Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Business. SandRidge Energy, Inc. is an oil and natural gas company with a principal focus on exploration and production activities in the Mid-Continent region of the United States. The Company owns and operates additional interests in west Texas. The Company also operates businesses and infrastructure systems that are complementary to its primary exploration and production activities, including gas gathering and processing facilities, marketing operations, a saltwater gathering and disposal system, an electrical transmission system and a drilling and related oil field services business. Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interest represents third-party ownership interests in the Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs and is included as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of changes in equity. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Variable Interest Entities. An entity is referred to as a VIE if it possesses one of the following criteria: (i) it is thinly capitalized, (ii) the residual equity holders do not control the entity, (iii) the equity holders are shielded from economic losses, (iv) the equity holders do not participate fully in the entity’s residual economics, or (v) the entity was established with non-substantive voting interests. The Company consolidates a VIE when it has determined it is the primary beneficiary, which requires significant judgment. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is that variable interest holder possessing a controlling financial interest through (i) its power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) its obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In order to determine whether the Company owns a variable interest in a VIE and the significance of the variable interest, the Company performs a qualitative analysis of the entity’s design, organizational structure, primary decision makers and related financial agreements. In addition to the VIEs that the Company consolidates, the Company also holds a variable interest in another VIE that is not consolidated as it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company monitors both consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs to determine if any events have occurred that could cause the primary beneficiary to change. See Note 4 for discussion of the Company’s significant associated VIEs. Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates include: oil, natural gas and NGL reserves; cash flow estimates used in impairment tests of long-lived assets; depreciation, depletion and amortization; asset retirement obligations; assignments of fair value and allocations of purchase price in connection with business combinations; determinations of significant alterations to the full cost pool and related estimates of fair value for allocations of divested oil and natural gas properties that result in substantial economic differences between the properties divested and the properties remaining; income taxes; valuation of derivative instruments; contingencies; and accrued revenue and related receivables. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ significantly. Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly-liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents as these instruments are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and bear insignificant risk of changes in value due to their short maturity period. Accounts Receivable, Net. The Company has receivables for sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs, as well as receivables related to the exploration, production and treating services for oil and natural gas. An allowance for doubtful accounts has been established based on management’s review of the collectability of the receivables in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the receivables and other subjective factors. Accounts receivable are charged against the allowance, upon approval by management, when they are deemed uncollectible. Refer to Note 6 for further information on the Company’s accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Certain of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company’s financial instruments, not otherwise recorded at fair value, consist primarily of cash, trade receivables, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash, trade receivables and trade payables are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. See Note 5 for further discussion of the Company’s fair value measurements. Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities. The Company also applies fair value accounting guidance to initially, or as events dictate, measure non-financial assets and liabilities such as those obtained through business acquisitions, property, plant and equipment and asset retirement obligations. These assets and liabilities are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances and are not subject to recurring revaluations. Fair value may be estimated using comparable market data, a discounted cash flow method, or a combination of the two as considered appropriate based on the circumstances. Under the discounted cash flow method, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s expectations for the future and include estimates of future oil and natural gas production or other applicable sales estimates, operational costs and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The Company may use the present value of estimated future cash inflows and/or outflows or third-party offers or prices of comparable assets with consideration of current market conditions to value its non-financial assets and liabilities when circumstances dictate determining fair value is necessary. Given the significance of the unobservable nature of a number of the inputs, these are considered Level 3 on the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 5. Derivative Financial Instruments. To manage risks related to fluctuations in prices attributable to its expected oil and natural gas production, the Company enters into oil and natural gas derivative contracts. The Company may also, from time to time, enter into interest rate swaps in order to manage risk associated with its exposure to variable interest rates. The Company recognizes its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings unless designated as a hedging instrument with specific hedge accounting criteria having been met. The Company has elected not to designate price risk management activities as accounting hedges under applicable accounting guidance, and, accordingly, accounts for its commodity derivative contracts at fair value with changes in fair value reported currently in earnings. The Company nets derivative assets and liabilities whenever it has a legally enforceable master netting agreement with the counterparty to a derivative contract. The related cash flow impact of the Company’s derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities unless the derivative contract contains a significant financing element, in which case, cash settlements are classified as cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 13 for further discussion of the Company’s derivatives. Oil and Natural Gas Operations. The Company uses the full cost method to account for its oil and natural gas properties. Under full cost accounting, all costs directly associated with the acquisition, exploration and development of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves are capitalized into a full cost pool. These capitalized costs include costs of all unproved properties and internal costs directly related to the Company’s acquisition, exploration and development activities and capitalized interest. The Company capitalized internal costs of $55.4 million, $74.7 million and $61.3 million to the full cost pool in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capitalized costs are amortized using the unit-of-production method. Under this method, depreciation and depletion is computed at the end of each quarter by multiplying total production for the quarter by a depletion rate. The depletion rate is determined by dividing the total unamortized cost base plus future development costs by net equivalent proved reserves at the beginning of the quarter. Costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from the amortizable cost base until a determination has been made as to the existence of proved reserves. Unproved properties are reviewed at the end of each quarter to determine whether the costs incurred should be reclassified to the full cost pool and, thereby, subjected to amortization. The costs associated with unproved properties relate primarily to costs to acquire unproved acreage. Unproved leasehold costs are transferred to the amortization base with the costs of drilling the related well upon determination of the existence of proved reserves or upon impairment of a lease. All items classified as unproved property are assessed, on an individual basis or as a group if properties are individually insignificant, on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; drilling results and activity; assignment of proved reserves; and economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and become subject to amortization. Costs of seismic data are allocated to various unproved leaseholds and transferred to the amortization base with the associated leasehold costs on a specific project basis. Under the full cost method of accounting, total capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment, less related deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the present value of future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at 10% per annum, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties, plus estimated salvage value, less the related tax effects (the “ceiling limitation”). A ceiling limitation calculation is performed at the end of each quarter. If total capitalized costs, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment, less related deferred taxes are greater than the ceiling limitation, a write-down or impairment of the full cost pool is required. A write-down of the carrying value of the full cost pool is a non-cash charge that reduces earnings and impacts stockholders’ equity in the period of occurrence and typically results in lower depreciation and depletion expense in future periods. Once incurred, a write-down is not reversible at a later date. The ceiling limitation calculation is prepared using the 12-month oil and natural gas average price for the most recent 12 months as of the balance sheet date and as adjusted for basis or location differentials, held constant over the life of the reserves (“net wellhead prices”). If applicable, these net wellhead prices would be further adjusted to include the effects of any fixed price arrangements for the sale of oil and natural gas. Derivative contracts that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges are included in estimated future cash flows, although the Company historically has not designated any of its derivative contracts as cash flow hedges and has therefore not included its derivative contracts in estimating future cash flows. The future cash outflows associated with future development or abandonment of wells are included in the computation of the discounted present value of future net revenues for purposes of the ceiling limitation calculation. Sales and abandonments of oil and natural gas properties being amortized are accounted for as adjustments to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless the adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. A significant alteration would not ordinarily be expected to occur upon the sale of reserves involving less than 25% of the proved reserve quantities of a cost center. Property, Plant and Equipment, Net. Other capitalized costs, including drilling equipment, natural gas gathering and treating equipment, transportation equipment and other property and equipment are carried at cost. Renewals and improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are expensed. Depreciation of such property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 10 to 39 years for buildings and 3 to 30 years for equipment. When property and equipment components are disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Realization of the carrying value of property and equipment is reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such asset may not be recoverable. Assets are considered to be impaired if a forecast of undiscounted estimated future net operating cash flows directly related to the asset or asset group including disposal value, if any, is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group. If an asset or asset group is considered to be impaired, the impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. See Note 8 for further discussion of impairments. Capitalized Interest. Interest is capitalized on assets being made ready for use using a weighted average interest rate based on the Company’s borrowings outstanding during that time. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, interest of approximately $14.7 million, $11.7 million and $10.1 million, respectively, was capitalized on unproved properties that were not currently being depreciated or depleted and on which exploration activities were in progress. Additionally, interest of $5.0 million, $4.9 million and $4.7 million was capitalized in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, on midstream and corporate assets which were under construction. Debt Issuance Costs. The Company amortizes debt issuance costs related to its long-term debt as interest expense over the scheduled maturity period of the related debt. The Company includes unamortized debt issuance costs in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Upon retirement of debt, any unamortized costs are written off and included in the determination of the gain or loss on extinguishment of debt. Restricted Deposits. Restricted deposits represent bank trust and escrow accounts required by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, surety bond underwriters, purchase agreements or other settlement agreements to satisfy the Company’s eventual responsibility to plug and abandon wells and remove structures when certain offshore fields are no longer in use. Such restricted deposits are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. The Company did not have restricted deposits as of December 31, 2014. Goodwill. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company impaired goodwill previously recorded and assigned to its exploration and production segment in conjunction with an acquisition in 2010. See Note 8 for further discussion of the goodwill impairment test performed. Investments. Investments in marketable equity securities have been designated as available for sale and measured at fair value pursuant to the fair value option which requires unrealized gains and losses be reported in earnings. Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company owns oil and natural gas properties that require expenditures to plug, abandon and remediate wells at the end of their productive lives, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Liabilities for these asset retirement obligations are recorded in the period in which the liability is incurred (at the time the wells are drilled or acquired) at the estimated present value at the asset’s inception, with the offsetting increase to property cost. These property costs are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis within the full cost pool. The liability accretes each period until it is settled or the well is sold, at which time the liability is removed. Both the accretion and the depreciation are included in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company determines its asset retirement obligations by calculating the present value of estimated expenses related to the liability. Estimating future asset retirement obligations requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding timing, existence of a liability and what constitutes adequate restoration. Inherent in the present value calculation rates are the timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments, which are subject to change. See Note 14 for further discussion of the Company’s asset retirement obligations. In certain instances, the Company may be required to maintain deposits to escrow accounts for future plugging and abandonment obligations. See Restricted Deposits discussed above. Revenue Recognition and Natural Gas Balancing. Sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs are recorded when title of oil, natural gas and NGL production passes to the customer, net of royalties, discounts and allowances, as applicable. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on oil, natural gas and NGL sales are presented separately from such revenues and included in production tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company accounts for natural gas production imbalances using the sales method, whereby it recognizes revenue on all natural gas sold to its customers notwithstanding the fact that its ownership may be less than 100% of the natural gas sold. Liabilities are recorded for imbalances greater than the Company’s proportionate share of remaining estimated natural gas reserves. The Company has recorded a liability for natural gas imbalance positions related to natural gas properties with insufficient proved reserves of $1.4 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company includes the gas imbalance positions in other long-term obligations in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company accounted for its construction contract, discussed in Note 11, using the completed-contract method, under which contract revenues and costs are recognized when work under the contract is completed or substantially completed and assets have been transferred. In the interim, costs incurred on and billings related to contracts in process are accumulated on the balance sheet. Contract losses are recorded at the time it is determined that a loss will be incurred. Contract gains, if any, are recorded upon substantial completion of the construction project. The Company recognizes revenues and expenses generated from daywork and footage drilling contracts as the services are performed as the Company does not bear the risk of completion of the well. The Company may receive lump-sum fees for the mobilization of equipment and personnel. Mobilization fees received and costs incurred to mobilize a rig from one location to another are recognized at the time mobilization services are performed. In general, natural gas purchased and sold by the midstream business is priced at a published daily or monthly index price. Sales to wholesale customers typically incorporate a premium for managing their transmission and balancing requirements. Midstream services revenues are recognized upon delivery of natural gas to customers and/or when services are rendered, pricing is determined and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues from third-party midstream services are presented on a gross basis, since the Company acts as a principal by taking ownership of the natural gas purchased and taking responsibility of fulfillment for natural gas volumes sold. Stock-Based Compensation. The Company grants restricted stock awards to members of its Board of Directors (the “Board”) and its employees. Such awards and the related stock-based compensation cost are measured based on the calculated fair value of the award on the grant date. The expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award. To the extent stock-based compensation cost relates to employees directly involved in exploration and development activities, such amounts are capitalized to oil and natural gas properties. Amounts not capitalized are recognized as general and administrative expense, production expense, cost of sales and midstream and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The related excess tax benefit received upon vesting of restricted stock, if any, is reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows as a financing activity. The related excess tax expense due upon vesting of restricted stock, if any, is reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows as an operating activity. Performance Unit Compensation. The Company awards performance units, which contain a market-based performance component with cash settlement at the end of the performance period, to certain members of senior management. The Company recognizes a liability and expense for performance unit compensation for the portion earned over the requisite service period in an amount equal to the fair value of the performance units granted. Changes in the fair value of the units for which service has been met are recognized as compensation expense with a corresponding adjustment to the liability. To the extent performance unit compensation cost relates to those directly involved in exploration and development activities, such amounts are capitalized to oil and natural gas properties. Amounts not capitalized are recognized as general and administrative expense, production expense, cost of sales and midstream and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Advertising Costs. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising and promotional costs were $1.3 million, $5.1 million, and $11.8 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities reported for financial statement purposes and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is deemed more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has elected an accounting policy in which interest and penalties on income taxes are presented as a component of the income tax provision, rather than as a component of interest expense. Interest and penalties resulting from the underpayment or the late payment of income taxes due to a taxing authority and interest and penalties accrued relating to income tax contingencies, if any, are presented, on a net of tax basis, as a component of the income tax provision. Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities for the diluted earnings per share calculation consist of unvested restricted stock awards, using the treasury method, and convertible preferred stock. When a loss exists, all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. See Note 19 for the Company’s earnings per share calculation. Commitments and Contingencies. Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation or other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate, depending on future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefit are expensed. Liabilities related to future costs are recorded on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments and/or remediation activities are probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. See Note 15 for discussion of the Company’s commitments and contingencies. Concentration of Risk. All of the Company’s derivative transactions have been carried out in the over-the-counter market. The entry into derivative transactions in the over-the-counter market involves the risk that the counterparties may be unable to meet the financial terms of the transactions. The counterparties for all of the Company’s derivative transactions have an “investment grade” credit rating. The Company monitors on an ongoing basis the credit ratings of its derivative counterparties and considers its counterparties’ credit default risk ratings in determining the fair value of its derivative contracts. The Company’s derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize its exposure to any individual counterparty. A default by the Company under its senior secured revolving credit facility (the “senior credit facility”) constitutes a default under its derivative contracts with counterparties that are lenders under the senior credit facility. The Company does not require collateral or other security from counterparties to support derivative instruments. The Company has master netting agreements with all of its derivative counterparties, which allow the Company to net its derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty. As a result of the netting provisions, the Company’s maximum amount of loss under derivative transactions due to credit risk is limited to the net amounts due from the counterparties under the derivative contracts. The Company’s loss is further limited as any amounts due from a defaulting counterparty that is a lender under the senior credit facility can be offset against amounts owed, if any, to such counterparty under the Company’s senior credit facility. The Company operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, the Company makes full payment for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other working interest owners in the property for their share of those costs. The Company’s joint interest partners consist primarily of independent oil and natural gas producers. If the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry in general was adversely affected, the ability of the joint interest partners to reimburse the Company could be adversely affected. The purchasers of the Company’s oil, natural gas and NGL production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas pipeline companies. See Note 22 for information regarding the Company’s major customers. The Company believes alternate purchasers are available in its areas of operations and does not believe the loss of any one purchaser would materially affect the Company’s ability to sell the oil, natural gas and NGLs it produces. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”, which amends the definition of a discontinued operations to elevate the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires entities to provide additional disclosures for disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued operations criteria. The guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (except disposals classified as held for sale before the adoption date) or components initially classified as held for sale in periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be adopted January 1, 2015 and the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on its classification of future dispositions as discontinued operations. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Certain of the provisions also amend or supersede existing guidance applicable to the recognition of a gain or loss on transfers of nonfinancial assets that are not an output of an entity’s ordinary activities, including sales of property, plant and equipment and real estate. The requirements of the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period with an option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach for adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if “conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.” The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its related disclosures. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis," which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model, affecting all reporting entities involved with limited partnerships or similar entities, particularly industries such as the oil and gas, transportation and real estate sectors. In addition to reducing the number of consolidation models from four to two, the guidance simplifies and improves current guidance by placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest and reducing the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a VIE. The requirements of the guidance are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Business. SandRidge Energy, Inc. is an oil and natural gas company with a principal focus on exploration and production activities in the Mid-Continent region of the United States. The Company owns and operates additional interests in west Texas. The Company also operates businesses and infrastructure systems that are complementary to its primary exploration and production activities, including gas gathering and processing facilities, marketing operations, a saltwater gathering and disposal system, an electrical transmission system and a drilling and related oil field services business.

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned or majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIEs”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Noncontrolling interest represents third-party ownership interests in the Company’s subsidiaries and consolidated VIEs and is included as a component of equity in the consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of changes in equity. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Variable Interest Entities. An entity is referred to as a VIE if it possesses one of the following criteria: (i) it is thinly capitalized, (ii) the residual equity holders do not control the entity, (iii) the equity holders are shielded from economic losses, (iv) the equity holders do not participate fully in the entity’s residual economics, or (v) the entity was established with non-substantive voting interests. The Company consolidates a VIE when it has determined it is the primary beneficiary, which requires significant judgment. The primary beneficiary of a VIE is that variable interest holder possessing a controlling financial interest through (i) its power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (ii) its obligation to absorb losses or its right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. In order to determine whether the Company owns a variable interest in a VIE and the significance of the variable interest, the Company performs a qualitative analysis of the entity’s design, organizational structure, primary decision makers and related financial agreements. In addition to the VIEs that the Company consolidates, the Company also holds a variable interest in another VIE that is not consolidated as it was determined that the Company is not the primary beneficiary. The Company monitors both consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs to determine if any events have occurred that could cause the primary beneficiary to change. See Note 4 for discussion of the Company’s significant associated VIEs.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

The more significant areas requiring the use of assumptions, judgments and estimates include: oil, natural gas and NGL reserves; cash flow estimates used in impairment tests of long-lived assets; depreciation, depletion and amortization; asset retirement obligations; assignments of fair value and allocations of purchase price in connection with business combinations; determinations of significant alterations to the full cost pool and related estimates of fair value for allocations of divested oil and natural gas properties that result in substantial economic differences between the properties divested and the properties remaining; income taxes; valuation of derivative instruments; contingencies; and accrued revenue and related receivables. Although management believes these estimates are reasonable, actual results could differ significantly.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly-liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents as these instruments are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and bear insignificant risk of changes in value due to their short maturity period.

Accounts Receivable, Net. The Company has receivables for sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs, as well as receivables related to the exploration, production and treating services for oil and natural gas. An allowance for doubtful accounts has been established based on management’s review of the collectability of the receivables in light of historical experience, the nature and volume of the receivables and other subjective factors. Accounts receivable are charged against the allowance, upon approval by management, when they are deemed uncollectible. Refer to Note 6 for further information on the Company’s accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Certain of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value. Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The Company’s financial instruments, not otherwise recorded at fair value, consist primarily of cash, trade receivables, trade payables and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash, trade receivables and trade payables are considered to be representative of their respective fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments. See Note 5 for further discussion of the Company’s fair value measurements.

Fair Value of Non-financial Assets and Liabilities. The Company also applies fair value accounting guidance to initially, or as events dictate, measure non-financial assets and liabilities such as those obtained through business acquisitions, property, plant and equipment and asset retirement obligations. These assets and liabilities are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances and are not subject to recurring revaluations. Fair value may be estimated using comparable market data, a discounted cash flow method, or a combination of the two as considered appropriate based on the circumstances. Under the discounted cash flow method, estimated future cash flows are based on management’s expectations for the future and include estimates of future oil and natural gas production or other applicable sales estimates, operational costs and a risk-adjusted discount rate. The Company may use the present value of estimated future cash inflows and/or outflows or third-party offers or prices of comparable assets with consideration of current market conditions to value its non-financial assets and liabilities when circumstances dictate determining fair value is necessary. Given the significance of the unobservable nature of a number of the inputs, these are considered Level 3 on the fair value hierarchy discussed in Note 5.

Derivative Financial Instruments. To manage risks related to fluctuations in prices attributable to its expected oil and natural gas production, the Company enters into oil and natural gas derivative contracts. The Company may also, from time to time, enter into interest rate swaps in order to manage risk associated with its exposure to variable interest rates.

The Company recognizes its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings unless designated as a hedging instrument with specific hedge accounting criteria having been met. The Company has elected not to designate price risk management activities as accounting hedges under applicable accounting guidance, and, accordingly, accounts for its commodity derivative contracts at fair value with changes in fair value reported currently in earnings. The Company nets derivative assets and liabilities whenever it has a legally enforceable master netting agreement with the counterparty to a derivative contract. The related cash flow impact of the Company’s derivative activities are reflected as cash flows from operating activities unless the derivative contract contains a significant financing element, in which case, cash settlements are classified as cash flows from financing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 13 for further discussion of the Company’s derivatives.

Oil and Natural Gas Operations. The Company uses the full cost method to account for its oil and natural gas properties. Under full cost accounting, all costs directly associated with the acquisition, exploration and development of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves are capitalized into a full cost pool. These capitalized costs include costs of all unproved properties and internal costs directly related to the Company’s acquisition, exploration and development activities and capitalized interest. The Company capitalized internal costs of $55.4 million, $74.7 million and $61.3 million to the full cost pool in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Capitalized costs are amortized using the unit-of-production method. Under this method, depreciation and depletion is computed at the end of each quarter by multiplying total production for the quarter by a depletion rate. The depletion rate is determined by dividing the total unamortized cost base plus future development costs by net equivalent proved reserves at the beginning of the quarter.

Costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from the amortizable cost base until a determination has been made as to the existence of proved reserves. Unproved properties are reviewed at the end of each quarter to determine whether the costs incurred should be reclassified to the full cost pool and, thereby, subjected to amortization. The costs associated with unproved properties relate primarily to costs to acquire unproved acreage. Unproved leasehold costs are transferred to the amortization base with the costs of drilling the related well upon determination of the existence of proved reserves or upon impairment of a lease. All items classified as unproved property are assessed, on an individual basis or as a group if properties are individually insignificant, on a quarterly basis for possible impairment or reduction in value. The assessment includes consideration of various factors, including, but not limited to, the following: intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; drilling results and activity; assignment of proved reserves; and economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate an impairment, all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and become subject to amortization. Costs of seismic data are allocated to various unproved leaseholds and transferred to the amortization base with the associated leasehold costs on a specific project basis.

Under the full cost method of accounting, total capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment, less related deferred income taxes may not exceed an amount equal to the present value of future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at 10% per annum, plus the lower of cost or fair value of unproved properties, plus estimated salvage value, less the related tax effects (the “ceiling limitation”). A ceiling limitation calculation is performed at the end of each quarter. If total capitalized costs, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment, less related deferred taxes are greater than the ceiling limitation, a write-down or impairment of the full cost pool is required. A write-down of the carrying value of the full cost pool is a non-cash charge that reduces earnings and impacts stockholders’ equity in the period of occurrence and typically results in lower depreciation and depletion expense in future periods. Once incurred, a write-down is not reversible at a later date.

The ceiling limitation calculation is prepared using the 12-month oil and natural gas average price for the most recent 12 months as of the balance sheet date and as adjusted for basis or location differentials, held constant over the life of the reserves (“net wellhead prices”). If applicable, these net wellhead prices would be further adjusted to include the effects of any fixed price arrangements for the sale of oil and natural gas. Derivative contracts that qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges are included in estimated future cash flows, although the Company historically has not designated any of its derivative contracts as cash flow hedges and has therefore not included its derivative contracts in estimating future cash flows. The future cash outflows associated with future development or abandonment of wells are included in the computation of the discounted present value of future net revenues for purposes of the ceiling limitation calculation.

Sales and abandonments of oil and natural gas properties being amortized are accounted for as adjustments to the full cost pool, with no gain or loss recognized, unless the adjustments would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved oil, natural gas and NGL reserves. A significant alteration would not ordinarily be expected to occur upon the sale of reserves involving less than 25% of the proved reserve quantities of a cost center.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net. Other capitalized costs, including drilling equipment, natural gas gathering and treating equipment, transportation equipment and other property and equipment are carried at cost. Renewals and improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are expensed. Depreciation of such property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 10 to 39 years for buildings and 3 to 30 years for equipment. When property and equipment components are disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.

Realization of the carrying value of property and equipment is reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such asset may not be recoverable. Assets are considered to be impaired if a forecast of undiscounted estimated future net operating cash flows directly related to the asset or asset group including disposal value, if any, is less than the carrying amount of the asset or asset group. If an asset or asset group is considered to be impaired, the impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. See Note 8 for further discussion of impairments.

Capitalized Interest. Interest is capitalized on assets being made ready for use using a weighted average interest rate based on the Company’s borrowings outstanding during that time. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, interest of approximately $14.7 million, $11.7 million and $10.1 million, respectively, was capitalized on unproved properties that were not currently being depreciated or depleted and on which exploration activities were in progress. Additionally, interest of $5.0 million, $4.9 million and $4.7 million was capitalized in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, on midstream and corporate assets which were under construction.

Debt Issuance Costs. The Company amortizes debt issuance costs related to its long-term debt as interest expense over the scheduled maturity period of the related debt. The Company includes unamortized debt issuance costs in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Upon retirement of debt, any unamortized costs are written off and included in the determination of the gain or loss on extinguishment of debt.

Restricted Deposits. Restricted deposits represent bank trust and escrow accounts required by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, surety bond underwriters, purchase agreements or other settlement agreements to satisfy the Company’s eventual responsibility to plug and abandon wells and remove structures when certain offshore fields are no longer in use. Such restricted deposits are included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013. The Company did not have restricted deposits as of December 31, 2014.

Goodwill. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company impaired goodwill previously recorded and assigned to its exploration and production segment in conjunction with an acquisition in 2010. See Note 8 for further discussion of the goodwill impairment test performed.

Investments. Investments in marketable equity securities have been designated as available for sale and measured at fair value pursuant to the fair value option which requires unrealized gains and losses be reported in earnings.

Asset Retirement Obligations. The Company owns oil and natural gas properties that require expenditures to plug, abandon and remediate wells at the end of their productive lives, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Liabilities for these asset retirement obligations are recorded in the period in which the liability is incurred (at the time the wells are drilled or acquired) at the estimated present value at the asset’s inception, with the offsetting increase to property cost. These property costs are depreciated on a unit-of-production basis within the full cost pool. The liability accretes each period until it is settled or the well is sold, at which time the liability is removed. Both the accretion and the depreciation are included in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company determines its asset retirement obligations by calculating the present value of estimated expenses related to the liability. Estimating future asset retirement obligations requires management to make estimates and judgments regarding timing, existence of a liability and what constitutes adequate restoration. Inherent in the present value calculation rates are the timing of settlement and changes in the legal, regulatory, environmental and political environments, which are subject to change. See Note 14 for further discussion of the Company’s asset retirement obligations.

In certain instances, the Company may be required to maintain deposits to escrow accounts for future plugging and abandonment obligations. See Restricted Deposits discussed above.

Revenue Recognition and Natural Gas Balancing. Sales of oil, natural gas and NGLs are recorded when title of oil, natural gas and NGL production passes to the customer, net of royalties, discounts and allowances, as applicable. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities on oil, natural gas and NGL sales are presented separately from such revenues and included in production tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company accounts for natural gas production imbalances using the sales method, whereby it recognizes revenue on all natural gas sold to its customers notwithstanding the fact that its ownership may be less than 100% of the natural gas sold. Liabilities are recorded for imbalances greater than the Company’s proportionate share of remaining estimated natural gas reserves. The Company has recorded a liability for natural gas imbalance positions related to natural gas properties with insufficient proved reserves of $1.4 million and $2.6 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The Company includes the gas imbalance positions in other long-term obligations in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company accounted for its construction contract, discussed in Note 11, using the completed-contract method, under which contract revenues and costs are recognized when work under the contract is completed or substantially completed and assets have been transferred. In the interim, costs incurred on and billings related to contracts in process are accumulated on the balance sheet. Contract losses are recorded at the time it is determined that a loss will be incurred. Contract gains, if any, are recorded upon substantial completion of the construction project.

The Company recognizes revenues and expenses generated from daywork and footage drilling contracts as the services are performed as the Company does not bear the risk of completion of the well. The Company may receive lump-sum fees for the mobilization of equipment and personnel. Mobilization fees received and costs incurred to mobilize a rig from one location to another are recognized at the time mobilization services are performed.

In general, natural gas purchased and sold by the midstream business is priced at a published daily or monthly index price. Sales to wholesale customers typically incorporate a premium for managing their transmission and balancing requirements. Midstream services revenues are recognized upon delivery of natural gas to customers and/or when services are rendered, pricing is determined and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues from third-party midstream services are presented on a gross basis, since the Company acts as a principal by taking ownership of the natural gas purchased and taking responsibility of fulfillment for natural gas volumes sold.

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company grants restricted stock awards to members of its Board of Directors (the “Board”) and its employees. Such awards and the related stock-based compensation cost are measured based on the calculated fair value of the award on the grant date. The expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award. To the extent stock-based compensation cost relates to employees directly involved in exploration and development activities, such amounts are capitalized to oil and natural gas properties. Amounts not capitalized are recognized as general and administrative expense, production expense, cost of sales and midstream and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The related excess tax benefit received upon vesting of restricted stock, if any, is reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows as a financing activity. The related excess tax expense due upon vesting of restricted stock, if any, is reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows as an operating activity.

Performance Unit Compensation. The Company awards performance units, which contain a market-based performance component with cash settlement at the end of the performance period, to certain members of senior management. The Company recognizes a liability and expense for performance unit compensation for the portion earned over the requisite service period in an amount equal to the fair value of the performance units granted. Changes in the fair value of the units for which service has been met are recognized as compensation expense with a corresponding adjustment to the liability. To the extent performance unit compensation cost relates to those directly involved in exploration and development activities, such amounts are capitalized to oil and natural gas properties. Amounts not capitalized are recognized as general and administrative expense, production expense, cost of sales and midstream and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Advertising Costs. The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Advertising and promotional costs were $1.3 million, $5.1 million, and $11.8 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Income Taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities reported for financial statement purposes and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is deemed more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company has elected an accounting policy in which interest and penalties on income taxes are presented as a component of the income tax provision, rather than as a component of interest expense. Interest and penalties resulting from the underpayment or the late payment of income taxes due to a taxing authority and interest and penalties accrued relating to income tax contingencies, if any, are presented, on a net of tax basis, as a component of the income tax provision.

Earnings per Share. Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding, which includes the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities for the diluted earnings per share calculation consist of unvested restricted stock awards, using the treasury method, and convertible preferred stock. When a loss exists, all potentially dilutive securities are anti-dilutive and are therefore excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share. See Note 19 for the Company’s earnings per share calculation.

Commitments and Contingencies. Liabilities for loss contingencies arising from claims, assessments, litigation or other sources are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized, as appropriate, depending on future economic benefit. Expenditures that relate to an existing condition caused by past operations and that have no future economic benefit are expensed. Liabilities related to future costs are recorded on an undiscounted basis when environmental assessments and/or remediation activities are probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. See Note 15 for discussion of the Company’s commitments and contingencies.

Concentration of Risk. All of the Company’s derivative transactions have been carried out in the over-the-counter market. The entry into derivative transactions in the over-the-counter market involves the risk that the counterparties may be unable to meet the financial terms of the transactions. The counterparties for all of the Company’s derivative transactions have an “investment grade” credit rating. The Company monitors on an ongoing basis the credit ratings of its derivative counterparties and considers its counterparties’ credit default risk ratings in determining the fair value of its derivative contracts. The Company’s derivative contracts are with multiple counterparties to minimize its exposure to any individual counterparty.

A default by the Company under its senior secured revolving credit facility (the “senior credit facility”) constitutes a default under its derivative contracts with counterparties that are lenders under the senior credit facility. The Company does not require collateral or other security from counterparties to support derivative instruments. The Company has master netting agreements with all of its derivative counterparties, which allow the Company to net its derivative assets and liabilities with the same counterparty. As a result of the netting provisions, the Company’s maximum amount of loss under derivative transactions due to credit risk is limited to the net amounts due from the counterparties under the derivative contracts. The Company’s loss is further limited as any amounts due from a defaulting counterparty that is a lender under the senior credit facility can be offset against amounts owed, if any, to such counterparty under the Company’s senior credit facility.

The Company operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, the Company makes full payment for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other working interest owners in the property for their share of those costs. The Company’s joint interest partners consist primarily of independent oil and natural gas producers. If the oil and natural gas exploration and production industry in general was adversely affected, the ability of the joint interest partners to reimburse the Company could be adversely affected.

The purchasers of the Company’s oil, natural gas and NGL production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas pipeline companies. See Note 22 for information regarding the Company’s major customers. The Company believes alternate purchasers are available in its areas of operations and does not believe the loss of any one purchaser would materially affect the Company’s ability to sell the oil, natural gas and NGLs it produces.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. In April 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”, which amends the definition of a discontinued operations to elevate the threshold for a disposal transaction to qualify as a discontinued operation and requires entities to provide additional disclosures for disposal transactions that do not meet the discontinued operations criteria. The guidance is effective prospectively for all disposals (except disposals classified as held for sale before the adoption date) or components initially classified as held for sale in periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014, with early adoption permitted. The guidance will be adopted January 1, 2015 and the Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on its classification of future dispositions as discontinued operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Certain of the provisions also amend or supersede existing guidance applicable to the recognition of a gain or loss on transfers of nonfinancial assets that are not an output of an entity’s ordinary activities, including sales of property, plant and equipment and real estate. The requirements of the guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period with an option of using either a full retrospective or a modified approach for adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which provides guidance on determining when and how to disclose going-concern uncertainties in the financial statements. The new standard requires management to perform interim and annual assessments of an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year of the date the financial statements are issued. An entity must provide certain disclosures if “conditions or events raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern.” The guidance is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect the guidance will have on its related disclosures.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis," which makes changes to both the variable interest model and the voting model, affecting all reporting entities involved with limited partnerships or similar entities, particularly industries such as the oil and gas, transportation and real estate sectors. In addition to reducing the number of consolidation models from four to two, the guidance simplifies and improves current guidance by placing more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest and reducing the frequency of the application of related-party guidance when determining a controlling financial interest in a VIE. The requirements of the guidance are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect, if any, that the updated standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.