FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION	1. FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation Battalion is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore liquids‑rich oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority‑owned, controlled subsidiaries. The Company operates in one segment which focuses on oil and natural gas acquisition, production, exploration and development. Allocation of capital is made across the Company’s entire portfolio without regard to operating area. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position as of, and the results of operations for, the periods presented. During interim periods, Battalion follows the accounting policies disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 8, 2021. Please refer to the notes in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10‑K when reviewing interim financial results. Risk and Uncertainties The Company is continuously monitoring the current and potential impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on its business, including how it has and may continue to impact its operations, financial results, liquidity, contractors, customers, employees and vendors, and taking appropriate actions in response, including implementing various measures to ensure the continued operation of its business in a safe and secure manner. In 2020, COVID-19 and governmental actions to contain the pandemic contributed to an economic downturn, reduced demand for oil and natural gas and, together with a price war involving the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)/Saudi Arabia and Russia, depressed oil and natural gas prices to historically low levels. Although OPEC and Russia subsequently agreed to reduce production, downward pressure on prices continued for several months, particularly given concerns over the impacts of the economic downturn on demand. The Company is unable to predict the future affects that these events will have on its business and financial condition due to numerous uncertainties, including the continuing severity and duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impacts that governmental or other actions taken to limit the extent and duration of the outbreak, in conjunction with economic conditions, will have on its business, demand for oil and natural gas, and oil and natural gas prices. The health of the Company’s employees, contractors and vendors, and its ability to meet staffing needs in its operations and critical functions cannot be predicted, nor can the impact on the Company’s customers, vendors and contractors. Any material effect on these parties could adversely impact the Company. These and other factors could affect the Company’s operations, earnings and cash flows and could cause its results to not be comparable to those of the same period in previous years. For example, in 2020, the Company realized lower revenue as a result of commodity price declines, which began in March 2020. In response to low commodity prices, the Company temporarily shut-in producing wells in May and June 2020, which further contributed to lower revenues that year. Additionally, the Company incurred ceiling test impairments in 2020, which were primarily driven by a decline in the average pricing used in the valuation of the Company’s reserves. The results presented in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. For further information regarding the actual and potential impacts of COVID-19 on the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Use of Estimates The preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Estimates and assumptions that, in the opinion of management of the Company, are significant include oil and natural gas revenue accruals, capital and operating expense accruals, oil and natural gas reserves, depletion relating to oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations, and fair value estimates. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for the full year and accordingly, certain information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, has been condensed or omitted. The Company has evaluated events or transactions through the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. Accounts receivable are recorded at the amount due, less an allowance for doubtful accounts, when applicable. The Company establishes provisions for losses on accounts receivable if it determines that collection of all or part of the outstanding balance is doubtful. The Company regularly reviews collectability and establishes or adjusts the allowance for doubtful accounts as necessary using the specific identification method. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, allowances for doubtful accounts were approximately $0.2 million for both periods. Other Operating Property and Equipment Other operating property and equipment additions are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings, twenty years; automobiles and computers, three years; computer software, fixtures, furniture and equipment, five years; trailers, seven years; heavy equipment, eight to ten years and leasehold improvements, lease term. Land and artwork are not depreciated. Upon disposition, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gains or losses are reflected in current operations. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to operating expense as incurred. Material expenditures which increase the life or productive capacity of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset. The Company reviews its other operating property and equipment for impairment in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (ASC 360). ASC 360 requires the Company to evaluate other operating property and equipment for impairment as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below the carrying amount. If the carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then the Company would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. Further, the Company evaluates the remaining useful lives of its other operating property and equipment at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining depreciation periods. Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s primary concentrations of credit risk are the risks of uncollectible accounts receivable and of nonperformance by counterparties under the Company’s derivative contracts. Each reporting period, the Company assesses the recoverability of material receivables using historical data, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to determine expected collectability of its material receivables. The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. The purchasers of the Company’s oil and natural gas production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas pipeline companies. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant losses from uncollectible accounts from its oil and natural gas purchasers. The Company operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, the Company makes full payments for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other working interest owners in the property for their share of those costs. Joint operating agreements govern the operations of an oil or natural gas well and, in most instances, provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and its joint interest owners. 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 Company’s joint interest partners to reimburse the Company could be adversely affected. The Company’s exposure to credit risk under its derivative contracts is diversified among major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, where it has master netting agreements which provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and the counterparty. To manage counterparty risk associated with derivative contracts, the Company selects and monitors counterparties based on an assessment of their financial strength and/or credit ratings. At March 31, 2021, the Company’s derivative counterparties include two major financial institutions, both of which are secured lenders under the Senior Credit Agreement. Change in Estimate In late March 2020, due to changes in market conditions and decreased commodity prices, the Company determined that previously accrued discretionary cash incentives related to 2019 would not be paid, causing a $1.6 million reduction to “General and administrative” on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) (ASU 2020-04), in response to the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This amendment provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging arrangements, and other transactions that reference LIBOR. ASU 2020-04 will be in effect through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2020-04 and the impact it may have on its operating results, financial position and disclosures. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12) as part of their simplification initiative. ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and by clarifying and amending existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s operating results, financial position or disclosures.

1. FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Battalion is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore liquids‑rich oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority‑owned, controlled subsidiaries. The Company operates in one segment which focuses on oil and natural gas acquisition, production, exploration and development. Allocation of capital is made across the Company’s entire portfolio without regard to operating area. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position as of, and the results of operations for, the periods presented. During interim periods, Battalion follows the accounting policies disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10‑K, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 8, 2021. Please refer to the notes in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10‑K when reviewing interim financial results.

Risk and Uncertainties

The Company is continuously monitoring the current and potential impacts of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on its business, including how it has and may continue to impact its operations, financial results, liquidity, contractors, customers, employees and vendors, and taking appropriate actions in response, including implementing various measures to ensure the continued operation of its business in a safe and secure manner. In 2020, COVID-19 and governmental actions to contain the pandemic contributed to an economic downturn, reduced demand for oil and natural gas and, together with a price war involving the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)/Saudi Arabia and Russia, depressed oil and natural gas prices to historically low levels. Although OPEC and Russia subsequently agreed to reduce production, downward pressure on prices continued for several months, particularly given concerns over the impacts of the economic downturn on demand. The Company is unable to predict the future affects that these events will have on its business and financial condition due to numerous uncertainties, including the continuing severity and duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and the impacts that governmental or other actions taken to limit the extent and duration of the outbreak, in conjunction with economic conditions, will have on its business, demand for oil and natural gas, and oil and natural gas prices. The health of the Company’s employees, contractors and vendors, and its ability to meet staffing needs in its operations and critical functions cannot be predicted, nor can the impact on the Company’s customers, vendors and contractors. Any material effect on these parties could adversely impact the Company. These and other factors could affect the Company’s operations, earnings and cash flows and could cause its results to not be comparable to those of the same period in previous years. For example, in 2020, the Company realized lower revenue as a result of commodity price declines, which began in March 2020. In response to low commodity prices, the Company temporarily shut-in producing wells in May and June 2020, which further contributed to lower revenues that year. Additionally, the Company incurred ceiling test impairments in 2020, which were primarily driven by a decline in the average pricing used in the valuation of the Company’s reserves. The results presented in this Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of future operating results. For further information regarding the actual and potential impacts of COVID-19 on the Company, see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of the Company’s 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the Company’s management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the respective reporting periods. Estimates and assumptions that, in the opinion of management of the Company, are significant include oil and natural gas revenue accruals, capital and operating expense accruals, oil and natural gas reserves, depletion relating to oil and natural gas properties, asset retirement obligations, and fair value estimates. The Company bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other assumptions and information believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Estimates and assumptions about future events and their effects cannot be predicted with certainty and, accordingly, these estimates may change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired, as additional information is obtained and as the Company’s operating environment changes. Actual results may differ from the estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for the full year and accordingly, certain information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, has been condensed or omitted. The Company has evaluated events or transactions through the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. Accounts receivable are recorded at the amount due, less an allowance for doubtful accounts, when applicable. The Company establishes provisions for losses on accounts receivable if it determines that collection of all or part of the outstanding balance is doubtful. The Company regularly reviews collectability and establishes or adjusts the allowance for doubtful accounts as necessary using the specific identification method. As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, allowances for doubtful accounts were approximately $0.2 million for both periods.

Other Operating Property and Equipment

Other operating property and equipment additions are recorded at cost. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings, twenty years; automobiles and computers, three years; computer software, fixtures, furniture and equipment, five years; trailers, seven years; heavy equipment, eight to ten years and leasehold improvements, lease term. Land and artwork are not depreciated. Upon disposition, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed and any gains or losses are reflected in current operations. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to operating expense as incurred. Material expenditures which increase the life or productive capacity of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset.

The Company reviews its other operating property and equipment for impairment in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (ASC 360). ASC 360 requires the Company to evaluate other operating property and equipment for impairment as events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value below the carrying amount. If the carrying amount is not recoverable from its undiscounted cash flows, then the Company would recognize an impairment loss for the difference between the carrying amount and the current fair value. Further, the Company evaluates the remaining useful lives of its other operating property and equipment at each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining depreciation periods.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company’s primary concentrations of credit risk are the risks of uncollectible accounts receivable and of nonperformance by counterparties under the Company’s derivative contracts. Each reporting period, the Company assesses the recoverability of material receivables using historical data, current market conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions to determine expected collectability of its material receivables.

The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. The purchasers of the Company’s oil and natural gas production consist primarily of independent marketers, major oil and natural gas companies and gas pipeline companies. Historically, the Company has not experienced any significant losses from uncollectible accounts from its oil and natural gas purchasers. The Company operates a substantial portion of its oil and natural gas properties. As the operator of a property, the Company makes full payments for costs associated with the property and seeks reimbursement from the other working interest owners in the property for their share of those costs. Joint operating agreements govern the operations of an oil or natural gas well and, in most instances, provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and its joint interest owners. 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 Company’s joint interest partners to reimburse the Company could be adversely affected.

The Company’s exposure to credit risk under its derivative contracts is diversified among major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, where it has master netting agreements which provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and the counterparty. To manage counterparty risk associated with derivative contracts, the Company selects and monitors counterparties based on an assessment of their financial strength and/or credit ratings. At March 31, 2021, the Company’s derivative counterparties include two major financial institutions, both of which are secured lenders under the Senior Credit Agreement.

Change in Estimate

In late March 2020, due to changes in market conditions and decreased commodity prices, the Company determined that previously accrued discretionary cash incentives related to 2019 would not be paid, causing a $1.6 million reduction to “General and administrative” on the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) (ASU 2020-04), in response to the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This amendment provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contracts, hedging arrangements, and other transactions that reference LIBOR. ASU 2020-04 will be in effect through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2020-04 and the impact it may have on its operating results, financial position and disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12) as part of their simplification initiative. ASU 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions and by clarifying and amending existing guidance. ASU 2019-12 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2019-12 effective January 1, 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s operating results, financial position or disclosures.