Oil sales. Revenues from sales of oil increased from $52 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $65 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $13 million, or 25%. Higher oil production volumes during the three months ended March 31, 2024 accounted for an approximate $13 million increase in year-over-year oil revenues (calculated as the change in year-to-year volumes times the prior year average price).
Commodity derivative fair value gains. Our commodity derivatives included fixed price swap contracts, basis swap contracts, call options and embedded put options. Because we do not designate these derivatives as accounting hedges, they do not receive hedge accounting treatment. Consequently, all mark-to-market gains or losses, as well as cash receipts or payments on settled derivative instruments, are recognized in our statements of operations and comprehensive income. For the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2024, our commodity hedges resulted in derivative fair value gains of $126 million and $9 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, commodity derivative fair value gains included $14 million of net cash payments for settled commodity derivative losses and a $202 million cash payment for the early settlement of our swaption. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, commodity derivative fair value gains included $1 million of net cash proceeds on settled commodity derivatives gains.
Commodity derivative fair value gains or losses vary based on future commodity prices and have no cash flow impact until the derivative contracts are settled or monetized prior to settlement. Derivative asset or liability positions at the end of any accounting period may reverse to the extent future commodity prices increase or decrease from their levels at the end of the accounting period, or as gains or losses are realized through settlement. We expect continued volatility in commodity prices and the related fair value of our derivative instruments in the future.
Amortization of deferred revenue, VPP. Amortization of deferred revenues associated with the VPP decreased from $8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $1 million, or 11%, primarily due to lower production volumes attributable to the VPP properties between periods. Amortization of the deferred revenues associated with the VPP are recognized as the production volumes are delivered at $1.61 per MMBtu over the contractual term.
Lease operating expense. Lease operating expense remained consistent between periods at $29 million for both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2024. On a per unit basis, lease operating expense decreased from $0.10 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $0.09 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to higher production volumes between periods.
Gathering, compression, processing and transportation expense. Gathering, compression, processing and transportation expense increased from $645 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $672 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $27 million, or 4%. This fluctuation primarily resulted from higher production volumes between periods and the following:
| ● | Gathering and compression costs on a per unit basis remained relatively consistent at $0.72 per Mcfe for both the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2024. |
| ● | Processing costs increased from $0.81 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $0.82 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily due to increased costs for NGLs processing, which includes an annual CPI-based adjustment during the first quarter of 2024 and higher NGLs transportation fees. |
| ● | Transportation costs decreased from $0.66 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $0.62 per Mcfe for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to lower demand fees and fuel costs as a result of lower commodity prices between periods. |
Production and ad valorem tax expense. Production and ad valorem taxes increased from $49 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $58 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of $9 million, or 18%, primarily due to higher ad valorem taxes and production volumes between periods, partially offset by lower natural gas prices during the three months ended March 31, 2024. Production and ad valorem taxes as a percentage of natural gas revenues increased from 7.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to 12.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2024, primarily as a result of higher ad valorem taxes, which 2024 ad valorem taxes are based on commodity prices during 2022.
General and administrative expense. General and administrative expense (excluding equity-based compensation expense) decreased from $44 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to $40 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $4 million, or 10%, primarily due to lower professional service fees between periods. General and administrative expense on a per unit basis (excluding equity-based compensation) decreased from $0.15 per Mcfe for the