we acquired an undeveloped acreage position and some producing oil wells in Gaines and Reeves Counties in West Texas.  We operated these properties, which we designated as our West Texas region, through May 2013 when we sold all of these properties for total proceeds of $823.1 million.  Accordingly, we are presenting our West Texas operations as discontinued operations in our financial statements for all periods presented.  Unless indicated otherwise, the amounts in the accompanying tables and discussion relate to our continuing operations.

Our growth is driven primarily by acquisition, development and exploration activities. In 2013 our growth in production and proved reserves was primarily driven by our successful oil focused drilling

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activities. Under our current drilling budget, we plan to spend approximately $478.0 million in 2014 for development and exploration activities, which will primarily be focused on oil projects. We plan to drill 71 horizontal wells (47.6 net to us) in 2014, of which 59 wells (40.2 net to us) will be drilled in our Eagleville field in South Texas, ten wells (5.6 net to us) wells will be in our newly acquired acreage in Burleson County, Texas and two wells (1.8 net to us) in our Tuscaloosa Marine shale properties in Mississippi and Louisiana. However, we could increase or decrease the number of wells that we drill depending on oil and natural gas prices. We do not specifically budget for acquisitions as the timing and size of acquisitions are not predictable.

We use the successful efforts method of accounting, which allows only for the capitalization of costs associated with developing proven oil and natural gas properties as well as exploration costs associated with successful exploration activities. Accordingly, our exploration costs consist of costs we incur to acquire and reprocess 3-D seismic data, impairments of our unevaluated leasehold where we were not successful in discovering reserves and the costs of unsuccessful exploratory wells that we drill.

We generally sell our oil and natural gas at current market prices at the point our wells connect to third party purchaser pipelines. We have entered into certain transportation and treating agreements with midstream and pipeline companies to transport a substantial portion of our natural gas production in North Louisiana to long-haul gas pipelines. We market our products several different ways depending upon a number of factors, including the availability of purchasers for the product, the availability and cost of pipelines near our wells, market prices, pipeline constraints and operational flexibility. Accordingly, our revenues are heavily dependent upon the prices of, and demand for, oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas prices have historically been volatile and are likely to remain volatile in the future.

Our operating costs are generally comprised of several components, including costs of field personnel, insurance, repair and maintenance costs, production supplies, fuel used in operations, transportation costs, workover expenses and state production and ad valorem taxes.

Like all oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, we face the constant challenge of replacing our reserves. Although in the past we have offset the effect of declining production rates from existing properties through successful acquisition and drilling efforts, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to offset production declines or maintain production at current rates through future acquisitions or drilling activity. Our future growth will depend on our ability to continue to add new reserves in excess of production.

Our operations and facilities are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the exploration for, and the development, production and transportation of, oil and natural gas, and operating safety. Future laws or regulations, any adverse changes in the interpretation of existing laws and regulations or our failure to comply with existing legal requirements may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Applicable environmental regulations require us to remove our equipment after production has ceased, to plug and abandon our wells and to remediate any environmental damage our operations may have caused. The present value of the estimated future costs to plug and abandon our oil and gas wells and to dismantle and remove our production facilities is included in our reserve for future abandonment costs, which was $14.5 million as of December 31, 2013.

 

 

 

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Results of Operations

Year Ended December 31, 2013 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2012

Our operating data for 2012 and 2013 is summarized below:

 

 ____________

Oil and gas sales.   Our oil and gas sales increased $35.5 million (9%) in 2013 to $420.3 million from $384.8 million in 2012. Oil sales in 2013 increased by $50.7 million (28%) from 2012 while our natural gas sales decreased by $15.2 million (8%) from 2012. The increase in oil sales was attributable to the 29% growth in oil production offset by a 1% decrease in our realized oil prices in 2013.  Our drilling activity in the Eagleville field in South Texas generated the oil production growth.  With limited drilling in our natural gas properties in 2013, our natural gas production fell by 32% from 2012 while our realized natural gas prices increased by 36%.

Production taxes.   Production taxes increased $2.8 million or 24% to $14.5 million in 2013 from $11.7 million in 2012. The increase in 2013 is due to the 28% growth in our oil sales during the year. Much of our natural gas sales in 2012 and 2013 qualified for exemption from state production taxes.

Gathering and transportation.   Gathering and transportation costs in 2013 decreased $9.1 million (34%) to $17.2 million as compared to $26.3 million in 2012 due to the lower natural gas volumes that we produced in North Louisiana in 2013.

Lease operating expenses.   Our lease operating expenses, including ad valorem taxes, of $52.8 million in 2013 were $1.6 million or 3% higher than our operating expenses of $51.2 million in 2012. Our lease operating expense per Mcfe produced increased by 38% to $0.76 per Mcfe in 2013 as compared to $0.55 per Mcfe in 2012. The increase in operating costs mainly reflects our growing oil production. Our oil wells are typically more costly to operate than our natural gas wells. Oil production comprised 20% of

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our total production in 2013 as compared to 12% in 2012. The increase in the per unit costs is largely attributable to the lower production on a Mcfe basis.  Much of our operating costs are fixed in nature.

Exploration expense.   We incurred $33.4 million in exploration expense in 2013 as compared to $61.4 million in 2012. Exploration expense in 2013 consisted of $33.0 million of impairments of unevaluated leasehold costs and $0.4 million for the acquisition of seismic data. Our 2012 exploration cost consisted of $61.3 million of impairments of unevaluated leasehold costs and $0.1 million for the acquisition of seismic data.

Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense (“DD&A”).   DD&A of $337.1 million decreased by $6.8 million (2%) from DD&A of $343.9 million in 2012. Our DD&A rate per Mcfe produced averaged $4.83 in 2013 as compared to $3.76 for 2012. The decrease in DD&A primarily resulted from the decline in our natural gas production during 2013, which was partially offset by the increased development costs per Mcfe associated with the oil wells drilled in 2013 and the reduction in proved undeveloped natural gas reserves recognized in 2012 which increased our per unit DD&A rate on our natural gas properties.

General and administrative expenses.   General and administrative expense of $34.8 million for 2013 was 3% higher than general and administrative expense of $33.8 million for 2012. Stock based compensation decreased by $0.9 million to $12.8 million in 2013 as compared to $13.7 million in 2012.

Impairment of oil and gas properties.   We recorded impairments to our oil and gas properties of $0.7 million and $25.4 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively. These impairments relate to fields where an impairment was indicated based on estimated future net cash flows from the properties.

Gains (losses) from derivative financial instruments.  We utilized oil price swaps to manage our exposure to oil prices and protect returns on investment from our drilling activities in 2012 and 2013.  Gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments were a loss of $8.4 million in 2013 and a gain of $21.3 million in 2012.  Our total net cash received from derivative financial instruments was $2.3 million in 2013 and $9.8 million in 2012.  The following table presents our crude oil equivalent prices before and after the effect of cash settlements of our derivative financial instruments:

 

Interest expense.   Interest expense increased $15.3 million (26%) to $73.2 million in 2013 from interest expense of $57.9 million in 2012. The increase was primarily related to a reduction in the interest we capitalized in 2013.  We capitalized interest of $4.7 million and $20.9 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, which reduced interest expense.  We had interest expense allocated to discontinued operations of $8.4 million and $16.3 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively, of which $2.0 million and $9.6 million, respectively, was capitalized. Average borrowings under our bank credit facility decreased to $201.5 million in 2013 as compared to $482.7 million for 2012 and the average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under our credit facility of 2.6% in 2013 was lower than the interest rate of 3.0% in 2012. Interest expense related to our outstanding senior notes increased by 11% due to the issuance of 9½% senior notes in June 2012 offset in part the redemption of 8⅜% senior notes in November 2013.

Income taxes.   The benefit from income taxes from continuing operations increased in 2013 to $56.2 million from $50.6 million in 2012 due to the higher net loss from continuing operations in 2013. Our

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effective tax rate of 34.5% in 2013 and 32.9% in 2012 differed from the federal income tax rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of nondeductible compensation and state income taxes.

Net income.   We reported a loss from continuing operations of $106.7 million or $2.22 per share for 2013 as compared to a loss of $103.1 million or $2.22 per share for 2012. The loss in 2013 included impairments of proved and unproved properties of $33.6 million ($21.9 million after income taxes), loss on early extinguishment of debt of $17.9 million ($11.6 million after income taxes), losses on our oil derivatives of $8.4 million ($5.5 million after income taxes) and losses on sales of properties of $2.0 million ($1.3 million after income taxes) which were offset in part by gains on sales of marketable securities of $7.9 million ($5.1 million after income taxes). The loss in 2012 included impairments of proved and unproved properties of $86.7 million ($56.3 million after income taxes) which were offset in part by gains on sales of properties of $24.3 million ($15.8 million after income taxes), sales of marketable securities of $26.6 million ($17.3 million after income taxes) and gains on our oil derivatives of $21.3 million ($13.8 million after tax).

Net income from discontinued operations for 2013 of $147.8 million, or $3.07 per share, included a gain on the sale of our West Texas oil and gas properties of $230.0 million ($148.6 million after income taxes).  Excluding the gain, the net loss from discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $0.8 million as compared to net income of $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2012.

Year Ended December 31, 2012 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2011

Our operating data for 2011 and 2012 is summarized below:

 

____________

Oil and gas sales.   Our oil and gas sales decreased $49.6 million (11%) in 2012 to $384.8 million from sales of $434.4 million in 2011. Our oil production in 2012 increased by 114% while our natural gas production decreased by 10% from our 2011 production levels. On an equivalent unit basis, our production in 2012 decreased by 3% over 2011. Our successful drilling program grew our oil production which offset the decline in natural gas production. Prices realized for oil sales increased by 6% in 2012 as

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compared to 2011 while the average price we realized for natural gas sales decreased by 36% in 2012 as compared to 2011.

Production taxes.   Production taxes increased $8.0 million or 220% to $11.7 million in 2012 from $3.7 million in 2011. The increase in 2012 is due to the significant growth in our oil sales during the year. Much of our natural gas sales in 2011 and 2012 qualified for exemption from state production taxes.

Gathering and transportation.   Gathering and transportation costs in 2012 decreased $2.2 million (8%) to $26.3 million as compared to $28.5 million in 2011 due to the lower natural gas volumes that we produced in North Louisiana in 2012.

Lease operating expenses.   Our lease operating expenses, including ad valorem taxes, of $51.2 million in 2012 were $4.6 million or 10% higher than our operating expenses of $46.6 million in 2011. Our lease operating expense per Mcfe produced increased by 15% to $0.55 per Mcfe in 2012 as compared to $0.48 per Mcfe in 2011. The increase mainly reflects our growing oil production. Our oil wells are typically more costly to operate than our natural gas wells. Oil production comprised 12% of our total production in 2012 as compared to 5% in 2011.

Exploration expense.   We incurred $61.4 million in exploration expense in 2012 as compared to $10.1 million in 2011. Exploration expense in 2012 consisted of $61.3 million of impairments of unevaluated leasehold costs and $0.1 million for the acquisition of seismic data. Our 2011 exploration cost consisted of $9.8 million of impairments of unevaluated leasehold costs and $0.3 million for the acquisition of seismic data.

DD&A.   DD&A of $343.9 million was an increase of $53.1 million (18%) over DD&A of $290.8 million in 2011. Our DD&A rate per Mcfe produced averaged $3.76 in 2012 as compared to $3.00 for 2011. The increase in DD&A primarily resulted from increased development costs per Mcfe associated with the oil wells drilled in 2012, and the substantial decline in our proved natural gas reserves due to the low natural gas prices in 2012.

General and administrative expenses.   General and administrative expense of $33.8 million for 2012 was 4% lower than general and administrative expense of $35.2 million for 2011. The decrease primarily reflects lower stock based compensation in 2012. Stock based compensation decreased by $1.3 million to $13.7 million in 2012 as compared to $15.0 million in 2011.

Impairment of oil and gas properties.   We recorded impairments to our oil and gas properties of $25.4 million and $60.8 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively. These impairments relate to fields where an impairment was indicated based on estimated future cash flows from the properties.

Interest expense.   Interest expense increased $16.3 million (39%) to $57.9 million in 2012 from interest expense of $41.6 million in 2011. The increase was primarily related to the increase in outstanding debt during 2012 including the issuance of $300.0 million in senior notes in June 2012. Average borrowings under our bank credit facility increased to $482.7 million in 2012 as compared to $121.4 million for 2011. The average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings under our credit facility of 3.0% in 2012 was higher than the interest rate of 2.2% in 2011. We capitalized interest of $20.9 million and $13.2 million in 2012 and 2011, respectively, which amounts reduced interest expense. Interest expense allocated to discontinued operations was $16.3 million in 2012, of which $9.6 million was capitalized.  No interest was allocated to discontinued operations in 2011.

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Derivative financial instruments.  We utilize oil price swaps to manage our exposure to commodity prices and protect returns on investment from our drilling activities.  We had gains on derivative financial instruments of $21.3 million and cash receipts on derivative financial instruments of $9.8 million in 2012.  We had no derivative financial instruments during 2011.  The following table presents our crude oil equivalent prices before and after the effect of cash settlements of our derivative financial instruments:

 

Income taxes.   The benefit from income taxes increased in 2012 to $50.6 million from $14.6 million in 2011 due to the higher net loss in 2012. Our effective tax rate of 32.9% in 2012 and 30.4% in 2011 differed from the federal income tax rate of 35% primarily due to the effect of nondeductible compensation and state income taxes.

Net loss.   We reported a loss from continuing operations of $103.1 million  or $2.22 per share for 2012 as compared to a loss of $33.5 million or $0.73 per share for 2011. The loss in 2012 included impairments of proved and unproved properties of $86.7 million ($56.3 million after income taxes) which were offset in part by gains on sales of properties of $24.3 million ($15.8 million after income taxes) and sales of marketable securities of $26.6 million ($17.3 million after income taxes) and gains on our oil derivatives of $21.3 million ($13.8 million after tax). The loss in 2011 included impairments to proved and unproved properties in 2011 of $70.6 million ($45.9 million after income taxes) and a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1.1 million ($0.7 million after tax) offset in part by gains on sales of marketable securities of $35.1 million ($22.8 million after income taxes).  Net income from discontinued operations for 2012 was $3.0 million or $0.06 per share.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Funding for our activities has historically been provided by our operating cash flow, debt or equity financings and asset dispositions. For 2013, our primary source of funds was proceeds from sales of assets of $836.6 million, including the proceeds from the sale of our West Texas properties.  Cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations in 2013 of $269.0 million increased $49.3 million (22%) from $219.7 million in 2012.  In 2012, our cash flow provided by operating activities of continuing operations totaled $219.7 million, while our other primary sources of funds included $285.9 million of proceeds from a senior notes offering and $179.6 million from sales of assets. In 2011, our cash flow provided by operating activities from continuing operations totaled $275.4 million. Our other primary source of funds in 2011 included $293.4 million of proceeds from a senior note offering, $555.0 million of borrowings under our bank credit facility and $53.4 million of proceeds from sales of marketable securities.

Our cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations in 2013 of $269.0 million represented an increase of $49.3 million (22%) from our cash from operating activities of $219.7 million in 2012. Cash flow from continuing operations excluding changes in working capital accounts was $249.3 million in 2013 and was 7% higher than 2012 due to increased revenues related to the increased oil production and higher natural gas prices in 2013. Our cash flow from operating activities from continuing operations in 2012 decreased by $55.7 million to $219.7 million as compared to $275.4 million in 2011 primarily due to the lower revenues related to lower natural gas prices in 2012 which was partially offset by higher oil production.

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Our primary need for capital, in addition to funding our ongoing operations, relates to the acquisition, development and exploration of our oil and gas properties and the repayment of our debt. During 2013 our capital expenditures of $480.9 million increased by $132.7 million as compared to 2012 capital expenditures of $348.2 million due primarily to the acquisitions of oil and gas properties we made in 2013. In 2012, our capital expenditures of $348.2 million decreased by $346.0 million as compared to 2011 capital expenditures of $694.2 million, mainly due to the lower spending on acquisitions of oil and gas properties in 2011 and lower natural gas directed drilling activity.  During 2013 we also reduced our debt outstanding by $530.0 million through the early extinguishment of our 8³/₈% senior notes and a reduction in the amounts outstanding under our bank credit facility, primarily using funds generated from the sale of our West Texas properties.

Our capital expenditure activity related to our continuing operations is summarized in the following table:

 

____________

The timing of most of our capital expenditures is discretionary because we have no material long-term capital expenditure commitments except for contracted drilling and completion services. Consequently, we have a significant degree of flexibility to adjust the level of our capital expenditures as circumstances warrant. We currently expect to spend approximately $478.0 million in 2014 for development and exploration projects and lease acquisitions, which will be funded primarily by cash flows from operating activities and borrowings under our bank credit facility. Our operating cash flow and, therefore, our capital expenditures are highly dependent on oil and natural gas prices that we realize in 2014.

We do not have a specific acquisition budget for 2014 because the timing and size of acquisitions are unpredictable. We intend to use borrowings under our bank credit facility, or other debt or equity financings to the extent available, to finance such acquisitions. The availability and attractiveness of these sources of financing will depend upon a number of factors, some of which will relate to our financial condition and performance and some of which will be beyond our control, such as prevailing interest rates, oil and natural gas prices and other market conditions. Lack of access to the debt or equity markets due to general economic conditions could impede our ability to complete acquisitions.

We have a $1.0 billion bank credit facility with Bank of Montreal, as the administrative agent. The bank credit facility is a five-year revolving credit commitment that matures on November 22, 2018. Indebtedness under the bank credit facility is secured by all of our assets and is guaranteed by all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. The bank credit facility is subject to borrowing base availability, which is redetermined semiannually based on the banks’ estimates of the future net cash flows of our oil and gas properties. As of December 31, 2013, the borrowing base was $625.0 million, of which $415.0 million

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was available. The borrowing base may be affected by the performance of our properties and changes in oil and natural gas prices. The determination of the borrowing base is at the sole discretion of the administrative agent and the bank group. Borrowings under the bank credit facility bear interest, based on the utilization of the borrowing base, at our option at either (1) LIBOR plus 1.5% to 2.5% or (2) the base rate (which is the higher of the administrative agent’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or 30 day LIBOR plus 1.0%) plus 0.5% to 1.5%. A commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5%, based on the utilization of the borrowing base, is payable annually on the unused borrowing base. The bank credit facility contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the payment of cash dividends and repurchases of common stock in excess of $120.0 million per year, limit the amount of consolidated debt that we may incur and limit our ability to make certain loans and investments. The only financial covenants are the maintenance of a leverage ratio and the maintenance of an interest coverage ratio. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2012 we had $300.0 million in principal amount of 8³/₈% senior notes outstanding with a maturity date of October 15, 2017 (the "2017 Notes").  In June 2013, we repurchased $2.2 million in principal amount of the 2017 Notes at 103.3% of the par value and on September 13, 2013, we called all of the remaining 2017 Notes at the call price of 104.2% of par value for redemption on October 15, 2013.  The redemption amount of $310.2 million was funded with cash on hand of $210.2 million and borrowings under our bank credit facility.  As a result of this redemption, we recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt, before income taxes, of approximately $17.9 million comprised of the premium paid for the redemption, the costs incurred related to the redemption and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, including original issuance discount.  

We have $300.0 million of 7³/₄% senior notes (the “2019 Notes”) outstanding which are due on April 1, 2019 and bear interest which is payable semi-annually on each April 1 and October 1.  We also have $300.0 million of 9¹/₂% senior notes (the “2020 Notes”) which are due on June 15, 2020 and bear interest which is payable semi-annually on each June 15 and December 15.  The 2019 and 2020 Notes are unsecured obligations which are guaranteed by all of our material subsidiaries. Such subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned and all of the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several obligations. As of December 31, 2013, we had no material assets or operations which are independent of our subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on our ability to obtain funds from our subsidiaries through dividends or loans.

On January 1, 2011, we had $172.0 million in principal amount of 6⁷/₈% senior notes outstanding due in 2012 (the “2012 Notes”). We redeemed all of the 2012 Notes in 2011 for $172.4 million. The early extinguishment of the 2012 Notes resulted in a loss of $1.1 million. This loss is comprised of the premium paid for the redemption of the 2012 Notes, the costs incurred related to the tender offer, and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the 2012 Notes.

We believe that our cash flow from operations and available borrowings under our bank credit facility will be sufficient to fund our operations and future growth as contemplated under our current business plan. However, if our plans or assumptions change or if our assumptions prove to be inaccurate, we may be required to seek additional capital. We cannot provide any assurance that we will be able to obtain such capital, or if such capital is available, that we will be able to obtain it on acceptable terms.

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The following table summarizes our aggregate liabilities and commitments by year of maturity:

 

Future interest costs are based upon the effective interest rates of our outstanding senior notes and the December 31, 2013 rate for our bank credit facility.

We have obligations to incur future payments for dismantlement, abandonment and restoration costs of oil and gas properties. These payments are currently estimated to be incurred primarily after 2018. We record a separate liability for the fair value of these asset retirement obligations, which totaled $14.5 million as of December 31, 2013.

Federal Taxation

At December 31, 2013 we had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $80.2 million and Louisiana state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $810.6 million. Utilization of $34.7 million of our U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards is limited to approximately $1.1 million per year pursuant to a prior change of control of an acquired company and a valuation allowance of $23.0 million, with a tax effect of $8.0 million, has been established for the estimated U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards that will not be utilized. Realization of the remaining U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards requires Comstock to generate taxable income within the carryforward period. A valuation allowance of $528.1 million, with a tax effect of $27.5 million, has been established against our Louisiana state net operating loss carryforwards due to the uncertainty of generating taxable income in the state of Louisiana prior to the expiration of the carryforward period.

Our federal income tax returns for the years subsequent to December 31, 2009 remain subject to examination. Our income tax returns in major state income tax jurisdictions remain subject to examination for various periods subsequent to December 31, 2008. We currently believe that our significant filing positions are highly certain and that all of our significant income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained upon audit or the final resolution would not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements. Therefore, we have not established any significant reserves for uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties resulting from audits by tax authorities have been immaterial and are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and use assumptions that can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses.

Successful efforts accounting.   We are required to select among alternative acceptable accounting policies. There are two generally acceptable methods for accounting for oil and gas producing activities. The full cost method allows the capitalization of all costs associated with finding oil and natural gas reserves, including certain general and administrative expenses. The successful efforts method allows

54

 

only for the capitalization of costs associated with developing proven oil and natural gas properties as well as exploration costs associated with successful exploration projects. Costs related to exploration that are not successful are expensed when it is determined that commercially productive oil and gas reserves were not found. We have elected to use the successful efforts method to account for our oil and gas activities and we do not capitalize any of our general and administrative expenses.

Oil and natural gas reserve quantities.   The determination of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense is highly dependent on the estimates of the proved oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. The determination of whether impairments should be recognized on our oil and gas properties is also dependent on these estimates, as well as estimates of probable reserves. Reserve engineering is a subjective process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be precisely measured. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, production history and engineering and geological interpretation and judgment. Because all reserve estimates are to some degree imprecise, the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered, production and operating costs, the amount and timing of future development expenditures and future oil and natural gas prices may all differ materially from those assumed in these estimates. The information regarding present value of the future net cash flows attributable to our proved oil and natural gas reserves are estimates only and should not be construed as the current market value of the estimated oil and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. Thus, such information includes revisions of certain reserve estimates attributable to proved properties included in the preceding year’s estimates. Such revisions reflect additional information from subsequent activities, production history of the properties involved and any adjustments in the projected economic life of such properties resulting from changes in product prices. Any future downward revisions could adversely affect our financial condition, our borrowing ability, our future prospects and the value of our common stock.

Impairment of oil and gas properties.   We evaluate our properties on a field area basis for potential impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment is indicated based on a comparison of the asset’s carrying value to its undiscounted expected future net cash flows, then it is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds fair value. A significant amount of judgment is involved in performing these evaluations since the results are based on estimated future events. Expected future cash flows are determined using estimated future prices based on market based forward prices applied to projected future production volumes. The projected production volumes are based on the property’s proved and risk adjusted probable oil and natural gas reserves estimates at the end of the period. The estimated future cash flows that we use in our assessment of the need for an impairment are based on market prices for oil and natural gas for the next three years, with a 5% escalation of prices for subsequent years. Prices are not escalated to levels that exceed observed historical market prices. Costs are also assumed to escalate at a rate that is based on our historical experience, currently estimated at 2% per annum. The oil and natural gas prices used for determining asset impairments will generally differ from those used in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows because the standardized measure requires the use of the average first day of the month historical price for the year. To the extent that oil and natural gas prices do not increase as anticipated in these assumptions or costs increase at a greater rate than assumed, certain of our evaluated properties which presently have a carrying value of $679.0 million may require impairment in the future. The amount of such impairments would be based on the write down of these properties to their then current estimated fair value. In addition to these properties, other properties may become impaired due to downward revisions in reserve or price estimates or for other reasons.

Stock-based compensation.   We follow the fair value based method in accounting for equity-based compensation. Under the fair value based method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the award vesting period.

55

 

Related Party Transactions

In recent years, we have not entered into any material transactions with our officers or directors apart from the compensation they are provided for their services. We also have not entered into any business transactions with our significant stockholders or any other related parties.

 

ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Oil and Natural Gas Prices

Our financial condition, results of operations and capital resources are highly dependent upon the prevailing market prices of oil and natural gas. These commodity prices are subject to wide fluctuations and market uncertainties due to a variety of factors that are beyond our control. Factors influencing oil and natural gas prices include the level of global demand for oil, the foreign supply of oil and natural gas, the establishment of and compliance with production quotas by oil exporting countries, weather conditions which determine the demand for natural gas, the price and availability of alternative fuels and overall economic conditions. It is impossible to predict future oil and natural gas prices with any degree of certainty. Sustained weakness in oil and natural gas prices may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, and may also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas reserves that we can produce economically. Any reduction in our oil and natural gas reserves, including reductions due to price fluctuations, can have an adverse affect on our ability to obtain capital for our exploration and development activities. Similarly, any improvements in oil and natural gas prices can have a favorable impact on our financial condition, results of operations and capital resources. Based on our oil and natural gas production in 2013, a $1.00 change in the price per barrel of oil would have resulted in a change in our cash flow for such period by approximately $2.2 million and a $0.10 change in the price per Mcf of natural gas would have changed our cash flow by approximately $7.9 million.

We have entered into oil price swap agreements covering 2.0 million barrels of our expected 2014 oil production that fix the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) price at $96.31 per barrel. As of December 31, 2013, our outstanding oil swap agreements had a fair value of $1.0 million. The change in the fair value of our oil swaps that would result from a 10% change in commodities prices at December 31, 2013 would be $12.2 million. Such a change in fair value could be a gain or a loss depending on whether prices increase or decrease.

Interest Rates

At December 31, 2013, we had $798.7 million of long-term debt. Of this amount, $300.0 million bears interest at a fixed rate of 7³/₄% and $300.0 million bears interest at a fixed rate of 9¹/₂%. The fair market value of our fixed rate debt as of December 31, 2013 was $650.3 million based on the market price of approximately 110% of the face amount. At December 31, 2013, we had $210.0 million of debt outstanding under our bank credit facility, which is subject to variable rates of interest that are tied to LIBOR or a corporate base rate, at our option. Any increase in these interest rates would have an adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flow. Based on borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2013, a 100 basis point change in interest rates would change our annual interest expense on our variable rate debt by approximately $2.1 million. We had no interest rate derivatives in 2013 or at December 31, 2013.

 

56

 

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Our consolidated financial statements are included on pages F-1 to F-30 of this report.

We have prepared these financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. We are responsible for the fairness and reliability of the financial statements and other financial data included in this report. In the preparation of the financial statements, it is necessary for us to make informed estimates and judgments based on currently available information on the effects of certain events and transactions.

Our independent public accountants, Ernst & Young LLP, are engaged to audit our financial statements and to express an opinion thereon. Their audit is conducted in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States to enable them to report whether the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position and results of operations in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The audit committee of our board of directors is comprised of three directors who are not our employees. This committee meets periodically with our independent public accountants and management. Our independent public accountants have full and free access to the audit committee to meet, with and without management being present, to discuss the results of their audits and the quality of our financial reporting.

 

ITEM  9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

ITEM  9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Controls and Procedures.   Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2013. The evaluation was performed with the participation of senior management of each business segment and key corporate functions, and under the supervision of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. In our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 we reported that we had identified a material weakness in our internal controls over financial reporting in our accounting for our oil price derivative financial instruments.  In 2013, we have designed and implemented a control framework over designating derivative financial instruments as cash flow hedges to ensure that our accounting for designated derivative financial instruments which was affected by the material control weakness is appropriate.  We are not presently accounting for any derivative financial instruments as cash flows hedges.

Based on our evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2013 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in the

57

 

reports filed or submitted by us under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.   There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2013 that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.   We are responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, we conducted an assessment, including testing, using the criteria in Internal Control — Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) (the COSO criteria). Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.   As of December 31, 2013, we assessed the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on the COSO criteria, and based on that assessment we determined that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.

Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm that audited the consolidated financial statements of the Company included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.  The report, which expresses unqualified opinions on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, is included below.

 

 

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Comstock Resources, Inc.

We have audited Comstock Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) (the COSO criteria). Comstock Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries’ management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, Comstock Resources, Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the COSO criteria.  

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of Comstock Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 and our report dated February 26, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 26, 2014

 

 

 

59

 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

 

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to “Business – Directors and Executive Officers” in this Form 10-K and to our definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2013.

Code of Ethics.   We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that is applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees as required by New York Stock Exchange rules. We have also adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that is applicable to our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers. Both the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers may be found on our website at www.comstockresources.com. Both of these documents are also available, without charge, to any stockholder upon request to: Comstock Resources, Inc., Attn: Investor Relations, 5300 Town and Country Blvd., Suite 500, Frisco, Texas 75034, (972) 668-8800. We intend to disclose any amendments or waivers to these codes that apply to our Chief Executive Officer and senior financial officers on our website in accordance with applicable SEC rules. Please see the definitive proxy statement for our 2014 annual meeting, which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2013, for additional information regarding our corporate governance policies.

 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2013.

 

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table summarizes certain information regarding our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2013:

 

 ____________

We do not have any equity compensation plans that were not approved by stockholders.

Further information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2013.

 

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ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTORS INDEPENDENCE

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2013.

 

ITEM  14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive proxy statement which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after December 31, 2013.

 

PART IV

 

ITEM  15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

 

The exhibits to this report required to be filed pursuant to Item 15(c) are listed below.

 

61

 

62

 

 

 

 

 

63

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-1

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

 

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Comstock Resources, Inc.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Comstock Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Comstock Resources, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 and 2013, and the consolidated results of their operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the effectiveness of Comstock Resources, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Dallas, Texas

February 26, 2014

 

 

 

F-2

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of December 31, 2012 and 2013

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

F-3

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

 

F-4

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

For the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

F-5

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

 

F-6

 

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

For the Years Ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

 

 

F-7

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(1)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting policies used by Comstock Resources, Inc. reflect oil and natural gas industry practices and conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Comstock Resources, Inc. is engaged in oil and natural gas exploration, development and production, and the acquisition of producing oil and natural gas properties. The Company’s operations are primarily focused in Texas and Louisiana. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Comstock Resources, Inc. and its wholly owned or controlled subsidiaries (collectively, “Comstock” or the “Company”). The consolidated statement of operations in 2012 includes the accounts of a variable interest entity where the Company was the primary beneficiary of the arrangements. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company accounts for its undivided interest in oil and gas properties using the proportionate consolidation method, whereby its share of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses are included in its financial statements.

Discontinued West Texas Operations

In December 2011, the Company completed an acquisition, from an unrelated party, of oil and gas properties in the Delaware Basin located in Reeves County in West Texas (the “West Texas Properties”).  The Company acquired proved oil and gas reserves of 25.2 million barrels of oil equivalent and leases covering 43,591 net acres for total cash consideration of $337.9 million.  Concurrent with acquiring the West Texas Properties, Comstock entered into a transaction structured as a reverse like-kind exchange in accordance with Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. In connection with this reverse like-kind exchange, Comstock assigned the right to acquire ownership in the oil and gas properties that were acquired to a variable interest entity formed by an exchange accommodation titleholder. Comstock operated these properties pursuant to lease and management agreements with that entity, and had a call option which allowed the Company to terminate the exchange transaction at any time up and until the expiration date of the exchange. The exchange transaction was completed in May 2012 and the variable interest entity was then merged into a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Because the Company was the primary beneficiary of these arrangements, all revenues earned and expenses incurred related to the properties were included in the Company’s consolidated results of operations during the term of the agreements.

On May 14, 2013, the Company sold the West Texas Properties and certain other undeveloped leases to third parties for proceeds of $823.1 million and realized a gain of $230.0 million which is reflected as a component of income from discontinued operations in 2013.  As a result of this divestiture, the consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto present the results of the Company's West Texas Properties as discontinued operations. No general and administrative cost incurred by Comstock was allocated to discontinued operations during the periods presented.  Unless indicated otherwise, the amounts presented in the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements relate to the Company's continuing operations.

F-8

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations as of December 31, 2012 were as follows:

 

Income from discontinued operations is comprised of the following:

 

____________

 

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial statements consisting primarily of reclassifications to reflect the Company’s West Texas oil and gas properties as discontinued operations and a change in the presentation of our derivative financial instruments.

F-9

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates. Changes in the future estimated oil and natural gas reserves or the estimated future cash flows attributable to the reserves that are utilized for impairment analysis could have a significant impact on the future results of operations.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Accounts Receivable

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and derivative financial instruments. The Company places its cash with high credit quality financial institutions and its derivative financial instruments with financial institutions and other firms that management believes have high credit ratings. Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable are due from either purchasers of oil and gas or participants in oil and gas wells for which the Company serves as the operator. Generally, operators of oil and gas wells have the right to offset future revenues against unpaid charges related to operated wells. Oil and gas sales are generally unsecured. The Company’s policy is to assess the collectability of its receivables based upon their age, the credit quality of the purchaser or participant and the potential for revenue offset. The Company has not had any significant credit losses in the past and believes its accounts receivable are fully collectible. Accordingly, no allowance for doubtful accounts has been provided.

Marketable Securities

As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned 600,000 shares of Stone Energy Corporation (“Stone”) common stock which was reflected in the consolidated balance sheets as marketable securities. During the year ended December 31, 2013 all of these shares were sold.  As of December 31, 2012, the estimated fair value of the marketable securities was $12.3 million after recognizing an unrealized gain after income taxes of $4.4 million. The Company did not exert influence over the operating and financial policies of Stone, and classified its investment in these shares as an available-for-sale security in the consolidated balance sheet. Available-for-sale securities were accounted for at fair value, with any unrealized gains and unrealized losses not determined to be other than temporary reported in the consolidated balance sheet within accumulated other comprehensive income as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. The Company utilized the specific identification method to determine the cost of any securities sold. During each of 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company sold 1,991,000, 1,206,000 and 600,000 shares of Stone common stock for proceeds of $53.4 million, $37.7 million and $13.4 million, respectively. Comstock realized gains before income taxes of $35.1 million, $26.6 million and $7.9 million on these sales during 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Certain accounts within the Company's consolidated balance sheets are required to be measured at fair value. These include cash equivalents held in bank accounts, marketable securities and derivative financial instruments in the form of oil price swap agreements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. A three-level hierarchy is followed for disclosure to show the extent and level of judgment used to estimate fair value measurements:

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Level 1 – Inputs used to measure fair value are unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.

Level 2 – Inputs used to measure fair value, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3 – Inputs used to measure fair value are unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

The Company’s cash and marketable securities valuations are based on Level 1 measurements. The Company’s oil price swap agreements were not traded on a public exchange, and their value was determined utilizing a discounted cash flow model based on inputs that are readily available in public markets and, accordingly, the valuation of these swap agreements was categorized as a Level 2 measurement.

The following table summarizes financial assets accounted for at fair value as of December 31, 2013:

 

At December 31, 2013, the Company had oil price swap agreements covering 1,985,000 barrels of oil to be produced in 2014 with a fair value of $970,000. At December 31, 2012, the Company had oil price swap agreements for 2,160,000 barrels of oil to be produced in 2013 with a fair value of $11.7 million.

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair value of the Company’s long-term debt as of December 31, 2012 and 2013:  

 

The fair market value of the Company’s fixed rate debt was based on the market prices as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, a Level 1 measurement. The fair value of the floating rate debt outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2013 approximated its carrying value, a Level 2 measurement.

Property and Equipment

The Company follows the successful efforts method of accounting for its oil and gas properties. Acquisition costs for proved oil and gas properties, costs of drilling and equipping productive wells, and costs of unsuccessful development wells are capitalized and amortized on an equivalent unit-of-production basis over the life of the remaining related oil and gas reserves. Equivalent units are determined by converting oil to natural gas at the ratio of one barrel of oil for six thousand cubic feet of natural gas. This conversion ratio is not based on the price of oil or natural gas, and there may be a significant difference in price between an equivalent volume of oil versus natural gas. Cost centers for amortization purposes are determined on a field area basis. Costs incurred to acquire oil and gas leasehold are capitalized. The estimated future costs of dismantlement, restoration, plugging and abandonment of oil and gas properties and related facilities disposal are capitalized when asset retirement obligations are incurred and amortized as part of depreciation, depletion and amortization expense. The costs of unproved properties which are determined to be productive are transferred to proved oil and gas properties and amortized on an equivalent unit-of-production basis. Exploratory expenses, including geological and geophysical expenses and delay rentals for unevaluated oil and gas properties, are charged to expense as incurred. Unproved oil and gas properties are periodically assessed for impairment on a property by property basis, and any impairment in value is charged to exploration expense. During 2011, 2012 and 2013, impairment charges of $9.8 million, $61.3 million and $33.0 million, respectively, were recognized in exploration expense related to certain leases that the Company no longer expects to drill on. Exploratory drilling costs are initially capitalized as unproved property but charged to expense if and when the well is determined not to have found commercial quantities of proved oil and gas reserves. Exploratory drilling costs are evaluated within a one-year period after the completion of drilling.

The Company periodically assesses the need for an impairment of the costs capitalized for its oil and gas properties on a property or cost center basis. If impairment is indicated based on undiscounted expected future cash flows attributable to the property, then a provision for impairment is recognized to the extent that net capitalized costs exceed the estimated fair value of the property. The fair value is based upon estimated discounted future cash flows which are derived from Level 3 inputs. Expected future cash flows are determined using estimated future prices based on market based forward prices applied to projected future production volumes. Costs are also projected to escalate at a rate that is based upon the Company’s historical experience. The projected production volumes are based on the property’s proved and risk adjusted probable oil and natural gas reserve estimates at the end of the period. The oil and natural gas prices used for determining asset impairments will generally differ from those used in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows because the standardized measure requires the

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

use of an average price based on the first day of each month of the preceding year and is limited to proved reserves. The Company recognized impairment charges related to its oil and gas properties of $60.8 million, $25.4 million and $0.7 million in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively.

Other property and equipment consists primarily of gas gathering systems, computer equipment, furniture and fixtures and an airplane which are depreciated over estimated useful lives ranging from three to 31½ years on a straight-line basis.

Other Assets

Other assets primarily consist of deferred costs associated with issuance of the Company’s senior notes and bank credit facility. These costs are amortized over the life of the senior notes and the life of the bank credit facility on a straight-line basis which approximates the amortization that would be calculated using an effective interest rate method.

Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses at December 31, 2012 and 2013 consist of the following:

 

Reserve for Future Abandonment Costs

The Company’s asset retirement obligations relate to future plugging and abandonment costs of its oil and gas properties and related facilities disposal. The Company records a liability in the period in which an asset retirement obligation is incurred, in an amount equal to the discounted estimated fair value of the obligation that is capitalized. Thereafter, this liability is accreted up to the final retirement cost. Accretion of the discount is included as part of depreciation, depletion and amortization in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The following table summarizes the changes in the Company’s total estimated liability:

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Stock-based Compensation

The Company has stock-based employee compensation plans under which stock awards, comprised of restricted stock, stock options and performance share units, are issued to employees and non-employee directors. The Company follows the fair value based method in accounting for equity-based compensation. Under the fair value based method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the award vesting period. Excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation are recognized as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital and as a part of cash flows from financing activities.

Segment Reporting

The Company presently operates in one business segment, the exploration and production of oil and natural gas.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments (including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts) as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The Company estimates fair value based on a discounted cash flow model. The fair value of derivative contracts that expire in less than one year are recognized as current assets or liabilities. Those that expire in more than one year are recognized as long-term assets or liabilities. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in fair value are recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

Major Purchasers

In 2013, the Company had two purchasers of its oil and natural gas production that accounted for 51% and 36% of total oil and gas sales. In 2012, the Company had two purchasers of its oil and natural gas production that accounted for 42% and 27% of total oil and gas sales. In 2011, the Company had two purchasers of its oil and natural gas production that accounted for 49% and 14% of total oil and gas sales. The loss of any of these customers would not have a material adverse effect on the Company as there is an available market for its oil and natural gas production from other purchasers.

Revenue Recognition and Gas Balancing

Comstock utilizes the sales method of accounting for oil and natural gas revenues whereby revenues are recognized at the time of delivery based on the amount of oil or natural gas sold to purchasers. Revenue is typically recorded in the month of production based on an estimate of the Company’s share of volumes produced and prices realized. Revisions to such estimates are recorded as actual results are known. The amount of oil or natural gas sold may differ from the amount to which the Company is entitled based on its revenue interests in the properties. The Company did not have any significant imbalance positions at December 31, 2012 or 2013. Sales of oil and natural gas generally occur at the wellhead. When sales of oil and gas occur at locations other than the wellhead, the Company accounts for costs incurred to transport the production to the delivery point as operating expenses.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses are reported net of reimbursements of overhead costs that are received from working interest owners of the oil and gas properties operated by the Company of $10.5 million, $11.5 million and $11.9 million in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method, whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as the future tax consequences attributable to the future utilization of existing tax net operating loss and other types of carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that the change in rate is enacted.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is determined without the effect of any outstanding potentially dilutive stock options and diluted earnings per share is determined with the effect of outstanding stock options that are potentially dilutive. Unvested share-based payment awards containing nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered to be participatory securities and included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. Performance share units (“PSUs”) represent the right to receive a number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may range from zero to up to three times the number of PSUs granted on the award date based on the achievement of certain performance measures during a performance period. The number of potentially dilutive shares related to PSUs is based on the number of shares, if any, which would be issuable at the end of the respective period, assuming that date was the end of the contingency period. The treasury stock method is used to measure the dilutive effect of PSUs.

Basic and diluted earnings per share for 2011, 2012 and 2013 were determined as follows:

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

At December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, 2,114,520, 1,960,835 and 1,515,889 shares of unvested restricted stock, respectively, are included in common stock outstanding as such shares have a nonforfeitable right to participate in any dividends that might be declared and have the right to vote. Weighted average shares of unvested restricted stock included in common stock outstanding were as follows:

 

All stock options, unvested stock and PSUs were anti-dilutive to earnings and excluded from weighted average shares used in the computation of earnings per share due to the net loss from continuing operations in each period.

Options to purchase common stock that were outstanding and that were excluded as anti-dilutive from determination of diluted earnings per share were as follows:

 

 

Supplementary Information With Respect to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

For the purpose of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Cash payments made for interest and income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, were as follows:

 

The Company capitalizes interest on its unevaluated oil and gas property costs during periods when it is conducting exploration activity on this acreage. The Company capitalized interest of $13.2 million, $20.9 million and $4.7 million in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively, which reduced interest expense and increased the carrying value of its unevaluated oil and gas properties.

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Comprehensive Loss

Comprehensive loss consists of the following:  

The following table provides a summary of the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of income taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:

 

Subsequent Events

Subsequent events were evaluated through the issuance date of these consolidated financial statements.

 

(2)  Acquisitions and Dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties

During 2013, the Company acquired oil and gas properties in East Texas for $67.4 million and in Mississippi and Louisiana for $53.3 million.  The East Texas acquisition included one producing well and approximately 21,000 net acres which are prospective for oil in the Eagle Ford shale formation.  The Mississippi and Louisiana acquisition included approximately 51,000 net acres which are prospective for oil in the Tuscaloosa Marine shale formation.

During 2012, the Company completed the sale of certain oil and gas properties located in Tyler and Polk counties in South Texas and Lincoln Parish in North Louisiana. The Company received proceeds of $119.8 million and recognized a total gain of $26.0 million from these transactions.

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

On July 30, 2012, the Company entered into a participation agreement with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co L.P. (together with its affiliates, “KKR”) providing for the participation of KKR in Comstock’s future development of certain of its Eagle Ford shale properties in South Texas. Under the terms of the participation agreement, KKR has the right to participate for one-third of Comstock’s working interest in wells drilled on the Company’s acreage comprising its Eagleville field in exchange for KKR paying $25,000 per acre for the net acreage being acquired and one-third of the wells costs. Each well that KKR participates in is intended to earn KKR approximately one-third of the Company’s working interest in approximately 80 acres. The agreement applies to wells spud by the Company on or subsequent to March 31, 2012. The Company retains all of its interest in wells that were spud prior to March 31, 2012. Comstock received $23.8 million from KKR to fund its participation in drilling activity before the closing on July 30, 2012. The Company received $8.7 million and $51.5 million for acreage and facility costs for new wells drilled subsequent to the closing in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Formation costs of $1.7 million incurred in connection with this joint venture are reflected as a reduction to the gains on sales of oil and gas properties in the consolidated financial statements.

On December 30, 2011, the Company acquired oil and gas properties in North Louisiana from a third party for $27.1 million. This acquisition included proved oil and gas reserves of 13 billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent and leases covering 3,500 net acres.

In connection with acquisitions of producing oil and gas properties, the Company estimates the value of proved properties based on estimated future net cash flows and discounts them using a market-based rate that the Company determined appropriate at the acquisition date for the various proved reserve categories. Due to the unobservable nature of the inputs, the fair values of the proved oil and gas properties are considered Level 3 fair value measurements.

 

 

(3)  Oil and Gas Producing Activities

Set forth below is certain information regarding the aggregate capitalized costs of oil and gas properties and costs incurred by the Company for its oil and gas property acquisition, development and exploration activities:

Capitalized Costs

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Costs Incurred

 

 

(4) Long-term Debt

Long-term debt is comprised of the following:

 

The discount on the senior notes is being amortized over the life of the senior notes using the effective interest rate method.

The following table summarizes Comstock’s debt as of December 31, 2012 by year of maturity:

 

Comstock has a $1.0 billion bank credit facility with Bank of Montreal, as the administrative agent. The bank credit facility is a five year revolving credit commitment that matures on November 22, 2018. Indebtedness under the bank credit facility is secured by all of Comstock’s assets and is guaranteed by all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. The credit facility is subject to borrowing base availability, which is redetermined semiannually based on the banks’ estimates of the Company’s future net cash flows of oil and natural gas properties. As of December 31, 2013, the borrowing base was $625.0 million, of which $415.0 million was available. The borrowing base may be affected by the performance of Comstock’s properties and changes in oil and natural gas prices. The determination of the borrowing base is at the sole discretion of the administrative agent and the bank group. Borrowings under the bank credit facility bear interest, based on the utilization of the borrowing base, at Comstock’s option at either (1) LIBOR plus 1.5% to 2.5% or (2) the base rate (which is the higher of the administrative agent’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or 30 day LIBOR plus 1.0%) plus 0.5% to 1.5%. A commitment fee of 0.375% to

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

0.5%, based on the utilization of the borrowing base, is payable annually on the unused borrowing base. The bank credit facility contains covenants that, among other things, restrict the payment of cash dividends and repurchases of common stock in excess of $120.0 million per year, limit the amount of consolidated debt that Comstock may incur and limit the Company’s ability to make certain loans and investments. The only financial covenants are the maintenance of a leverage ratio and the maintenance of an interest coverage ratio. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2012, Comstock had $300.0 million in principal amount of 8³/₈% senior notes outstanding with a maturity date of October 15, 2017 (the "2017 Notes").  In June 2013, the Company repurchased $2.2 million in principal amount of the 2017 Notes at 103.3% of the par value and on September 13, 2013, the Company called all of the remaining 2017 Notes at the call price of 104.2% of par value for redemption on October 15, 2013. The redemption amount of $310.2 million was funded with cash on hand of $210.2 million and borrowings under the Company's bank credit facility.  As a result of this redemption, the Company realized a loss on early extinguishment of debt, before income taxes, of approximately $17.9 million comprised of the premium paid for the redemption, the costs incurred related to the redemption and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs, including original issuance discount.  

Comstock has $300.0 million of 7³/₄% senior notes (the “2019 Notes”) outstanding which are due on April 1, 2019 and bear interest which is payable semi-annually on each April 1 and October 1.  Comstock also has $300.0 million of 9¹/₂% senior notes (the “2020 Notes”) which are due on June 15, 2020 and bear interest which is payable semi-annually on each June 15 and December 15.  The 2019 and 2020 Notes are unsecured obligations of Comstock and are guaranteed by all of Comstock’s material subsidiaries. Such subsidiary guarantors are 100% owned and all of the guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several obligations. As of December 31, 2013, Comstock had no material assets or operations which are independent of its subsidiaries. There are no restrictions on the ability of Comstock to obtain funds from its subsidiaries through dividends or loans.

On January 1, 2011, Comstock had $172.0 million in principal amount of 6⁷/₈% senior notes outstanding due in 2012 (the “2012 Notes”). Comstock redeemed all of the 2012 Notes in 2011 for $172.4 million. The early extinguishment of the 2012 Notes resulted in a loss of $1.1 million. This loss is comprised of the premium paid for the redemption of the 2012 Notes, the costs incurred related to the tender offer, and the write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs related to the 2012 Notes.

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

(5) Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Company rents office space and other facilities under noncancelable operating leases. Rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $1.1 million, $1.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively. Minimum future payments under the leases are as follows:

 

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had commitments for contracted drilling rigs of $44.9 million through November 2015.

The Company has entered into natural gas transportation and treating agreements through July 2019. Maximum commitments under these transportation agreements as of December 31, 2013 totaled $19.4 million.

Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is involved in certain litigation that arises in the normal course of its operations. The Company records a loss contingency for these matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The Company does not believe the resolution of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations and no material amounts are accrued relative to these matters at December 31, 2012 or 2013.

 

(6) Stockholders’ Equity

The authorized capital stock of Comstock consists of 75 million shares of common stock, $0.50 par value per share, and 5 million shares of preferred stock, $10.00 par value per share. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, and the terms and rights of such stock will be determined by the Board of Directors. There were no shares of preferred stock outstanding at December 31, 2012 or 2013.

On each of May 15, 2013, August 22, 2013 and November 26, 2013, the Board of Directors declared a dividend of 12.5¢ per share on the Company's common stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on May 31, 2013, September 6, 2013 and December 6, 2013.  Dividends in the aggregate amount of $18.0 million were paid during 2013. The Board of Directors also approved an open market share repurchase plan which permits the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of its common stock on the open market.  The Company made various open market purchases of 631,096 shares at an aggregate cost of $9.2 million during 2013, and all shares purchased by the Company were cancelled.

 

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

(7) Stock-based Compensation

The Company grants restricted shares of common stock, stock options and performance share units to key employees and directors as part of their compensation under the 2009 Long-term Incentive Plan. Future awards of stock options, restricted stock grants or other equity awards under the 2009 Long-term Incentive Plan are available with up to 1,588,053 shares of common stock.

During 2011, 2012 and 2013, the Company had $15.0 million, $13.7 million and $12.8 million, respectively, in stock-based compensation expense which is in general and administrative expenses. The excess income tax provisions from tax deductions associated with stock-based compensation recognized in additional paid in capital were $0.6 million, $1.7 million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

Stock Options

The Company amortizes the fair value of stock options granted over the vesting period using the straight-line method.

The Company has not issued any stock options since 2008. The following table summarizes information related to stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013:

 

The following table summarizes information related to stock option activity under the Company’s incentive plans for the year ended December 31, 2013:

 

 

As of December 31, 2013, all compensation cost related to stock options had been recognized. Stock options outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2013 had no intrinsic value based on the closing price for the Company’s common stock at those dates. There were no stock option exercises in 2011, 2012 or 2013.

Restricted Stock

The fair value of restricted stock grants is amortized over the vesting period, generally one to four years, using the straight-line method. Total compensation expense recognized for restricted stock grants was $15.0 million, $13.5 million and $9.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and

F-22

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

2013, respectively. The fair value of each restricted share on the date of grant is equal to its fair market price.

A summary of restricted stock activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented below:

 

The per share weighted average fair value of restricted stock grants in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $18.31, $15.49 and $16.44, respectively. Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock of $9.5 million as of December 31, 2013 is expected to be recognized over a period of 1.8 years. The fair value of restricted stock which vested in 2011, 2012 and 2013 was $9.3 million, $6.7 million and $7.0 million, respectively.

Performance Share Units

The Company issues PSUs as part of its long-term equity incentive compensation. PSU awards can result in the issuance of common stock to the holder if certain performance criteria is met during a performance period. The performance periods consist of one year, two years and three years, respectively. The performance criteria for the PSUs are based on the Company’s annualized total stockholder return (“TSR”) for the performance period as compared with the TSR of certain peer companies for the performance period. The costs associated with PSUs are recognized as general and administrative expense over the performance periods of the awards.

The fair value of PSUs was measured at the grant date using a stochastic process method utilizing the Geometric Brownian Motion Model (“GBM Model”). A stochastic process is a mathematically defined equation that can create a series of outcomes over time. These outcomes are not deterministic in nature, which means that by iterating the equations multiple times, different results will be obtained for those iterations. In the case of the Company’s PSUs, the Company cannot predict with certainty the path its stock price or the stock prices of its peers will take over the future performance periods. By using a stochastic simulation, the Company can create multiple prospective total return pathways, statistically analyze these simulations, and ultimately make inferences to the most likely path the total return will take. As such, because future stock returns are stochastic, or probabilistic with some direction in nature, the stochastic method, specifically the GBM Model, is deemed an appropriate method by which to determine the fair value of the PSUs. Significant assumptions used in this simulation include the Company’s expected volatility and a risk-free interest rate based on U.S. Treasury yield curve rates with maturities consistent with the vesting periods, as well as the volatilities for each of the Company’s peers. For the PSUs granted in 2012, the valuation inputs included a risk-free interest rate of 0.4% and a range of volatilities of 29% to 70%.

In 2012 the Company granted 254,133 PSUs with a grant date fair value of $5.4 million, or $21.14 per unit.  No PSUs were awarded in 2013.  The fair value of PSUs is amortized over the vesting period of one to three years, using the straight-line method. Total compensation expense recognized for PSUs was $0.2 million and $3.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

F-23

COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

A summary of PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is presented below:

 

The number of awards assumes a one multiplier.  The final number of shares of common stock issued may vary depending upon the performance multiplier, and can result in the issuance of zero to 694,175 shares of common stock based on the achieved performance ranges from zero to three.  As of December 31, 2013, there was $2.2 million of total unrecognized expense related to PSUs, which is being amortized through December 2015.

 

 

(8) Retirement Plan

The Company has a 401(k) profit sharing plan which covers all of its employees. At its discretion, Comstock may match a certain percentage of the employees’ contributions to the plan. Matching contributions to the plan were $323,000, $365,000 and $702,000 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively.

 

(9) Income Taxes

The following is an analysis of the consolidated income tax expense (benefit):

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

Deferred income taxes are provided to reflect the future tax consequences or benefits of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements using enacted tax rates. The difference between the Company’s customary rate of 35% and the effective tax rate on income before income taxes is due to the following:

 

 

The tax effects of significant temporary differences representing the net deferred tax asset and liability at December 31, 2012 and 2013 were as follows:

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

At December 31, 2013, Comstock had the following carryforwards available to reduce future income taxes:

 

Utilization of $34.7 million of the U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards is limited to approximately $1.1 million per year pursuant to a prior change of control of an acquired company, and a valuation allowance of $23.0 million, with a tax effect of $8.0 million, has been established for the estimated U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards that will not be utilized. Realization of the remaining U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards requires Comstock to generate taxable income within the carryforward period. A valuation allowance of $528.1 million, with a tax effect of $27.5 million, has been established against the Louisiana state net operating loss carryforwards due to the uncertainty of generating taxable income in the state of Louisiana prior to the expiration of the carryforward period.

The Company’s federal income tax returns for the years subsequent to December 31, 2009 remain subject to examination. The Company’s income tax returns in major state income tax jurisdictions remain subject to examination for various periods subsequent to December 31, 2008. State tax returns in two state jurisdictions are currently under review. The Company currently believes that resolution of these matters will not have a material impact on its financial statements. The Company currently believes that its significant filing positions are highly certain and that all of its other significant income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained upon audit or the final resolution would not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Therefore, the Company has not established any significant reserves for uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties resulting from audits by tax authorities have been immaterial and are included in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.

 

(10) Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Comstock periodically uses swaps, floors and collars to hedge oil and natural gas prices and interest rates. Swaps are settled monthly based on differences between the prices specified in the instruments and the settlement prices of futures contracts. Generally, when the applicable settlement price is less than the price specified in the contract, Comstock receives a settlement from the counterparty based on the difference multiplied by the volume or amounts hedged. Similarly, when the applicable settlement price exceeds the price specified in the contract, Comstock pays the counterparty based on the difference. Comstock generally receives a settlement from the counterparty for floors when the applicable settlement price is less than the price specified in the contract, which is based on the difference multiplied by the volumes hedged. For collars, generally Comstock receives a settlement from the counterparty when the settlement price is below the floor and pays a settlement to the counterparty when the settlement price exceeds the cap. No settlement occurs when the settlement price falls between the floor and cap.

All of the Company's derivative financial instruments are used for risk management purposes and by policy none are held for trading or speculative purposes. Comstock minimizes credit risk to counterparties of its derivative financial instruments through formal credit policies, monitoring procedures, and

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

diversification. All of Comstock’s derivative financial instruments are with parties that are lenders under its bank credit facility. The Company is not required to provide any credit support to its counterparties other than cross collateralization with the assets securing its bank credit facility.  None of the Company's derivative financial instruments involve payment or receipt of premiums.

During 2013, the Company hedged 2,160,000 barrels of its oil production at an average NYMEX West Texas Intermediate oil price of $98.67 per barrel.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company had the following outstanding commodity derivatives:

 

None of the derivative contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges. The Company recognizes cash settlements and changes in the fair value of its derivative financial instruments as a single component of other income (expenses).  

Gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments were a gain of $21.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 and a loss of $8.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.  Cash settlements on derivative financial instruments were $9.8 million and $2.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The estimated fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments, which equals their carrying value, was an asset of $11.7 million and $1.0 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively, which are reflected as current assets based on estimated settlement dates.

 

(11) Supplementary Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

 

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

 

Basic and diluted per share amounts are the same for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2012, December 31, 2012, March 31, 2013, June 30, 2013, September 30, 2013, December 31, 2013 and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013 due to the net loss from continuing operations reported during each of these periods.

Results of continuing operations include the following non-routine items of income (expense), which are presented before the effect of income taxes:

 

 

 

 

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

(12) Oil and Gas Reserves Information (Unaudited)

Set forth below is a summary of the changes in Comstock’s net quantities of oil and natural gas reserves for its continuing operations for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013:

 

During 2012, the Company’s estimated quantities of proved undeveloped natural gas reserves decreased by 460 Bcf from total proved undeveloped reserves as of December 31, 2011 due to downward revisions related to the lower natural gas price that was used to determine estimated reserve quantities at December 31, 2012. Substantially all of the Company’s proved undeveloped natural gas reserves related to undrilled natural gas wells at December 31, 2012 were not economic at the lower natural gas price at December 31, 2012. The decrease in proved undeveloped natural gas reserves in 2012 resulted in an increase to the Company’s per unit amortization rate for its proved oil and gas properties and, accordingly, increased depletion, depreciation and amortization expense during 2012 and 2013 as compared to previous periods.

The proved oil and gas reserves utilized in the preparation of the financial statements were estimated by Lee Keeling and Associates, independent petroleum consultants, in accordance with guidelines established by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Accounting Standards Board, which require that reserve reports be prepared under existing economic and operating conditions with no provision for price and cost escalation except by contractual agreement. All of the Company’s reserves are located onshore in the continental United States of America.

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COMSTOCK RESOURCES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(continued)

 

The following table sets forth the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved reserves at December 31, 2012 and 2013:

 

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows at the end of 2012 and 2013 was determined based on the simple average of the first of month market prices for oil and natural gas for each year. Prices were $101.75 per barrel of oil and $2.58 per Mcf of natural gas for 2012 and $104.38 per barrel of oil and $3.37 per Mcf of natural gas for 2013. Prices used in determining quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and future cash inflows from oil and natural gas reserves represent prices received at the Company’s sales point. These prices have been adjusted from posted or index prices for both location and quality differences. Future development and production costs are computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing proved oil and gas reserves at the end of the year, based on year end costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions. Future income tax expenses are computed by applying the appropriate statutory tax rates to the future pre-tax net cash flows relating to proved reserves, net of the tax basis of the properties involved. The future income tax expenses give effect to permanent differences and tax credits, but do not reflect the impact of future operations.

The following table sets forth the changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved reserves for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:

 

 

 

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