Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v2.4.1.9
Fair Value Measurements
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company records certain financial and non-financial assets and liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value in accordance with FASB ASC 820. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The statement establishes market or observable inputs as the preferred sources of values, followed by assumptions based on hypothetical transactions in the absence of market inputs. The statement requires fair value measurements be classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:
Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 – Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.
Financial assets and liabilities are classified based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following tables summarize the Company’s financial and non-financial liabilities by FASB ASC 820 valuation level as of March 31, 2015:
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
(In thousands)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed price swaps
$
134,986

 
$
—

 
$
—

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed price swaps
$
823

 
$
—

 
$
—

The estimated fair value of the Company’s fixed price and basis swap contracts were based upon forward commodity prices based on quoted market prices, adjusted for differentials. See Note 9 for further discussion of the Company's hedging activities.
The estimated fair values of proved oil and gas properties assumed in business combinations are based on a discounted cash flow model and market assumptions as to future commodity prices, projections of estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves, expectations for timing and amount of future development and operating costs, projections of future rates of production, expected recovery rates, and risk-adjusted discount rates. The estimated fair values of unevaluated oil and gas properties was based on geological studies, historical well performance, location and applicable mineral lease terms. Based on the unobservable nature of certain of the inputs the estimated fair value of the oil and gas properties assumed is deemed to use Level 3 inputs. See Note 1 for further discussion of the Company's acquisitions.
The Company estimates asset retirement obligations pursuant to the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 410, “Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations” (“FASB ASC 410”). The initial measurement of asset retirement obligations at fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow techniques and based on internal estimates of future retirement costs associated with oil and gas properties. Given the unobservable nature of the inputs, including plugging costs and reserve lives, the initial measurement of the asset retirement obligation liability is deemed to use Level 3 inputs. See Note 2 for further discussion of the Company’s asset retirement obligations. Asset retirement obligations incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015 were approximately $1.6 million.
Due to the unobservable nature of the inputs, the fair value of the Company's initial investment in Mammoth was estimated using assumptions that represent level 3 inputs. The Company estimated the fair value of the investment as of the November 24, 2014 contribution date. See Note 3 for further discussion of the Company's contribution to Mammoth. The estimated fair value of the Company's investment in Mammoth was $143.5 million at December 31, 2014.