Fair Value Measurements (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

The fair values of financial instruments are estimated based upon current market conditions and quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments. Management estimates that the carrying value approximates fair value for all of our assets and liabilities that fall under the scope of ASC 825, Financial Instruments.

We apply the provisions of ASC 820, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for its measurement and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 applies to our interest rate and commodity derivatives that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The standard also requires that we assess the impact of nonperformance risk on our derivatives. Nonperformance risk is not considered material as of September 30, 2016.

ASC 820 requires disclosures that categorize assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market-corroborated inputs. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability reflecting our assumptions about pricing by market participants.

Over the counter ("OTC") commodity swaps and interest rate swaps and caps are generally valued using industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices, spot prices, interest rates, time value, volatility factors and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. The degree to which these inputs are observable in the forward markets determines the classification as Level 2 or 3. Our contracts are valued based on exchange pricing and/or price index developers such as Platts or Argus and are, therefore, classified as Level 2.

The fair value hierarchy for our financial assets accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was as follows (in thousands):



	As of September 30, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
OTC commodity swaps	—		88			—		88
Total assets	—		88			—		88
Liabilities
OTC commodity swaps	—		(279		)	—		(279		)
Net liabilities	$	—	$	(191	)	$	—	$	(191	)



	As of December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2			Level 3		Total
Assets
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—
OTC commodity swaps	—		171			—		171
Total assets	—		171			—		171
Liabilities
OTC commodity swaps	—		(45		)	—		(45		)
Net assets	$	—	$	126		$	—	$	126

The derivative values above are based on analysis of each contract as the fundamental unit of account as required by ASC 820. Derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty are not netted where the legal right of offset exists. This differs from the presentation in the financial statements which reflects our policy under the guidance of ASC 815-10-45, wherein we have elected to offset the fair value amounts recognized for multiple derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty where the legal right of offset exists.

As of September 30, 2016, a nominal amount of cash collateral was held by counterparty brokerage firms and has been netted with the net derivative positions with each counterparty. As of December 31, 2015, $0.8 million of cash collateral was held by counterparty brokerage firms.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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