Gulfport Energy (GPOR) 10-Q2023 Q3 Quarterly report

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

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 war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war 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 Marcellus and in central Oklahoma targeting the SCOOP Woodford and Springer formations.

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 and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. The Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, 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.

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

The major categories of property and equipment and related accumulated DD&A are as follows (in thousands):

Under the full cost method of accounting, the Company is required to perform a ceiling test each quarter. The test determines a limit, or ceiling, on the book value of the Company's oil and natural gas properties. The Company did not record an impairment of its oil and natural gas properties for the three or nine months ended September 30, 2023 or 2022.

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 $5.7 million and $16.2 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $4.9 million and $14.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, 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 (in thousands):

The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company’s asset retirement obligation for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):

Debt consisted of the following items as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

On October 14, 2021, the Company entered into the Existing Credit Facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and various lender parties. The Existing Credit Facility provided for an aggregate maximum principal amount of up to $1.5 billion. The Existing Credit Facility also provides for a $175.0 million sublimit of the aggregate commitments that is available for the issuance of letters of credit.

On May 2, 2022, the Company completed its semi-annual borrowing base redetermination and entered into the Amendment to Borrowing Base Redetermination Agreement and First Amendment to our Credit Agreement, which amended the Existing Credit Facility. The amendment, among other things, (a) increased the borrowing base under the Credit Facility from $850 million to $1.0 billion with the elected commitments remaining at $700 million, (b) amended certain covenants related to hedging to ease certain requirements and limitations, (c) amended the covenants governing restricted payments to (i) increase the Net Leverage Ratio allowing unlimited restricted payments from 1.00 to 1.00 to 1.25 to 1.00 and (ii) permit additional restricted payments to redeem preferred equity until December 31, 2022 provided certain leverage, no event of default or borrowing base deficiency and availability tests were met, and (d) provided for the transition from a LIBOR to a SOFR benchmark, with a 10 basis point credit spread adjustment for all tenors.

On October 31, 2022, the Company completed its semi-annual borrowing base redetermination and entered into the Borrowing Base Reaffirmation Agreement and Second Amendment to our Credit Agreement, which amended the Existing Credit Facility. The amendment, among other things, reaffirmed the borrowing base under the Credit Facility at $1.0 billion and the elected commitments at $700 million.

On May 1, 2023, the Company entered into that certain Joinder, Commitment Increase and Borrowing Base Redetermination Agreement, and Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) which amended the Company’s Existing Credit Facility (as amended, the “Credit Facility”). The Third Amendment, among other things, (a) increased the aggregate elected commitment amounts under the Credit Facility from $700 million to $900 million, (b) increased the borrowing base under the Credit Facility from $1 billion to $1.1 billion, (c) increased the excess cash threshold under the Credit Facility from $45 million to $75 million, and (d) extended the maturity date under the Credit Facility from October 14, 2025 to the earlier of (i) May 1, 2027 and (ii) the 91st day prior to the maturity date of the 2026 Senior Notes or any other permitted senior notes or any permitted refinancing debt under the Credit Facility having an aggregate outstanding principal amount equal to or exceeding $100 million; provided that such notes have not been refinanced, redeemed or repaid in full on or prior to such 91st day.

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 Credit Facility 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 Facility 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 September 30, 2023, the Company had $95.0 million outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, $66.9 million in letters of credit outstanding and was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Credit Facility bore interest at a weighted average rate of 8.28%, 8.05%, 5.41% and 4.42%, respectively.

On the Emergence Date, pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Company issued $550 million aggregate principal amount of its 8.0% 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.

The Company capitalized $1.1 million and $3.0 million in interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The Company did not capitalize interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.

At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of the outstanding debt represented by the 2026 Senior Notes was $549.3 million. Based on the quoted market prices (Level 1), the fair value of the 2026 Senior Notes was determined to be $550.6 million at September 30, 2023.

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 (the "Liquidation Preference").

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 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 dividends 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 shares of preferred stock outstanding at September 30, 2023 would convert to approximately 3.2 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.

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

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company paid $1.1 million and $3.7 million, respectively, of cash dividends to holders of our preferred stock.

The following table summarizes activity of the Company’s preferred stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

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, Gulfport 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 November 2021 the Company's Board of Directors approved the Repurchase Program to acquire up to $100 million of common stock and subsequently increased the authorization to $300 million. On February 27, 2023, the Board of Directors approved an increase to the authorization up to $400 million, extending the Repurchase Program through March 31, 2024. On September 20, 2023, the Board of Directors approved an increase to the authorization up to $650 million, extending the Repurchase Program through December 31, 2024. 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 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023 (number of shares and dollar value of shares purchased shown in thousands):

As of the Emergence Date, the Board of Directors adopted the Incentive Plan with a share reserve of 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 three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company's stock-based compensation expense was $3.5 million and $9.2 million, of which the Company capitalized $1.2 million and $3.0 million, respectively, relating to its exploration and development efforts. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company's stock-based compensation expense was $2.4 million and $6.3 million, of which the Company capitalized $0.8 million and $2.1 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 September 30, 2023, the Company has awarded an aggregate of approximately 368,891 restricted stock units and approximately 274,624 performance vesting restricted stock units under the Incentive Plan.

The following tables summarizes activity for the nine months September 30, 2023 and 2022:

Restricted stock units awarded under the Incentive Plan generally vest over a period of 3 or 4 years in the case of employees and 1 or 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 September 30, 2023, was $13.5 million. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.05 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 at the end of 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 nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Unrecognized compensation expense as of September 30, 2023, related to performance vesting restricted shares was $6.3 million. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.81 years.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, Gulfport recognized $4.8 million in personnel-related restructuring expenses associated with changes in the organizational structure and leadership team resulting from the appointment of Gulfport's new CEO in January 2023. Of these expenses, $1.3 million resulted from accelerated vesting of certain share-based grants, which are non-cash charges.

The following table summarizes the personnel-related restructuring expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands):

Basic income or loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed as (i) net income or loss less (ii) dividends paid to holders of preferred stock less (iii) net income or loss attributable to participating securities divided by (iv) weighted average basic shares outstanding. Diluted net income or loss per share attributable to common stockholders is computed as (i) basic net income or loss attributable to common stockholders plus (ii) diluted adjustments to income allocable to participating securities divided by (iii) weighted average diluted shares outstanding. The "if-converted" method is used to determine the dilutive impact for the Company's convertible preferred stock and the treasury stock method is used to determine the dilutive impact of unvested restricted stock.

There were 0.3 million shares of restricted stock that were considered dilutive for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. There were no shares of restricted stock that were considered dilutive for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. There were 3.2 million potential shares of common stock issuable due to the Company's convertible preferred stock for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. There were 3.7 million potential shares of common stock issuable due to the Company's convertible preferred stock for each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. There were 1.2 million and 1.5 million shares of restricted stock that were considered anti-dilutive during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

    The Company has contractual commitments with midstream and pipeline companies for future gathering and transportation of natural gas from the Company's producing wells to downstream markets. Under certain of these agreements, the Company has minimum daily volume commitments. The Company is also obligated under certain of these arrangements to pay a demand charge for firm capacity rights on pipeline systems regardless of the amount of pipeline capacity utilized by the Company. If the Company does not utilize the capacity, it often can release it to other counterparties, thus reducing the cost of these commitments. Working interest owners and royalty interest owners, where appropriate, will be responsible for their proportionate share of these costs. Commitments related to future firm transportation and gathering agreements are not recorded as obligations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets; however, costs associated with utilized future firm transportation and gathering agreements are reflected in the Company's estimates of proved reserves.

A summary of these commitments at September 30, 2023, are set forth in the table below (in thousands):

The Company entered into various contractual commitments to purchase inventory and other material to be used in future activities. The Company's commitment to purchase these materials spans 2023 and 2024, with approximately $19.8 million remaining in 2023 and $23.5 million for 2024.

As part of its Chapter 11 Cases and restructuring efforts, the Company filed motions to reject certain firm transportation agreements between the Company and affiliates of TC Energy Corporation ("TC") and Rover Pipeline LLC ("Rover"). During the third quarter of 2021, Gulfport finalized a settlement agreement with TC that was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on September 21, 2021. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Gulfport and TC agreed that the firm transportation contracts between them would be rejected without any further payment or obligation by either party, and TC assigned its damages claims from such rejection to Gulfport. In exchange, Gulfport agreed to make a payment of $43.8 million in cash to TC. The $43.8 million was paid on October 7, 2021. Gulfport expects to receive distributions for a significant portion of such amounts through future distributions with respect to the assigned claims pursuant to the terms of the Plan that became effective in May 2021. Any future distributions will be recognized once received by Gulfport. In February 2022, Gulfport received an initial distribution of $11.5 million from the above-mentioned claim, which is included in Other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

During the first quarter of 2023, Gulfport finalized a settlement agreement with Rover that was approved by the Bankruptcy Court on February 21, 2023. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, Gulfport and Rover agreed that the firm transportation contracts between them would be rejected. The Bankruptcy Court Order provided Rover will: (a) receive an allowed $85.9 million Class 4A General Unsecured Claim (the “Rover Unsecured Claim”), (b) receive an administrative claim of $1.0 million payable by Gulfport, and (c) draw the full amount of its credit assurance. Gulfport paid the $1.0 million administrative claim during the first quarter, and has no further obligations to Rover. The Rover Unsecured Claim will receive distributions under the Plan payable from the liquidating trust, not Gulfport. On February 24, 2023, Gulfport received an additional $17.8 million interim distribution for its TC claim. The timing and amount of any future distributions to Gulfport are not certain, and the total amount received will be impacted by the liquidating trust’s distributions and resolution of other remaining bankruptcy claims. These payments are included in Other, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The Company, along with other oil and gas companies, have been named as a defendant in a number of lawsuits where Plaintiffs assert their respective leases are limited to the Marcellus and Utica shale geological formations and allege that Defendants have willfully trespassed and illegally produced oil, natural gas, and other hydrocarbon products beyond these respective formations. Plaintiffs seek the full value of any production from below the Marcellus and Utica shale formations, unspecified damages from the diminution of value to their mineral estate, unspecified punitive damages, and the payment of reasonable attorney fees, legal expenses, and interest. On April 27, 2021, the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved a settlement agreement in which the plaintiffs fully released the Company from all claims for amounts allegedly owed to the plaintiffs through the effective date of the Company’s Chapter 11 plan, which occurred on May 17, 2021. The plaintiffs are continuing to pursue alleged damages after May 17, 2021.

The Company is involved in various lawsuits and disputes incidental to its business operations, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, royalty claims, property damage claims and contract actions.

The nature of the oil and gas business carries with it certain environmental risks for Gulfport and its subsidiaries. Gulfport and its subsidiaries have implemented various policies, programs, procedures, training and audits to reduce and mitigate environmental risks. The Company conducts periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to assess changes in its environmental risk profile. Environmental reserves are established for environmental liabilities for which economic losses are probable and reasonably estimable. The Company manages its exposure to environmental liabilities in acquisitions by using an evaluation process that seeks to identify pre-existing contamination or compliance concerns and address the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental concern, it may, among other things, exclude a property from the transaction, require the seller to remediate the property to its satisfaction in an acquisition or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.

Based on management’s current assessment, they are of the opinion that no pending or threatened lawsuit or dispute relating to its business operations is likely to have a material adverse effect on their future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The final resolution of such matters could exceed amounts accrued, however, and actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.

The Company seeks to mitigate risks related to unfavorable changes in natural gas, oil and NGL prices, which are subject to significant and often volatile fluctuation, by entering into over-the-counter fixed price swaps, basis swaps, costless collars and various types of option contracts. These contracts allow the Company to mitigate the impact of declines in future natural gas, oil and NGL prices by effectively locking in a floor price for a certain level of the Company’s production. However, these hedge contracts also limit the benefit to the Company in periods of favorable price movements.

The Company does not currently have any commodity derivative transactions that have margin requirements or collateral provisions that would require payments prior to the scheduled settlement dates. The Company's commodity derivative contract counterparties are typically financial institutions and energy trading firms with investment-grade credit ratings. Gulfport routinely monitors and manages its exposure to counterparty risk by requiring specific minimum credit standards for all counterparties, actively monitoring counterparties' public credit ratings and avoiding the concentration of credit exposure by transacting with multiple counterparties. The Company has master netting agreements with some counterparties that allow the offsetting of receivables and payables in a default situation.

Fixed price swaps require that the Company receive a fixed price and pay a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity. They are settled monthly based on differences between the fixed price specified in the contract and the referenced settlement price. When the referenced settlement price is less than the price specified in the contract, the Company receives an amount from the counterparty based on the price difference multiplied by the volume. Similarly, when the referenced settlement price exceeds the price specified in the contract, the Company pays the counterparty an amount based on the price difference multiplied by the volume.

Each two-way price costless collar has a set floor and ceiling price for the hedged production. They are settled monthly based on differences between the floor and ceiling prices specified in the contract and the referenced settlement price. If the applicable monthly price indices are outside of the ranges set by the floor and ceiling prices in the collar contracts, the Company will cash-settle the difference with the hedge counterparty. When the referenced settlement price is less than the floor price in the contract, the Company receives an amount from the counterparty based on the price difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume. Similarly, when the referenced settlement price exceeds the ceiling price specified in the contract, the Company pays the counterparty an amount based on the price difference multiplied by the hedged contract volume. No payment is due from either party if the referenced settlement price is within the range set by the floor and ceiling prices.

The Company has entered into natural gas and crude oil costless collars based off the NYMEX Henry Hub and NYMEX WTI indices. Below is a summary of the Company's costless collar positions as of September 30, 2023.

From time to time, the Company has sold natural gas call options in exchange for a premium, and used the associated premiums received to enhance the fixed price for a portion of the fixed price natural gas swaps. Each sold call option has an established ceiling price. If at the time of settlement the referenced settlement price exceeds the ceiling price, the Company pays its counterparty an amount equal to the difference between the referenced settlement price and the price ceiling multiplied by the hedged contract volumes. No payment is due from either party if the referenced settlement price is below the price ceiling. Below is a summary of the Company's open sold call option positions as of September 30, 2023.

In addition, the Company has entered into natural gas basis swap positions. These instruments are arrangements that guarantee a fixed price differential to NYMEX Henry Hub from a specified delivery point. The Company receives the fixed price differential and pays the floating market price differential to the counterparty for the hedged community. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had the following natural gas basis swap positions open:

The Company reports the fair value of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets as derivative instruments under current assets, noncurrent assets, current liabilities and noncurrent liabilities on a gross basis. The Company determines the current and noncurrent classification based on the timing of expected future cash flows of individual trades. The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments on a gross basis at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

The following table presents the gain and loss recognized in net gain (loss) on natural gas, oil and NGL derivatives in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands):