(4) Share-Based Compensation

Long-Term Incentive Plan — CVR Energy

CVR has a Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"), which permits the grant of options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted shares, restricted stock units, dividend equivalent rights, share awards and performance awards (including performance share units, performance units and performance-based restricted stock). As of December 31, 2017, only performance units under the LTIP remain outstanding. Individuals who are eligible to receive awards and grants under the LTIP include the Company's employees, officers, consultants, advisors and directors. A summary of the principal features of the LTIP is provided below.

Shares Available for Issuance. The LTIP authorizes a share pool of 7,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock, 1,000,000 of which may be issued in respect of incentive stock options. Whenever any outstanding award granted under the LTIP expires, is canceled, is settled in cash or is otherwise terminated for any reason without having been exercised or payment having been made in respect of the entire award, the number of shares available for issuance under the LTIP is increased by the number of shares previously allocable to the expired, canceled, settled or otherwise terminated portion of the award. As of December 31, 2017, 6,787,341 shares of common stock were available for issuance under the LTIP.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of restricted stock units activity and changes during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below:



	Restricted Shares		Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in millions)
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	48,011		$	45.89	$	1.9
Granted	—		—
Vested	(43,085	)	45.55
Forfeited	(4,327	)	47.68
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	599		$	57.23	$	—
Granted	—		—
Vested	(599	)	57.23
Forfeited	—		—
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	—		$	—	$	—

Through the LTIP, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units (collectively "restricted shares") were previously granted to employees of the Company. These restricted shares were generally graded-vesting awards, which vested over a three-year period. Compensation expense was recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective tranche of the award. The change of control of CVR Energy in 2012 triggered a modification to outstanding awards under the LTIP converting the awards to restricted stock units whereby the recipient received cash settlement of the offer price of $30.00 per share in cash plus one contingent cash payment right ("CCP") upon vesting. The CCPs expired on August 19, 2013. Restricted shares that vested in 2013, 2014 and 2015 were converted to restricted stock units whereby the awards were settled in cash upon vesting in an amount equal to the lesser of the offer price or the fair market value of the Company's common stock as determined at the most recent valuation date of December 31 of each year. The awards were remeasured at each subsequent reporting date until they vested.

In December 2012 and during 2013, restricted stock units and dividend equivalent rights were granted to certain employees of CVR. The awards vested over three years with one-third of the award vesting each year with the exception of awards granted to certain executive officers that vested over one year. The award granted in December 2012 to Mr. Lipinski, the Company's then Chief Executive Officer and President, was canceled in connection with the issuance of certain performance unit awards as discussed further below. Each restricted stock unit and dividend equivalent right represented the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to (i) the fair market value of one share of the Company's common stock, plus (ii) the cash value of all dividends declared and paid by the Company per share of the Company's common stock from the grant date to and including the vesting date. The awards, which were liability-classified, were remeasured each subsequent reporting date until they vested.

As of December 31, 2017, no restricted stock units were outstanding. Total compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to the restricted stock unit awards was nominal. Total compensation expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $0.8 million related to the restricted stock unit awards.

As of December 31, 2017, the Company had no liability for non-vested restricted stock unit awards and associated dividend equivalent rights. The liability as of December 31, 2016 was nominal. For the year ended December 31, 2017, no cash was paid to settle liability-classified restricted stock unit awards and dividend equivalent rights. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid cash of a nominal amount and $2.5 million, respectively, to settle liability-classified restricted stock unit awards and dividend equivalent rights upon vesting.

Performance Unit Awards

In December 2015, the Company entered into a performance unit award agreement (the "2015 Performance Unit Award Agreement") with Mr. Lipinski. The performance unit award of 3,500 performance units under the 2015 Performance Unit Award Agreement represents the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to $1,000 multiplied by the applicable performance factor. The performance factor is determined based on the level of attainment of the applicable performance objective, set forth as a percentage, which may range from 0-110%. Seventy-five percent of the performance units attributable to the award are subject to a performance objective relating to the average barrels per day crude throughput during the performance cycle, and 25% of the performance units attributable to the award are subject to a performance objective relating to the average gathered crude barrels per day during the performance cycle. The performance objectives are set in accordance with approved levels of the business plan for the fiscal year during the performance cycle and therefore are considered reasonably possible of being achieved. The amount paid pursuant to the award was paid during the first quarter of 2017. Both the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership reimbursed CVR Energy for their allocated portions of the performance unit award. Compensation cost for the 2015 Performance Unit Award Agreement of $3.5 million was recognized over the performance cycle from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

In December 2016, the Company entered into a performance unit award agreement (the "2016 Performance Unit Award Agreement") with Mr. Lipinski with terms substantially the same as the 2015 Performance Unit Award Agreement. The performance objectives are set in accordance with approved levels of the business plan for the fiscal year during the performance cycle and therefore are considered reasonably possible of being achieved. The amount paid pursuant to the award, if any, will be paid following the end of the performance cycle for the award, but no later than March 6, 2018. Both the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership are responsible for reimbursing CVR Energy for their allocated portions of the performance unit award. Compensation cost for the 2016 Performance Unit Award Agreement of $3.6 million was recognized over the performance cycle from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, the Company had an outstanding liability of $3.6 million related to the 2016 performance unit award.

On November 1, 2017, the Company entered into a performance unit agreement (the "2017 Performance Unit Agreement") with David Lamp, the Company's current Chief Executive Officer and President. Compensation cost for the 2017 Performance Unit Agreement will be recognized over the performance cycle from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018. The performance unit award of 1,500 performance units under the 2017 Performance Unit Agreement represents the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to $1,000 multiplied by the applicable performance factor. The performance factor is determined based on the level of attainment of the applicable performance objective, and both the performance factor and performance objective(s) will be determined by CVR Energy's compensation committee. The amount paid pursuant to the award, if any, will be paid following the end of the performance cycle for the award, but no later than March 6, 2019. Both the Refining Partnership and the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership are responsible for reimbursing CVR Energy for their allocated portions of the performance unit award. Assuming a target performance threshold and that the allocation of costs from CVR Energy remains consistent with the allocation percentages in place at December 31, 2017, there was approximately $1.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the 2017 Performance Unit Agreement to be recognized over a period of one year.

On November 1, 2017, the Company entered into a performance unit award agreement (the "2017 Performance Unit Award Agreement") with Mr. Lamp. The performance unit award represents the right to receive upon vesting, a cash payment equal to $10.0 million if the average closing price of CVR Energy's common stock over the 30-trading day period from January 4, 2022 to February 15, 2022 is equal to or greater than $60 per share. At December 31, 2017, there was approximately $10.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the 2017 Performance Unit Award Agreement to be recognized over a period of 4 years.

Long-Term Incentive Plan — CVR Partners

Common Units and Phantom Units

Individuals who are eligible to receive awards under the CVR Partners, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan ("CVR Partners LTIP") include (i) employees of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership and its subsidiaries, (ii) employees of its general partner, (iii) members of the board of directors of its general partner and (iv) employees, consultants and directors of CVR Energy. The CVR Partners LTIP provides for the grant of options, unit appreciation rights, distribution equivalent rights, restricted units, phantom units and other unit-based awards, each in respect of common units. The maximum number of common units issuable under the CVR Partners' LTIP is 5,000,000. As of December 31, 2017, there were 4,820,215 common units available for issuance under the CVR Partners LTIP.

Through the CVR Partners LTIP, phantom and common units have been awarded to employees of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership and its general partner and to members of the board of directors of its general partner. In 2015, 2016 and 2017, awards of phantom units and distribution equivalent rights were granted to certain employees of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership and its subsidiaries and its general partner. The awards are generally graded vesting awards, which are expected to vest over three years with one-third of the award vesting each year. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective tranche of the award. Each phantom unit and distribution equivalent right represents the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to (i) the average fair market value of one unit of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership's common units in accordance with the award agreement, plus (ii) the per unit cash value of all distributions declared and paid by the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership from the grant date to and including the vesting date. The awards, which are liability-classified, will be remeasured at each subsequent reporting date until they vest.

A summary of common units and phantom units (collectively "units") activity and changes under the CVR Partners LTIP during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below:



	Units		Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in millions)
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	243,946		$	11.07	$	2.4
Granted	245,199		7.87
Vested	(94,854	)	12.55
Forfeited	(2,388	)	10.99
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	391,903		$	8.71	$	3.1
Granted	680,718		6.20
Vested	(292,536	)	8.78
Forfeited	(8,299	)	8.72
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	771,786		$	6.47	$	4.6
Granted	780,372		3.48
Vested	(340,730	)	7.01
Forfeited	(23,222	)	6.49
Non-vested at December 31, 2017	1,188,206		$	4.35	$	3.9

As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $3.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the awards under the CVR Partners LTIP to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years. Total compensation expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 related to the awards under the CVR Partners LTIP was approximately $1.1 million, $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership had a liability of $0.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively, for cash-settled non-vested phantom unit awards and associated distribution equivalent rights, which is recorded in personnel accruals on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership paid cash of $1.4 million, $2.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively, to settle liability-classified awards and associated distribution equivalent rights upon vesting.

Performance-Based Phantom Units

In May 2014, the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership entered into a Phantom Unit Agreement with the Chief Executive Officer and President of its general partner that included performance-based phantom units and distribution equivalent rights. Compensation cost for these awards was recognized over the performance cycles of May 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015 and January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, as the services were provided. Each phantom unit and distribution equivalent right represents the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to (i) the average closing price of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership's common units in accordance with the award agreement, multiplied by a performance factor that is based upon the level of the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership’s production of UAN, and (ii) the per unit cash value of all distributions declared and paid by the Nitrogen Fertilizer Partnership from the grant date to and including the vesting date. Total compensation expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 related to the award was not material. As there were no remaining performance cycles related to these awards, there was no unrecognized compensation expense or liability associated with the phantom units at December 31, 2017.

On December 31, 2014, the first award of the Phantom Unit Agreement vested and a nominal amount was paid in 2015. On December 31, 2015, the second award of the Phantom Unit Agreement vested and a nominal amount was paid in 2016. On December 31, 2016, the third award of the Phantom Unit Agreement vested and nominal amount was paid in 2017. The award was fully vested at December 31, 2016 and the amount associated with the agreement was not material.

Long-Term Incentive Plan – CVR Refining

Individuals who are eligible to receive awards under the CVR Refining, LP Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "CVR Refining LTIP") include (i) employees of the Refining Partnership and its subsidiaries, (ii) employees of the general partner, (iii) members of the board of directors of the general partner and (iv) certain employees, consultants and directors of Coffeyville Resources, LLC ("CRLLC") and CVR Energy who perform services for the benefit of the Refining Partnership. The CVR Refining LTIP provides for the grant of options, unit appreciation rights, restricted units, phantom units, unit awards, substitute awards, other-unit based awards, cash awards, performance awards and distribution equivalent rights, each in respect of common units. The maximum number of common units issuable under the CVR Refining LTIP is 11,070,000. As the phantom unit awards discussed below are cash-settled awards, they did not reduce the number of common units available for issuance under the plan.

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, awards of phantom units and distribution equivalent rights were granted to employees of the Refining Partnership and its subsidiaries, its general partner and certain employees of CRLLC and CVR Energy who perform services solely for the benefit of the Refining Partnership. The awards are generally graded-vesting awards, which are expected to vest over three years with one-third of the award vesting each year. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective tranche of the award. Each phantom unit and distribution equivalent right represents the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to (i) the average fair market value of one unit of the Refining Partnership's common units in accordance with the award agreement, plus (ii) the per unit cash value of all distributions declared and paid by the Refining Partnership from the grant date to and including the vesting date. The awards, which are liability-classified, will be remeasured at each subsequent reporting date until they vest.

A summary of phantom unit activity and changes under the CVR Refining LTIP during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below:



	Phantom Units		Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in millions)
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	403,947		$	18.89	$	6.8
Granted	302,319		20.40
Vested	(136,531	)	19.26
Forfeited	(58,144	)	18.87
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	511,591		$	19.68	$	9.7
Granted	644,148		9.43
Vested	(218,351	)	19.78
Forfeited	(32,533	)	19.13
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	904,855		$	12.38	$	9.4
Granted	550,172		12.66
Vested	(349,921	)	13.42
Forfeited	(118,626	)	13.52
Non-vested at December 31, 2017	986,480		$	12.03	$	16.3

As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $13.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to the awards under the CVR Refining LTIP to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years. Total compensation expense recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 related to the awards under the CVR Refining LTIP was $7.4 million, $1.8 million and $4.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Refining Partnership had a liability of $3.7 million and $1.5 million, respectively, for non-vested phantom unit awards and associated distribution equivalent rights, which is recorded in personnel accruals on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Refining Partnership paid cash of $5.1 million, $2.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively, to settle liability-classified phantom unit awards and associated distribution equivalent rights upon vesting.

In December 2014, the Company granted an award of 227,927 incentive units in the form of SARs to an executive of CVR Energy. In April 2015, the award granted was canceled and replaced by an award of notional units in the form of SARs by CVR Refining pursuant to the CVR Refining LTIP. The replacement award is structured on the same economic and other terms as the incentive unit award and did not result in a material impact. Each SAR vests over three years and entitles the executive to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of one unit of the Refining Partnership's common units for the first ten trading days in the month prior to vesting over the grant price of the SAR. The fair value will be adjusted to include all distributions declared and paid by the Refining Partnership during the vesting period. The fair value of each SAR is estimated at the end of each reporting period using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions utilized to value the award have been omitted due to immateriality of the award. The SARs vested on December 1, 2017 and the awards had a fair value of zero as of December 31, 2017. Total compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and the liability related to the SARs as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 were not material.

Incentive Unit Awards

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company granted awards of incentive units and distribution equivalent rights to certain employees of CRLLC, CVR Energy and CVR GP, LLC. The awards are generally graded-vesting awards, which are expected to vest over three years with one-third of the award vesting each year. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the respective tranche of the award. Each incentive unit and distribution equivalent right represents the right to receive, upon vesting, a cash payment equal to (i) the average fair market value of one unit of the Refining Partnership's common units in accordance with the award agreement, plus (ii) the per unit cash value of all distributions declared and paid by the Refining Partnership from the grant date to and including the vesting date. The awards, which are liability-classified, will be remeasured at each subsequent reporting date until they vest.

A summary of incentive unit activity and changes during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is presented below:



	Incentive Units		Weighted- Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
					(in millions)
Non-vested at December 31, 2014	435,515		$	18.95	$	7.3
Granted	347,811		20.38
Vested	(160,120	)	19.33
Forfeited	(18,264	)	19.69
Non-vested at December 31, 2015	604,942		$	19.64	$	11.5
Granted	678,469		9.46
Vested	(256,016	)	19.69
Forfeited	(39,598	)	19.52
Non-vested at December 31, 2016	987,797		$	12.63	$	10.3
Granted	382,648		12.87
Vested	(371,731	)	14.14
Forfeited	(219,453	)	12.23
Non-vested at December 31, 2017	779,261		$	12.14	$	12.9

As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $10.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested incentive units to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.6 years. Total compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 related to the incentive units was $6.8 million, $2.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the Company had a liability of $3.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for non-vested incentive units and associated distribution equivalent rights, which is recorded in personnel accruals on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company paid cash of $5.5 million, $3.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively, to settle liability-classified incentive unit awards and associated distribution equivalent rights upon vesting.