Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

v3.24.3
BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Organization and Nature of Operations
Organization and Nature of Operations – Ring Energy is a growth oriented independent exploration and production company based in The Woodlands, Texas engaged in oil and natural gas development, production, acquisition, and exploration activities currently focused in the Permian Basin of Texas. Our drilling operations target the oil and liquids rich producing formations in the Northwest Shelf and the Central Basin Platform in the Permian Basin of Texas.
Liquidity and Capital Considerations
Liquidity and Capital Considerations – The Company strives to maintain an adequate liquidity level to address volatility and risk. Sources of liquidity include the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities, cash on hand, available borrowing capacity under its revolving credit facility, and proceeds from sales of non-strategic assets.

While changes in oil and natural gas prices affect the Company’s liquidity, the Company has put in place hedges in seeking to protect a substantial portion of its cash flows from price declines; however, if oil or natural gas prices rapidly deteriorate due to unanticipated economic conditions, this could still have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flows.

The Company expects ongoing oil price volatility over an indeterminate term. Extended depressed oil prices have historically had and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s oil revenue, which is mitigated to some extent by the Company’s hedge contracts.

The Company believes that it has the ability to continue to fund its operations and service its debt by using cash flows from operations.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates – The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company’s unaudited condensed financial statements are based on a number of significant estimates, including estimates of oil and natural gas reserve quantities, which are the basis for the calculation of depletion and impairment of oil and gas properties. Reserve estimates, by their nature, are inherently imprecise. Actual results 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 Company’s future results of operations.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements - Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. This hierarchy consists of three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are the highest priority and consist of unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities. Level 2 are inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 are unobservable inputs for an asset or liability.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Values of Financial Instruments – The carrying amounts reported for our revolving line of credit approximate their fair value because the underlying instruments are at interest rates which approximate current market rates. The carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short-term maturities and/or liquid nature of these assets and liabilities.
Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities
Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities – The Company also applies fair value accounting guidance to initially, or as events dictate, measure non-financial assets and liabilities such as those obtained through business acquisitions, property and equipment and asset retirement obligations. These assets and liabilities are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances and are not subject to recurring revaluations. Fair value may be estimated using comparable market data, a discounted cash flow method, or a combination of the two as considered appropriate based on the circumstances. Under the discounted cash flow method, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s expectations for the future and include estimates of future oil and natural gas production or other applicable sales estimates, operational costs and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The Company may use the present value of estimated future cash inflows and/or outflows or third-party offers or prices of comparable assets with consideration of current market conditions to value its non-financial assets and liabilities when circumstances dictate determining fair value is necessary. Given the significance of the unobservable nature of a number of the inputs, these are considered Level 3 on the fair value hierarchy.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – The Company periodically enters into derivative contracts to manage its exposure to commodity price risk. These derivative contracts, which are generally placed with major financial institutions, may take the form of forward contracts, futures contracts, swaps or options. The oil and gas reference prices upon which the commodity derivative contracts are based reflect various market indices that have a high degree of historical correlation with actual prices received by the Company for its oil and gas production.
As the Company has not designated its derivative instruments as hedges for accounting purposes, any gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value of outstanding derivative financial instruments and from the settlement of derivative financial instruments are recognized in earnings and included as a component of other income (expense) in the Condensed Statements of Operations.
When applicable, the Company records all derivative instruments, other than those that meet the normal purchases and sales exception, on the balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. See "NOTE 6 — DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS" below for additional information.
The Company uses the indirect method of reporting operating cash flows within the Condensed Statements of Cash Flows. Accordingly, the non-cash, unrealized gains and losses from derivative contracts are reflected as an adjustment to arrive at Net cash provided by operating activities. The total Gain (loss) on derivative contracts less the Cash received (paid) for derivative settlements, net represents the unrealized (mark to market) gain or loss on derivative contracts.
Concentration of Credit Risk and Receivables
Concentration of Credit Risk and Receivables – Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash and receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents - The Company had cash in excess of federally insured limits of $0 and $46,384 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. The Company places its cash with a high credit quality financial institution. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to significant credit risk in this area.
Accounts receivable - Substantially all of the Company’s accounts receivable is from purchasers of oil and natural gas. Oil and natural gas sales are generally unsecured. Accounts receivable from purchasers outstanding longer than the contractual
payment terms are considered past due. The Company has not had any significant credit losses in the past and believes its accounts receivable are fully collectable. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, sales to three purchasers represented 61%, 14% and 13%, respectively, of total oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids sales. As of September 30, 2024, receivables outstanding from these three purchasers represented 69%, 11% and 13%, respectively, of accounts receivable.
Production imbalances - The Company accounts for natural gas production imbalances using the sales method, which recognizes revenue on all natural gas sold even though the natural gas volumes sold may be more or less than the Company's ownership entitles it to sell. Liabilities are recorded for imbalances greater than the Company’s proportionate share of remaining estimated natural gas reserves. The Company recorded no imbalances as of September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023.
Joint interest billing receivables, net - The Company also has joint interest billing receivables. Joint interest billing receivables are collateralized by the pro rata revenue attributable to the joint interest holders and further by the interest itself. Receivables from joint interest owners outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The following table indicates the Company's provisions for bad debt expense associated with its joint interest billing receivables during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023.
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
Bad debt expense $ 8,817  $ 19,656  $ 187,594  $ 41,865 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents – The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no such investments.
Inventory
Inventory - The full balance of the Company's inventory consists of materials and supplies for its operations, with no work in process or finished goods inventory balances. Inventory is added to the books upon the purchase of supplies (inclusive of freight and sales tax costs) to use on well sites, and inventory is reduced by material transfers for inventory usage based on the initial invoiced value. The Company reports the balance of its inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Inventory balances are excluded from the Company's calculation of depletion.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Oil and Natural Gas Properties – The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, all costs (direct and indirect) associated with acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties are capitalized. Costs capitalized include acquisition costs, geological and geophysical expenditures, lease rentals on undeveloped properties and costs of drilling and equipping productive and non-productive wells. Drilling costs include directly related overhead costs. Capitalized costs are categorized either as being subject to amortization or not subject to amortization. All of the Company’s capitalized costs, excluding inventory, are subject to amortization.
The Company records a liability in the period in which an asset retirement obligation (“ARO”) 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. An ARO is a future expenditure related to the disposal or other retirement of certain assets. The Company’s ARO relates to future plugging and abandonment expenses of its oil and natural gas properties and related facilities disposal. Dispositions of oil and natural gas properties are accounted for as adjustments to capitalized costs.
All capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties, including the estimated future costs to develop proved reserves and estimated future costs to plug and abandon wells and costs of site restoration, less the estimated salvage value of equipment associated with the oil and natural gas properties, are amortized on the unit-of-production method using estimates of proved reserves as determined by independent petroleum engineers. If the results of an assessment indicate that the properties are impaired, the amount of the impairment is offset to the capitalized costs to be amortized. The following table shows total depletion and the depletion per barrel-of-oil-equivalent rate, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023.
For the Three Months Ended
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023 September 30, 2024 September 30, 2023
Depletion $ 25,302,058  $ 21,711,123  $ 73,056,856  $ 63,203,473 
Depletion rate, per barrel-of-oil-equivalent (Boe) $ 13.68  $ 13.48  $ 13.57  $ 13.09 
In addition, capitalized costs less accumulated depletion and related deferred income taxes are not allowed to exceed an amount (the full cost ceiling) equal to the sum of:
1)the present value of estimated future net revenues discounted at ten percent computed in compliance with SEC guidelines;
2)plus the cost of properties not being amortized;
3)plus the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in the costs being amortized;
4)less income tax effects related to differences between the book and tax basis of the properties.
Land, Buildings, Equipment, Software, Leasehold Improvements, Automobiles, Buildings and Structures
Land, Buildings, Equipment, Software, Leasehold Improvements, Automobiles, Buildings and Structures – Land, buildings, equipment, software, leasehold improvements, automobiles, buildings and structures are carried at historical cost, adjusted for impairment loss and accumulated depreciation (except for land). Historical costs include all direct costs associated with the acquisition of land, buildings, equipment, software, leasehold improvements, automobiles, buildings and structures and placing them in service. Upon sale or abandonment, the cost of the fixed asset(s) and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recognized.
Depreciation of buildings, equipment, software, leasehold improvements, automobiles, buildings and structures is calculated using the straight-line method based upon the following estimated useful lives:
Leasehold improvements
3‑5 years
Office equipment and software
3‑7 years
Equipment
5‑10 years
Automobiles 4 years
Buildings and structures 7 years
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition – In January 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09 Revenues from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”). The timing of recognizing revenue from the sale of produced crude oil and natural gas was not changed as a result of adopting ASU 2014-09. The Company predominantly derives its revenue from the sale of produced crude oil and natural gas. The contractual performance obligation is satisfied when the product is delivered to the purchaser. Revenue is recorded in the month the product is delivered to the purchaser. The Company receives payment from one to three months after delivery. The transaction price includes variable consideration as product pricing is based on published market prices and reduced for contract specified differentials (quality, transportation and other variables from benchmark prices). The guidance regarding ASU 2014-09 does not require that the transaction price be fixed or stated in the contract. Estimating the variable consideration does not require significant judgment and Ring engages third party sources to validate the estimates. Revenue is recognized net of royalties due to third parties in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products. See "NOTE 2 — REVENUE RECOGNITION" for additional information.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes – Provisions for income taxes are based on taxes payable or refundable for the current year and deferred taxes. Deferred income taxes are provided on differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their carrying amounts in the condensed financial statements, and tax carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are included in the condensed financial statements at currently enacted income tax rates applicable to the period in which the deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. As changes in tax laws or rates are enacted, deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted through the provision for income taxes.
In assessing the Company’s deferred tax assets, we consider whether a valuation allowance should be recorded for some or all of the deferred tax assets which may not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is assessed at each reporting period and is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and the Company’s ability to utilize operation loss carryforwards during the periods in which the temporary differences become deductible. We also consider the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and available tax planning strategies.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – In accordance with GAAP, the Company has analyzed its filing positions in all jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns for the open tax years. The Company has identified its federal income tax return and its franchise tax return in Texas in which it operates as a “major” tax jurisdiction. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2019 and after remain subject to examination. The Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2007 and after remain subject to examination to the extent of the net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards. The Company’s franchise tax returns in Texas remain subject to examination for 2018 and after. The Company currently believes that all significant filing positions are highly certain and that all of its significant income tax filing positions and deductions would be sustained upon audit. Therefore, the Company has no significant reserves for uncertain tax positions and no adjustments to such reserves were required by GAAP. No interest or penalties have been levied against the Company and none are anticipated; therefore, no interest or penalty has been included in our provision for income taxes in the Condensed Statements of Operations.
Leases
Leases - The Company accounts for its leases in accordance with ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), effective January 1, 2019. The Company made accounting policy elections to not capitalize leases with a lease term of twelve months or less (i.e. short term leases) and to not separate lease and non-lease components for all asset classes. The Company also elected to adopt the package of practical expedients within ASU 2016-02 that allows an entity to not reassess prior to the effective date (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, or (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases, and the practical expedient regarding land easements that exist prior to the adoption of ASU 2016-02. The Company did not elect the practical expedient of hindsight when determining the lease term of existing contracts at the effective date.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Earnings (Loss) Per Share – Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are calculated to give effect to potentially issuable dilutive common shares.
Share-Based Employee Compensation Share-Based Employee Compensation – The Company has outstanding stock option grants, restricted stock unit awards, and performance stock unit awards to directors, officers and employees, which are described more fully below in "NOTE 11 — EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS". The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes the related compensation expense over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award, which is generally the vesting period.
Share-Based Compensation to Non-Employees
Share-Based Compensation to Non-Employees – The Company accounts for share-based compensation issued to non-employees as either the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever is more reliably measurable. The measurement date for these issuances is the earlier of (i) the date at which a commitment for performance by the recipient to earn the equity instruments is reached or (ii) the date at which the recipient’s performance is complete.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements/Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting PronouncementsIn October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) – Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers” ("ASU 2021-08"). This update requires the acquirer in a business combination to record contract asset and liabilities following Topic 606 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” at acquisition as if it had originated the contract, rather than at fair value. This update became effective for public business entities beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company adopted ASU 2021-08 effective January 1, 2023. The adoption and implementation of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements, as its revenue is recognized when control transfers to the purchaser at the point of delivery, and no contract liabilities or assets are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606.
In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205), Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity (Topic 480), Equity (Topic 505), and Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 120, SEC Staff Announcement at the March 24, 2022 EITF Meeting, and Staff Accounting Bulletin Topic 6.B, Accounting Series Release 280 - General Revision of Regulation S-X: Income or Loss Applicable to Common Stock. The ASU provided updated views from the SEC Staff on employee and non-employee share-based payment accounting, including guidance related to spring-loaded awards. As the ASU did not provide any new ASC guidance, and there was no transition or effective date provided, the Company adopted this standard upon issuance, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed financial statements.
Recent Accounting PronouncementsIn March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting (“ASU 2020-04”), which provided optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that referenced LIBOR ("London Inter-Bank Offered Rate") or another rate. ASU 2020-04 was in effect through December 31, 2022. In January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope (“ASU 2021-01”), to provide clarifying guidance regarding the scope of Topic 848. ASU 2020-04 was issued to provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. In December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848" ("ASU 2022-06"), which defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024. Beginning August 31, 2022, under the Company's Second Credit Agreement, the Company's interest rates were transitioned from the LIBOR to the SOFR ("Standard Overnight Financing Rate") reference rate. At this time, the Company does not plan to enter into additional contracts using LIBOR as a reference rate.
In October 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-06, "Disclosure Improvements: Codification Amendments in Response to the SEC's Disclosure Update and Simplification Initiative." This update modifies the disclosure or presentation requirements of a variety of Topics in the Codification, which should be applied prospectively. For instance, within ASC 230-10 Statement of Cash Flows - Overall, the amendment requires an accounting policy disclosure in annual periods of where cash flows associated with their derivative instruments and their related gains and losses are presented in the statement of cash flows. Additionally, within ASC 260-10 Earnings Per Share - Overall, the amendment requires disclosure of the methods used in the diluted earnings-per-share computation for each dilutive security and clarifies that certain disclosures should be made during interim periods. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this update on its financial statements and related notes. If by June 30, 2027, the SEC has not removed the applicable requirement from Regulation S-X or Regulation S-K, the pending content of the related amendment will be removed from the Codification and will not become effective for any entity.
In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07 "Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures." This update requires that a public entity with multiple reportable segments disclose significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), as well as other segment
items that are included in the calculation of segment profit or loss. A public entity will also be required to disclose all annual disclosures about a reportable segment's profit or loss currently required by Topic 280 in interim periods. Although a public entity is permitted to disclose multiple measures of a segment's profit or loss, at least one of the reported segment profit or loss measures should be consistent with the measurement principles used in measuring the corresponding amounts of the public entity's consolidated financial statements. Further, a public entity must disclose the title and position of the CODM as well as how the CODM uses the reported measure(s) of segment profit or loss in assessing segment performance and deciding how to allocate resources. Finally, the update requires that a public entity that has a single reportable segment provide all the disclosures required by the amendments in this update and all existing segment disclosures in Topic 280. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this new guidance on its financial disclosures. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures." The amendments from this update provide for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. Specifically, public business entities are required to disclose a tabular reconciliation, using both percentages and reporting currency amounts, showing detail from eight specific categories: (a) state and local income tax net of federal (national) income tax effect, (b) foreign tax effects, (c) effect of changes in tax laws or rates enacted in the current period, (d) effect of cross-border tax laws, (e) tax credits, (f) changes in valuation allowances, (g) nontaxable or nondeductible items, and (h) changes in unrecognized tax benefits. In addition, public business entities are required to separately disclose any reconciling item, disaggregated by nature and/or jurisdiction, in which the effect of the reconciling item is equal to or greater than five percent of the amount computed by multiplying the income (or loss) from continuing operations before income taxes by the applicable statutory income tax rate. Also, for the state and local category, a public business entity is required to provide a qualitative description of the states and local jurisdictions that make up the majority (greater than 50 percent) of the category. Further, the amount of income taxes paid (net of refunds received) are required to be disaggregated by (i) federal (national), state, and foreign taxes, and (ii) by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid (net of refunds received) is equal to or greater than five percent of total income taxes paid (net of refunds received). Finally, the amendments from this update require that all entities disclose (i) income (or loss) from continuing operations before income tax expense (or benefit) disaggregated between domestic and foreign and (ii) income tax expense (or benefit) from continuing operations disaggregated by federal, state, and foreign. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting this new guidance on its financial disclosures. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024.
In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02 "Codification Improvements - Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements" ("ASU 2024-02"), which contains amendments to the Codification to remove references to various FASB Concepts Statements. In most instances, the references are extraneous and not required to understand or apply the guidance. Generally, ASU 2024-02 is not intended to result in significant accounting changes for most entities. ASU 2024-02 is effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company does not expect this update to have a material impact on its condensed financial statements.