Gulfport Energy (GPOR) 10-Q2022 Q2 Quarterly report

This Form 10-Q may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements by terms such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “predicts,” “potential” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this Form 10-Q that address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including the expected impact of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and the war in Ukraine on our business, our industry and the global economy, estimated future net revenues from oil and gas reserves and the present value thereof, future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof), share repurchases, business strategy and measures to implement strategy, competitive strength, goals, expansion and growth of our business and operations, plans, references to future success, reference to intentions as to future matters and other such matters are forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are largely based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control.

All forward-looking statements, expressed or implied, included in this Quarterly Report are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue.

Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we disclaim any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report.

We may use the Investors section of our website (www.gulfportenergy.com) to communicate with investors. It is possible that the financial and other information posted there could be deemed to be material information. The information on our website is not part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Gulfport Energy Corporation (the "Company" or "Gulfport") is an independent natural gas-weighted exploration and production company focused on the production of natural gas, crude oil and NGL in the United States. The Company's principal properties are located in eastern Ohio targeting the Utica and in central Oklahoma targeting the SCOOP Woodford and SCOOP Springer formations. Gulfport filed for voluntary reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on November 13, 2020, and subsequently operated as a debtor-in-possession, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, until its emergence on May 17, 2021. The Company refers to the post-emergence reorganized organization in the condensed financial statements and footnotes as the "Successor" for periods subsequent to May 17, 2021, and the pre-emergence organization as "Predecessor" for periods on or prior to May 17, 2021.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Gulfport were prepared in accordance with GAAP and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Form 10-Q”) relates to the financial position and periods as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2022 ("Current Successor Quarter"), as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2022 ("Current Successor YTD Period"), May 18, 2021 through June 30, 2021 (“Prior Successor Period”), April 1, 2021 through May 17, 2021 ("Prior Predecessor Quarter"), and January 1, 2021 through May 17, 2021 (“Prior Predecessor YTD Period”). The Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (“2021 Form 10-K”) should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and include the accounts of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming the Company will continue as a going concern.

In the Prior Predecessor Quarter and Prior Predecessor YTD period, the Company incurred significant expenses related to its Chapter 11 filing. The amount of these items, which were incurred in reorganization items, net within the Company's

The major categories of property and equipment and related accumulated DD&A and impairment as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):

Certain general and administrative costs are capitalized to the full cost pool and represent management’s estimate of costs incurred directly related to exploration and development activities. All general and administrative costs not capitalized are charged to expense as they are incurred. Capitalized general and administrative costs were approximately $5.0 million, $2.2 million, and $2.5 million for the Current Successor Quarter, Prior Successor Period, and Prior Predecessor Quarter, respectively.

The Company evaluates the costs excluded from its amortization calculation at least annually. Individually insignificant unevaluated properties are grouped for evaluation and periodically transferred to evaluated properties over a timeframe consistent with their expected development schedule.

The following table summarizes the Company’s non-producing properties excluded from amortization by area as of June 30, 2022:

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligation for the Current Successor YTD Period (in thousands):

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligation for the Prior Predecessor YTD Period and Prior Successor Period (in thousands):

Debt consisted of the following items as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 (in thousands):

On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and various lender parties ("Credit Facility"). The Credit Facility provided for an aggregate maximum principal amount of up to $1.5 billion, an initial borrowing base of $850.0 million and an initial aggregate elected commitment amount of $700.0 million. The credit agreement also provides for a $175.0 million sublimit of the aggregate commitments that is available for the issuance of letters of credit. The Credit Facility matures October 14, 2025.

The Credit Facility bears interest at a rate equal to, at the Company’s election, either (a) SOFR benchmark plus an applicable margin that varies from 2.75% to 3.75% per annum or (b) a base rate plus an applicable margin that varies from 1.75% to 2.75% per annum, based on borrowing base utilization. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the current aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility. The Company is also required to pay customary letter of credit and fronting fees.

The borrowing base will be redetermined semiannually on or around May 1 and November 1 of each year.

The credit agreement requires the Company to maintain as of the last day of each fiscal quarter (i) a net funded leverage ratio of less than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00, and (ii) a current ratio of greater than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00.

The obligations under the Credit Facility, certain swap obligations and certain cash management obligations, are guaranteed by the Company and the wholly-owned domestic material subsidiaries of the Borrower (collectively, the “Guarantors” and, together with the Borrower, the “Loan Parties”) and secured by substantially all of the Loan Parties’ assets (subject to customary exceptions).

The credit agreement also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including, among other things, as to compliance with laws (including environmental laws and anti-corruption laws), delivery of quarterly and annual financial statements and borrowing base certificates, conduct of business, maintenance of property, maintenance of insurance, entry into certain derivatives contracts, restrictions on the incurrence of liens, indebtedness, asset dispositions, restricted payments, and other customary covenants. These covenants are subject to a number of limitations and exceptions.

As of June 30, 2022, the Company had $124.0 million outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, $113.2 million in letters of credit outstanding and was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility.

On the Emergence Date, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Company issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.000% senior notes due 2026. The notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the Company's subsidiaries that guarantee the Credit Facility. Interest on the 2026 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually, on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The 2026 Senior Notes were issued under the Indentures, dated as of May 17, 2021, by and among the Issuer, UMB Bank, National Association, as trustee, and the Guarantors and mature on May 17, 2026.

The covenants of the 1145 Indenture (other than the payment covenant) require that the Company comply with the covenants of the 4(a)(2) Indenture, as amended. The 4(a)(2) Indenture contains covenants limiting the Issuer’s and its restricted subsidiaries’ ability to (i) incur additional debt, (ii) pay dividends or distributions in respect of certain equity interests or redeem, repurchase or retire certain equity interests or subordinated indebtedness, (iii) make certain investments, (iv) create restrictions on distributions from restricted subsidiaries, (v) engage in specified sales of assets, (vi) enter into certain transactions among affiliates, (vii) engage in certain lines of business, (viii) engage in consolidations, mergers and acquisitions, (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries and (x) incur or create liens. These covenants contain important exceptions, limitations and qualifications. At any time that the 2026 Senior Notes are rated investment grade, certain covenants will be terminated and cease to apply.

At June 30, 2022, the carrying value of the outstanding debt represented by the 2026 Senior Notes was $549.0 million. Based on the quoted market prices (Level 1), the fair value of the 2026 Senior Notes was determined to be $543.8 million at June 30, 2022.

On the Emergence Date, the Company filed an amended and restated certificate of incorporation with the Delaware Secretary of State to provide for, among other things, (i) the authority to issue 42 million shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 per share and (ii) the designation of 110,000 shares of preferred stock, with a par value of $0.0001 per share and a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share.

On the Emergence Date, all existing shares of the Predecessor's common stock were cancelled. The Successor issued approximately 19.8 million shares of common stock and 1.7 million shares of common stock were issued to the Disputed Claims reserve.

In January 2022 approximately 876,000 shares in the Disputed Claims reserve at December 31, 2021 were issued to certain claimants. As of June 30, 2022, approximately 62,000 shares continue to be held in the Disputed Claims reserve and may be issued upon finalization of remaining claims.

In November 2021 the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $100.0 million of its common stock and increased the authorization from $100 million to $200 million in April 2022 ("Repurchase Program"). Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market or privately negotiated transactions, and will be subject to available liquidity, market conditions, credit agreement restrictions, applicable legal requirements, contractual obligations and other factors. The Repurchase Program does not require the Company to acquire any specific number of shares of common stock. The Company intends to purchase shares under the Repurchase Program with available funds while maintaining sufficient liquidity to fund its capital development program. The Repurchase Program is authorized to extend through December 31, 2022, and may be suspended from time to time, modified, extended or discontinued by the board of directors at any time. The following table summarizes activity under the Repurchase Program for the Current Successor Quarter and Current Successor YTD Period (number of shares and dollar value of shares purchased shown in thousands):

On the Emergence Date, the Successor issued 55,000 shares of preferred stock.

Holders of preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative quarterly dividends at a rate of 10% per annum of the Liquidation Preference (as defined below) with respect to cash dividends and 15% per annum of the Liquidation Preference with respect to dividends paid in kind as additional shares of preferred stock (“PIK Dividends”). Gulfport currently has the option to pay either cash or PIK dividends on a quarterly basis.

Each holder of shares of preferred stock has the right (the “Conversion Right”), at its option and at any time, to convert all or a portion of the shares of preferred stock that it holds into a number of shares of common stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the product obtained by multiplying (i) the Liquidation Preference times (ii) an amount equal to one (1) plus the Per Share Makewhole Amount (as defined in the Preferred Terms) on the date of conversion, by (y) $14.00 per share (as may be adjusted under the Preferred Terms) (the “Conversion Price”). The shares of preferred stock outstanding at June 30, 2022 would convert to approximately 3.8 million shares of common stock if all holders of preferred stock exercised their Conversion Right.

Gulfport shall have the right, but not the obligation, to redeem all, but not less than all, of the outstanding shares of preferred stock by notice to the holders of preferred stock, at the greater of (i) the aggregate value of the preferred stock, calculated by the Current Market Price (as defined in the Preferred Terms) of the number of shares of common stock into which, subject to redemption, such preferred stock would have been converted if such shares were converted pursuant to the Conversion Right at the time of such redemption and (ii) (y) if the date of such redemption is on or prior to the three year anniversary of the Emergence Date, the sum of the Liquidation Preference plus the sum of all unpaid PIK Dividends through the three year anniversary of the Emergence Date, or (x) if the date of such redemption is after the three year anniversary of the Emergence Date, the Liquidation Preference (the “Redemption Price”).

Following the Emergence Date, if there is a Fundamental Change (as defined in the Preferred Terms), Gulfport is required to redeem all, but not less than all, of the outstanding shares of preferred stock by cash payment of the Redemption Price per share of preferred stock within three (3) business days of the occurrence of such Fundamental Change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a redemption pursuant to the preceding sentence, if Gulfport lacks sufficient cash to redeem all outstanding shares of preferred stock, the Company is required to redeem a pro rata portion of each holder’s shares of preferred stock.

The preferred stock has no stated maturity and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by Gulfport or converted into common stock. Each share of preferred stock has a liquidation preference of $1,000 (the "Liquidation Preference").

The preferred stock has been classified as mezzanine equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets due to the redemption features noted above.

During the Current Successor YTD Period, the company paid $2.8 million of cash dividends to holders of our preferred stock.

The following table summarizes activity of the Company’s preferred stock for the Current Successor YTD Period:

On the Emergence Date, the Company's Predecessor common stock was cancelled and the Company's Successor common stock was issued. Accordingly, the Company's then existing stock-based compensation awards were also cancelled. Stock-based compensation for the Predecessor and Successor periods are not comparable.

As of the Emergence Date, the board of directors adopted the Incentive Plan with a share reserve equal to 2.8 million shares of common stock. The Incentive Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalents and performance awards or any combination of the foregoing. The Company has granted both restricted stock units and performance vesting restricted stock units to employees and directors pursuant to the Incentive Plan, as discussed below. During the Current Successor Quarter and the Current Successor YTD Period, the Company's stock-based compensation expense was $2.1 million and $3.9 million, of which the Company capitalized $0.7 million and $1.3 million, respectively, relating to its exploration and development efforts. Stock compensation expense, net of the amounts capitalized, is included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. As of June 30, 2022, the Company has awarded an aggregate of approximately 269,000 restricted stock units and approximately 191,000 performance vesting restricted stock units, net of forfeited awards, under the Incentive Plan.

The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity for the Current Successor YTD Period:

Restricted stock units awarded under the Incentive Plan generally vest ratably over a period of 3 or 4 years in the case of employees and 4 years in the case of directors upon the recipient meeting applicable service requirements. Stock-based compensation expense is recorded ratably over the service period. The grant date fair value of restricted stock units represents the closing market price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant. Unrecognized compensation expense as of June 30, 2022 was $15.9 million. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.62 years.

The Company has awarded performance vesting restricted stock units to certain of its executive officers under the Incentive Plan. The number of shares of common stock issued pursuant to the award will be based on a combination of (i) the Company's total shareholder return ("TSR") and (ii) the Company's relative total shareholder return ("RTSR") for the performance period. Participants will earn from 0% to 200% of the target award based on the Company's TSR and RTSR ranking compared to the TSR of the companies in the Company's designated peer group at the end of the performance period. Awards will be earned and vested over a three-year performance period, subject to earlier termination of the performance period in the event of a change in control. The grant date fair values were determined using the Monte Carlo simulation method and are being recorded ratably over the performance period.

The table below summarizes the assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulation to determine the grant date fair value of awards granted during the Current Successor YTD Period: