Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, we, or our subsidiary, are subject to lawsuits, environmental and other claims and other contingencies that seek, or may seek, among other things, compensation for alleged personal injury, breach of contract, property damage or other losses, punitive damages, civil penalties, or injunctive or declaratory relief.

We accrue reserves for currently outstanding lawsuits, claims and proceedings when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the liability can be reasonably estimated. We have not recorded any reserve balances at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. We also evaluate the amount of reasonably possible losses that we could incur as a result of these matters. We believe that reasonably possible losses that we could incur in excess of reserves accrued on our balance sheet would not be material to our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

We, or our subsidiary, or both, have indemnified various parties against specific liabilities those parties might incur in the future in connection with transactions that they have entered into with us. As of December 31, 2019, we are not aware of material indemnity claims pending or threatened against us.

On May 11, 2016 our predecessor company filed the Chapter 11 Proceeding. Our bankruptcy case was jointly administered with that of Linn Energy and its affiliates under the caption In re Linn Energy, LLC, et al., Case No. 16-60040. On January 27, 2017, the Bankruptcy Court approved and confirmed the Plan. On February 28, 2017, the Effective Date occurred and the Plan became effective and was implemented. A final decree closing the Chapter 11 Proceeding was entered September 28, 2018, with the Court retaining jurisdiction as described in the confirmation order and without prejudice to the request of any party-in-interest to reopen the case including with respect to certain, immaterial remaining matters.

We have certain commitments under contracts, including purchase commitments for goods and services. We previously had an obligation to a counterparty in connection with our Piceance assets to either build a road or secure a license for alternative access, in lieu of paying a $6 million penalty. As of December 31, 2019, we fulfilled the obligation by delivering the access license pursuant to the agreement. The counterparty has since filed a claim challenging the sufficiency of such access.

In addition, we entered into certain firm commitments to secure transportation of our natural gas production to market as well as pipeline and processing capacity which require a minimum monthly charge regardless of whether the contracted capacity is used or not. We have also entered into operating lease agreements mainly for office space. Lease payments are generally expensed as part of general and administrative expenses. At December 31, 2019, future net minimum payments for non-cancelable purchase obligations and operating leases (excluding oil and natural gas and other mineral leases, utilities, taxes and insurance and maintenance expense) were as follows:



	2020		2021		2022		2023		2024		Thereafter		Total
	(in thousands)
Minimum purchase obligations⁽¹⁾	$	7,136	$	2,675	$	2,590	$	1,061	$	—	$	—	$	13,462
Minimum lease payments	$	1,723	$	1,731	$	1,740	$	1,647	$	1,420	$	3,708	$	11,969

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(1)	Amounts include payments which will become due under long-term agreements to purchase goods and services used in the normal course of business to secure transportation of our natural gas production to market as well as pipeline and processing capacity.