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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation and Reporting
Principles of Consolidation and Reporting.    Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of EPM and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements for the previous year include certain reclassifications that were made to conform to the current presentation. Such reclassifications have no impact on previously reported net income or stockholders' equity. As a result of the separation of our GARP® artificial lift technology operations discussed in Note 7, previously reported revenues for the Delhi field and our artificial lift technology operations have been reclassified as appropriate to crude oil, natural gas liquids, natural gas and artificial lift technology service revenues. Before the reclassification, artificial lift technology revenues included crude oil, natural gas liquids and gas revenues produced by certain of the Company’s operated wells that utilized the technology, together with service revenues derived from the use of the Company’s technology in third party wells. Previously reported production costs for our artificial lift technology operations have been reclassified as appropriate to oil and gas production costs and cost of artificial lift technology services.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates.    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates include (a) reserve quantities and estimated future cash flows associated with proved reserves, which significantly impact depletion expense and potential impairments of oil and natural gas properties, (b) asset retirement obligations, (c) stock-based compensation, (d) fair values of derivative assets and liabilities, (e) income taxes and the valuation of deferred tax assets and (f) commitments and contingencies. We analyze our estimates based on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable. While we believe that our estimates and assumptions used in preparation of the consolidated financial statements are appropriate, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents.    We consider all highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less when purchased, to be cash and cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Account Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.    Accounts receivable consist of joint interest owner obligations due within 30 days of the invoice date, accrued revenues due under normal trade terms, generally requiring payment within 30 days of production, and other miscellaneous receivables. No interest is charged on past-due balances. Payments made on accounts receivable are applied to the earliest unpaid items. We establish provisions for losses on accounts receivables if it is determined that collection of all or a part of an outstanding balance is not probable. Collectibility is reviewed regularly and an allowance is established or adjusted, as necessary, using the specific identification method.
Oil and Natural Gas Properties
Oil and Natural Gas Properties.    We use the full cost method of accounting for our investments in oil and natural gas properties. Under this method of accounting, all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties, including unproductive wells, are capitalized. This includes any internal costs that are directly related to property acquisition, exploration and development activities but does not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. Gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of oil and natural gas properties is not recognized, unless the gain or loss would significantly alter the relationship between capitalized costs and proved reserves.
Oil and natural gas properties include costs that are excluded from costs being depleted or amortized. Excluded costs represent investments in unproved and unevaluated properties and include non-producing leasehold, geological and geophysical costs associated with leasehold or drilling interests and exploration drilling costs. We exclude these costs until the project is evaluated and proved reserves are established or impairment is determined. Excluded costs are reviewed at least quarterly to determine if impairment has occurred. The amount of any evaluated or impaired oil and natural gas properties is transferred to capitalized costs being amortized.
Limitation on Capitalized Costs
Limitation on Capitalized Costs.    Under the full-cost method of accounting, we are required, at the end of each fiscal quarter, to perform a test to determine the limit on the book value of our oil and natural gas properties (the "Ceiling Test"). If the capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, exceed the "Ceiling", this excess or impairment is charged to expense and reflected as additional accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization or as a credit to oil and natural gas properties. The expense may not be reversed in future periods, even though higher oil and natural gas prices may subsequently increase the Ceiling. The Ceiling is defined as the sum of: (a) the present value, discounted at 10 percent, and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions, of 1) estimated future gross revenues from proved reserves, which is computed using oil and natural gas prices determined as the unweighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month price for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period (with consideration of price changes only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements including hedging arrangements pursuant to SAB 103), less 2) estimated future expenditures (based on current costs) to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves; plus (b) the cost of properties not being amortized (pursuant to Reg. S-X Rule 4-10 (c)(3)(ii)); plus (c) the lower of cost or estimated fair value of unproven properties included in the costs being amortized; net of (d) the related tax effects related to the difference between the book and tax basis of our oil and natural gas properties. Our Ceiling Tests did not result in an impairment of our oil and natural gas properties during the years ended June 30, 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Other Property and Equipment
Other Property and Equipment.    Other property and equipment includes leasehold improvements, data processing and telecommunications equipment, office furniture and equipment, and oilfield service equipment related to our artificial lift technology operations. These items are recorded at cost and depreciated over expected lives of the individual assets or group of assets, which range from three to seven years. These assets are depreciated using the straight-line method, except for oilfield service equipment related to our artificial lift technology operations, which was depreciated using a method which approximated the timing and amounts of expected revenues from the contract. Realization of the carrying value of other property and equipment is reviewed for possible impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. Assets are determined to be impaired if a forecast of undiscounted estimated future net operating cash flows directly related to the asset, including disposal value, if any, is less than the carrying amount of the asset. If any asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred Financing Costs. The Company capitalizes costs incurred in connection with obtaining financing. These costs are included in other assets on the Company's consolidated balance sheet and are amortized over the term of the related financing using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations.    An asset retirement obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible long-lived asset is recognized as a liability in the period incurred, with an associated increase in the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset, our oil and natural gas properties. The cost of the tangible asset, including the asset retirement cost, is depleted over the useful life of the asset. The initial recognition or subsequent revision of asset retirement cost is considered a level 3 fair value measurement. The asset retirement obligation is recorded at its estimated fair value, measured by reference to the expected future cash outflows required to satisfy the retirement obligation discounted at our credit-adjusted risk-free interest rate. Accretion expense is recognized over time as the discounted liability is accreted to its expected settlement value. If the estimated future cost of the asset retirement obligation changes, an adjustment is recorded to both the asset retirement obligation and the long-lived asset. Revisions to estimated asset retirement obligations can result from changes in retirement cost estimates, revisions to estimated inflation rates and changes in the estimated timing of abandonment.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, accounts receivable, accounts payable and derivative instruments. Except for derivatives, the carrying amounts of these approximate fair value due to the highly liquid nature of these short-term instruments. The fair values of the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities are based on a third-party industry-standard pricing model that uses market data obtained from third-party sources, including quoted forward prices for oil and gas, discount rates and volatility factors.
Stock-based Compensation
Stock-based Compensation. We estimate the fair value of stock-based compensation awards on the grant date to provide the basis for future compensation expense. Service-based and performance-based Restricted Stock and Contingent Restricted Stock awards are valued using the market price of our common stock on the grant date. Market-based awards are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation based on the historical volatility of the Company's total stock return compared to the historical volatilities of other companies or indices to which we compare our performance. This Monte Carlo simulation also provides an expected vesting period. We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine grant date fair value of any Stock Option or Incentive Warrant awards. For service-based awards, stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the service period. For performance-based awards, stock based compensation is recognized ratably over the expected vesting period when it is deemed probable, for accounting purposes, that the performance goal will be achieved. The expected vesting period may be shorter than the remaining term. For market-based awards, stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the expected vesting period, so long as the award holder remains an employee of the Company. Total compensation expense is independent of vesting or expiration of the awards, except for termination of service.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition - Oil and Gas.    We recognize oil and natural gas revenue from our interests in producing wells at the time that title passes to the purchaser. As a result, we accrue revenues related to production sold for which we have not received payment.
Revenue Recognition - Artificial Lift Technology.    Our artificial lift technology operations generated revenues under contractual arrangements. Under these contracts, we were required to bear part or all of the incremental installation and capital costs for the technology. We evaluated the substance of each contractual arrangement and recognized revenues over the life of the contract as the earnings process was determined to be complete. We likewise charged our related costs, including both capital expenditures and operating expenses, to operating costs in a manner which either matched these costs to the timing of expected revenues, where appropriate, or charged these costs to the accounting period in which they were incurred where it was not appropriate to capitalize or defer them to match with revenues.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments. The Company has used and may continue to use derivative transactions to reduce its exposure to oil price volatility. All derivative instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. The Company nets its fair value amounts for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparty, where such transactions are covered by an ISDA master agreement that provides for net settlement over the term of the contract and in the event of default or termination of the contract. Although the derivative instruments are intended to provide an economic hedge of the Company’s exposure to commodity price volatility, the Company has not attempted to qualify its derivative instruments for hedge accounting treatment. As a result, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recognized as gains or losses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the changes occur. The net cash flows resulting from the payments to and receipts from counterparties as a result of derivative settlements are classified as cash flows from investing activities rather than operating activities. The Company does not intend to enter into derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization.    The depreciable base for oil and natural gas properties includes the sum of all capitalized costs net of DD&A, estimated future development costs and asset retirement costs (net of salvage values) not included in oil and natural gas properties, less costs excluded from amortization. The depreciable base of oil and natural gas properties is amortized using the unit-of-production method over total proved reserves. Other property, consisting of leasehold improvements, office and computer equipment, vehicles and artificial lift equipment is depreciated as described above in Other Property and Equipment.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes.    We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that may result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The measurement of deferred tax assets may be reduced by a valuation allowance based upon management's assessment of available evidence if it is deemed more likely than not some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realizable. We recognize a tax benefit from an uncertain position when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position and will record the amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority. The Company classifies any interest and penalties associated with income taxes as income tax expense.
Earnings (loss) per share
Earnings (loss) per share.    Basic earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing earnings or loss available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. The computation of diluted EPS is similar to the computation of basic EPS, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potentially dilutive common shares had been issued. Potentially dilutive common shares are our outstanding stock options and contingent restricted common stock. We use the treasury stock method to determine the effect of potentially dilutive common shares on diluted EPS, unless the effect would be anti-dilutive. Under this method, exercise of stock options and, under certain conditions, contingent restricted common stock is assumed to have occurred at the beginning of the period (or at time of issuance, if later) and common shares are assumed to have been issued. The proceeds from exercise of stock options and unamortized stock compensation expense related to restricted common stock are assumed to be used to repurchase common stock at the average market price during the period. The incremental shares (the difference between the number of shares assumed issued and the number of shares assumed repurchased) are included in the denominator of the diluted EPS computation. Contingent restricted stock is included in the computation of diluted shares, if dilutive, when the underlying performance conditions either (i) were satisfied as of the end of the reporting period or (ii) would be considered satisfied if the end of the reporting period were the end of the related contingency period.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.
In August 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-14, which defers the effective date of ASU 2014-09 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (" ASU 2014-09") by one year and allows entities the option to early adopt the new revenue standard as of the original effective date. Issued in May 2014, ASU 2014-09 provided guidance on revenue recognition on contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or on contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2014-09 requires that revenue recognition on contracts with customers 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. For public companies, ASU 2014-09 is now effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The standard provides for either the full retrospective or modified retrospective transition methods. We expect to adopt this standard using the modified retrospective method. The Company expects that additional disclosures will be required as a result of adopting ASU 2014-09 and is currently assessing the impact of the guidance on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities ("ASU 2016-01").  The pronouncement requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The expected adoption method of ASU 2016-01 is being evaluated by the Company and the adoption is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. 

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 , Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which relates to the accounting for leasing transactions.  This standard requires a lessee to record on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leases with lease terms of more than twelve months. In addition, this standard requires both lessees and lessors to disclose certain key information about lease transactions. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  We are evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues for which current GAAP is either unclear or does not include specific guidance. This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years with early adoption permitted, provided that it is adopted in its entirety in the same period. Currently, the Company does not expect the impact of adopting ASU 2016-15 to have a material effect on its consolidated statements of cash flows.

New Accounting Pronouncements Adopted.

The Company early adopted ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, to be applied prospectively effective for the three months ended September 30, 2016, the first quarter of our fiscal year. This amended guidance simplifies the balance sheet position presentation and reduces complexity in accounting for deferred income tax assets and liabilities. The update requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. As a result, current deferred tax assets have been combined with noncurrent deferred income tax liabilities in the June 30, 2017 consolidated balance sheet. The prior periods presented were not retroactively adjusted.

The Company early adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation:  Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, effective for the three months ended September 30, 2016. This amended guidance simplifies and improves several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. Under previous guidance excess tax benefits were recognized as paid in capital to the extent they reduced cash taxes otherwise payable, and tax deficiencies were recognized as an offset to accumulated excess benefits, if any, or in the statement of operations. The new guidance requires companies to record excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense in the statements of operations when the awards vest or are settled. Under the required modified retrospective transition, the Company had no cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the period of adoption, as its accumulated excess tax benefits had been completely used in reducing taxable income for the year ended June 30, 2016. For vestings that occurred during the year ended June 30, 2017, a related tax deficiency of $27,884 was recognized in income tax expense. The Company also elected to prospectively adopt the presentation of excess tax benefits in the operating section of the statements of cash flows. Accordingly, such statements for pre-adoption periods will continue to present excess tax benefits in the financing section. The amended guidance permits entities to make an accounting policy election related to how forfeitures will impact the recognition of compensation cost for stock-based compensation. Entities can continue to estimate the number of awards which are expected to be forfeited prior to the end of the service period as currently required or can elect to account for forfeitures as they occur. Upon early adoption, the Company elected to change its accounting policy to account for forfeitures as they occur. Except for the effect on income tax expense mentioned above, none of the other provisions in this amended guidance had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value Measurement
Accounting guidelines for measuring fair value establish a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements. The valuation hierarchy categorizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value into one of three different levels depending on the observability of the inputs employed in the measurement.
The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1—Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.
Level 2—Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly such as quoted prices in markets that are not active, or inputs which are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
Level 3—Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which the Company makes its own assumptions about how market participants would price the assets and liabilities.
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments.  At June 30, 2017, the Company had no derivative instruments and, accordingly, there were no derivative assets and liabilities presented in the year end balance sheet. The following table summarizes the location and amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as presented in the June 30, 2016 consolidated balance sheet. All items included in the tables below are Level 2 inputs within the fair value hierarchy: