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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012

 

OR

 

o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                to               

 

Commission File Number 1-35191

 

LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

(403) 292-8000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x Yes o No

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). x Yes o No

 

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

 

 

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

 

As of November 8, 2012, there were 85,143,048 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding.

 

 

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LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

September 30, 2012

 

Monetary Amounts and Exchange Rate Data	ii
Part I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION	1
Item 1 - Financial Statements	1
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011	1
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	2
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012 and 2011	3
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2012	4
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	5
Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	25
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	43
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures	44
Part II - OTHER INFORMATION	45
Item 1 - Legal Proceedings	45
Item 1A - Risk Factors	46
Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	46
Item 6 - Exhibits	46
Signatures	47
Exhibit Index	48

 

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MONETARY AMOUNTS AND EXCHANGE RATE DATA

 

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2012 (the “Quarterly Report”), references to “dollars,” “$” or “Cdn$” are to Canadian dollars and references to “U.S. dollars” or “US$” are to United States dollars. Effective October 1, 2011, we changed our reporting currency from the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar. Prior to changing our reporting currency, we obtained a no objection letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). See Part I, “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and note 2 of our financial statements for more information about our change in reporting currency, including the reasons for the change, the manner in which the change has been and will be applied to recast prior period financial statements, and a discussion of the major categories of items in the balance sheet, and statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows that are denominated in Canadian or U.S. dollars.

 

The noon-day Canadian to U.S. dollar exchange rates for Cdn$1.00, as reported by the Bank of Canada, were:

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,				Year Ended
		2012		2011		2012		2011		December 31, 2011
		US$		US$		US$		US$		US$
Highest rate during the period		1.0299		1.0583		1.0299		1.0583		1.0583
Lowest rate during the period		0.9790		0.9626		0.9599		0.9626		0.9430
Average noon spot rate during the period(1)		1.0047		1.0197		0.9977		1.0223		1.0117
Rate at the end of the period		1.0166		0.9626		1.0166		0.9626		0.9833

 

(1) Determined by averaging the rates on each business day during the respective period.

 

On November 8, 2012, the noon-day exchange rate was US$1.0014 for Cdn$1.00.

 

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

 

LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

		September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash		$	175		$	276
Accounts receivable		16,866			28,804
Derivative instruments		8,612			19,786
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		4,968			5,560
Total current assets		30,621			54,426
Property and equipment, at cost:
Oil and natural gas properties, full cost method of accounting:
Proved, net of accumulated depletion of $1,563,150 and $1,203,755		472,651			704,232
Unproved		150,321			138,727
Net oil and natural gas properties		622,972			842,959
Other property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $9,730 and $8,647		65,814			66,413
Net property and equipment		688,786			909,372
Derivative instruments		704			—
Goodwill		17,328			17,328
Other assets		13,682			11,175
		$	751,121		$	992,301
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Bank overdraft		$	2,460		$	2,006
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		44,146			73,696
Accrued interest		2,552			—
Capital lease obligation		1,201			1,156
Deferred income taxes		—			4,946
Other current liabilities		2,408			2,686
Total current liabilities		52,767			84,490
Long-term debt		426,832			331,000
Asset retirement obligations		15,549			15,412
Derivative instruments		571			—
Deferred income taxes		—			69,981
Capital lease obligation		4,831			5,738
Other liabilities		1,424			1,818
Total liabilities		501,974			508,439
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, 85,098,773 and 85,026,202 shares issued and outstanding		834			833
Capital surplus		982,994			978,880
Accumulated deficit		(734,803		)	(495,959		)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		122			108
Total stockholders’ equity		249,147			483,862
		$	751,121		$	992,301

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

 

		Three Months Ended  September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2011			2012			2011
					(Recast*)						(Recast*)
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas		$	38,188		$	50,015		$	124,937		$	134,813
Interest and other		8			5			18			25
Total revenues		38,196			50,020			124,955			134,838
Costs, expenses and other:
Lease operating expenses		11,961			9,006			40,570			25,670
Production and property taxes		831			678			2,516			1,867
Transportation and processing		3,510			4,130			11,974			11,896
General and administrative		4,050			3,484			13,996			9,371
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		30,236			20,426			88,548			58,986
Ceiling test write-down of oil and natural gas properties		142,879			—			271,749			—
Interest expense		8,181			3,068			22,174			6,658
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		350			207			1,027			744
Foreign currency exchange gains		(6,996		)	(30		)	(3,023		)	(5,000		)
Losses (gains) on derivative instruments		7,278			(29,739		)	(10,990		)	(34,687		)
Other, net		138			40			190			543
Total costs, expenses and other		202,418			11,270			438,731			76,048
Earnings (loss) before income taxes		(164,222		)	38,750			(313,776		)	58,790
Income tax expense (recovery)		(39,921		)	9,736			(74,932		)	19,119
Net earnings (loss)		$	(124,301	)	$	29,014		$	(238,844	)	$	39,671
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share		$	(1.46	)	$	0.34		$	(2.81	)	$	0.52

 

*      see notes 1 and 2

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

		Three Months Ended  September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2011			2012			2011
					(Recast*)						(Recast*)
Net earnings (loss)		$	(124,301	)	$	29,014		$	(238,844	)	$	39,671
Other comprehensive income
Amortization of minimum postretirement benefits liability, net of tax		4			—			14			—
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax		—			333			—			361
		4			333			14			361
Comprehensive income (loss)		$	(124,297	)	$	29,347		$	(238,830	)	$	40,032

 

*      see notes 1 and 2

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands of Canadian dollars)

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2011			2012			2011
					(Recast*)						(Recast*)
Operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)		$	(124,301	)	$	29,014		$	(238,844	)	$	39,671
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion and amortization		30,236			20,426			88,548			58,986
Amortization of deferred costs		648			321			1,750			755
Ceiling test write-down of oil and natural gas properties		142,879			—			271,749			—
Accretion of asset retirement obligations		350			207			1,027			744
Deferred income tax expense (recovery)		(39,921		)	9,736			(74,932		)	19,119
Unrealized foreign currency exchange gains		(6,963		)	(30		)	(3,031		)	(5,000		)
Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments		15,412			(26,217		)	11,041			(31,165		)
Stock-based compensation		1,141			30			2,861			49
Other, net		327			1,773			(390		)	1,820
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		1,587			2,763			11,938			7,048
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(423		)	(1,076		)	765			1,600
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		4,228			5,483			(17,524		)	905
Accrued interest and other current liabilities		(5,307		)	955			2,843			(20,253		)
Net cash provided by operating activities		19,893			43,385			57,801			74,279
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures for property and equipment:
Exploration, development and acquisition costs		(30,196		)	(49,131		)	(160,451		)	(236,861		)
Other fixed assets		(425		)	(1,141		)	(2,074		)	(11,040		)
Proceeds from divestiture of assets		8,238			—			8,518			468
Net cash used in investing activities		(22,383		)	(50,272		)	(154,007		)	(247,433		)
Financing activities:
Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		—			—			192,052			—
Debt issuance costs		—			(581		)	(1,295		)	(4,659		)
Proceeds from bank borrowings		924,000			894,000			2,390,000			1,483,000
Repayments of bank borrowings		(916,000		)	(878,000		)	(2,484,000		)	(1,196,000		)
Proceeds from Forest Oil Corporation		—			344			—			106,396
Repayments to Forest Oil Corporation		—			(1,891		)	—			(368,385		)
Cash distribution to Forest Oil Corporation		—			—			—			(28,711		)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs		—			(329		)	—			173,086
Change in bank overdrafts		(5,847		)	(10,360		)	454			1,216
Proceeds from sale-leaseback		—			—			—			7,450
Capital lease payments		(369		)	(277		)	(1,107		)	(277		)
Other, net		1			(8		)	1			(1		)
Net cash provided by financing activities		1,785			2,898			96,105			173,115
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash		—			60			—			369
Net increase (decrease) in cash		(705		)	(3,929		)	(101		)	330
Cash at beginning of period		880			4,832			276			573
Cash at end of period		$	175		$	903		$	175		$	903

 

*        see notes 1 and 2

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

(Unaudited)

 

(In thousands of Canadian dollars, except number of shares)

 

		Common Stock					Capital			Accumulated			Accumulated Other Comprehensive			Total Stockholders’
		Shares		Amount			Surplus			Deficit			Income			Equity
		(In thousands)
Balances at December 31, 2011		85,026		$	833		$	978,880		$	(495,959	)	$	108		$	483,862
Issuance of common stock		68		1			(1		)	—			—			—
Vesting of Phantom Stock Units		8		—			46			—			—			46
Tax withheld on vesting of Phantom Stock Units		(3	)	—			(18		)	—			—			(18		)
Amortization of stock-based compensation		—		—			4,087			—			—			4,087
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss)		—		—			—			(238,844		)	—			(238,844		)
Other comprehensive income		—		—			—			—			14			14
Balances at September 30, 2012		85,099		$	834		$	982,994		$	(734,803	)	$	122		$	249,147

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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LONE PINE RESOURCES INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

(Unaudited)

 

(1) ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Organization

 

Lone Pine Resources Inc. (“Lone Pine” or the “Company”) is an independent oil and natural gas exploration, development and production company with operations in Canada. Lone Pine’s reserves, producing properties and exploration prospects are located in the provinces of Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec, and in the Northwest Territories. Lone Pine conducts operations in one industry segment, liquids and natural gas exploration, development and production, and in one country, Canada. The Company’s operations are primarily carried out by its operating subsidiary, Lone Pine Resources Canada Ltd. (“LPR Canada”).

 

Basis of Presentation

 

These consolidated financial statements are presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). In these consolidated financial statements, unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. Certain amounts in prior periods’ consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s consolidated financial statement presentation.

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q as prescribed by the U.S. Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Lone Pine’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 (“2011 Annual Report”) includes additional information related to the Company’s initial public offering (“IPO”) on June 1, 2011 as well as the Company’s spin-off from Forest Oil Corporation (“Forest”) on September 30, 2011 (the “Distribution”). The 2011 Annual Report also includes a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Quarterly Report. All material adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been reflected. The results for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The consolidated financial statements relating to the period from Lone Pine’s inception (September 30, 2010) through the completion of the IPO (June 1, 2011) reflect the financial position, results of operations, cash flows or other information, as the case may be, of Lone Pine and Lone Pine’s predecessor, LPR Canada, on a combined basis. The consolidated financial statements relating to the period subsequent to and including June 1, 2011 reflect the financial position, results of operations, cash flows or other information, as the case may be, of Lone Pine and its wholly owned consolidated subsidiaries.

 

(2) CHANGE IN REPORTING AND FUNCTIONAL CURRENCY

 

Reporting Currency

 

The Company’s consolidated financial statements for periods up to and including September 30, 2011 were reported using the U.S. dollar, as this was the reporting currency used by Forest. Effective October 1, 2011, the Company changed its reporting currency to the Canadian dollar to better reflect the business of Lone Pine, which is primarily conducted in Canadian dollars. This change in reporting currency was also considered appropriate since there were only two major financial statement categories denominated in U.S. dollars at that time, which were the liability to Forest (for periods prior to June 1, 2011) and the stockholders’ equity of Lone Pine (for periods after the IPO date of June 1, 2011).

 

With the change in reporting currency, all comparative financial information has been recast from U.S. dollars to Canadian dollars to reflect the Company’s consolidated financial statements as if they had been historically reported in Canadian dollars, consistent with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 830, Foreign Currency Matters.

 

The statements of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 were translated into Canadian dollars using the weighted average foreign exchange rate for the period,

 

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and the balance sheets were translated at the period end exchange rates. The resulting foreign currency translation adjustment was reported as a component of other comprehensive income and accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

Functional Currency

 

The Company changed its functional currency prospectively, beginning October 1, 2011, from the U.S. dollar to the Canadian dollar. The change in functional currency did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as Lone Pine’s operations are primarily carried out by LPR Canada, whose functional currency has not changed and continues to be the Canadian dollar.

 

As a result of this change in functional currency, there is no difference between the reporting currency and the functional currency of the Company and any of its subsidiaries.

 

(3)   SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Company’s significant accounting policies have not changed materially from those reported in its 2011 Annual Report. The following information supplements those policies.

 

Long-Term Debt

 

Original issue discounts and commissions associated with the issuance of long-term debt are recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of long-term debt and are amortized using the effective interest rate method over the term of the debt. Direct and incremental costs related to the issuance of long-term debt are capitalized and amortized over the term of the debt using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest rate method.

 

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

 

In the fourth quarter of 2011, Lone Pine early adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income, Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”), except for the specific changes that have been deferred under Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-12, Comprehensive Income, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05 (“ASU 2011-12”), as noted below.  The adoption of ASU 2011-05 required the Company to present items of net income and other comprehensive income and total comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement or in two separate consecutive statements and eliminated the option to report other comprehensive income and its components in the statement of stockholders’ equity.  Lone Pine elected to present two separate consecutive statements.  Other than a change in presentation, the adoption of ASU 2011-05 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements (“ASU 2011-04”), which revised the existing guidance on fair value measurement under GAAP as part of the FASB’s joint project with the International Accounting Standards Board. Under the revised standard, the Company was required to provide additional disclosures about fair value measurements, including information about the unobservable inputs and assumptions used in Level 3 fair value measurements, a description of the valuation methodologies used in Level 3 fair value measurements and the level in the fair value hierarchy of items that are not measured at fair value but whose fair value disclosure is required. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In the first quarter of 2012, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Testing Goodwill for Impairment (“ASU 2011-08”), which permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test.  If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then performing the two-step goodwill impairment test is unnecessary.  However, if an entity concludes otherwise, it is required to perform the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test, which may then lead an entity to perform the second step as well.  Entities have the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the first step of the two-step goodwill impairment test.  As a result of adopting ASU 2011-08, the Company will consider qualitative factors for impairment testing purposes in interim periods and perform the full two-step goodwill impairment test if needed. The Company will perform the impairment test at December 31 of each year.

 

(4) RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210) Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities (“ASU 2011-11”), which requires that an entity disclose both gross and net information about financial instruments and transactions that are either eligible for offset in the balance sheet or subject to

 

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an agreement similar to a master netting agreement, including derivative instruments.  ASU 2011-11 was issued in order to facilitate comparisons between financial statements prepared under GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards by requiring enhanced disclosures, but does not change existing GAAP that permits balance sheet offsetting.  This authoritative guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013 and interim periods within those annual periods.  Lone Pine is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this authoritative guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, which defers indefinitely the requirements in ASU 2011-05 to present on the face of the financial statements the effects of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income on the components of net income and other comprehensive income (see note 4 for additional information).  The adoption of this authoritative guidance will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements until the specific changes that were proposed under ASU 2011-05 are finalized and issued by the FASB.

 

(5) ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

 

Business Combination

 

On April 29, 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of certain natural gas properties located in the Narraway/Ojay area for $74.4 million. The acquisition increased the Company’s working interests in certain properties already owned and operated by the Company, and provided additional capacity in gathering systems and a natural gas plant in the area. The following table shows the final estimates of fair value for the acquisition, which were based on an analysis of the properties acquired (in thousands).

 

 

Proved properties		$	40,454
Unproved properties		26,285
Natural gas plant/pipelines		8,000
Asset retirement obligations		(292		)
		$	74,447

 

Since their acquisition date of April 29, 2011, these properties increased revenues for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 by $3.1 million and $5.2 million, respectively, and decreased net earnings by approximately $0.3 million in each period. The disclosure of supplemental pro forma information, which would disclose Lone Pine’s consolidated revenue and earnings as though the business combination had occurred at January 1, 2010, is impractical. The disclosure is impractical since the Company does not have sufficient information regarding the revenues and costs related to the properties in previous periods and, therefore, the pro forma disclosures would require significant estimates that could not be objectively or independently verified.

 

Disposition

 

In September 2012, Lone Pine completed the disposition of certain non-core properties in Alberta for proceeds of $8.2 million, subject to adjustments. The proceeds reduced the net book value of the oil and natural gas properties, and no gain or loss was recognized on the sale.

 

(6) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Full Cost Method of Accounting

 

The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas activities. The Company capitalizes all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of properties (including costs of surrendered and abandoned leaseholds, dry holes and overhead directly related to exploration and development activities), and the fair value of estimated future costs of site restoration, dismantlement and abandonment activities. Interest costs related to significant unproved properties that are under development are also capitalized to oil and natural gas properties. All of the Company’s oil and natural gas operations are conducted in Canada.

 

Investments in unproved properties, including capitalized interest costs, are not depleted pending determination of the existence of proved reserves. Unproved properties are assessed periodically to ascertain whether impairment has

 

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occurred. Unproved properties whose costs are individually significant are assessed individually by considering the primary lease terms of the properties, the holding period of the properties, geographic and geologic data obtained relating to the properties and estimated discounted future net cash flows from the properties. Estimated discounted future net cash flows are based on discounted future net revenues associated with probable and possible reserves, risk-adjusted as appropriate. Where it is not practicable to assess individually the amount of impairment of properties for which costs are not individually significant, such properties are grouped for purposes of assessing impairment. If an impairment is identified, the amount of the impairment assessed is added to the costs to be amortized.

 

Under the full cost method, Lone Pine performs a ceiling test calculation each quarter using prices that are based on the average of the first-day-of-the-month prices during the 12 month period prior to the reporting date. The full cost ceiling test is a limitation on capitalized costs prescribed by SEC Regulation S-X Rule 4-10. The ceiling test is not a fair value based measurement. Rather, it is a standardized mathematical calculation. The ceiling test provides that capitalized costs less related accumulated depletion and deferred income taxes for a cost center may not exceed the sum of: (i) the present value of future net revenue from estimated production of proved oil and natural gas reserves using 12 month average trailing first-day-of-the-month prices (as discussed below), excluding the future cash outflows associated with settling asset retirement obligations that have been accrued on the balance sheet, at a discount factor of 10%; plus (ii) the cost of properties not being amortized, if any; plus (iii) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, if any; less (iv) income tax effects related to differences in the book and tax basis of oil and natural gas properties. Should the net capitalized costs for a cost center exceed the sum of the components noted above, a ceiling test write-down would be recognized to the extent of the excess capitalized costs.

 

The 12 month average trailing first-day-of-the-month natural gas price continued to decline in the first three quarters of 2012. As a result of this decline, the Company’s internal estimate of proved reserve volumes decreased at September 30, 2012, when compared to the volumes estimated by Lone Pine’s independent reserves engineers at December 31, 2011. Lower commodity prices and reserve volumes reduced the Company’s internal estimate of the present value of future net revenue from proved reserves, resulting in ceiling test write-downs of $142.9 million and $271.7 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, respectively.

 

The Company believes that additional write-downs may be required in subsequent periods if natural gas or oil prices decline from September 30, 2012 levels, unproved property values decrease, estimated proved reserve volumes are revised downward or costs incurred in exploration, development or acquisition activities exceed the discounted future net cash flows from the additional reserves.

 

(7) LONG-TERM DEBT

 

The Company’s long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

 

		September 30, 2012									December 31, 2011
		(In thousands)
		Principal			Unamortized Discount			Total			Principal			Unamortized Discount			Total
Bank credit facility		$	237,000		$	—		$	237,000		$	331,000		$	—		$	331,000
Senior Notes		196,740			6,908			189,832			—			—			—
Total Long-term Debt		$	433,740		$	6,908		$	426,832		$	331,000		$	—		$	331,000

 

Bank Credit Facility

 

Lone Pine maintains a $500 million bank credit facility with a syndicate of banks led by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Branch. The bank credit facility became effective upon the closing of the IPO and will mature on March 18, 2016. Availability under the bank credit facility is governed by a borrowing base. As of September 30, 2012, the borrowing base was set at $375 million and the Company had $237 million outstanding under its bank credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.52%, and remaining borrowing capacity of $136.4 million (after deducting $1.6 million of outstanding letters of credit). The determination of the borrowing base is made by the lenders, in their sole discretion, taking into consideration the estimated value of the Company’s oil and natural gas properties in accordance with the lenders’ customary practices for oil and gas loans. The borrowing base is redetermined semi-annually and the available borrowing

 

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amount under the bank credit facility could increase or decrease based on such redetermination. On October 18, 2012, the borrowing base was redetermined at $325 million. The next scheduled redetermination of the borrowing base is expected to occur on or about May 1, 2013. In addition to the scheduled semi-annual redeterminations, the Company and the lenders each have discretion at any time, but not more often than once during any calendar year, to have the borrowing base redetermined. In addition, if the Company sells, transfers or otherwise disposes of certain property with an aggregate fair market value exceeding 10% of the then current borrowing base, the borrowing base is automatically reduced by an amount equal to the portion of the borrowing base attributable to the particular property so sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of, as agreed upon by the Company and the lenders acting reasonably.

 

The agreement governing the bank credit facility includes terms and covenants that place limitations on certain types of activities, including restrictions or requirements with respect to additional debt, liens, asset sales, hedging activities, investments, dividends and mergers and acquisitions, and also includes a financial covenant. The bank credit facility provides that Lone Pine will not permit its ratio of total debt outstanding to consolidated earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (as defined by the terms of the bank credit facility and adjusted for non-cash charges) for a trailing 12 month period to be greater than 4.0 to 1.0. At September 30, 2012, this ratio was approximately 3.7 to 1.0. If Lone Pine were to fail to perform its obligations under these covenants or other covenants and obligations, it could cause an event of default and the bank credit facility could be terminated and amounts outstanding could be declared immediately due and payable by the lenders, subject to notice and cure periods in certain cases. Such events of default include non-payment, breach of warranty, non-performance of financial covenants, default on other indebtedness, certain adverse judgments, change of control and a failure of the liens securing the bank credit facility. In addition, bankruptcy and insolvency events with respect to Lone Pine will result in an automatic acceleration of the indebtedness under the bank credit facility. An acceleration of the Company’s indebtedness under the bank credit facility could in turn result in an event of default under the indenture governing Lone Pine’s Senior Notes (discussed below), which in turn could result in the acceleration of payment of the Senior Notes. For example, the indenture governing Lone Pine’s Senior Notes includes as an event of default, among others, a default on indebtedness that results in the acceleration of indebtedness in an amount greater than US$20 million.

 

Borrowings under the Company’s bank credit facility bear interest at one of two rates that the Company elects. Borrowings bear interest at a rate that may be based on either: (1) the sum of the applicable bankers’ acceptance rate (as determined in accordance with the terms of the credit agreement governing the bank credit facility) and a stamping fee of between 175 to 275 basis points, depending on borrowing base utilization; or (2) the Canadian Prime Rate (as determined in accordance with the terms of Lone Pine’s bank credit facility) plus 75 to 175 basis points, depending on borrowing base utilization.

 

Senior Notes

 

On February 14, 2012, LPR Canada (the “Subsidiary Issuer”), an Alberta corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, issued US$200 million aggregate principal amount of 10.375% Senior Notes due February 15, 2017 (the “Senior Notes”). Interest is payable on the Senior Notes semi-annually in arrears on each February 15 and August 15, with the first interest payment being made on August 15, 2012. The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company (the “Parent Guarantor”) and all of the Company’s subsidiaries, other than LPR Canada (together, the “Guarantors”). These guarantees are full and unconditional, and joint and several among the Guarantors. After the original issue discount and commissions, the issuance of the Senior Notes resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $192 million.

 

The Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated February 14, 2012 (the “Indenture”), among LPR Canada, the Guarantors and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee.

 

On or prior to February 15, 2015, LPR Canada may, from time to time, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds of a public or private equity offering at a redemption price of 110.375% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Senior Notes issued under the Indenture remains outstanding after such redemption, and the redemption occurs within 180 days after the closing of such equity offering.  Prior to February 15, 2015, LPR Canada may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (i) the principal amount thereof, plus (ii) a make-whole premium at the redemption date, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. On or after February 15, 2015, LPR Canada may redeem all or part of the Senior Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount of the Senior Notes) equal to 105.188% for the 12 month period beginning on February 15, 2015 and 100.00% for the 12 month period beginning on February 15, 2016 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date on the Senior Notes.

 

The Indenture contains customary covenants that restrict Lone Pine’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) sell assets, including equity interests in its subsidiaries; (ii) pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase its

 

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common stock or redeem or repurchase its subordinated debt; (iii) make investments; (iv) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; (v) create or incur certain liens; (vi) make certain acquisitions and investments; (vii) redeem or prepay other debt; (viii) enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from its restricted subsidiaries to it; (ix) consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets; (x) engage in transactions with affiliates; (xi) create unrestricted subsidiaries; (xii) enter into sale and leaseback transactions; or (xiii) engage in certain business activities. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. If the Senior Notes achieve an investment grade rating from both of Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of these covenants will terminate.

 

The Indenture contains customary events of default, including:

 

·                                          default in any payment of interest on any Senior Note when due, continued for 30 days;

 

·                                          default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, on any Senior Note when due;

 

·                                          failure by LPR Canada or any Guarantor to comply with its other obligations under the Indenture, in certain cases subject to notice and grace periods;

 

·                                          default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Parent Guarantor or any of its restricted subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor or any of its restricted subsidiaries), other than indebtedness owed to the Parent Guarantor or a restricted subsidiary, whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of the Indenture;

 

·                                          certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Parent Guarantor, LPR Canada or a significant subsidiary or group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Parent Guarantor and its restricted subsidiaries), would constitute a significant subsidiary;

 

·                                          failure by the Parent Guarantor, LPR Canada or any significant subsidiary or group of restricted subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Parent Guarantor and its restricted subsidiaries), would constitute a significant subsidiary to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of US$20 million, within 60 days; and

 

·                                          any guarantee of the Senior Notes by a Guarantor ceases to be in full force and effect, is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or is denied or disaffirmed by its maker.

 

On November 2, 2012, LPR Canada completed an exchange offer whereby it offered to exchange its privately-placed Senior Notes for like principal amounts of registered 10.375% Senior Notes due 2017. The exchange offer fulfilled the Company’s obligations under the registration rights agreement that it entered into as part of the February 2012 issuance.

 

(8) DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

Commodity Derivatives

 

Lone Pine enters into derivative instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price risk caused by fluctuations in commodity prices, which protects and provides certainty on a portion of the Company’s cash flows.  Lone Pine’s commodity derivative instruments generally serve as effective economic hedges of commodity price exposure, however, Lone Pine has elected not to designate its derivatives as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. As such, Lone Pine recognizes all changes in fair value of its derivative instruments as unrealized gains or losses on derivative instruments in the statements of operations.

 

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Lone Pine’s outstanding commodity swaps as of September 30, 2012 were as follows.

 

		Commodity Swaps
		Natural Gas (NYMEX Henry Hub)					Oil (NYMEX WTI)*
Term		MMBtu/d		Weighted Average Price per MMBtu			bbls/d		Weighted Average Price per bbl
October 1 – December 31, 2012		35,000		US$	4.58		2,000		US$	102.35
October 1 – December 31, 2012		—		—			1,000		$	100.98
Calendar 2013		—		—			2,000		$	98.60
Calendar 2013		—		—			500		US$	101.00

 

* West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) price obtained from the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”)

 

In connection with a commodity swap entered into during the second quarter of 2012, the Company sold a call option to the counterparty in exchange for the Company receiving a premium fixed price on the commodity swap.  Lone Pine’s outstanding option as of September 30, 2012 was as follows.

 

		Commodity Option
		Oil (NYMEX WTI)
Term		Option Expiration		Underlying Swap bbls/d		Weighted Average Price per bbl
Monthly in 2013		Monthly in 2013		500		$	95.05

 

The Company also enters into commodity collar agreements with third parties. A collar agreement is similar to a swap agreement, except that the Company receives the difference between the floor price and the index price only if the index price is below the floor price, and the Company pays the difference between the ceiling price and the index price only if the index price is above the ceiling price. Lone Pine’s outstanding commodity collars as of September 30, 2012 were as follows.

 

		Commodity Collars
		Natural Gas (NYMEX Henry Hub)
Term		MMBtu/d		Weighted Average Floor Price per MMBtu			Weighted Average Ceiling Price per MMBtu
Calendar 2013		30,000		US$	3.25		US$	3.93

 

Fair Value Amounts

 

The table below summarizes the location and fair value amounts of the Company’s derivative instruments reported in the balance sheets as of the dates indicated. Lone Pine offsets asset and liability amounts for derivative instruments if they are with the same counterparty and under master netting arrangements. See note 9 for additional information on the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments.

 

		September 30, 2012			December 31, 2011
		(In thousands)
Current assets: Derivative Instruments
Current assets		$	10,694		$	19,786
Liabilities offset in current assets		(2,082		)	—
		$	8,612		$	19,786
Long-term assets: Derivative Instruments
Long-term assets		$	1,079		$	—
Liabilities offset in long-term assets		(375		)	—
		$	704		$	—
Long-term liabilities: Derivative Instruments
Long-term liabilities		$	(917	)	$	—
Assets offset in long-term liabilities		346			—
		$	(571	)	$	—

 

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The table below shows the derivative instrument gains and losses reported in the statements of operations as “Losses (gains) on derivative instruments” for the periods indicated. Due to the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, the estimated fair values of Lone Pine’s commodity derivative instruments are subject to large fluctuations from period to period.

 

		Three Months Ended  September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2011			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
Realized losses (gains) on derivative instruments		$	(8,134	)	$	(3,522	)	$	(22,031	)	$	(3,522	)
Unrealized losses (gains) on derivative instruments		15,412			(26,217		)	11,041			(31,165		)
Losses (gains) on derivative instruments		$	7,278		$	(29,739	)	$	(10,990	)	$	(34,687	)

 

(9) FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

The authoritative accounting guidance regarding fair value measurements for assets and liabilities establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value.  These tiers consist of: Level 1, defined as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs used when little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

 

The fair values and carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments are summarized below.

 

		Fair Value		September 30, 2012						December 31, 2011
		Measurement Level		Carrying Amount			Fair Value			Carrying Amount			Fair Value
							(In thousands)
Assets:
Cash		—		$	175		$	175		$	276		$	276
Accounts receivable		—		16,866			16,866			28,804			28,804
Derivative instruments		2		9,316			9,316			19,786			19,786
Liabilities:
Bank overdraft		—		2,460			2,460			2,006			2,006
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		—		44,146			44,146			73,696			73,696
Accrued interest		—		2,552			2,552			—			—
Long-term debt
Bank credit facility		2		237,000			237,000			331,000			331,000
Senior Notes		1		189,832			176,750			—			—
Total Long-term debt				426,832			413,750			331,000			331,000
Derivative instruments		2		571			571			—			—
Capital lease obligation		2		6,032			6,032			6,894			6,894

 

The Company uses various assumptions and methods in estimating the fair values of its financial instruments. All of the estimates of fair value were determined using significant other observable inputs (Level 2), except for the fair value of the Senior Notes, which was determined based on the unadjusted quoted price in an active market (Level 1) given that the Senior Notes are actively traded in a private market with an independent quoted price available from a third party. The carrying amount of the Senior Notes has been reduced by the original issue discount and commissions, while the fair value of the Senior Notes is based on its face amount of US$200 million and September 30, 2012 market price of US$88.375 per US$100 face amount. The carrying amount of the bank credit facility approximates fair value since the borrowings bear interest at variable market rates. The carrying amount of the capital lease obligation approximates fair value, as interest rates have not materially changed since the lease was executed.

 

The Company’s derivative instrument assets and liabilities include commodity derivatives. See note 8 for additional information on these instruments.  The Company utilizes present value techniques to value its derivatives.  Inputs to the

 

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valuations include published forward prices and credit risk considerations, including the incorporation of published interest rates and credit spreads.  All of the significant inputs are observable, therefore, the Company’s derivative instruments are included within the Level 2 fair value hierarchy.

 

The fair values of the other financial instruments, including cash, accounts receivable, bank overdraft, accrued interest, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximate their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature.

 

(10) EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

 

The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share as follows.

 

		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2012			2011			2012			2011
		(In thousands)
Net earnings (loss)		$	(124,301	)	$	29,014		$	(238,844	)	$	39,671
Net earnings attributable to participating securities		—			(9		)	—			(6		)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stock		$	(124,301	)	$	29,005		$	(238,844	)	$	39,665
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period for basic earnings per share		85,016			85,000			85,008			76,703
Dilutive effect of potential common shares		—			—			—			—
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, including the effects of dilutive potential common shares, for diluted earnings per share		85,016			85,000			85,008			76,703
Basic earnings (loss) per common share		$	(1.46	)	$	0.34		$	(2.81	)	$	0.52
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share		$	(1.46	)	$	0.34		$	(2.81	)	$	0.52

 

At September 30, 2012, approximately 1.8 million potential common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculation as the effect of their inclusion was anti-dilutive.  At September 30, 2011, no potential common shares were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per common share calculation.

 

(11) STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The following tables reconcile the change in number of units outstanding for each of Lone Pine’s long-term incentive plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011.

 

		Phantom Stock Units		Stock Options		Restricted Stock		Employee Stock Purchase Plan		Total
Outstanding as of December 31, 2011		700,950		—		26,202		—		727,152
Awarded		1,051,080		675,756		67,935		23,594		1,818,365
Vested		(213,041	)	(3,000	)	(26,202	)	—		(242,243	)
Forfeited		(64,649	)	(25,900	)	—		—		(90,549	)
Outstanding as of September 30, 2012		1,474,340		646,856		67,935		23,594		2,212,725

 

		Phantom Stock Units		Stock Options		Restricted Stock		Employee Stock Purchase Plan		Total
Outstanding as of December 31, 2010		—		—		—		—		—
Awarded		576,633		—		33,895		—		610,528
Forfeited		(15,100	)	—		(7,693	)	—		(22,793	)
Outstanding as of September 30, 2011		561,533		—		26,202		—		587,735

 

(12) INCOME TAXES

 

The Company calculates its income tax expense for the period by estimating the annual effective income tax rate and applying that rate to the year-to-date earnings (loss) at the end of each period.

 

The Company’s effective income tax rate in any period is a function of the relationship between total income tax expense (recovery) and the amount of earnings (loss) before income taxes for the period. The effective income tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate as it takes into consideration permanent differences (such as stock-based compensation that will be settled in shares of common stock of the Company), adjustments for changes in income tax rates and other income tax

 

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