NATURE OF BUSINESS, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation We have prepared this report in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to annual financial information. All financial information presented consists of our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. We have eliminated intercompany transactions and balances. We account for our share of oil and natural gas producing activities, in which we have a direct working interest, by reporting our proportionate share of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and cash flows within the relevant lines on our consolidated financial statements. We have conformed Aera’s accounting policies to our legacy methods for all significant balances included in our consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated results of operations include the results of Aera beginning July 1, 2024, the closing date of the Aera Merger. The Aera Merger and related transactions have significantly impacted the comparability of our financial results for 2024 and prior years. In applying the equity method of accounting, our investments in our unconsolidated subsidiaries are recognized either at cost, as is the case with Carbon TerraVault JV HoldCo, LLC, or at fair value if acquired in a business combination, as is the case for Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company. These investments are then adjusted for our proportionate share of income or loss in addition to contributions and distributions. Certain prior period balances related to natural gas liquid (NGL) marketing activities were reclassified to conform to our 2024 presentation. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we reclassified $6 million and $17 million, respectively, related to NGL storage activities from other revenue to revenue from marketing of purchased commodities on our consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we reclassified $3 million and $12 million, respectively, related to NGL processing fees from other operating expenses, net to costs related to marketing of purchased commodities on our consolidated statements of operations.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The process of preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to select appropriate accounting policies and make informed estimates and judgments regarding certain types of financial statement balances and disclosures. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the financial statements and judgments on expected outcomes as well as the materiality of transactions and balances. Changes in facts and circumstances or discovery of new information relating to such transactions and events may result in revised estimates and judgments. Further, actual results may differ from estimates upon settlement. Management believes that these estimates and judgments provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements.
Risks And Uncertainties	Risks and Uncertainties Our revenue, profitability and future growth of our oil and natural gas segment are substantially dependent upon prevailing and future prices for the commodities we produce and sell, which can be volatile and fluctuate significantly due to factors beyond our control, including our ability to obtain permits. We are in the early stages of developing a carbon capture and sequestration business which is subject to risks as an emerging industry and availability of tax incentives. We operate exclusively in California which is a highly regulated environment.
Concentration of Customers	Concentration of Customers We sell crude oil, natural gas and NGLs to marketers, California refineries and other customers that have access to transportation and storage facilities. In light of the ongoing energy deficit in California and strong demand for native crude oil production, we do not believe that the loss of any single customer would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements taken as a whole. For the year ended December 31, 2024, four customers of our oil and gas segment each accounted for at least 10%, and collectively 67%, of our sales (before the effects of hedging). For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers of our oil and gas segment each accounted for at least 10%, and collectively 44%, of our sales (before the effects of hedging). For the year ended December 31, 2022, three customers of our oil and gas segment each accounted for at least 10%, and collectively accounted for 52%, of our sales (before the effects of hedging).
Recently Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes and Recently Issued but not Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes	Recently Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) issued improvements to the segment disclosure requirements primarily to enhance disclosure of significant segment expenses. The new disclosure requirements are applied retrospectively to all prior periods included in the financial statements. We adopted these new rules for the year ended December 31, 2024 adding Note 16 Segment Information. In December 2023, the FASB issued improvements to the disclosure requirements for Income Taxes (ASC 740). The new disclosure requirements are to be applied on a prospective basis, but a retrospective application is permitted. We early adopted these rules for the year ended December 31, 2024, retrospectively presenting our income tax disclosures, as shown in Note 8 Income Taxes. Recently Issued but not Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes In November 2024, the FASB issued new disclosure requirements to enhance disclosure of certain costs and expenses. These new expense disclosures will apply to us. The rules are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, early adoption is permitted. We expect that the adoption of these rules will only impact our disclosures and have no impact to our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized in a three-level fair-value hierarchy, based on the inputs to the valuation techniques: Level 1—using quoted prices in active markets for the assets or liabilities; Level 2—using observable inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities; and Level 3—using unobservable inputs. Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the end of each reporting period. We apply the market approach for certain recurring fair value measurements, maximize our use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. We generally use an income approach to measure fair value when observable inputs are unavailable. This approach utilizes management's judgments regarding expectations of projected cash flows and discount rates. Commodity derivatives are carried at fair value. We utilize the mid-point between bid and ask prices for valuing these instruments. Our commodity derivatives comprise of over-the-counter bilateral financial commodity contracts, which are generally valued using industry-standard models that consider various inputs, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, credit risk and current market and contracted prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these inputs are observable data or are supported by observable prices based on transactions executed in the marketplace. We classify these measurements as Level 2. Our PP&E may be written down to fair value if we determine that there has been an impairment. The fair value is determined as of the date of the assessment generally using discounted cash flow models based on management’s expectations for the future. Inputs include estimates of future production, prices based on commodity forward price curves, inclusive of market differentials, as of the date of the estimate, estimated future operating and development costs and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The carrying amounts of cash and other on-balance sheet financial instruments, other than fixed-rate debt, approximate fair value. See Note 5 Debt for the fair value of our fixed-rate debt. We may enter into joint ventures that are considered to be a variable interest entity (VIE). A VIE is a legal entity that possesses any of the following conditions: the entity's equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, equity owners are unable to direct the activities that most significantly impact the legal entity's economic performance (or they possess disproportionate voting rights in relation to the economic interest in the legal entity), or the equity owners lack the obligation to absorb the legal entity's expected losses or the right to receive the legal entity's expected residual returns. We consolidate a VIE if we determine that we have (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are more than insignificant to the VIE. If an entity is determined to be a VIE but we do not have a controlling interest, the entity is accounted for under either the cost or equity method depending on whether we exercise significant influence. See Note 4 Investments and Related Party Transactions for more information on the Carbon TerraVault JV. We also may enter into investments in entities that are considered to be voting interest entities (VOEs). A VOE is a legal entity that does not meet the conditions of a VIE as outlined above. We consolidate a VOE if we determine that we have a controlling financial interest in the VOE. If an entity is determined to be a VOE but we do not have a controlling financial interest, the entity is accounted for under either the cost or equity method, depending on the structure of the entity. See Note 4 Investments and Related Party Transactions for more information on our investment in the Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company. These evaluations are highly complex and involve management judgment and may involve the use of estimates and assumptions based on available information. The evaluation requires continual assessment. Investments in unconsolidated entities are assessed for impairment whenever changes in the facts and circumstances indicate a loss in value may have occurred, which is other than temporary.
Business Combinations	Business Combinations We account for business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805). Under the acquisition method of accounting in ASC 805, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured as of their acquisition date fair value. Fair value is the price that we estimate would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Accounting for business combinations requires the allocation of the purchase price to the various assets and liabilities of the acquired business and recording deferred taxes for any differences between the allocated values and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Any excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned to assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. If the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are greater than the purchase price, then a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Transaction and integration costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We derive substantially all of our revenue from sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs, with the remaining revenue generated from sales of electricity and marketing activities related to storage and managing excess pipeline capacity. Revenues are recognized when control of promised goods is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods. See Note 15 Revenue for more information on our revenue from contracts with customers.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash Restricted cash of $18 million, included in cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet, at December 31, 2024 primarily includes funds held in an escrow account established to secure well and infrastructure abandonment and habitat restoration at an oil and gas field previously owned by Aera. Refer to Note 2 Aera Merger for more information. Funds will be released from the escrow account as work is completed. The Merger Agreement provides that 50% of the amount of released funds exceeds the cumulative abandonment and habitat restoration expenditures from January 1, 2024 onward is payable to the prior owners of Aera (Sellers). We do not expect this return of excess cash to be significant. We had no restricted cash at December 31, 2023.
Inventories	Inventories Materials and supplies, which primarily consist of well equipment and tubular goods used in oil and natural gas operations, are valued at weighted-average cost and are reviewed periodically for obsolescence. Finished goods are predominantly comprised of oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs), which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.
Assets Held for Sale	Assets Held for Sale We may market certain non-core oil and natural gas assets or other properties for sale. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate if these assets should be classified as held for sale. The held for sale criteria includes the following: management commitment to a plan to sell, the asset is available for immediate sale, an active program to locate a buyer exists, the sale of the asset is probable and expected to be completed within one year, the asset is being actively marketed for sale and it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan. If all of these criteria are met, the asset is presented as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet and measured at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair vale less costs to sell. DD&A expense is not recorded on assets once classified as held for sale.
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments The fair value of our derivative contracts are netted when a legal right of offset exists with the same counterparty with an intent to offset. Since we did not apply hedge accounting to our commodity derivatives for any of the periods presented, we recognized fair value adjustments, on a net basis, in our consolidated statements of operations. Unless otherwise indicated, we use the term "hedge" to describe derivative instruments that are designed to achieve our hedging program goals, even though they are not accounted for as cash-flow or fair-value hedges.
Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E)	Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E) We use the successful efforts method to account for our oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, we capitalize costs of acquiring properties, costs of drilling successful exploration wells and development costs. The costs of exploratory wells, including permitting, land preparation and drilling costs, are initially capitalized pending a determination of whether we find proved reserves. If we find proved reserves, the costs of exploratory wells remain capitalized. Otherwise, we charge the costs of the related wells to expense. In cases where we cannot determine whether we have found proved reserves at the completion of exploration drilling, we conduct additional testing and evaluation of the wells. We generally expense the costs of such exploratory wells if we do not find proved reserves within a one-year period after initial drilling has been completed. Proved Reserves – Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas that, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a specific date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. We have no proved oil and natural gas reserves for which the determination of economic producibility is subject to the completion of major capital investments. Several factors could change our proved oil and natural gas reserves. For example, for long-lived properties, higher commodity prices typically result in additional reserves becoming economic and lower commodity prices may lead to existing reserves becoming uneconomic. Estimation of future production and development costs is also subject to change partially due to factors beyond our control, such as energy costs and inflation or deflation of oil field service costs. These factors, in turn, could lead to changes in the quantity of proved reserves. Additional factors that could result in a change of proved reserves include production decline rates and operating performance differing from those estimated when the proved reserves were initially recorded as well as availability of capital to implement the development activities contemplated in the reserves estimates and changes in management's plans with respect to such development activities. We perform impairment tests with respect to proved properties when product prices decline other than temporarily, reserve estimates change significantly, other significant events occur or management's plans change with respect to these properties in a manner that may impact our ability to realize the recorded asset amounts. Impairment tests incorporate a number of assumptions involving expectations of undiscounted future cash flows, which can change significantly over time. These assumptions include estimates of future product prices, which we based on forward price curves and, when applicable, contractual prices, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and estimates of future expected operating and development costs. Any impairment loss would be calculated as the excess of the asset's net book value over its estimated fair value. We recognize any impairment loss on proved properties by adjusting the carrying amount of the asset. Unproved Properties – When we make acquisitions that include unproved properties, we assign values based on estimated reserves that we believe will ultimately be proved. As exploration and development work progresses and if reserves are proved, we transfer the book value from unproved to proved based on the initially determined acquisition cost per BOE. If the exploration and development work were to be unsuccessful, or management decided not to pursue development of these properties as a result of lower commodity prices, higher development and operating costs, regulatory changes, contractual conditions or other factors, the capitalized costs of the related properties would be expensed. Impairments of unproved properties are primarily based on qualitative factors including intent of property development, lease term and recent development activity. The timing of impairments on unproved properties, if warranted, depends upon management's plans, the nature, timing and extent of future exploration and development activities and their results. We recognize any impairment loss on unproved properties by providing a valuation allowance. Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization – We determine depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) of oil and natural gas producing properties by the unit-of-production method. Our unproved reserves are not subject to DD&A until they are classified as proved properties. We amortize acquisition costs over total proved reserves, and capitalized development and successful exploration costs over proved developed reserves. Our gas and power plant assets are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, using the straight-line method, with expected initial useful lives of the assets of up to 30 years. We depreciated other property and equipment using the straight-line method based on expected useful lives of the individual assets or group of assets. The useful lives typically include ranges of 4-10 years for leasehold improvements, 1-4 years for software and telecommunications equipment and up to 5 years for computer hardware. We expense annual lease rentals, the costs of injection used in production and exploration, and geological, geophysical and seismic costs as incurred. Costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, except that the costs of replacements that expand capacity or add proven oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized.
Stock-Based Incentive Plans	Stock-Based Incentive Plans The terms of our long-term incentive plan were approved by our board of directors in January 2021.
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share Basic earnings per share is calculated as net income divided by the weighted average number of our common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of our common shares outstanding including the effect of dilutive potential common shares. We compute basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) using the two-class method required for participating securities, when applicable, and the treasury stock method when participating securities are not in place. Certain restricted and performance stock awards are considered participating securities when such shares have non-forfeitable dividend rights, which participate at the same rate as common stock. Under the two-class method, net income allocated to participating securities is subtracted from net income attributable to common stock in determining net income available to common stockholders. In loss periods, no allocation is made to participating securities because the participating securities do not share in losses.
Asset Retirement Obligations	Asset Retirement Obligations We recognize the fair value of asset retirement obligations (ARO) in the period in which a determination is made that a legal obligation exists to dismantle an asset and reclaim or remediate the property at the end of its useful life and the cost of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of the retirement obligation is based on future retirement cost estimates and incorporates many assumptions such as time of abandonment, current regulatory requirements, technological changes, future inflation rates and a risk-adjusted discount rate. When the liability is initially recorded, we capitalize the cost by increasing the related PP&E balances. If the estimated future cost or timing of cash flow changes, we adjust the fair value of the liability and PP&E. Over time the liability is increased, and expense is recognized for accretion. The cost capitalized to PP&E is recovered over either the useful life of our facilities or the unit-of-production method for our minerals. We have asset retirement obligations for certain of our facilities, which includes plant and field decommissioning, and the plugging and abandonment of wells. In certain cases, we will recognize ARO in the periods in which sufficient information becomes available to reasonably estimate their fair values. Additionally, for certain plants, we do not have a legal obligation to decommission them and, accordingly, we have not recorded a liability.
Loss Contingencies	Loss Contingencies In the normal course of business, we are involved in lawsuits, claims and other environmental and legal proceedings and audits. We accrue reserves for these matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the liability can be reasonably estimated. In addition, we disclose, if material, in aggregate, our exposure to losses in excess of the amount recorded on the balance sheet for these matters if it is reasonably possible that an additional material loss may be incurred. We review our loss contingencies on an ongoing basis. Loss contingencies are based on judgments made by management with respect to the likely outcome of these matters and are adjusted as appropriate. Management’s judgments could change based on new information, changes in, or interpretations of, laws or regulations, changes in management’s plans or intentions, opinions regarding the outcome of legal proceedings, or other factors.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are recognized when it is more likely than not that they will be realized. We periodically assess our deferred tax assets and reduce such assets by a valuation allowance if we deem it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We recognize the financial statement effects of tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a tax authority. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the income tax provision. No interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions were recognized in the financial statements for the periods presented.
Production-Sharing Type Contracts	Production-Sharing Type Contracts Our share of production and reserves from operations in the Wilmington field is subject to contractual arrangements similar to production-sharing contracts (PSCs) that are in effect through the economic life of the assets. Under such contracts we are obligated to fund all capital and operating costs. We record a share of production and reserves to recover a portion of such capital and operating costs and an additional share for profit. Our portion of the production represents volumes: (i) to recover our partners’ share of capital and operating costs that we incur on their behalf, (ii) for our share of contractually defined base production and (iii) for our share of remaining production thereafter. We generate returns through our defined share of production from (ii) and (iii) above. These contracts do not transfer any right of ownership to us and reserves reported from these arrangements are based on our economic interest as defined in the contracts. Our share of production and reserves from these contracts decreases when product prices rise and increases when prices decline, assuming comparable capital investment and operating costs. However, our net economic benefit is greater when product prices are higher. These PSCs represented approximately 12% and 18% of our total production for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In line with industry practice for reporting PSCs, we report 100% of operating costs under such contracts in our consolidated statements of operations as opposed to reporting only our share of those costs. We report the proceeds from production designed to recover our partners' share of such costs (cost recovery) in our revenues. Our reported production volumes reflect only our share of the total volumes produced, including cost recovery, which is less than the total volumes produced under the PSCs. This difference in reporting full operating costs but only our net share of production equally inflates our revenue and operating costs per barrel and has no effect on our net results.
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans	Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans All of our regular, full-time employees participate in postretirement benefit plans we sponsor. These plans are primarily funded as benefits are paid. In addition, a portion of our employees also participate in defined benefit pension plans sponsored by us. We recognize the net overfunded or underfunded amounts in the consolidated financial statements at each measurement date. We determine our defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plan obligations based on various assumptions and discount rates. The discount rate assumptions used are meant to reflect the interest rate at which the obligations could effectively be settled on the measurement date. We estimate the rate of return on assets with regard to current market factors but within the context of historical returns. Pension plan assets are measured at fair value. Publicly registered mutual funds are valued using quoted market prices in active markets. Commingled funds are valued at the fund units’ net asset value (NAV) provided by the issuer, which represents the quoted price in a non-active market. Actuarial gains and losses that have not yet been recognized through income, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within equity, net of taxes, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost.
Leases	Leases We account for our leases in which we are the lessee, other than mineral leases including oil and natural gas leases, under an accounting standard which requires us to recognize most leases, including operating leases, on the balance sheet. The majority of our leases are for commercial office space, fleet vehicles, drilling rigs, easements and facilities. We categorize leases as either operating or financing at lease commencement. We recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and associated lease liability for each operating and finance lease with contractual terms of greater than 12 months on the balance sheet. In considering whether a contract contains a lease, we first consider whether there is an identifiable asset and then consider how and for what purpose the asset would be used over the contract term. Our ROU assets are measured at the initial amount of the lease liability determined by measuring the present value of the fixed minimum lease payments, adjusted for any payments made before or at the lease commencement date, discounted using our incremental borrowing rate (IBR). In determining our IBR, we consider the average cost of borrowing for publicly traded corporate bond yields, which are adjusted to reflect our credit rating, the remaining lease term for each class of our leases and frequency of payments. The ROU assets for operating leases are amortized over the term of the lease using the straight-line method. Lease expense also includes accretion of the lease liability recognized using the effective interest method. ROU assets are tested for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets.
Share Repurchase Program	Share Repurchase Program We repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time under a program authorized by our Board of Directors, including pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan meeting requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) of the Exchange Act. Share repurchases have not been retired and are displayed separately as treasury stock on our consolidated balance sheet.
Government Grants	Government Grants Our carbon business has been awarded government grants to assist in developing carbon capture and storage projects, including the evaluation of technology related to direct air capture and determining the suitability of certain reservoirs located in California for carbon storage. We will recognize the government funding as either a reduction of research expense or a reduction to the carrying amount of an asset where equipment is required to be constructed and used during the research period. Grant income is recognized when it is probable the cost will be recovered under the conditions of the agreement, generally when costs are incurred by us. The amounts presented as a reduction of research expenses included in other operating expenses, net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 are not significant. No amounts have been recognized for asset related grants.

NATURE OF BUSINESS, SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND OTHER (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

We have prepared this report in accordance with United States (U.S.) generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission applicable to annual financial information.

All financial information presented consists of our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. We have eliminated intercompany transactions and balances. We account for our share of oil and natural gas producing activities, in which we have a direct working interest, by reporting our proportionate share of assets, liabilities, revenues, costs and cash flows within the relevant lines on our consolidated financial statements. We have conformed Aera’s accounting policies to our legacy methods for all significant balances included in our consolidated financial statements. Our consolidated results of operations include the results of Aera beginning July 1, 2024, the closing date of the Aera Merger. The Aera Merger and related transactions have significantly impacted the comparability of our financial results for 2024 and prior years. In applying the equity method of accounting, our investments in our unconsolidated subsidiaries are recognized either at cost, as is the case with Carbon TerraVault JV HoldCo, LLC, or at fair value if acquired in a business combination, as is the case for Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company. These investments are then adjusted for our proportionate share of income or loss in addition to contributions and distributions.

Certain prior period balances related to natural gas liquid (NGL) marketing activities were reclassified to conform to our 2024 presentation. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we reclassified $6 million and $17 million, respectively, related to NGL storage activities from other revenue to revenue from marketing of purchased commodities on our consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we reclassified $3 million and $12 million, respectively, related to NGL processing fees from other operating expenses, net to costs related to marketing of purchased commodities on our consolidated statements of operations.

Use of Estimates

The process of preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to select appropriate accounting policies and make informed estimates and judgments regarding certain types of financial statement balances and disclosures. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the financial statements and judgments on expected outcomes as well as the materiality of transactions and balances. Changes in facts and circumstances or discovery of new information relating to such transactions and events may result in revised estimates and judgments. Further, actual results may differ from estimates upon settlement. Management believes that these estimates and judgments provide a reasonable basis for the fair presentation of our consolidated financial statements.

Risks And Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties

Our revenue, profitability and future growth of our oil and natural gas segment are substantially dependent upon prevailing and future prices for the commodities we produce and sell, which can be volatile and fluctuate significantly due to factors beyond our control, including our ability to obtain permits. We are in the early stages of developing a carbon capture and sequestration business which is subject to risks as an emerging industry and availability of tax incentives. We operate exclusively in California which is a highly regulated environment.

Concentration of Customers

We sell crude oil, natural gas and NGLs to marketers, California refineries and other customers that have access to transportation and storage facilities. In light of the ongoing energy deficit in California and strong demand for native crude oil production, we do not believe that the loss of any single customer would have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, four customers of our oil and gas segment each accounted for at least 10%, and collectively 67%, of our sales (before the effects of hedging). For the year ended December 31, 2023, three customers of our oil and gas segment each accounted for at least 10%, and collectively 44%, of our sales (before the effects of hedging). For the year ended December 31, 2022, three customers of our oil and gas segment each accounted for at least 10%, and collectively accounted for 52%, of our sales (before the effects of hedging).

Recently Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes and Recently Issued but not Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes

Recently Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes

In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (FASB) issued improvements to the segment disclosure requirements primarily to enhance disclosure of significant segment expenses. The new disclosure requirements are applied retrospectively to all prior periods included in the financial statements. We adopted these new rules for the year ended December 31, 2024 adding Note 16 Segment Information.

In December 2023, the FASB issued improvements to the disclosure requirements for Income Taxes (ASC 740). The new disclosure requirements are to be applied on a prospective basis, but a retrospective application is permitted. We early adopted these rules for the year ended December 31, 2024, retrospectively presenting our income tax disclosures, as shown in Note 8 Income Taxes.

Recently Issued but not Adopted Accounting and Disclosure Changes

In November 2024, the FASB issued new disclosure requirements to enhance disclosure of certain costs and expenses. These new expense disclosures will apply to us. The rules are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026 and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, early adoption is permitted. We expect that the adoption of these rules will only impact our disclosures and have no impact to our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.

Fair Value Measurements

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorized in a three-level fair-value hierarchy, based on the inputs to the valuation techniques:

Level 1—using quoted prices in active markets for the assets or liabilities;

Level 2—using observable inputs other than quoted prices for the assets or liabilities; and

Level 3—using unobservable inputs.

Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the end of each reporting period. We apply the market approach for certain recurring fair value measurements, maximize our use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs. We generally use an income approach to measure fair value when observable inputs are unavailable. This approach utilizes management's judgments regarding expectations of projected cash flows and discount rates.

Commodity derivatives are carried at fair value. We utilize the mid-point between bid and ask prices for valuing these instruments. Our commodity derivatives comprise of over-the-counter bilateral financial commodity contracts, which are generally valued using industry-standard models that consider various inputs, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, credit risk and current market and contracted prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these inputs are observable data or are supported by observable prices based on transactions executed in the marketplace. We classify these measurements as Level 2.

Our PP&E may be written down to fair value if we determine that there has been an impairment. The fair value is determined as of the date of the assessment generally using discounted cash flow models based on management’s expectations for the future. Inputs include estimates of future production, prices based on commodity forward price curves, inclusive of market differentials, as of the date of the estimate, estimated future operating and development costs and a risk-adjusted discount rate.

The carrying amounts of cash and other on-balance sheet financial instruments, other than fixed-rate debt, approximate fair value. See Note 5 Debt for the fair value of our fixed-rate debt.

We may enter into joint ventures that are considered to be a variable interest entity (VIE). A VIE is a legal entity that possesses any of the following conditions: the entity's equity at risk is not sufficient to permit the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support, equity owners are unable to direct the activities that most significantly impact the legal entity's economic performance (or they possess disproportionate voting rights in relation to the economic interest in the legal entity), or the equity owners lack the obligation to absorb the legal entity's expected losses or the right to receive the legal entity's expected residual returns. We consolidate a VIE if we determine that we have (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are more than insignificant to the VIE. If an entity is determined to be a VIE but we do not have a controlling interest, the entity is accounted for under either the cost or equity method depending on whether we exercise significant influence. See Note 4 Investments and Related Party Transactions for more information on the Carbon TerraVault JV.

We also may enter into investments in entities that are considered to be voting interest entities (VOEs). A VOE is a legal entity that does not meet the conditions of a VIE as outlined above. We consolidate a VOE if we determine that we have a controlling financial interest in the VOE. If an entity is determined to be a VOE but we do not have a controlling financial interest, the entity is accounted for under either the cost or equity method, depending on the structure of the entity. See Note 4 Investments and Related Party Transactions for more information on our investment in the Midway Sunset Cogeneration Company.

These evaluations are highly complex and involve management judgment and may involve the use of estimates and assumptions based on available information. The evaluation requires continual assessment. Investments in unconsolidated entities are assessed for impairment whenever changes in the facts and circumstances indicate a loss in value may have occurred, which is other than temporary.

Business Combinations

We account for business combination in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification Topic 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805). Under the acquisition method of accounting in ASC 805, the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are measured as of their acquisition date fair value. Fair value is the price that we estimate would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

Accounting for business combinations requires the allocation of the purchase price to the various assets and liabilities of the acquired business and recording deferred taxes for any differences between the allocated values and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Any excess of the purchase price over the amounts assigned to assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. If the fair value of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed are greater than the purchase price, then a bargain purchase gain is recognized. Transaction and integration costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred.

Revenue Recognition

We derive substantially all of our revenue from sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs, with the remaining revenue generated from sales of electricity and marketing activities related to storage and managing excess pipeline capacity. Revenues are recognized when control of promised goods is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods. See Note 15 Revenue for more information on our revenue from contracts with customers.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash of $18 million, included in cash and cash equivalents on our consolidated balance sheet, at December 31, 2024 primarily includes funds held in an escrow account established to secure well and infrastructure abandonment and habitat restoration at an oil and gas field previously owned by Aera. Refer to Note 2 Aera Merger for more information. Funds will be released from the escrow account as work is completed. The Merger Agreement provides that 50% of the amount of released funds exceeds the cumulative abandonment and habitat restoration expenditures from January 1, 2024 onward is payable to the prior owners of Aera (Sellers). We do not expect this return of excess cash to be significant. We had no restricted cash at December 31, 2023.

Inventories

Materials and supplies, which primarily consist of well equipment and tubular goods used in oil and natural gas operations, are valued at weighted-average cost and are reviewed periodically for obsolescence. Finished goods are predominantly comprised of oil and natural gas liquids (NGLs), which are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value.

Assets Held for Sale

We may market certain non-core oil and natural gas assets or other properties for sale. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate if these assets should be classified as held for sale. The held for sale criteria includes the following: management commitment to a plan to sell, the asset is available for immediate sale, an active program to locate a buyer exists, the sale of the asset is probable and expected to be completed within one year, the asset is being actively marketed for sale and it is unlikely that significant changes will be made to the plan. If all of these criteria are met, the asset is presented as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet and measured at the lower of the carrying amount or estimated fair vale less costs to sell. DD&A expense is not recorded on assets once classified as held for sale.

Derivative Instruments

The fair value of our derivative contracts are netted when a legal right of offset exists with the same counterparty with an intent to offset. Since we did not apply hedge accounting to our commodity derivatives for any of the periods presented, we recognized fair value adjustments, on a net basis, in our consolidated statements of operations. Unless otherwise indicated, we use the term "hedge" to describe derivative instruments that are designed to achieve our hedging program goals, even though they are not accounted for as cash-flow or fair-value hedges.

Property, Plant and Equipment (PP&E)

We use the successful efforts method to account for our oil and natural gas properties. Under this method, we capitalize costs of acquiring properties, costs of drilling successful exploration wells and development costs. The costs of exploratory wells, including permitting, land preparation and drilling costs, are initially capitalized pending a determination of whether we find proved reserves. If we find proved reserves, the costs of exploratory wells remain capitalized. Otherwise, we charge the costs of the related wells to expense. In cases where we cannot determine whether we have found proved reserves at the completion of exploration drilling, we conduct additional testing and evaluation of the wells. We generally expense the costs of such exploratory wells if we do not find proved reserves within a one-year period after initial drilling has been completed.

Proved Reserves – Proved reserves are those quantities of oil and natural gas that, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible—from a specific date forward, from known reservoirs, and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations—prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. We have no proved oil and natural gas reserves for which the determination of economic producibility is subject to the completion of major capital investments.

Several factors could change our proved oil and natural gas reserves. For example, for long-lived properties, higher commodity prices typically result in additional reserves becoming economic and lower commodity prices may lead to existing reserves becoming uneconomic. Estimation of future production and development costs is also subject to change partially due to factors beyond our control, such as energy costs and inflation or deflation of oil field service costs. These factors, in turn, could lead to changes in the quantity of proved reserves. Additional factors that could result in a change of proved reserves include production decline rates and operating performance differing from those estimated when the proved reserves were initially recorded as well as availability of capital to implement the development activities contemplated in the reserves estimates and changes in management's plans with respect to such development activities.

We perform impairment tests with respect to proved properties when product prices decline other than temporarily, reserve estimates change significantly, other significant events occur or management's plans change with respect to these properties in a manner that may impact our ability to realize the recorded asset amounts. Impairment tests incorporate a number of assumptions involving expectations of undiscounted future cash flows, which can change significantly over time. These assumptions include estimates of future product prices, which we based on forward price curves and, when applicable, contractual prices, estimates of oil and natural gas reserves and estimates of future expected operating and development costs. Any impairment loss would be calculated as the excess of the asset's net book value over its estimated fair value. We recognize any impairment loss on proved properties by adjusting the carrying amount of the asset.

Unproved Properties – When we make acquisitions that include unproved properties, we assign values based on estimated reserves that we believe will ultimately be proved. As exploration and development work progresses and if reserves are proved, we transfer the book value from unproved to proved based on the initially determined acquisition cost per BOE. If the exploration and development work were to be unsuccessful, or management decided not to pursue development of these properties as a result of lower commodity prices, higher development and operating costs, regulatory changes, contractual conditions or other factors, the capitalized costs of the related properties would be expensed.

Impairments of unproved properties are primarily based on qualitative factors including intent of property development, lease term and recent development activity. The timing of impairments on unproved properties, if warranted, depends upon management's plans, the nature, timing and extent of future exploration and development activities and their results. We recognize any impairment loss on unproved properties by providing a valuation allowance.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization – We determine depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) of oil and natural gas producing properties by the unit-of-production method. Our unproved reserves are not subject to DD&A until they are classified as proved properties. We amortize acquisition costs over total proved reserves, and capitalized development and successful exploration costs over proved developed reserves. Our gas and power plant assets are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, using the straight-line method, with expected initial useful lives of the assets of up to 30 years. We depreciated other property and equipment using the straight-line method based on expected useful lives of the individual assets or group of assets. The useful lives typically include ranges of 4-10 years for leasehold improvements, 1-4 years for software and telecommunications equipment and up to 5 years for computer hardware.

We expense annual lease rentals, the costs of injection used in production and exploration, and geological, geophysical and seismic costs as incurred. Costs of maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, except that the costs of replacements that expand capacity or add proven oil and natural gas reserves are capitalized.

Stock-Based Incentive Plans

The terms of our long-term incentive plan were approved by our board of directors in January 2021.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is calculated as net income divided by the weighted average number of our common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of our common shares outstanding including the effect of dilutive potential common shares. We compute basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) using the two-class method required for participating securities, when applicable, and the treasury stock method when participating securities are not in place. Certain restricted and performance stock awards are considered participating securities when such shares have non-forfeitable dividend rights, which participate at the same rate as common stock.

Under the two-class method, net income allocated to participating securities is subtracted from net income attributable to common stock in determining net income available to common stockholders. In loss periods, no allocation is made to participating securities because the participating securities do not share in losses.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize the fair value of asset retirement obligations (ARO) in the period in which a determination is made that a legal obligation exists to dismantle an asset and reclaim or remediate the property at the end of its useful life and the cost of the obligation can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of the retirement obligation is based on future retirement cost estimates and incorporates many assumptions such as time of abandonment, current regulatory requirements, technological changes, future inflation rates and a risk-adjusted discount rate. When the liability is initially recorded, we capitalize the cost by increasing the related PP&E balances. If the estimated future cost or timing of cash flow changes, we adjust the fair value of the liability and PP&E. Over time the liability is increased, and expense is recognized for accretion. The cost capitalized to PP&E is recovered over either the useful life of our facilities or the unit-of-production method for our minerals.

We have asset retirement obligations for certain of our facilities, which includes plant and field decommissioning, and the plugging and abandonment of wells. In certain cases, we will recognize ARO in the periods in which sufficient information becomes available to reasonably estimate their fair values. Additionally, for certain plants, we do not have a legal obligation to decommission them and, accordingly, we have not recorded a liability.

Loss Contingencies

In the normal course of business, we are involved in lawsuits, claims and other environmental and legal proceedings and audits. We accrue reserves for these matters when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the liability can be reasonably estimated. In addition, we disclose, if material, in aggregate, our exposure to losses in excess of the amount recorded on the balance sheet for these matters if it is reasonably possible that an additional material loss may be incurred. We review our loss contingencies on an ongoing basis.

Loss contingencies are based on judgments made by management with respect to the likely outcome of these matters and are adjusted as appropriate. Management’s judgments could change based on new information, changes in, or interpretations of, laws or regulations, changes in management’s plans or intentions, opinions regarding the outcome of legal proceedings, or other factors.

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are recognized when it is more likely than not that they will be realized. We periodically assess our deferred tax assets and reduce such assets by a valuation allowance if we deem it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

We recognize the financial statement effects of tax positions when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination by a tax authority. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions as a component of the income tax provision. No interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions were recognized in the financial statements for the periods presented.

Production-Sharing Type Contracts

Our share of production and reserves from operations in the Wilmington field is subject to contractual arrangements similar to production-sharing contracts (PSCs) that are in effect through the economic life of the assets. Under such contracts we are obligated to fund all capital and operating costs. We record a share of production and reserves to recover a portion of such capital and operating costs and an additional share for profit. Our portion of the production represents volumes: (i) to recover our partners’ share of capital and operating costs that we incur on their behalf, (ii) for our share of contractually defined base production and (iii) for our share of remaining production thereafter. We generate returns through our defined share of production from (ii) and (iii) above. These contracts do not transfer any right of ownership to us and reserves reported from these arrangements are based on our economic interest as defined in the contracts. Our share of production and reserves from these contracts decreases when product prices rise and increases when prices decline, assuming comparable capital investment and operating costs. However, our net economic benefit is greater when product prices are higher. These PSCs represented approximately 12% and 18% of our total production for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

In line with industry practice for reporting PSCs, we report 100% of operating costs under such contracts in our consolidated statements of operations as opposed to reporting only our share of those costs. We report the proceeds from production designed to recover our partners' share of such costs (cost recovery) in our revenues. Our reported production volumes reflect only our share of the total volumes produced, including cost recovery, which is less than the total volumes produced under the PSCs. This difference in reporting full operating costs but only our net share of production equally inflates our revenue and operating costs per barrel and has no effect on our net results.

Pension and Postretirement Benefit Plans

All of our regular, full-time employees participate in postretirement benefit plans we sponsor. These plans are primarily funded as benefits are paid. In addition, a portion of our employees also participate in defined benefit pension plans sponsored by us. We recognize the net overfunded or underfunded amounts in the consolidated financial statements at each measurement date.

We determine our defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plan obligations based on various assumptions and discount rates. The discount rate assumptions used are meant to reflect the interest rate at which the obligations could effectively be settled on the measurement date. We estimate the rate of return on assets with regard to current market factors but within the context of historical returns.

Pension plan assets are measured at fair value. Publicly registered mutual funds are valued using quoted market prices in active markets. Commingled funds are valued at the fund units’ net asset value (NAV) provided by the issuer, which represents the quoted price in a non-active market.

Actuarial gains and losses that have not yet been recognized through income, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income within equity, net of taxes, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost.

Leases

We account for our leases in which we are the lessee, other than mineral leases including oil and natural gas leases, under an accounting standard which requires us to recognize most leases, including operating leases, on the balance sheet. The majority of our leases are for commercial office space, fleet vehicles, drilling rigs, easements and facilities. We categorize leases as either operating or financing at lease commencement. We recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and associated lease liability for each operating and finance lease with contractual terms of greater than 12 months on the balance sheet. In considering whether a contract contains a lease, we first consider whether there is an identifiable asset and then consider how and for what purpose the asset would be used over the contract term. Our ROU assets are measured at the initial amount of the lease liability determined by measuring the present value of the fixed minimum lease payments, adjusted for any payments made before or at the lease commencement date, discounted using our incremental borrowing rate (IBR). In determining our IBR, we consider the average cost of borrowing for publicly traded corporate bond yields, which are adjusted to reflect our credit rating, the remaining lease term for each class of our leases and frequency of payments.

The ROU assets for operating leases are amortized over the term of the lease using the straight-line method. Lease expense also includes accretion of the lease liability recognized using the effective interest method. ROU assets are tested for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets.

Share Repurchase Program

We repurchase shares of our common stock from time to time under a program authorized by our Board of Directors, including pursuant to a contract, instruction or written plan meeting requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) of the Exchange Act. Share repurchases have not been retired and are displayed separately as treasury stock on our consolidated balance sheet.

Government Grants

Our carbon business has been awarded government grants to assist in developing carbon capture and storage projects, including the evaluation of technology related to direct air capture and determining the suitability of certain reservoirs located in California for carbon storage. We will recognize the government funding as either a reduction of research expense or a reduction to the carrying amount of an asset where equipment is required to be constructed and used during the research period. Grant income is recognized when it is probable the cost will be recovered under the conditions of the agreement, generally when costs are incurred by us. The amounts presented as a reduction of research expenses included in other operating expenses, net in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2024 and on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2024 are not significant. No amounts have been recognized for asset related grants.