UNIT CORP - Annual Report: 2016 (Form 10-K)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number: 1-9260

UNIT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware	73-1283193
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

8200 South Unit Drive Tulsa, Oklahoma	74132
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) (918) 493-7700

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:



Title of each class	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.20 per share	NYSE
Rights to Purchase Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock	NYSE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

Yes [ ] No [x]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

Yes [ ] No [x]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [x] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [x]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.



Large accelerated filer [ ]	Accelerated filer [x]	Non-accelerated filer [ ]	Smaller reporting company [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes [ ] No [x]

As of June 30, 2016, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity (based on the closing price of the stock on the NYSE on June 30, 2016) held by non-affiliates was approximately $495,132,341. Determination of stock ownership by non-affiliates was made solely for the purpose of this requirement, and the registrant is not bound by these determinations for any other purpose.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.



Class	Outstanding at February 10, 2017
Common Stock, $0.20 par value per share	51,650,140 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE



Document	Parts Into Which Incorporated
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement (the Proxy Statement) with respect to its annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on May 3, 2017. The Proxy Statement will be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.	Part III

Exhibit Index—See Page 121

Table of Contents

FORM 10-K

UNIT CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS



		Page

	PART I

Item 1.	Business	1

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	22

Item 1B.	Unresolved Staff Comments	38

Item 2.	Properties	38

Item 3.	Legal Proceedings	39

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	39

	PART II

Item 5.	Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	39

Item 6.	Selected Financial Data	41

Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation	42

Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	68

Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	70

Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	111

Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures	111

Item 9B.	Other Information	112

	PART III

Item 10.	Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance	112

Item 11.	Executive Compensation	113

Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	114

Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	114

Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	114

	PART IV

Item 15.	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules	115
Item 16.	Form 10-K Summary	119
Signatures		120
Exhibit Index		121

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DEFINITIONS

The following are explanations of some of the terms used in this report.

ARO – Asset retirement obligations.

ASC – FASB Accounting Standards Codification.

ASU – Accounting Standards Update.

Bcf – Billion cubic feet of natural gas.

Bcfe – Billion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Determined using the ratio of one barrel of crude oil or NGLs to six Mcf of natural gas.

Bbl – Barrel, or 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume.

Boe – Barrel of oil equivalent. Determined using the ratio of six Mcf of natural gas to one barrel of crude oil or NGLs.

BOKF – Bank of Oklahoma Financial Corporation.

Btu – British thermal unit, used in terms of gas volumes. Btu is used to refer to the amount of natural gas required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at one atmospheric pressure.

Development drilling – The drilling of a well within the proved area of an oil or gas reservoir to the depth of a stratigraphic horizon known to be productive.

DD&A – Depreciation, depletion, and amortization.

FASB – Financial and Accounting Standards Board.

Finding and development costs – Costs associated with acquiring and developing proved natural gas and oil reserves which are capitalized under generally accepted accounting principles, including any capitalized general and administrative expenses.

Gross acres or gross wells – The total acres or wells in which a working interest is owned.

IF – Inside FERC (U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).

LIBOR – London Interbank Offered Rate.

MBbls – Thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

Mcf – Thousand cubic feet of natural gas.

Mcfe – Thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Determined using the ratio of one barrel of crude oil or NGLs to six Mcf of natural gas.

MMBbls – Million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

MMBoe – Million barrels of oil equivalents.

MMBtu – Million Btu’s.

MMcf – Million cubic feet of natural gas.

MMcfe – Million cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. Determined using the ratio of one barrel of crude oil or NGLs to six Mcf of natural gas.

Net acres or net wells – The sum of the fractional working interests owned in gross acres or gross wells.

NGLs – Natural gas liquids.

NYMEX – The New York Mercantile Exchange.

Play – A term applied by geologists and geophysicists identifying an area with potential oil and gas reserves.

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DEFINITIONS — (Continued)

Producing property – A natural gas or oil property with existing production.

Proved developed reserves – Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods or in which the cost of the required equipment is relatively minor compared to the cost of a new well; and through installed extraction equipment and infrastructure operational at the time of the reserves estimate. For additional information, see the SEC’s definition in Rule 4-10(a)(3) of Regulation S-X.

Proved reserves – Proved oil and gas reserves are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geosciences and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible – from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations – prior to the time at which contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for the estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time. For additional information, see the SEC’s definition in Rule 4-10(a)(2)(i) through (iii) of Regulation S-X.

Proved undeveloped reserves – Proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. For additional information, see the SEC’s definition in Rule 4-10(a)(4) of Regulation S-X.

Reasonable certainty (in regards to reserves) – If deterministic methods are used, reasonable certainty means a high degree of confidence that the quantities will be recovered. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90% probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimate.

Reliable technology – A grouping of one or more technologies (including computational methods) that has been field tested and has been demonstrated to provide reasonably certain results with consistency and repeatability in the formation being evaluated or in an analogous formation.

SARs – Stock appreciation rights.

Unconventional play – Plays targeting tight sand, carbonates, coal bed, or oil and gas shale reservoirs. The reservoirs tend to cover large areas and lack the readily apparent traps, seals, and discrete hydrocarbon-water boundaries that typically define conventional reservoirs. These reservoirs generally require horizontal wells and fracture stimulation treatments or other special recovery processes in order to produce economically.

Undeveloped acreage – Lease acreage on which wells have not been drilled or completed to a point that would permit the production of economic quantities of natural gas or oil regardless of whether the acreage contains proved reserves.

Well spacing – The regulation of the number and location of wells over an oil or gas reservoir, as a conservation measure. Well spacing is normally accomplished by order of the appropriate regulatory conservation commission.

Workovers – Operations on a producing well to restore or increase production.

WTI – West Texas Intermediate, the benchmark crude oil in the United States.

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UNIT CORPORATION

Annual Report

For The Year Ended December 31, 2016

PART I

Item 1. Business

Unless otherwise indicated or required by the context, the terms “Company”, “Unit”, “us”, “our”, “we”, and “its” refer to Unit Corporation or, as appropriate, one or more of its subsidiaries.

Our executive offices are at 8200 South Unit Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74132; our telephone number is (918) 493-7700.

Information regarding our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports, will be made available in print, free of charge, to any shareholders who request them. They are also available on our internet website at www.unitcorp.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file these reports with or furnish them to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Materials we file with the SEC may be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F. Street, N.E. Room 1580, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our company that we file electronically with the SEC.

In addition, we post on our Internet website, www.unitcorp.com, copies of our corporate governance documents. Our corporate governance guidelines and code of ethics, and the charters of our Board’s Audit, Compensation, and Nominating and Governance Committees, are available free of charge on our website or in print to any shareholder who requests them. We may from time to time provide important disclosures to investors by posting them in the investor information section of our website, as allowed by SEC rules.

GENERAL

We were founded in 1963 as an oil and natural gas contract drilling company. Today, in addition to our drilling operations, we have operations in the exploration and production and mid-stream areas. We operate, manage, and analyze our results of operations through our three principal business segments:


•	Oil and Natural Gas – carried out by our subsidiary Unit Petroleum Company. This segment explores, develops, acquires, and produces oil and natural gas properties for our own account.


•	Contract Drilling – carried out by our subsidiary Unit Drilling Company. This segment contracts to drill onshore oil and natural gas wells for others and for our own account.


•	Mid-Stream – carried out by our subsidiary Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries. This segment buys, sells, gathers, processes, and treats natural gas for third parties and for our own account.

Each of these companies may conduct operations through subsidiaries of their own.

The following table provides certain information about us as of February 10, 2017:



Oil and Natural Gas
Completed gross wells in which we own an interest	6,542
Contract Drilling
Number of drilling rigs available for use	94
Mid-Stream
Number of natural gas treatment plants we own	3
Number of processing plants we own	13
Number of natural gas gathering systems we own	25

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2016 SEGMENT OPERATIONS HIGHLIGHTS

Oil and Natural Gas


•	Sold non-core assets with proceeds of $67.2 million.


•	Resumed drilling activities in the fourth quarter with a first drilling rig being placed into service in October in the Southern Oklahoma Hoxbar Oil Trend (SOHOT) play and a second drilling rig was placed into service in December in the Granite Wash play.

Contract Drilling


•	Utilization cycle turned around:


◦	Started year with 26 drilling rigs operating


◦	Bottomed mid-year at 13 rigs operating


◦	Exited year with 21 rigs operating, with momentum of additional rigs returning to work in early 2017


•	Placed one new BOSS drilling rig into service during the year.


•	Sold one older SCR drilling rig.


•	Achieved the best safety performance record in history of company, beating last year’s previous best.

Mid-Stream


•	Gas gathered volumes increased 18% over 2015.


•	Connected four new well pads with a total of 18 new wells to our Pittsburgh Mills gathering system in 2016, increasing our total gathered volume to approximately 150 MMcf per day.


•	Began operations of the new fee-based Snow Shoe gathering system located in Centre County Pennsylvania in the first quarter of 2016.


•	Upgraded our Segno gathering system to increase gathering and dehydration capacity to 120 MMcf per day as total throughput volume increased to approximately 90 MMcf per day.


•	Completed construction of a pipeline connection that allows us to receive an additional 10 MMcf per day of fee-based volume from a producer at our Cashion facility.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT SEGMENTS

See Note 15 of our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report for information with respect to each of our segment’s revenues, profits or losses, and total assets.

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OIL AND NATURAL GAS

General. All of our oil and natural gas properties are located in the United States. Our producing oil and natural gas properties, unproved properties, and related assets are in the following locations:



Division	Location
West division	Western and Southern Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Southern Louisiana, and Utah
East division	East Texas, Eastern Oklahoma, and Arkansas
Central division	Western Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle, and Kansas

When we are the operator of a property, we generally attempt to use a drilling rig owned by our contract drilling segment, and we use our mid-stream segment to gather our gas if it is economical for us to develop a system in the area.

The following table presents certain information regarding our oil and natural gas operations as of December 31, 2016:



Our Divisions/Area	Number of Gross Wells	Number of Net Wells	Number of Gross Wells in Process	Number of Net Wells in Process	2016 Average Net Daily Production
Our Divisions/Area	Number of Gross Wells	Number of Net Wells	Number of Gross Wells in Process	Number of Net Wells in Process	Natural Gas (Mcf)	Oil (Bbls)	NGLs (Bbls)
West division	1,248	440.83	—	—	56,422	2,261	5,154
East division	201	106.93	—	—	8,076	21	1
Central division	5,096	1,868.74	4	2.76	87,782	5,843	8,544
Total	6,545	2,416.50	4	2.76	152,280	8,125	13,699

As of December 31, 2016, we did not have any significant water floods, pressure maintenance operations, or any other material related activities that were in process.

Description and Location of Our Core Operations

West division. In our Wilcox play, located primarily in Polk, Tyler, and Hardin Counties, Texas, we completed four operated horizontal wells (average working interest 99.4%) in 2016. All four wells were completed as gas/condensate producers. Annual production from our Wilcox play averaged 94.1 MMcfe per day (12% oil, 31% NGLs, 57% natural gas) which is an increase of approximately 22% compared to 2015. We averaged approximately 0.2 Unit drilling rigs operating during 2016 and we currently plan to use approximately 0.8 Unit drilling rigs operating during 2017. We anticipate completing approximately four vertical wells and three horizontal wells during 2017. In addition, we plan to complete approximately 12 behind pipe gas and liquids zones.

Central division. In our Southern Oklahoma Hoxbar Oil Trend (SOHOT) play, located in western Oklahoma primarily in Grady County, we completed three horizontal oil wells (average working interest 80.2%) in the Marchand zone of the Hoxbar interval. Annual production from western Oklahoma averaged 65.1 MMcfe per day (27% oil, 22% NGLs, 51% natural gas) which is a decrease of approximately 15% compared to 2015. During 2016, we averaged approximately 0.3 Unit drilling rigs operating and we currently plan to use approximately 0.75 Unit drilling rigs operating during 2017. We anticipate completing approximately seven horizontal Marchand wells in our SOHOT play during 2017.

In our Texas Panhandle Granite Wash play, we completed one extended lateral horizontal gas/condensate well (working interest 99.4%) in our Buffalo Wallow field. Annual production from the Texas Panhandle averaged 93.7 MMcfe per day (11% oil, 37% NGLs, 52% natural gas) which is a decrease of approximately 23% compared to 2015. During 2016, we averaged approximately 0.1 Unit drilling rigs operating and we currently plan to use approximately one Unit drilling rig operating during 2017. We anticipate completing approximately seven extended lateral Granite Wash horizontal wells in our Buffalo Wallow field during 2017.

In our Mississippian play in south central Kansas, we completed one horizontal oil well (working interest 100%). Annual production from Kansas averaged 6.2 MMcfe per day (62% oil, 9% NGLs, 29% natural gas) which is a decrease of approximately 45% compared to 2015. We anticipate completing approximately two horizontal wells in our Kansas Mississippian play during 2017.

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East division. Over the last several years, activity in our East division has been limited due to low gas prices since this area does not generally have oil or NGLs associated with the gas. We did not drill any wells in this division during 2016.

Dispositions. We had non-core asset sales with proceeds, net of related expenses, of $33.1 million, $1.9 million, and $67.2 million in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Proceeds from these dispositions reduced the net book value of the full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized.

During the year (as well as certain prior years), we determined the value of certain of our unproved oil and gas properties were diminished (in part or in whole) based on an impairment evaluation and our anticipated future exploration plans. Those determinations resulted in $73.7 million in 2014, $114.4 million in 2015, and $7.6 million in 2016 of costs being added to the total of our capitalized costs being amortized. We incurred a $76.7 million pre-tax ($47.7 million net of tax) non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties in 2014 due to the inclusion of the impaired value of those unproved properties and a reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the year. In 2015, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $1.6 billion pre-tax ($1.0 billion net of tax) primarily due to the reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the year. In 2016, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $161.6 million pre-tax ($100.6 million net of tax) due to the reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the first three quarters of the year. We did not have a ceiling test write-down for the fourth quarter of 2016.

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Well and Leasehold Data. The following tables identify certain information regarding our oil and natural gas exploratory and development drilling operations:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
	Gross	Net	Gross	Net	Gross	Net
Wells drilled:
Development:
Oil:
West division	—	—	2	0.66	4	0.37
East division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central division	9	3.57	21	8.12	115	74.07
Total oil	9	3.57	23	8.78	119	74.44
Natural gas:
West division	4	3.98	15	13.50	7	6.09
East division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central division	7	1.12	18	11.50	49	31.91
Total natural gas	11	5.10	33	25.00	56	38.00
Dry:
West division	—	—	1	1.00	1	0.80
East division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central division	—	—	1	0.21	3	1.03
Total dry	—	—	2	1.21	4	1.83
Total development	20	8.67	58	34.99	179	114.27
Exploratory:
Oil:
West division	1	1.00	—	—	—	—
East division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central division	—	—	—	—	1	0.93
Total oil	1	1.00	—	—	1	0.93
Natural gas:
West division	—	—	—	—	5	4.80
East division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total natural gas	—	—	—	—	5	4.80
Dry:
West division	—	—	—	—	1	1.00
East division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Central division	—	—	—	—	—	—
Total dry	—	—	—	—	1	1.00
Total exploratory	1	1.00	—	—	7	6.73
Total wells drilled	21	9.67	58	34.99	186	121.00

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	Year Ended December 31,
	2016 ⁽¹⁾		2015		2014 ⁽¹⁾
	Gross	Net	Gross	Net	Gross	Net
Wells producing or capable of producing:
Oil:
West division	648	136.59	692	149.34	713	164.25
East division	18	0.72	28	1.79	42	1.91
Central division	908	497.25	907	498.75	997	497.10
Total oil	1,574	634.56	1,627	649.88	1,752	663.26
Natural gas:
West division	582	296.71	659	325.57	703	326.64
East division	181	105.85	1,358	466.22	1,401	466.79
Central division	4,181	1,367.87	4,217	1,376.94	4,265	1,390.05
Total natural gas	4,944	1,770.43	6,234	2,168.73	6,369	2,183.48
Total	6,518	2,404.99	7,861	2,818.61	8,121	2,846.74

_________________________


(1)	During 2016 and 2014, we had divestitures of 1,300 gross (407.70 net) wells and 1,716 gross (37.31 net) wells, respectively.

As of February 10, 2017, we were drilling or participating in four gross (3.08 net) wells started during 2017.

Cost incurred for development drilling includes $2.5 million, $58.6 million, and $199.7 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, to develop previously booked proved undeveloped oil and natural gas reserves.

The following table summarizes our leasehold acreage at December 31, 2016:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Developed		Undeveloped		Total
	Gross	Net	Gross	Net ⁽¹⁾	Gross	Net
West division	258,341	81,769	100,847	69,368	359,188	151,137
East division	88,329	21,820	11,223	4,157	99,552	25,977
Central division	888,827	369,828	95,495	58,686	984,322	428,514
Total	1,235,497	473,417	207,565	132,211	1,443,062	605,628

_________________________

(1)

Approximately 82% (West – 79%; East – 95%; and Central – 84%) of the net undeveloped acres are covered by leases that will expire in the years 2017—2019 unless drilling or production extends the terms of those leases. Currently, we do not have any material proved undeveloped (PUD) reserves attributable to acreage where the expiration date precedes the scheduled PUD reserve development plan.

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Price and Production Data. The following tables identify the average sales price, production volumes, and average production cost per equivalent barrel for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production for the years indicated:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Average sales price per barrel of oil produced:
Price before derivatives	$	39.05	$	45.04	$	89.32
Effect of derivatives	1.45		5.75		0.11
Price including derivatives	$	40.50	$	50.79	$	89.43
Average sales price per barrel of NGLs produced:
Price before derivatives	$	11.26	$	10.12	$	30.95
Effect of derivatives	—		—		—
Price including derivatives	$	11.26	$	10.12	$	30.95
Average sales price per Mcf of natural gas produced:
Price before derivatives	$	1.98	$	2.25	$	4.03
Effect of derivatives	0.09		0.38		(0.11		)
Price including derivatives	$	2.07	$	2.63	$	3.92

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	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Oil production (MBbls):
West division:
Jazz Wilcox field	589		422		377
All other west division fields	238		258		256
Total west division	827		680		633
East division	8		11		8
Central division:
Mendota field	248		343		407
All other central division fields	1,891		2,749		2,796
Total central division	2,139		3,092		3,203
Total oil production	2,974		3,783		3,844
NGLs production (MBbls):
West division:
Jazz Wilcox field	1,671		1,275		989
All other west division fields	216		266		235
Total west division	1,887		1,541		1,224
East division	—		6		6
Central division:
Mendota field	858		1,127		1,117
All other central division fields	2,269		2,600		2,281
Total central division	3,127		3,727		3,398
Total NGLs production	5,014		5,274		4,628
Natural gas production (MMcf):
West division:
Jazz Wilcox field	18,145		14,538		12,396
All other west division fields	2,506		3,259		3,552
Total west division	20,651		17,797		15,948
East division	2,956		6,846		7,719
Central division:
Mendota field	5,780		7,922		7,555
All other central division fields	26,348		32,981		27,632
Total central division	32,128		40,903		35,187
Total natural gas production	55,735		65,546		58,854
Total production (MBoe):
West division:
Jazz Wilcox field	5,284		4,120		3,431
All other west division fields	872		1,067		1,084
Total west division	6,156		5,187		4,515
East division	500		1,158		1,301
Central division:
Mendota field	2,069		2,790		2,783
All other central division fields	8,552		10,847		9,682
Total central division	10,621		13,637		12,465
Total production	17,277		19,982		18,281
Average production cost per equivalent Bbl ⁽¹⁾	$	5.62	$	7.06	$	7.70

_______________________


(1)	Excludes ad valorem taxes and gross production taxes.

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Our Jazz Wilcox field in South Texas, which includes our Gilly, Segno, and Wildwood prospects and several smaller prospects, contained 26%, 24%, and 17% of our total proved reserves in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, expressed on an oil equivalent barrels basis. Our Mendota field, located in the Granite Wash play in the Texas Panhandle, include 13%, 14%, and 17%, respectively of our total proved reserves in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, expressed on an oil equivalent barrels basis. There are no other fields besides these that accounted for more than 15% of our proved reserves.

Oil, NGLs, and Natural Gas Reserves. The following table identifies our estimated proved developed and undeveloped oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Oil (MBbls)	NGLs (MBbls)	Natural Gas (MMcf)	Total Proved Reserves (MBoe)
Proved developed:
West division	3,303	9,474	100,674	29,556
East division	—	—	38,227	6,371
Central division	9,421	19,028	208,220	63,152
Total proved developed	12,724	28,502	347,121	99,079
Proved undeveloped:
West division	399	1,365	16,273	4,476
East division	—	—	2,343	391
Central division	2,573	4,615	39,842	13,828
Total proved undeveloped	2,972	5,980	58,458	18,695
Total proved	15,696	34,482	405,579	117,774

Oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves cannot be measured exactly. Estimates of those reserves require extensive judgments of reservoir engineering data and are generally less precise than other estimates made in connection with financial disclosures. We use Ryder Scott Company L.P. (Ryder Scott), independent petroleum consultants, to audit the reserves prepared by our reservoir engineers. Ryder Scott has been providing petroleum consulting services throughout the world since 1937. Their summary report is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 10-K. The wells or locations for which reserve estimates were audited were taken from our reserve and income projections as of December 31, 2016 and comprised 82% of the total proved developed future net income discounted at 10% and 83% of the total proved discounted future net income (based on the SEC's unescalated pricing policy).

Our Reservoir Engineering department is responsible for reserve determination for the wells in which we have an interest. Their primary objective is to estimate the wells' future reserves and future net value to us. Data is incorporated from multiple sources including geological, production engineering, marketing, production, land, and accounting departments. The engineers are responsible for reviewing this information for accuracy as it is incorporated into the reservoir engineering database. Our internal audit group reviews our internal controls to help provide assurance all the data has been provided. New well reserve estimates are provided to management as well as the respective operational divisions for additional scrutiny. Major reserve changes on existing wells are reviewed on a regular basis with the operational divisions to confirm completeness and accuracy. As the external audit is being completed by Ryder Scott, the reservoir department performs a final review of all properties for accuracy of forecasting.

Technical Qualifications

Ryder Scott – Mr. Robert J. Paradiso was the primary technical person responsible for overseeing the estimate of the reserves, future production and income prepared by Ryder Scott.

Mr. Paradiso, an employee of Ryder Scott since 2008, is a Vice President and also serves as Project Coordinator, responsible for coordinating and supervising staff and consulting engineers in ongoing reservoir evaluation studies worldwide. Before joining Ryder Scott, Mr. Paradiso served in a number of engineering positions with Getty Oil Company, Texaco, Union Texas Petroleum, Amax Oil and Gas, Inc., Norcen Explorer, Inc., Amerac Energy Corporation, Halliburton Energy Services, Santa Fe Snyder Corp., and Devon Energy Corporation.

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Mr. Paradiso earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University in 1979, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He is also a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

In addition to gaining experience and competency through prior work experience, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers requires a minimum of fifteen hours of continuing education annually, including at least one hour in the area of professional ethics, which Mr. Paradiso fulfills. As part of his 2016 continuing education hours, Mr. Paradiso attended 6 hours of formalized training during the 2016 RSC Reserves Conference relating to the definitions and disclosure guidelines contained in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission Title 17, Code of Federal Regulations, Modernization of Oil and Gas Reporting, Final Rule released January 14, 2009 in the Federal Register. Mr. Paradiso attended an additional 32 hours of formalized in-house training during 2016 covering such topics as the SPE/WPC/AAPG/SPEE Petroleum Resources Management System, reservoir engineering, geoscience and petroleum economics evaluation methods, procedures and software and ethics for consultants.

Based on his educational background, professional training and more than 37 years of practical experience in the estimation and evaluation of petroleum reserves, Mr. Paradiso has attained the professional qualifications as a Reserves Estimator and Reserves Auditor set forth in Article III of the “Standards Pertaining to the Estimating and Auditing of Oil and Gas Reserves Information” promulgated by the SPE as of February 19, 2007. For more information regarding Mr. Paradiso’s geographic and job specific experience, please refer to the Ryder Scott Company website at http://www.ryderscott.com/Company/Employees.

The Company – Responsibility for overseeing the preparation of our reserve report is shared by our reservoir engineers Trenton Mitchell and Derek Smith.

Mr. Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1994. He has been an employee of Unit since 2002. Initially, he was the Outside Operated Engineer and since 2003 he has served in the capacity of Reservoir Engineer and in 2010 he was promoted to Manager of Reservoir Engineering. Before joining Unit, he served in a number of engineering field and technical support positions with Schlumberger Well Services in their pumping services segment (formerly Dowell Schlumberger). He obtained his Professional Engineer registration from the State of Oklahoma in 2004 and has been a member of SPE since 1991.

Mr. Smith received a Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering with a Minor in Business from the University of Tulsa in 2005. He worked for Apache Corporation immediately thereafter in Production Engineering, then Reservoir Engineering, followed by Drilling Engineering for approximately one year each before moving to Corporate Reserves in 2008. He joined Unit in 2009 as a Corporate Reserves Engineer involved in reserve evaluation, acquisition appraisals, and prospect reviews with increasing levels of responsibility. He has been a member of SPE since 2000.

As part of their continuing education Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Smith have attended various seminars and forums to enhance their understanding of current standards and issues for reserves presentation. These forums have included those sponsored by various professional societies and professional service firms including Ryder Scott.

Definitions and Other. Proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves, as defined in SEC Rule 4-10(a), are those quantities of oil and gas, which, by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated with reasonable certainty to be economically producible – from a given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations – before the time the contracts providing the right to operate expire, unless evidence indicates that renewal is reasonably certain, regardless of whether deterministic or probabilistic methods are used for estimation. The project to extract the hydrocarbons must have commenced or the operator must be reasonably certain that it will commence the project within a reasonable time.

The area of the reservoir considered as "proved" includes:


•	The area identified by drilling and limited by fluid contacts, if any, and


•	Adjacent undrilled portions of the reservoir that can, with reasonable certainty, be judged to be continuous with it and to contain economically producible oil or gas on the basis of available geosciences and engineering data.

In the absence of data on fluid contacts, proved quantities in a reservoir are limited by the lowest known hydrocarbons as incurred in a well penetration unless geosciences, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establishes a lower contact with reasonable certainty.

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Where direct observation from well penetrations has defined a highest known oil elevation and the potential exists for an associated gas cap, proved oil reserves may be assigned in the structurally higher portions of the reservoir only if geosciences, engineering, or performance data and reliable technology establish the higher contact with reasonable certainty.

Reserves which can be produced economically through application of improved recovery techniques (including, but not limited to, fluid injection) are included in the proved classification when:


•	Successful testing by a pilot project in an area of the reservoir with properties no more favorable than in the reservoir as a whole;


•	The operation of an installed program in the reservoir or other evidence using reliable technology establishes reasonable certainty of the engineering analysis on which the project or program was based; and


•	The project has been approved for development by all necessary parties and entities, including governmental entities.

Existing economic conditions include prices and costs at which economic producibility from a reservoir is to be determined. The price used is the average of the prices over the 12-month period before the ending date of the period covered by the report, and is determined as an unweighted arithmetic average of the first day of the month price for each month within the period, unless prices are defined by contractual arrangements, excluding escalations based on future conditions.

"Proved undeveloped" oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves are proved reserves that are expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, or from existing wells where a relatively major expense is required for completion. Reserves on undrilled acreage are limited to those directly offsetting development spacing areas that are reasonably certain of production when drilled, unless evidence using reliable technology exists that establishes reasonable certainty of economic producibility at greater distances. Undrilled locations can be classified as having undeveloped reserves only if a development plan has been adopted indicating that they are scheduled to be drilled within five years, unless the specific circumstances, justify a longer time. Under no circumstances can estimates for proved undeveloped reserves be attributable to acreage for which an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated, unless those techniques have been proved effective by actual projects in the same reservoir or an analogous reservoir, or by other evidence using reliable technology establishing reasonable certainty.

Proved Undeveloped Reserves. As of December 31, 2016, we had 40 gross proved undeveloped wells all of which we plan to develop within five years of initial disclosure at a net estimated cost of approximately $123.8 million. The future estimated development costs necessary to develop our proved undeveloped oil and natural gas reserves for the years 2017—2021, as disclosed in our December 31, 2016 oil and natural gas reserve report, are shown below:



Year	Number of Gross Wells Planned	Estimated Development Cost (In millions)
2017	13	$	41.3
2018	23	80.2
2019	4	2.3
2020	—	—
2021	—	—
	40	$	123.8

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Our proved undeveloped reserves reported at December 31, 2016 did not include reserves that we did not expect to develop within five years of initial disclosure of those reserves. Below is a summary of changes to our proved undeveloped reserves during 2016:



	Oil (MMBbls)		NGLs (MMBbls)		Natural Gas (Bcf)		Total (MMBoe)
Proved undeveloped reserves, January 1, 2016	2.0		6.5		68.5		19.9
Extensions and discoveries	1.5		2.3		19.2		7.0
Converted to developed	(0.1	)	—		(0.1	)	(0.1	)
Revisions of previous estimates	(0.4	)	(2.8	)	(28.4	)	(8.0	)
Sales of reserves	—		—		(0.7	)	(0.1	)
Proved undeveloped reserves, December 31, 2016	3.0		6.0		58.5		18.7

During 2016, we converted one proved undeveloped well locations into a proved developed well at a cost of approximately $2.5 million. The downward revision in the table above to our previous estimates were due to a number of factors including the removal of proved undeveloped reserves that are not part of our five-year development plan due to the decline in prices causing them to be uneconomic to drill and also due to a reduction in anticipated future capital expenditures.

Our estimated proved reserves and the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows of the proved reserves at December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the changes in quantities, and standardized measure of those reserves for the three years then ended, are shown in the Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures included in Item 8 of this report.

Contracts. Our oil production is sold at or near our wells under purchase contracts at prevailing prices in accordance with arrangements customary in the oil industry. Our natural gas production is sold to intrastate and interstate pipelines as well as to independent marketing firms under contracts with terms generally ranging from one month to a year. Few of these contracts contain provisions for readjustment of price as most of them are market sensitive.

Customers. During 2016, sales to Sunoco Logistics and Valero Energy Corporation accounted for 24% and 11% of our oil and natural gas revenues, respectively. No other company accounted for more than 10% of our oil and natural gas revenues. During 2016, our mid-stream segment purchased $42.7 million of our natural gas and NGLs production and provided gathering and transportation services of $9.2 million. Intercompany revenue from services and purchases of production between our mid-stream segment and our oil and natural gas segment has been eliminated in our consolidated financial statements. In 2015 and 2014, we eliminated intercompany revenues of $65.2 million and $89.6 million, respectively, attributable to the intercompany purchase of our production of natural gas and NGLs as well as gathering and transportation services.

CONTRACT DRILLING

General. Our contract drilling business is conducted through Unit Drilling Company. Through this company we drill onshore oil and natural gas wells for our own account as well as other oil and natural gas companies. Our drilling operations are located in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, and North Dakota. Until October 31, 2015, our drilling operations in Texas were conducted under Unit Texas Drilling L.L.C., a subsidiary of Unit Drilling Company. Effective October 31, 2015, that subsidiary was merged into Unit Drilling Company.

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The following table identifies certain information concerning our contract drilling segment:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
Number of drilling rigs available for use at year end	94.0			94.0			89.0
Average number of drilling rigs owned during year	93.9			92.6			118.8
Average number of drilling rigs utilized	17.4			34.7			75.4
Utilization rate ⁽¹⁾	19		%	38		%	63		%
Average revenue per day ⁽²⁾	$	19,154		$	20,950		$	17,318
Total footage drilled (feet in 1,000’s)	5,112			7,237			12,551
Number of wells drilled	358			516			894

_________________________


(1)	Utilization rate is determined by dividing the average number of drilling rigs used by the average number of drilling rigs owned during the year.


(2)	Represents the total revenues from our contract drilling segment divided by the total number of days our drilling rigs were used during the year.

Description and Location of Our Drilling Rigs. An on-shore drilling rig is composed of major equipment components like engines, drawworks or hoists, derrick or mast, substructure, pumps to circulate the drilling fluid, blowout preventers, top drives, and drill pipe. As a result of the normal wear and tear from operating 24 hours a day, several of the major components, like engines, mud pumps, top drives, and drill pipe, must be replaced or rebuilt on a periodic basis. Other major components, like the substructure, mast, and drawworks, can be used for extended periods of time with proper maintenance. We also own additional equipment used in the operation of our drilling rigs, including iron roughnecks, automated catwalks, skidding systems, large air compressors, trucks, and other support equipment. Our drilling rigs can be transferred between divisions.

The maximum depth capacities of our various drilling rigs range from 9,500 to 40,000 feet allowing us to cover a wide range of our customers drilling requirements. In 2016, 28 of our 94 drilling rigs were used in drilling services.

The following table shows certain information about our drilling rigs (including their distribution) as of February 10, 2017:



Divisions	Contracted Rigs	Non-Contracted Rigs	Total Rigs	Average Rated Drilling Depth (ft)
Mid-Continent ⁽¹⁾	22	51	73	17,185
Rocky Mountain	6	15	21	19,929
Totals	28	66	94	17,798

_________________________


(1)	In 2016, our Panhandle and Gulf Coast divisions were consolidated into the Mid-Continent division.

The cyclical nature of the contract drilling business is reflected in drilling rig utilization rates. Drilling rig utilization in 2014 saw an increase of 17 drilling rigs running, going from 65 drilling rigs at the start of the year to 82 drilling rigs in November. The last month of 2014 reflected the beginning of the downward market we have experienced the last two years. At the end of 2015, our active drilling rig count was 26. Then in 2016, utilization continued downward bottoming out in May at 13 operating drilling rigs and as commodity prices began improving during the remainder of the year, we exited 2016 with 21 active rigs.

Mid-Continent. 2016’s low level of utilization brought further consolidation of this segment's operating divisions. The Gulf Coast and Texas Panhandle divisions were rolled into the Mid-Continent division under a single management team. The Mid-Continent division manages operations from Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana, and Kansas. The division operated an average of 11.7 drilling rigs during 2016. As of December 31, 2016, this division was operating 15 drilling rigs, 10 of which were working in Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle and five in the Permian Basin of West Texas.

Rocky Mountains. Our Rocky Mountain division covers Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota. This vast area has produced a number of conventional and unconventional oil and gas fields. This division operated an average of

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5.7 drilling rigs during 2016. We had two drilling rigs operating in the Pinedale Anticline of western Wyoming, three drilling rigs operating in the Bakken Shale of North Dakota, and one drilling rig operating in the Niobrara play in eastern Colorado at the end of 2016.

At any given time the number of drilling rigs we can work depends on a number of conditions besides demand, including the availability of qualified labor and the availability of needed drilling supplies and equipment. The impact of these conditions tends to affect the demand for our drilling rigs. Our average utilization rate for 2016, 2015, and 2014 was 19%, 38%, and 63%, respectively.

The following table shows the average number of our drilling rigs working by quarter for the years indicated:



	2016	2015	2014
First quarter	20.6	50.1	67.9
Second quarter	13.5	30.7	73.5
Third quarter	16.0	31.2	79.1
Fourth quarter	19.5	27.2	80.9

Drilling Rig Fleet. The following table summarizes the changes to our drilling rig fleet in 2016. A more complete discussion of changes over the last three years follows the table:



Drilling rigs available for use at December 31, 2015	94
Drilling rigs sold	(1	)
Drilling rigs constructed	1
Total drilling rigs available for use at December 31, 2016	94

Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Construction. During the first quarter of 2014, we sold four idle 3,000 horsepower drilling rigs to an unaffiliated third party. The proceeds from that sale were used in our construction program for our new proprietary 1,500 horsepower, AC electric drilling rig, called the BOSS drilling rig.

During 2014, three BOSS drilling rigs were constructed and placed into service for third-party operators.

In December 2014, we removed from service 31 drilling rigs, some older top drives, and certain drill pipe no longer marketable in the current environment and based on the estimated market value from third-party assessments, we recorded a write-down of approximately $74.3 million, pre-tax. During 2015, we recorded an additional write-down on the drilling rigs and other equipment of approximately $8.3 million pre-tax based on the estimated market value from similar auctions. We sold all 31 of these drilling rigs and some other drilling equipment to unaffiliated third parties. The proceeds from the sale of those assets, less costs to sell, was less than the $11.3 million net book value resulting in a loss of $7.3 million pre-tax.

During 2015, five BOSS drilling rigs were constructed and placed into service for third-party operators.

During December 2016, we sold an idle 1,500 horsepower SCR drilling rig to an unaffiliated third party. We also built and placed into service for a third party operator our ninth BOSS drilling rig. This new BOSS rig was constructed using the long lead time components purchased in prior years.

Drilling Contracts. Our drilling contracts are generally obtained through competitive bidding on a well by well basis. Contract terms and payment rates vary depending on the type of contract used, the duration of the work, the equipment and services supplied, and other matters. We pay certain operating expenses, including the wages of our drilling rig personnel, maintenance expenses, and incidental drilling rig supplies and equipment. The contracts are usually subject to early termination by the customer subject to the payment of a fee. Our contracts also contain provisions regarding indemnification against certain types of claims involving injury to persons, property, and for acts of pollution. The specific terms of these indemnifications are subject to negotiation on a contract by contract basis.

The type of contract used determines our compensation. Contracts are generally one of three types: daywork; footage; or turnkey. Under a daywork contract, we provide the drilling rig with the required personnel and the operator supervises the drilling of the well. Our compensation is based on a negotiated rate to be paid for each day the drilling rig is used. Footage contracts usually require us to bear some of the drilling costs in addition to providing the drilling rig. We are paid on

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completion of the well at a negotiated rate for each foot drilled. Under turnkey contracts we drill the well to a specified depth for a set amount and provide most of the required equipment and services. We bear the risk of drilling the well to the contract depth and are paid when the contract provisions are completed. We may incur losses if we underestimate the costs to drill the well or if unforeseen events occur that increase our costs or result in the loss of the well. We did not have any footage or turnkey contracts in 2016, 2015, or 2014. Because market demand for our drilling rigs as well as the desires of our customers determine the types of contracts we use, we cannot predict when and if a part of our drilling will be conducted under footage or turnkey contracts.

The majority of our contracts are on a well-to-well basis, with the rest under term contracts. Term contracts range from six months to two years and the rates can either be fixed throughout the term or allow for periodic adjustments.

Customers. During 2016, QEP Resources, Inc. and Whiting Petroleum Corporation were our largest drilling customers accounting for approximately 28% and 18%, respectively, of our total contract drilling revenues. Our work for these customers were under multiple contracts and our business was not substantially dependent on any of these individual contracts. Consequently, none of these individual contracts were considered to be material. No other third party customer accounted for 10% or more of our contract drilling revenues.

Our contract drilling segment also provides drilling services for our oil and natural gas segment. During 2016, 2015, and 2014, our contract drilling segment drilled 10, 38, and 134 wells, respectively, for our oil and natural gas segment, or 3%, 7%, and 15%, respectively, of the total wells drilled by our contract drilling segment. Depending on the timing of the drilling services performed on our properties those services may be deemed, for financial reporting purposes, to be associated with the acquisition of an ownership interest in the property. Revenues and expenses for these services are eliminated in our statement of operations, with any profit recognized reducing our investment in our oil and natural gas properties. The contracts for these services are issued under the similar terms and rates as the contracts entered into with unrelated third parties. We did not eliminate any revenue or expenses in our contract drilling segment during 2016. By providing drilling services for the oil and natural gas segment, we eliminated revenue of $22.1 million and $89.5 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, from our contract drilling segment and eliminated the associated operating expense of $18.3 million and $62.4 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, yielding $3.8 million and $27.1 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a reduction to the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties.

MID-STREAM

General. Our mid-stream operations are conducted through Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries. Its operations consist of buying, selling, gathering, processing, and treating natural gas. It operates three natural gas treatment plants, 13 processing plants, 25 active gathering systems, and approximately 1,465 miles of pipeline. Superior and its subsidiaries operate in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

The following table presents certain information regarding our mid-stream segment for the years indicated:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016	2015	2014
Gas gathered—Mcf/day	419,217	353,771	319,348
Gas processed—Mcf/day	155,461	182,684	161,282
NGLs sold—gallons/day	536,494	577,513	733,406

Dispositions and Acquisitions. This segment did not have any significant dispositions or acquisitions during 2014, 2015, or 2016.

In 2014, our mid-stream segment had a $7.1 million pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Weatherford, Billy Rose, and Spring Creek and in 2015, incurred a $27.0 million pre-tax write-down of its systems, Bruceton Mills, Spring Creek, and Midwell due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems not being sufficient to support their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems.

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Contracts. Our mid-stream segment provides its customers with a full range of gathering, processing, and treating services. These services are usually provided to each customer under long-term contracts (more than one year), but we do have some short-term contracts as well. Our customer agreements include the following types of contracts:

•

Fee-Based Contracts. These contracts provide for a set fee for gathering, transporting, compressing, and treating services. Our mid-stream’s revenue is a function of the volume of natural gas and is not directly dependent on the value of the natural gas. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 76% of our mid-stream segment’s total volumes and 71% of its operating margins (as defined below) were under fee-based contracts.

•

Commodity-Based Contracts. These contracts consist of several contract structure types. Under these contract structures, our mid-stream segment purchases the raw well-head natural gas and settles with the producer at a stipulated price while retaining all sales proceeds from third parties or retains a negotiated percentage of the sales proceeds from the residue natural gas and NGLs it gathers and processes, with the remainder being paid to the producer. For the year ended December 31, 2016, 24% of our mid-stream segment’s total volumes and 29% of operating margins (as defined below) were under commodity-cased contracts.

For each of the above contracts, operating margin is defined as total operating revenues less operating expenses and does not include depreciation, amortization, and impairment, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, or income taxes.

Customers. During 2016, ONEOK Partners, L.P., Koch Energy Services, LLC, Range Resources Corporation, and Tenaska Resources, LLC, accounted for approximately 30%, 11%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of our mid-stream revenues. We believe that if we lost any of these identified customers, there are other customers available to purchase our gas and NGLs. During 2016, 2015, and 2014 this segment purchased $42.7 million, $57.6 million, and $80.9 million, respectively, of our oil and natural gas segment's natural gas and NGLs production, and provided gathering and transportation services of $9.2 million, $7.6 million, and $8.7 million, respectively. Intercompany revenue from services and purchases of production between this business segment and our oil and natural gas segment has been eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.

VOLATILE NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS

The prevailing prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas significantly affect our revenues, operating results, cash flow as well as our ability to grow our operations. Oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices have been volatile and we expect them to continue to be so. For each of the periods indicated, the following table shows the highest and lowest average prices our oil and natural gas segment received for its sales of oil, NGLs, and natural gas without taking into account the effect of derivatives:



	Oil Price per Bbl				NGLs Price per Bbl				Natural Gas Price per Mcf
Quarter	High		Low		High		Low		High		Low
2014
First	$	98.09	$	90.51	$	41.62	$	36.75	$	5.00	$	4.25
Second	$	102.62	$	98.76	$	35.45	$	25.70	$	4.38	$	4.15
Third	$	98.95	$	90.70	$	31.08	$	29.32	$	3.88	$	3.36
Fourth	$	82.30	$	54.22	$	29.02	$	19.49	$	3.96	$	3.31
2015
First	$	46.70	$	43.22	$	18.90	$	1.60	$	2.85	$	2.30
Second	$	54.37	$	49.28	$	15.41	$	10.21	$	2.50	$	2.11
Third	$	49.02	$	40.36	$	9.49	$	7.81	$	2.51	$	2.17
Fourth	$	42.21	$	33.29	$	12.81	$	9.03	$	2.12	$	1.64
2016
First	$	31.49	$	26.62	$	9.49	$	4.54	$	1.86	$	1.20
Second	$	45.13	$	36.63	$	13.19	$	8.61	$	1.52	$	1.36
Third	$	41.75	$	41.40	$	14.95	$	9.87	$	2.48	$	2.32
Fourth	$	48.80	$	42.71	$	19.07	$	12.14	$	2.85	$	2.25

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Prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the actual or perceived supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty, and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control, including:


•	political conditions in oil producing regions;


•	the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to agree on prices and their ability or willingness to maintain production quotas;


•	actions taken by foreign oil and natural gas producing nations;


•	the price of foreign oil imports;


•	imports and exports of oil and liquefied natural gas;


•	actions of governmental authorities;


•	the domestic and foreign supply of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	the level of consumer demand;


•	United States storage levels of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	weather conditions;


•	domestic and foreign government regulations;


•	the price, availability, and acceptance of alternative fuels;


•	volatility in ethane prices causing rejection of ethane as part of the liquids processed stream; and


•	worldwide economic conditions.

These factors and the volatile nature of the energy markets make it impossible to predict with any certainty the future prices of oil, NGLs, and natural gas. You are encouraged to read the Risk Factors discussed in Item 1A of this report for additional risks that can impact our operations.

Our contract drilling operations are dependent on the level of demand in our operating markets. Both short-term and long-term trends in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices affect demand. Because oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices are volatile, the level of demand for our services can also be volatile.

Our mid-stream operations provide us greater flexibility in delivering our (and third parties) natural gas and NGLs from the wellhead to major natural gas and NGLs pipelines. Margins received for the delivery of these natural gas and NGLs are dependent on the price for oil, NGLs, and natural gas and the demand for natural gas and NGLs in our area of operations. If the price of NGLs falls without a corresponding decrease in the cost of natural gas, it may become uneconomical to us to extract certain NGLs. The volumes of natural gas and NGLs processed are highly dependent on the volume and Btu content of the natural gas and NGLs gathered.

COMPETITION

All of our businesses are highly competitive and price sensitive. Competition in the contract drilling business traditionally involves factors such as demand, price, efficiency, condition of equipment, availability of labor and equipment, reputation, and customer relations.

Our oil and natural gas operations likewise encounter strong competition from other oil and natural gas companies. Many of these competitors have greater financial, technical, and other resources than we do and have more experience than we do in the exploration for and production of oil and natural gas.

Our drilling success and the success of other activities integral to our operations will depend, in part, during times of increased competition on our ability to attract and retain experienced geologists, engineers, and other professionals. Competition for these professionals can, at times, be extremely intense.

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Our mid-stream segment competes with purchasers and gatherers of all types and sizes, including those affiliated with various producers, other major pipeline companies, as well as independent gatherers for the right to purchase natural gas and NGLs, build gathering and processing systems, and deliver the natural gas and NGLs once the gathering and processing systems are established. The principal elements of competition include the rates, terms, and availability of services, reputation, and the flexibility and reliability of service.

OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROGRAMS AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Unit Petroleum Company serves as the general partner of 13 oil and gas limited partnerships (the employee partnerships) which were formed to allow certain of our qualified employees and our directors to participate in Unit Petroleum’s oil and gas exploration and production operations. Employee partnerships were formed for each year beginning with 1984 and ending with 2011. In addition, we also had three non-employee partnerships, one formed in 1984 and two formed in 1986 (investments by third parties). Effective December 31, 2014, the 1984 partnership was dissolved and effective December 31, 2016, the two 1986 partnerships were also dissolved.

The employee partnerships formed in 1984 through 1999 have been combined into a single consolidated partnership. The employee partnerships each have a set annual percentage (ranging from 1% to 15%) of our interest that the partnership acquires in most of the oil and natural gas wells we drill or acquire for our own account during the year in which the partnership was formed. The total interest the participants have in our oil and natural gas wells by participating in these partnerships does not exceed one percent of our interest in the wells.

Under the terms of our partnership agreements, the general partner has broad discretionary authority to manage the business and operations of the partnership, including the authority to make decisions regarding the partnership’s participation in a drilling location or a property acquisition, the partnership’s expenditure of funds, and the distribution of funds to partners. Because the business activities of the limited partners and the general partner are not the same, conflicts of interest will exist and it is not possible to entirely eliminate these conflicts. Additionally, conflicts of interest may arise when we are the operator of an oil and natural gas well and also provide contract drilling services. In these cases, the drilling operations are conducted under drilling contracts containing terms and conditions comparable to those contained in our drilling contracts with non-affiliated operators. We believe we fulfill our responsibility to each contracting party and comply fully with the terms of the agreements which regulate these conflicts.

These partnerships are further described in Notes 2 and 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of this report.

EMPLOYEES

As of February 10, 2017, we had approximately 746 employees in our contract drilling segment, 266 employees in our oil and natural gas segment, 125 employees in our mid-stream segment, and 79 in our general corporate area. None of our employees are members of a union or labor organization nor have our operations ever been interrupted by a strike or work stoppage. We consider relations with our employees to be satisfactory.

GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS

General. Our business depends on the demand for services from the oil and natural gas exploration and development industry, and therefore our business can be affected by political developments and changes in laws and regulations that control or curtail drilling for oil and natural gas for economic, environmental, or other policy reasons.

Various state and federal regulations affect the production and sale of oil and natural gas. All states in which we conduct activities impose varying restrictions on the drilling, production, transportation, and sale of oil and natural gas. The following discussion of certain laws and regulations affecting our operations should not be relied upon as an exhaustive review of all regulatory considerations affecting us, due to the multitude of complex federal, state, and local regulations, and their susceptibility to change by subsequent agency actions and court rulings, that may affect our operations.

Natural Gas Sales and Transportation. Under the Natural Gas Act of 1938, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates the interstate transportation and the sale in interstate commerce for resale of natural gas. FERC’s jurisdiction over interstate natural gas sales has been substantially modified by the Natural Gas Policy Act under which FERC continued to regulate the maximum selling prices of certain categories of gas sold in “first sales” in interstate and intrastate commerce. Effective January 1, 1993, however, the Natural Gas Wellhead Decontrol Act (the Decontrol Act) deregulated natural gas prices

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for all “first sales” of natural gas. Because “first sales” include typical wellhead sales by producers, all natural gas produced from our natural gas properties is sold at market prices, subject to the terms of any private contracts which may be in effect. FERC’s jurisdiction over interstate natural gas transportation is not affected by the Decontrol Act.

Our sales of natural gas are affected by intrastate and interstate gas transportation regulation. Beginning in 1985, FERC adopted regulatory changes that have significantly altered the transportation and marketing of natural gas. These changes are intended by FERC to foster competition by, among other things, transforming the role of interstate pipeline companies from wholesale marketers of natural gas to the primary role of gas transporters. All natural gas marketing by the pipelines is required to divest to a marketing affiliate, which operates separately from the transporter and in direct competition with all other merchants. As a result of the various omnibus rulemaking proceedings in the late 1980s and the subsequent individual pipeline restructuring proceedings of the early to mid-1990s, interstate pipelines must provide open and nondiscriminatory transportation and transportation-related services to all producers, natural gas marketing companies, local distribution companies, industrial end users, and other customers seeking service. Through similar orders affecting intrastate pipelines that provide similar interstate services, FERC expanded the impact of open access regulations to certain aspects of intrastate commerce.

FERC has pursued other policy initiatives that have affected natural gas marketing. Most notable are (1) the large-scale divestiture of interstate pipeline-owned gas gathering facilities to affiliated or non-affiliated companies; (2) further development of rules governing the relationship of the pipelines with their marketing affiliates; (3) the publication of standards relating to the use of electronic bulletin boards and electronic data exchange by the pipelines to make available transportation information on a timely basis and to enable transactions to occur on a purely electronic basis; (4) further review of the role of the secondary market for released pipeline capacity and its relationship to open access service in the primary market; and (5) development of policy and promulgation of orders pertaining to its authorization of market-based rates (rather than traditional cost-of-service based rates) for transportation or transportation-related services upon the pipeline’s demonstration of lack of market control in the relevant service market.

As a result of these changes, independent sellers and buyers of natural gas have gained direct access to the particular pipeline services they need and are better able to conduct business with a larger number of counter parties. We believe these changes generally have improved the access to markets for natural gas while, at the same time, substantially increasing competition in the natural gas marketplace. However, we cannot predict what new or different regulations FERC and other regulatory agencies may adopt or what effect subsequent regulations may have on production and marketing of natural gas from our properties.

Although in the past Congress has been very active in the area of natural gas regulation as discussed above, the more recent trend has been in favor of deregulation and the promotion of competition in the natural gas industry. Thus, in addition to “first sales” deregulation, Congress also repealed incremental pricing requirements and natural gas use restraints previously applicable. There continually are legislative proposals pending in the Federal and state legislatures which, if enacted, would significantly affect the petroleum industry. At the present time, it is impossible to predict what proposals, if any, might actually be enacted by Congress or the various state legislatures and what effect, if any, these proposals might have on the production and marketing of natural gas by us. Similarly, and despite the trend toward federal deregulation of the natural gas industry, whether or to what extent that trend will continue or what the ultimate effect will be on the production and marketing of natural gas by us cannot be predicted.

Oil and Natural Gas Liquids Sales and Transportation. Our sales of oil and natural gas liquids currently are not regulated and are at market prices. The prices received from the sale of these products are affected by the cost of transporting these products to market. Much of that transportation is through interstate common carrier pipelines. Effective as of January 1, 1995, FERC implemented regulations generally grandfathering all previously approved interstate transportation rates and establishing an indexing system for those rates by which adjustments are made annually based on the rate of inflation, subject to certain conditions and limitations. These regulations may tend to increase the cost of transporting oil and natural gas liquids by interstate pipeline, although the annual adjustments could result in decreased rates in a given year. These regulations have generally been approved on judicial review. Every five years, FERC examines the relationship between the annual change in the applicable index and the actual cost changes experienced by the oil pipeline industry and makes any necessary adjustment in the index to be used during the ensuing five years. We are not able to predict with certainty what effect, if any, the periodic review of the index by FERC will have on us.

Exploration and Production Activities. Federal, state, and local agencies also have promulgated extensive rules and regulations applicable to our oil and natural gas exploration, production, and related operations. The states we operate in require permits for drilling operations, drilling bonds, and the filing of reports concerning operations and impose other requirements

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relating to the exploration of oil and natural gas. Many states also have statutes or regulations addressing conservation matters including provisions for the unitization or pooling of oil and natural gas properties, the establishment of maximum rates of production from oil and natural gas wells, and the regulation of spacing, plugging and, abandonment of such wells. The statutes and regulations of some states limit the rate at which oil and natural gas is produced from our properties. The federal and state regulatory burden on the oil and natural gas industry increases our cost of doing business and affects our profitability. Because these rules and regulations are amended or reinterpreted frequently, we are unable to predict the future cost or impact of complying with these laws.

Environmental.

General. Our operations are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing protection of the environment. These laws and regulations may require acquisition of permits before certain of our operations may be commenced and may restrict the types, quantities, and concentrations of various substances that can be released into the environment. Planning and implementation of protective measures are required to prevent accidental discharges. Spills of oil, natural gas liquids, drilling fluids, and other substances may subject us to penalties and cleanup requirements. Handling, storage, and disposal of both hazardous and non-hazardous wastes are subject to regulatory requirements.

The federal Clean Water Act, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act, the federal Clean Air Act, the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and their state counterparts, are the primary vehicles for imposition of such requirements and for civil, criminal, and administrative penalties and other sanctions for violation of their requirements. In addition, the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act and similar state statutes impose strict liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons who are considered responsible for the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Such liability, which may be imposed for the conduct of others and for conditions others have caused, includes the cost of remedial action as well as damages to natural resources.

The EPA in 2015 established publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) effluent guidelines and standards for oil and gas extraction facilities which reflected current industry best practices for unconventional oil and gas extraction facilities.

The EPA and the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers in 2015 proposed a new expansive definition of the “waters of the United States,” which rules has been stayed by courts pending conformity with the definition the United States Supreme Court previously established and whether such changes can be appealed by a person or entity directly to a United States Court of Appeals. In addition, the Army Corps of Engineers includes wetlands within its definition of “waters of the United States.” In 2016, the United States Supreme Court in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers v. Hawkes held that landowners can challenge in court an Army Corps of Engineers jurisdictional determination. It is anticipated that this decision will provide landowners an important tool in negotiating and resolving conflicts with federal agencies over the extent of wetlands on a property.

Endangered Species Act. The federal Endangered Species Act, referred to as the “ESA,” and analogous state laws regulate a variety of activities, including oil and gas development, which could have an adverse effect on species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA or their habitats. The designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species could cause oil and natural gas exploration and production operators and service companies to incur additional costs or become subject to operating delays, restrictions or bans in affected areas, which impacts could adversely reduce the amount of drilling activities in affected areas. All three of our business segments could be subject to the effect of one or more species being listed as threatened or endangered within the areas of our operations. Numerous species have been listed or proposed for protected status in areas in which we provide or could in the future undertake operations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries in 2016 issued final revised definitions relating to impacts on critical habitats for potentially endangered species allowing exclusion of certain areas so long as they will not result in the extinction of the species. The presence of protected species in areas where we provide contract drilling or mid-stream services or conduct exploration and production operations could impair our ability to timely complete or carry out those services and, consequently, adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

Climate Change. Recent scientific studies have suggested that emissions of certain gases, commonly referred to as “greenhouse gases,” or GHGs, may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result there have been a variety of regulatory developments, proposals or requirements, and legislative initiatives that have been introduced in the United States (as well as other parts of the World) that are focused on restricting the emission of carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases.

In 2007, the United States Supreme Court in Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA, held that carbon dioxide may be regulated as an “air pollutant” under the federal Clean Air Act if it represents a health hazard to the public. On December 7, 2009, the U.S.

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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) responded to the Massachusetts, et al. v. EPA decision and issued a finding that the current and projected concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations, and that certain GHGs from new motor vehicles and motor vehicle engines contribute to the atmospheric concentrations of GHG and hence to the threat of climate change. In addition, the EPA issued a final rule, effective in December 2009, requiring the reporting of GHG emissions from specified large (25,000 metric tons or more) GHG emission sources in the U.S., beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. During 2010, the EPA proposed revisions to these reporting requirements to apply to all oil and gas production, transmission, processing, and other facilities exceeding certain emission thresholds. On May 12, 2016, the EPA issued three final rules that together will curb emissions of methane, smog-forming volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and toxic air-pollutants such as benzene from new, reconstructed and modified oil and natural gas sources, while providing greater certainty about Clean Air Act permitting requirements for the industry. First, the EPA issued updates to the New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas industry to add requirements that the industry reduce emissions of GHGs and to cover additional equipment and activities in the oil and natural gas distribution chain by setting emissions limits for methane and to require owners/operators to find and repair methane and VOC leaks. Second, the EPA issued a source determination rule with respect to the EPA’s air permitting rules as they apply to the oil and natural gas industry. The EPA clarified when multiple pieces of equipment and activities must be deemed a single source for determining whether (i) major source Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and Nonattainment New Source Review requirements apply with respect to preconstruction permitting and (ii) a Title V Operating permit is required. Third, the EPA issued a final rule to implement the Minor New Source Review Program in Indian Country for oil and natural gas production designed to limit emissions of harmful air pollution while making the preconstruction permitting process more streamlined and efficient. These regulations will result in additional costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with our operations and possibly could adversely affect demand for the crude oil we gather, transport, store or otherwise handle in connection with our services.

Hydraulic Fracturing. Our oil and natural gas segment routinely applies hydraulic fracturing techniques to many of our oil and natural gas properties, including our unconventional resource plays in the Granite Wash of Texas and Oklahoma, the Marmaton of Oklahoma, the Wilcox of Texas, and the Mississippian of Kansas. A committee of the U.S. House of Representatives has been conducting an investigation of hydraulic fracturing practices. Legislation has previously been introduced before Congress to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the fracturing process. The U.S. House of Representatives has previously passed a bill that would block the Department of Interior from regulating hydraulic fracturing in states that already have their own regulations in place; however, it is uncertain that such an act will ever be enacted. In addition, certain states in which we operate, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming have adopted, and other states as well as municipalities and other local governmental entities in some states, have and others are considering adopting regulations and ordinances that could impose more stringent permitting, public disclosure of fracking fluids, waste disposal, and well construction requirements on these operations, and even restrict or ban hydraulic fracturing in certain circumstances.

On December 31, 2016, the EPA released its scientific Final Report on Impacts from Hydraulic Fracturing Activities on Drinking Water. The EPA states the report, which was done at the request of Congress, provides scientific evidence that hydraulic fracturing activities can impact drinking water resources in the United States under some circumstances. The EPA identifies six conditions under which impacts from hydraulic fracturing activities can be more frequent or severe as well as existing uncertainties and data gaps. Both the EPA and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have made statements indicating that activities associated with hydraulic fracturing may be causing earthquakes, with the focus being on wastewater disposal wells rather than injection wells. In an August 2015 report sent to the Texas Railroad Commission, the EPA stated it believes there is a significant possibility that North Texas earthquake activity is associated with disposal wells. The USGS has stated that hydraulic fracturing causes extremely small earthquakes, but they are almost always too small to be detected. With respect to disposal wells, the USGS has stated that the injection of wastewater and salt water by deep wells into the subsurface can cause earthquakes that are large enough to be felt and may cause damage. As a result, the USGS and its university partners have deployed seismometers at sites of known or possible injection induced earthquakes in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ohio and Texas and that it is also developing methods to assess the earthquake hazard associated with wastewater injection wells.

Any new laws, regulation, or permitting requirements regarding hydraulic fracturing could lead to operational delay, or increased operating costs or third party or governmental claims, and could result in additional burdens that could serve to delay or limit the drilling services we provide to third parties whose drilling operations could be impacted by these regulations or increase our costs of compliance and doing business as well as delay the development of unconventional gas resources from shale formations which are not commercial without the use of hydraulic fracturing. Restrictions on hydraulic fracturing could also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we are ultimately able to produce from our reserves.

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Other; Compliance Costs. We cannot predict future legislation or regulations. It is possible that some future laws, regulations, and/or ordinances could result in increasing our compliance costs or additional operating restrictions as well as those of our customers. It is also possible that such future developments could curtail the demand for fossil fuels which could adversely affect the demand for our services, which in turn could adversely affect our future results of operations. Likewise we cannot predict with any certainty whether any changes to temperature, storm intensity or precipitation patterns as a result of climate change (or otherwise) will have a material impact on our operations.

Compliance with applicable environmental requirements has not, to date, had a material effect on the cost of our operations, earnings, or competitive position. However, as noted above in connection with our discussion of the regulation of GHGs and hydraulic fracturing, compliance with amended, new or more stringent requirements of existing environmental regulations or requirements may cause us to incur additional costs or subject us to liabilities that may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

Historically, our revenues from our Canadian operations, as well as information relating to long-lived assets attributable to those operations were immaterial. We no longer have any interests there or any other international operations.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS/CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND RISK FACTORS

This report contains “forward-looking statements” – meaning, statements related to future events within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included or incorporated by reference in this document which addresses activities, events or developments which we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, are forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “predicts,” and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. This report modifies and supersedes documents filed by us before this report. In addition, certain information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this report.

These forward-looking statements include, among others, such things as:


•	the amount and nature of our future capital expenditures and how we expect to fund our capital expenditures;


•	prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	our exploration and drilling prospects;


•	the estimates of our proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves;


•	oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserve potential;


•	development and infill drilling potential;


•	expansion and other development trends of the oil and natural gas industry;


•	our business strategy;


•	our plans to maintain or increase production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	the number of gathering systems and processing plants we plan to construct or acquire;


•	volumes and prices for natural gas gathered and processed;


•	expansion and growth of our business and operations;


•	demand for our drilling rigs and drilling rig rates;


•	our belief that the final outcome of our legal proceedings will not materially affect our financial results;


•	our ability to timely secure third-party services used in completing our wells;

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•	our ability to transport or convey our oil, NGLs, or natural gas production to established pipeline systems;


•	impact of federal and state legislative and regulatory actions affecting our costs and increasing operating restrictions or delays as well as other adverse impacts on our business;


•	our projected production guidelines for the year;


•	our anticipated capital budgets;


•	our financial condition and liquidity;


•	the number of wells our oil and natural gas segment plans to drill during the year; and


•	our estimates of the amounts of any ceiling test write-downs or other potential asset impairments we may be required to record in future periods.

These statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments as well as other factors we believe are appropriate in the circumstances. Whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties any one or combination of which could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations and predictions, including:


•	the risk factors discussed in this document and in the documents (if any) we incorporate by reference;


•	general economic, market, or business conditions;


•	the availability of and nature of (or lack of) business opportunities that we pursue;


•	demand for our land drilling services;


•	changes in laws or regulations;


•	changes in the current geopolitical situation;


•	risks relating to financing, including restrictions in our debt agreements and availability and cost of credit;


•	risks associated with future weather conditions;


•	decreases or increases in commodity prices;


•	our ability to successfully implement our pending technology conversion process relating to our financial and operational information systems; and


•	other factors, most of which are beyond our control.

You should not place undue reliance on any of these forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we disclaim any current intention to update forward-looking information and to release publicly the results of any future revisions we may make to forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

In order to help provide you with a more thorough understanding of the possible effects of some of these influences on any forward-looking statements made by us, the following discussion outlines some (but not all) of the factors that could in the future cause our consolidated results to differ materially from those that may be presented in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf.

Demand for our contract drilling and mid-stream services is substantially dependent on the levels of expenditures by the oil and gas industry. A substantial or an extended decline in oil and gas prices could result in lower expenditures by the oil and gas industry, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Demand for our contract drilling and mid-stream services depends substantially on the level of expenditures by the oil and gas industry for the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas reserves. These expenditures are generally dependent on the industry’s view of future oil and natural gas prices and are sensitive to the industry’s view of future economic growth and the resulting impact on demand for oil and natural gas. Declines, as well as anticipated declines, in oil and gas prices could also result in project modifications, delays or cancellations, general business disruptions, and delays in payment of, or nonpayment of, amounts that are owed to us. These effects could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

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The oil and gas industry has historically experienced periodic downturns, which have been characterized by diminished demand for oilfield services and downward pressure on the prices we charge. A significant downturn in the oil and gas industry could result in a reduction in demand for oilfield services and could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Oil, NGLs, and Natural Gas Prices. In addition to the impact oil and gas prices may have on our contract drilling and mid-stream segments, the prices we receive for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production have a direct impact on our revenues, profitability, and cash flow as well as our ability to meet our projected financial and operational goals. The prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas are determined on a number of factors beyond our control, including:


•	the demand for and supply of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	current weather conditions in the continental United States (which can greatly influence the demand and prices for natural gas at any given time);


•	the amount and timing of oil, liquid natural gas, and liquefied petroleum gas imports and exports;


•	the ability of current distribution systems in the United States to effectively meet the demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas at any given time, particularly in times of peak demand which may result because of adverse weather conditions;


•	the ability or willingness of the OPEC to set and maintain production levels for oil;


•	oil and gas production levels by non-OPEC countries;


•	the level of excess production capacity;


•	political and economic uncertainty and geopolitical activity;


•	governmental policies and subsidies;


•	the costs of exploring for producing and delivering oil and gas;


•	technological advances affecting energy consumption; and


•	weather conditions.

Oil prices are extremely sensitive to influences domestic and foreign based on political, social or economic underpinnings, any one of which could have an immediate and significant effect on the price and supply of oil. In addition, prices of oil, NGLs, and natural gas have been at various times influenced by trading on the commodities markets. That trading, at times, has tended to increase the volatility associated with these prices resulting in large differences in prices even on a week-to-week and month-to-month basis. All of these factors, especially when coupled with the fact that much of our product prices are determined on a daily basis, can, and at times do, lead to wide fluctuations in the prices we receive.

Based on our 2016 production, a $0.10 per Mcf change in what we receive for our natural gas production, without the effect of derivatives, would result in a corresponding $442,000 per month ($5.3 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow. A $1.00 per barrel change in our oil price, without the effect of derivatives, would have a $238,000 per month ($2.9 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow and a $1.00 per barrel change in our NGLs price, without the effect of derivatives, would have a $398,000 per month ($4.8 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow.

In order to reduce our exposure to short-term fluctuations in the price of oil, NGLs, and natural gas, we sometimes enter into derivative contracts such as swaps and collars. To date, we have derivatives in part, but not on all of our production which only provides price protection against declines in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices on the production subject to our derivatives, but not otherwise. Should market prices for the production we have derivatives exceed the prices due under our derivative contracts, our derivative contracts then expose us to risk of financial loss and limit the benefit to us of those increases in market prices. During 2016, all of our NGLs volumes and about half of our oil and natural gas volumes were sold at market responsive prices. To help manage our cash flow and capital expenditure requirements, we had derivative contracts on approximately 61% and 65% of our 2016 average daily production for oil and natural gas, respectively. A more thorough discussion of our derivative arrangements is contained in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of this report contained in Item 7.

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Uncertainty of Oil, NGLs, and Natural Gas Reserves; Ceiling Test. There are many uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves and their values, including many factors beyond our control. The oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserve information included in this report represents only an estimate of these reserves. Oil, NGLs, and natural gas reservoir engineering is a subjective and an inexact process of estimating underground accumulations of oil, NGLs, and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Estimates of economically recoverable oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves depend on a number of variable factors, including historical production from the area compared with production from other producing areas, and assumptions concerning:


•	reservoir size;


•	the effects of regulations by governmental agencies;


•	future oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices;


•	future operating costs;


•	severance and excise taxes;


•	operational risks;


•	development costs; and


•	workover and remedial costs.

Some or all of these assumptions may vary considerably from actual results. For these and other reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of oil, NGLs, and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, classifications of those oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows from oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers but at different times may vary substantially. Accordingly, oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserve estimates may be subject to periodic downward or upward adjustments. Actual production, revenues, and expenditures with respect to our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves will likely vary from estimates and those variances may be material.

The information regarding discounted future net cash flows included in this report is not necessarily the current market value of the estimated oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. The use of full cost accounting requires us to use the unweighted arithmetic average of the commodity prices existing on the first day of each of the 12 months before the end of the reporting period to calculate discounted future revenues, unless prices were otherwise determined under contractual arrangements. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower. Actual future net cash flows are also affected, in part, by the following factors:


•	the amount and timing of oil, NGLs, and natural gas production;


•	supply and demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	increases or decreases in consumption; and


•	changes in governmental regulations or taxation.

In addition, the 10% discount factor, required by the SEC for use in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and the risks associated with our operations or the oil and natural gas industry in general.

Debt and Bank Borrowing. We have incurred and currently expect to continue to incur substantial capital expenditures in our operations. Historically, we have funded our capital needs through a combination of internally generated cash flow and borrowings under our bank credit agreement. In 2011 and 2012, we issued $250.0 million (the 2011 Notes) and $400.0 million (the 2012 Notes), respectively, of senior subordinated notes (collectively, the Notes). We currently have, and will continue to

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have, a certain amount of indebtedness. At December 31, 2016, we had $160.8 million of outstanding long-term debt under our credit agreement and the amount of the Notes, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, was $640.1 million.

Depending on the amount of our debt, the cash flow needed to satisfy that debt and the covenants contained in our bank credit agreement and those applicable to the Notes could:


•	limit funds otherwise available for financing our capital expenditures, our drilling program or other activities or cause us to curtail these activities;


•	limit our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our business;


•	place us at a competitive disadvantage to those of our competitors that are less indebted than we are;


•	make us more vulnerable during periods of low oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices or in the event of a downturn in our business; and


•	prevent us from obtaining additional financing on acceptable terms or limit amounts available under our existing or any future credit facilities.

Our ability to meet our debt obligations depends on our future performance. If the requirements of our indebtedness are not satisfied, a default could be deemed to occur and our lenders or the holders of the Notes would be entitled to accelerate the payment of the outstanding indebtedness. If that were to happen, we would not have sufficient funds available (and probably would not be able to obtain the financing required) to meet our obligations.

The amount of our existing debt, as well as our future debt, if any, is, largely, based on the costs associated with the projects we undertake at any given time and of our cash flow. Generally, our normal operating costs are those resulting from the drilling of oil and natural gas wells, the acquisition of producing properties, the costs associated with the maintenance, upgrade, or expansion of our drilling rig fleet, and the operations of our natural gas buying, selling, gathering, processing, and treating systems. To some extent, these costs, particularly the first two, are discretionary and we maintain a degree of control regarding the timing or the need to incur them. But, in some cases, unforeseen circumstances may arise, such as in the case of an unanticipated opportunity to make a large acquisition or the need to replace a costly drilling rig component due to an unexpected loss, which could force us to incur additional debt above that which we had expected or forecasted. Likewise, if our cash flow should prove to be insufficient to cover our current cash requirements we would need to increase our debt either through bank borrowings or otherwise.

RISK FACTORS

Many other factors could adversely affect our business. The following discussion describes the material risks currently known to us. However, additional risks that we do not know about or that we currently view as immaterial may also impair our business or adversely affect the value of our securities. You should carefully consider the risks described below together with the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this report.

If demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas is reduced, our ability to market as well as produce our oil, NGLs, and natural gas may be negatively affected.

Historically, oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices have been extremely volatile, with significant increases and significant price drops being experienced from time to time. In the future, various factors beyond our control will have a significant effect on oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices. Such factors include, among other things, the domestic and foreign supply of oil, NGLs, and natural gas, the price of foreign imports, the levels of consumer demand, the price and availability of alternative fuels, the availability of pipeline capacity, and changes in existing and proposed federal regulation and price controls.

The oil, NGLs, and natural gas markets are also unsettled due to a number of factors. Production from oil and natural gas wells in some geographic areas of the United States has been curtailed for considerable periods of time due to a lack of market demand and transportation and storage capacity. It is possible, however, that some of our wells may in the future be shut-in or that oil, NGLs, and natural gas will be sold on terms less favorable than might otherwise be obtained should demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas decrease. Competition for available markets has been vigorous and there remains great uncertainty about prices that purchasers will pay. Oil, NGLs, and natural gas surpluses could result in our inability to market oil, NGLs, and natural gas profitably, causing us to curtail production and/or receive lower prices for our oil, NGls, and natural gas, situations which would adversely affect us.

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Disruptions in the financial markets could affect our ability to obtain financing or refinance existing indebtedness on reasonable terms and may have other adverse effects.

Commercial-credit and equity market disruptions may result in tight capital markets in the United States. Liquidity in the global-capital markets can be severely contracted by market disruptions making terms for certain financings less attractive, and in certain cases, result in the unavailability of certain types of financing. As a result of credit and equity market turmoil, we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing, or refinance existing indebtedness on favorable terms, which could affect operations and financial performance.

Oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices are volatile, and low prices have negatively affected our financial results and could do so in the future.

Our revenues, operating results, cash flow, and future growth depend substantially on prevailing prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas. Historically, oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices and markets have been volatile, and they are likely to continue to be volatile in the future. Any decline in prices in the future would have a negative impact on our future financial results as well as our ability to grow our business segments.

Prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas are subject to wide fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the actual or perceived supply of and demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas, market uncertainty, and a variety of additional factors that are beyond our control. These factors include:


•	political conditions in oil producing regions;


•	the ability of the members of the OPEC to agree on prices and their ability or willingness to maintain production quotas;


•	actions taken by foreign oil and natural gas companies;


•	the price of foreign oil imports;


•	imports and exports of oil and liquefied natural gas;


•	actions of governmental authorities;


•	the domestic and foreign supply of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	the level of consumer demand;


•	United States storage levels of oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	weather conditions;


•	domestic and foreign government regulations;


•	the price, availability, and acceptance of alternative fuels;


•	volatility in ethane prices causing rejection of ethane as part of the liquids processed stream; and


•	worldwide economic conditions.

These factors and the volatile nature of the energy markets make it impossible to predict with any certainty the future prices of oil, NGLs, and natural gas.

Our contract drilling operations depend on levels of activity in the oil, NGLs, and natural gas exploration and production industry.

Our contract drilling operations depend on the level of activity in oil, NGLs, and natural gas exploration and production in our operating markets. Both short-term and long-term trends in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices affect the level of that activity. Because oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices are volatile, the level of exploration and production activity can also be volatile. Any decrease from current oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices could further depress the level of exploration and production activity. This, in turn, would likely result in further declines in the demand for our drilling services and would have an adverse effect on our contract drilling revenues, cash flows, and profitability. As a result, the future demand for our drilling services is uncertain.

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The industries in which we operate are highly competitive, and many of our competitors have greater resources than we do.

The drilling industry in which we operate is generally very competitive. Most drilling contracts are awarded on the basis of competitive bids, which may result in intense price competition. Some of our competitors in the contract drilling industry have greater financial and human resources than we do. These resources may enable them to better withstand periods of low drilling rig utilization, to compete more effectively on the basis of price and technology, to build new drilling rigs or acquire existing drilling rigs, and to provide drilling rigs more quickly than we do in periods of high drilling rig utilization.

The oil and natural gas industry is also highly competitive. We compete in the areas of property acquisitions and oil and natural gas exploration, development, production, and marketing with major oil companies, other independent oil and natural gas concerns, and individual producers and operators. In addition, we must compete with major and independent oil and natural gas concerns in recruiting and retaining qualified employees. Many of our competitors in the oil and natural gas industry have substantially greater resources than we do.

The midstream industry is also highly competitive. We compete in areas of gathering, processing, transporting, and treating natural gas with other midstream companies. We are continually competing with larger midstream companies for acquisitions and construction projects. Many of our competitors have greater financial resources, human resources, and larger geographic presence than we do currently.

Growth through acquisitions is not assured.

In the past, we have experienced growth in each of our segments, in part, through mergers and acquisitions. The contract land drilling industry, the exploration and development industry, as well as the gas gathering and processing industry, have experienced significant consolidation over the past several years, and there can be no assurance that acquisition opportunities will be available. Even if available, there is no assurance that we would have the financial ability to pursue the opportunity. Additionally, we are likely to continue to face intense competition from other companies for available acquisition opportunities.

There can be no assurance that we will:


•	be able to identify suitable acquisition opportunities;


•	have sufficient capital resources to complete additional acquisitions;


•	successfully integrate acquired operations and assets;


•	effectively manage the growth and increased size;


•	maintain the crews and market share to operate any future drilling rigs we may acquire; or


•	successfully improve our financial condition, results of operations, business or prospects in any material manner as a result of any completed acquisition.

We may incur substantial indebtedness to finance future acquisitions and also may issue debt instruments, equity securities, or convertible securities in connection with any acquisitions. Debt service requirements could represent a significant burden on our results of operations and financial condition and the issuance of additional equity would be dilutive to existing shareholders. Also, continued growth could strain our management, operations, employees, and other resources.

Successful acquisitions, particularly those of oil and natural gas companies or of oil and natural gas properties, require an assessment of a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include recoverable reserves, exploration potential, future oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices, operating costs, and potential environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and their accuracy is inherently uncertain.

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Our operations have significant capital requirements, and our indebtedness could have important consequences.

We have experienced and will continue to experience substantial capital needs for our operations. We have $640.1 million of indebtedness outstanding (net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs) under the senior subordinated notes we have issued to date and, in addition, have the right to borrow up to $475.0 million under our credit agreement. As of February 10, 2017, we had $163.0 million outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement. Our level of indebtedness, the cash flow needed to satisfy our indebtedness, and the covenants governing our indebtedness could:


•	limit funds available for financing capital expenditures, our drilling program or other activities or cause us to curtail these activities;


•	limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to changes in, our business;


•	place us at a competitive disadvantage to some of our competitors that are less leveraged than we are;


•	make us more vulnerable during periods of low oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices or in the event of a downturn in our business; and


•	prevent us from obtaining additional financing on acceptable terms or limit amounts available under our existing or any future credit facilities.

Our ability to meet our debt service and other contractual and contingent obligations will depend on our future performance. In addition, lower oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices could result in future reductions in the amount available for borrowing under our credit agreement, reducing our liquidity, and even triggering mandatory loan repayments.

The instruments governing our indebtedness contain various covenants limiting the conduct of our business.

The indentures governing our senior subordinated notes and our credit agreement contain various restrictive covenants that limit the conduct of our business. In particular, these agreements will place certain limits on our ability to, among other things:


•	incur additional indebtedness, guarantee obligations or issue disqualified capital stock;


•	pay dividends or distributions on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock;


•	make investments or other restricted payments;


•	grant liens on assets;


•	enter into transactions with stockholders or affiliates;


•	sell assets;


•	issue or sell capital stock of certain subsidiaries; and


•	merge or consolidate.

In addition, our credit agreement also requires us to maintain a minimum current ratio and a maximum senior indebtedness or leverage ratio.

If we fail to comply with the restrictions in the indentures governing our senior subordinated notes, our credit agreement or any other subsequent financing agreements, a default may allow the creditors, if the agreements so provide, to accelerate the related indebtedness as well as any other indebtedness to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. If that occurs, we may not be able to make all of the required payments or borrow sufficient funds to refinance that debt. Even if new financing were available at that time, it may not be on terms acceptable to us. In addition, lenders may be able to terminate any commitments they had made to make available further funds.

Our future performance depends on our ability to find or acquire additional oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves that are economically recoverable.

In general, production from oil and natural gas properties declines as reserves are depleted, with the rate of decline depending on reservoir characteristics. Unless we successfully replace the reserves that we produce, our reserves will decline, resulting eventually in a decrease in oil, NGLs, and natural gas production and lower revenues and cash flow from operations.

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Historically, we have succeeded in increasing reserves after taking production into account through exploration and development. We have conducted these activities on our existing oil and natural gas properties as well as on newly acquired properties. We may not be able to continue to replace reserves from these activities at acceptable costs. Lower prices of oil, NGLs, and natural gas may further limit the kinds of reserves that can economically be developed. Lower prices also decrease our cash flow and may cause us to decrease capital expenditures.

We are continually identifying and evaluating opportunities to acquire oil and natural gas properties, including acquisitions that would be significantly larger than those consummated to date by us. We cannot assure you that we will successfully consummate any acquisition, that we will be able to acquire producing oil and natural gas properties that contain economically recoverable reserves or that any acquisition will be profitably integrated into our operations.

The competition for producing oil and natural gas properties is intense. This competition could mean that to acquire properties we will have to pay higher prices and accept greater ownership risks than we have in the past.

Our exploration and production and mid-stream operations involve a high degree of business and financial risk which could adversely affect us.

Exploration and development involve numerous risks that may result in dry holes, the failure to produce oil, NGLs, and natural gas in commercial quantities and the inability to fully produce discovered reserves. The cost of drilling, completing, and operating wells is substantial and uncertain. Numerous factors beyond our control may cause the curtailment, delay, or cancellation of drilling operations, including:


•	unexpected drilling conditions;


•	pressure or irregularities in formations;


•	capacity of pipeline systems;


•	equipment failures or accidents;


•	adverse weather conditions;


•	compliance with governmental requirements; and


•	shortages or delays in the availability of drilling rigs, pressure pumping services, or delivery crews and the delivery of equipment.

Exploratory drilling is a speculative activity. Although we may disclose our overall drilling success rate, those rates may decline. Although we may discuss drilling prospects that we have identified or budgeted for, we may ultimately not lease or drill these prospects within the expected time frame, or at all. Lack of drilling success will have an adverse effect on our future results of operations and financial condition.

Our mid-stream operations involve numerous risks, both financial and operational. The cost of developing gathering systems and processing plants is substantial and our ability to recoup these costs is uncertain. Our operations may be curtailed, delayed, or canceled as a result of many things beyond our control, including:


•	unexpected changes in the deliverability of natural gas reserves from the wells connected to the gathering systems;


•	availability of competing pipelines in the area;


•	capacity of pipeline systems;


•	equipment failures or accidents;


•	adverse weather conditions;


•	compliance with governmental requirements;


•	delays in the development of other producing properties within the gathering system’s area of operation; and


•	demand for natural gas and its constituents.

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Many of the wells from which we gather and process natural gas are operated by other parties. As a result, we have little control over the operations of those wells which can act to increase our risk. Operators of those wells may act in ways that are not in our best interests.

Competition for experienced technical personnel may negatively impact our operations or financial results.

The success of our three segments and the success of our other activities integral to our operations will depend, in part, on our ability to attract and retain experienced geologists, engineers, and other professionals. Competition for these professionals can be extremely intense, particularly when the industry is experiencing favorable conditions.

Our derivative arrangements might limit the benefit of increases in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices.

In order to reduce our exposure to short-term fluctuations in the price of oil, NGLs, and natural gas, we sometimes enter into derivative contracts. These derivative contracts apply to only a portion of our production and provide only partial price protection against declines in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices. These derivative contracts may expose us to risk of financial loss and limit the benefit to us of increases in prices.

Estimates of our reserves are uncertain and may prove to be inaccurate.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of proved reserves and their values, including many factors beyond our control. The reserve data represents only estimates. Reservoir engineering is a subjective and inexact process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. Estimates of economically recoverable oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves depend on a number of variable factors, including historical production from the area compared with production from other producing areas, and assumptions concerning:


•	the effects of regulations by governmental agencies;


•	future oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices;


•	future operating costs;


•	severance and excise taxes;


•	development costs; and


•	workover and remedial costs.

Some or all of these assumptions may vary considerably from actual results. For these reasons, estimates of the economically recoverable quantities of oil, NGLs, and natural gas attributable to any particular group of properties, classifications of those reserves based on risk of recovery, and estimates of the future net cash flows from reserves prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers but at different times may vary substantially. Accordingly, reserve estimates may be subject to downward or upward adjustment. Actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to our reserves will likely vary from estimates, and those variances may be material.

The information regarding discounted future net cash flows should not be considered as the current market value of the estimated oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves attributable to our properties. As required by the SEC, the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves are based on prices on the first day of the month for each month within the 12-month period before the end of the reporting period and costs as of the date of the estimate, while actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower. Actual future net cash flows also will be affected by the following factors:


•	the amount and timing of actual production;


•	supply and demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas;


•	increases or decreases in consumption; and


•	changes in governmental regulations or taxation.

In addition, the 10% per year discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with our operations or the oil and natural gas industry in general.

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If oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices decrease or are unusually volatile, we may be required to take write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties, the carrying value of our drilling rigs or our natural gas gathering and processing systems.

We review quarterly the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties under the full cost accounting rules of the SEC. Under these rules, capitalized costs of proved oil and natural gas properties may not exceed the present value of estimated future net revenues from proved reserves, discounted at 10% per year. Application of the ceiling test generally requires pricing future revenue at the unweighted arithmetic average of the price on the first day of month for each month within the 12-month period prior to the end of the reporting period, unless prices were defined by contractual arrangements, and requires a write-down for accounting purposes if the ceiling is exceeded. We may be required to write-down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties when oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices are depressed. If a write-down is required, it would result in a charge to earnings, but would not impact cash flow from operating activities. Once incurred, a write-down of oil and natural gas properties is not reversible at a later date. Because our ceiling tests use a rolling 12-month look back average price it is possible that a write down during a reporting period will not remove the need for us to take additional write downs in one or more succeeding periods. This would be the case when months with higher commodity prices roll off the 12-month period and are replaced with more recent months having lower commodity prices.

Our drilling equipment, transportation equipment, gas gathering and processing systems, and other property and equipment are carried at cost. We are required to periodically test to see if these values, including associated goodwill and other intangible assets, have been impaired whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If any of these assets are determined to be impaired, the loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. An estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets. Changes in these estimates could cause us to reduce the carrying value of property, equipment, and related intangible assets. Once these values have been reduced, they are not reversible.

Our operations present inherent risks of loss that, if not insured or indemnified against, could adversely affect our results of operations.

Our contract drilling operations are subject to many hazards inherent in the drilling industry, including blowouts, cratering, explosions, fires, loss of well control, loss of hole, damaged or lost drilling equipment, and damage or loss from inclement weather. Our exploration and production and mid-stream operations are subject to these and similar risks. Any of these events could result in personal injury or death, damage to or destruction of equipment and facilities, suspension of operations, environmental damage, and damage to the property of others. Generally, drilling contracts provide for the division of responsibilities between a drilling company and its customer, and we seek to obtain indemnification from our drilling customers by contract for some of these risks. To the extent that we are unable to transfer these risks to drilling customers by contract or indemnification agreements (or to the extent we assume obligations of indemnity or assume liability for certain risks under our drilling contracts), we seek protection from some of these risks through insurance. However, some risks are not covered by insurance and we cannot assure you that the insurance we do have or the indemnification agreements we have entered into will adequately protect us against liability from all of the consequences of the hazards described above. The occurrence of an event not fully insured or indemnified against, or the failure of a customer to meet its indemnification obligations, could result in substantial losses. In addition, we cannot assure you that insurance will be available to cover any or all of these risks. Even if available, the insurance might not be adequate to cover all of our losses, or we might decide against obtaining that insurance because of high premiums or other costs.

In addition, we are not the operator of many of our wells. As a result, our operating risks for those wells and our ability to influence the operations for those wells are less subject to our control. Operators of those wells may act in ways that are not in our best interests.

Governmental and environmental regulations could adversely affect our business.

Our business is subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations on taxation, the exploration for and development, production, and marketing of oil and natural gas, and safety matters. Many laws and regulations require drilling permits and govern the spacing of wells, rates of production, prevention of waste, unitization and pooling of properties, and other matters. These laws and regulations have increased the costs of planning, designing, drilling, installing, operating, and abandoning our oil and natural gas wells and other facilities. In addition, these laws and regulations, and any others that are passed by the jurisdictions where we have production, could limit the total number of wells drilled or the allowable production from successful wells, which could limit our revenues.

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We are (or could become) subject to complex environmental laws and regulations adopted by the various jurisdictions where we own or operate. We could incur liability to governments or third parties for discharges of oil, natural gas or other pollutants into the air, soil or water, including responsibility for remedial costs. We could potentially discharge these materials into the environment in any number of ways including the following:


•	from a well or drilling equipment at a drill site;


•	from gathering systems, pipelines, transportation facilities, and storage tanks;


•	damage to oil and natural gas wells resulting from accidents during normal operations; and


•	blowouts, cratering, and explosions.

Because the requirements imposed by laws and regulations are frequently changed, we cannot assure you that laws and regulations enacted in the future, including changes to existing laws and regulations, will not adversely affect our business. The current Congress and White House administration may impose or change laws and regulations that will adversely affect our business. With the trend toward stricter standards, greater regulation, and more extensive permit requirements, our risks related to environmental matters and our environmental expenditures could increase in the future. In addition, because we acquire interests in properties that have been operated in the past by others, we may be liable for environmental damage caused by the former operators, which liability could be material.

Any future implementation of price controls on oil, NGLs, and natural gas would affect our operations.

Certain groups have asserted efforts to have the United States Congress impose some form of price controls on either oil, natural gas, or both. There is no way at this time to know what result these efforts will have nor, if implemented, their effect on our operations. However, it is possible that these efforts, if successful, would serve to limit the amount that we might be able to get for our future oil, NGLs, and natural gas production. Any future limits on the price of oil, NGLs, and natural gas could also result in adversely affecting the demand for our drilling services.

Provisions of Delaware law and our by-laws and charter could discourage change in control transactions and prevent shareholders from receiving a premium on their investment.

Our by-laws and charter provide for a classified board of directors with staggered terms and authorizes the board of directors to set the terms of preferred stock. In addition, our charter and Delaware law contain provisions that impose restrictions on business combinations with interested parties. Because of the provisions of our by-laws, charter, and Delaware law, persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals may be more likely to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. As a result, these provisions may make it more difficult for our shareholders to benefit from transactions that are opposed by an incumbent board of directors.

New technologies may cause our current exploration and drilling methods to become obsolete, resulting in an adverse effect on our production.

Our industry is subject to rapid and significant advancements in technology, including the introduction of new products and services using new technologies. As competitors use or develop new technologies, we may be placed at a competitive disadvantage, and competitive pressures may force us to implement new technologies at a substantial cost. In addition, competitors may have greater financial, technical, and personnel resources that allow them to enjoy technological advantages and may in the future allow them to implement new technologies before we can. We cannot be certain that we will be able to implement technologies on a timely basis or at a cost that is acceptable to us. One or more of the technologies that we currently use or that we may implement in the future may become obsolete or may not work as we expected and we may be adversely affected.

We may be affected by climate change and market or regulatory responses to climate change.

Climate change, including the impact of potential global warming regulations, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Restrictions, caps, taxes, or other controls on emissions of greenhouse gasses, including diesel exhaust, could significantly increase our operating costs. Restrictions on emissions could also affect our customers that (a) use commodities that we carry to produce energy, (b) use significant amounts of energy in producing or delivering the commodities we carry, or (c) manufacture or produce goods that consume significant amounts of energy or burn fossil fuels, including chemical producers, farmers and food producers, and automakers and other manufacturers. Significant

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cost increases, government regulation, or changes of consumer preferences for goods or services relating to alternative sources of energy or emissions reductions could materially affect the markets for the commodities associated with our business, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Government incentives encouraging the use of alternative sources of energy could also affect certain of our customers and the markets for certain of the commodities associated with our business in an unpredictable manner that could alter our business activities. Finally, we could face increased costs related to defending and resolving legal claims and other litigation related to climate change and the alleged impact of our operations on climate change. Any of these factors, individually or in operation with one or more of the other factors, or other unforeseen impacts of climate change could reduce the amount of business activity we conduct and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity.

The results of our operations depend on our ability to transport oil, NGLs, and gas production to key markets.

The marketability of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production depends in part on the availability, proximity, and capacity of pipeline systems, refineries, and other transportation sources. The unavailability of or lack of available capacity on these systems and facilities could result in the shut-in of producing wells or the delay or discontinuance of development plans for properties. Federal and state regulation of oil, NGLs, and natural gas production and transportation, tax and energy policies, changes in supply and demand, pipeline pressures, damage to or destruction of pipelines, and general economic conditions could adversely affect our ability to produce, gather and, transport oil, NGLs, and natural gas.

The loss of one or a number of our larger customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

During 2016, sales to Sunoco Logistics and Valero Energy Corporation accounted for 24% and 11% of our oil and natural gas revenues, respectively. QEP Resources, Inc. and Whiting Petroleum Corporation were our largest drilling customers accounting for approximately 28% and 18%, respectively, of our total contract drilling revenues. And for our mid-stream segment, ONEOK Partners, L.P., Koch Energy Services, LLC, Range Resources Corporation, and Tenaska Resources, LLC, accounted for approximately 30%, 11%, 10%, and 10%, respectively, of our revenues. No other third party customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. Any of our customers may choose not to use our services and the loss of a number of our larger customers could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations if we could not find replacements.

Shortage of completion equipment and services could delay or otherwise adversely affect our oil and natural gas segment's operations.

As there is an increase in horizontal drilling activity in certain areas, shortages could result in the availability of third party equipment and services required for the completion of wells drilled by our oil and natural gas segment. We could experience delays in completing some of our wells. Although we can take steps to try to reduce the delays associated with these services, we anticipate that these services will be in high demand for the immediate future and could delay, restrict, or curtail part of our exploration and development operations, which could in turn harm our results.

Our mid-stream segment depends on certain natural gas producers and pipeline operators for a significant portion of its supply of natural gas and NGLs. The loss of any of these producers could result in a decline in our volumes and revenues.

We rely on certain natural gas producers for a significant portion of our natural gas and NGLs supply. While some of these producers are subject to long-term contracts, we may be unable to negotiate extensions or replacements of these contracts on favorable terms, if at all. The loss of all or even a portion of the natural gas volumes supplied by these producers, as a result of competition or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our mid-stream segment unless we were able to acquire comparable volumes from other sources.

The counterparties to our commodity derivative contracts may not be able to perform their obligations to us, which could materially affect our cash flows and results of operations.

To reduce our exposure to adverse fluctuations in the prices of oil and natural gas, we currently, and may in the future, enter into commodity derivative contracts for a significant portion of our forecasted oil, NGLs, and natural gas production. The extent of our commodity price exposure is related largely to the effectiveness and scope of our derivative activities, as well as to the ability of counterparties under our commodity derivative contracts to satisfy their obligations to us. If one or more of our counterparties is unable or unwilling to make required payments to us under our commodity derivative contracts, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

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Reliance on management.

We depend greatly on the efforts of our executive officers and other key employees to manage our operations. The loss or unavailability of any of our executive officers or other key employees could have a material adverse effect on our business.

We are subject to various claims and litigation that could ultimately be resolved against us requiring material future cash payments and/or future material charges against our operating income and materially impairing our financial position.

The nature of our business makes us highly susceptible to claims and litigation. We are subject to various existing legal claims and lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Any claims or litigation, even if fully indemnified or insured, could negatively affect our reputation among our customers and the public, and make it more difficult for us to compete effectively or obtain adequate insurance in the future.

Derivative regulations included in current financial reform legislation could impede our ability to manage business and financial risks by restricting our use of derivative instruments as hedges against fluctuating commodity prices and interest rates.

In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Act) was passed by Congress and signed into law. The Act contains significant derivative regulations, including a requirement that certain transactions be cleared on exchanges and a requirement to post cash collateral (commonly referred to as margin) for such transactions. The Act provides for a potential exception from these clearing and cash collateral requirements for commercial end-users and it includes a number of defined terms that will be used in determining how this exception applies to particular derivative transactions and the parties to those transactions.

We use crude oil and natural gas derivative instruments with respect to a portion of our expected production in order to reduce commodity price uncertainty and enhance the predictability of cash flows relating to the marketing of our crude oil and natural gas. As commodity prices increase, our derivative liability positions increase; however, none of our current derivative contracts require the posting of margin or similar cash collateral when there are changes in the underlying commodity prices that are referred to in these contracts.

Depending on the rules and definitions adopted by the CFTC, we could be required to post collateral with our dealer counterparties for our commodities derivative transactions. Such a requirement could have a significant impact on our business by reducing our ability to execute derivative transactions to reduce commodity price uncertainty and to protect cash flows. Requirements to post collateral would cause significant liquidity issues by reducing our ability to use cash for investment or other corporate purposes, or would require us to increase our level of debt. In addition, a requirement for our counterparties to post collateral would likely result in additional costs being passed on to us, thereby decreasing the effectiveness of our derivative contracts and our profitability.

Proposed federal and state legislative and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.

Hydraulic-fracturing is an essential and common practice in the oil and gas industry used to stimulate production of oil, natural gas, and associated liquids from dense subsurface rock formations. Our oil and natural gas segment routinely apply hydraulic-fracturing techniques to many of our oil and natural gas properties, including our unconventional resource plays in the Granite Wash of Texas and Oklahoma, the Marmaton and Hoxbar of Oklahoma, the Wilcox of Texas, and the Mississippian of Kansas. Hydraulic-fracturing involves using water, sand, and certain chemicals to fracture the hydrocarbon-bearing rock formation to allow the flow of hydrocarbons into the wellbore. The process is typically regulated by state oil and natural gas commissions; however, the EPA has asserted federal regulatory authority over certain hydraulic-fracturing activities involving diesel under the Safe Drinking Water Act and published permitting guidance addressing the performance of such activities using diesel. The EPA is also seeking to require companies to disclose information regarding the chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing and the bureau of Land Management has imposed requirements for hydraulic fracturing activities of federal lands. In addition, Congress has from time to time considered legislation to provide for federal regulation of hydraulic-fracturing and to require disclosure of the chemicals used in the hydraulic-fracturing process.

Certain states in which we operate, including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming, have adopted, and other states are considering adopting, regulations that could impose more stringent permitting, public disclosure of fracking fluids, waste disposal, and well construction requirements on hydraulic-fracturing operations or otherwise seek to ban fracturing activities altogether. For example, Texas adopted a law in June 2011 requiring disclosure to the Railroad Commission of Texas

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(RCT) and the public of certain information regarding the components used in the hydraulic-fracturing process. In addition to state laws, local land use restrictions, such as city ordinances, may restrict or prohibit the performance of well drilling in general and/or hydraulic fracturing in particular. In the event state, local, or municipal legal restrictions are adopted in areas where we are currently conducting, or in the future plan to conduct operations, we may incur additional costs to comply with such requirements that may be significant in nature, experience delays or curtailment in the pursuit of exploration, development, or production activities, and perhaps even be precluded from the drilling and/or completion of wells.

There are certain governmental reviews either underway or being proposed that focus on environmental aspects of hydraulic-fracturing practices. The White House Council on Environmental Quality is coordinating a review of hydraulic-fracturing practices, and a committee of the United States House of Representatives has conducted an investigation of hydraulic-fracturing practices. Furthermore, a number of federal agencies are analyzing, or have been requested to review, a variety of environmental issues associated with hydraulic fracturing. The EPA is currently evaluating the potential environmental effects of hydraulic fracturing on drinking water and groundwater. In addition, the U.S. Department of Energy has conducted an investigation into practices the agency could recommend to better protect the environment from drilling using hydraulic-fracturing completion methods.

Additionally, certain members of the Congress have previously called upon the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate how hydraulic fracturing might adversely affect water resources, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the natural gas industry and any possible misleading of investors or the public regarding the economic feasibility of pursuing natural gas deposits in shales by means of hydraulic fracturing, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration to provide a better understanding of that agency’s estimates regarding natural gas reserves, including reserves from shale formations, as well as uncertainties associated with those estimates. These ongoing or proposed studies, depending on their course and results obtained, could spur initiatives to further regulate hydraulic fracturing under the Safe Drinking Water Act or other regulatory processes.

Increased regulation and attention given to the hydraulic fracturing process could lead to greater opposition, including litigation, to oil and gas production activities using hydraulic fracturing techniques. Additional legislation or regulation could also lead to operational delays or increased operating costs in the production of oil, natural gas, and associated liquids including from the development of shale plays, or could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing. The adoption of additional federal, state or local laws or the implementation of regulations regarding hydraulic fracturing could potentially cause a decrease in the completion of new oil and gas wells, increased compliance costs and time, which could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

Our ability to produce crude oil, natural gas, and associated liquids economically and in commercial quantities could be impaired if we are unable to acquire adequate supplies of water for our drilling operations and/or completions or are unable to dispose of or recycle the water we use at a reasonable cost and in accordance with applicable environmental rules.

To our knowledge, there have been no citations, suits, or contamination of potable drinking water arising from our fracturing operations. We do not have insurance policies in effect that are intended to provide coverage for losses solely related to hydraulic fracturing operations; however, it is possible that our general liability and excess liability insurance policies might cover third-party claims related to hydraulic fracturing operations and associated legal expenses depending on the specific nature of the claims, the timing of the claims, as well as the specific terms of such policies.

Uncertainty regarding increased seismic activity in Oklahoma and Kansas.

We conduct oil and natural gas exploration, development and drilling activities in Oklahoma, Kansas, and elsewhere. In recent years, Oklahoma and Kansas has experienced a significant increase in earthquakes and other seismic activity. Some parties believe that there is a correlation between certain oil and gas activities and the increased occurrence of earthquakes. The extent of this correlation, if any, is the subject of studies by both state and federal agencies the results of which remain uncertain. We cannot state at this time what if any impact this seismic activity may have on us or our industry in the future.

The hydraulic fracturing process on which we depend to produce commercial quantities of crude oil, natural gas, and associated NGLs from many reservoirs requires the use and disposal of significant quantities of water.

Our inability to secure sufficient amounts of water, or to dispose of or recycle the water used in our oil and natural gas segment operations, could adversely impact our operations. Moreover, the imposition of new environmental initiatives and regulations could include restrictions on our ability to conduct certain operations such as hydraulic fracturing or disposal of

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wastes, including, but not limited to, produced water, drilling fluids, and other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of oil and natural gas.

Compliance with environmental regulations and permit requirements governing the withdrawal, storage and, use of surface water or groundwater necessary for hydraulic fracturing of wells may increase our operating costs and cause delays, interruptions, or termination of our operations, the extent of which cannot be predicted, all of which could have an adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.

We may decide not to drill some of the prospects we have identified, and locations that we do drill may not yield oil, NGLs, and natural gas in commercially viable quantities.

Our oil and natural gas segment's prospective drilling locations are in various stages of evaluation, ranging from a prospect that is ready to drill to a prospect that will require additional geological and engineering analysis. Based on a variety of factors, including future oil, NGLs, natural gas prices, the generation of additional seismic or geological information, and other factors, we may decide not to drill one or more of these prospects. As a result, we may not be able to increase or maintain our reserves or production, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business, financial position, and results of operations. In addition, the SEC's reserve reporting rules include a general requirement that, subject to limited exceptions, proved undeveloped reserves may only be booked if they relate to wells scheduled to be drilled within five years of the date of booking. At December 31, 2016, we had 40 proved undeveloped drilling locations. To the extent that we do not drill these locations within five years of initial booking, they may not continue to qualify for classification as proved reserves, and we may be required to reclassify such reserves as unproved reserves. The reclassification of those reserves could also have a negative effect on the borrowing base under our credit facility.

The cost of drilling, completing, and operating a well is often uncertain, and cost factors can adversely affect the economics of a well. Our efforts will be uneconomic if we drill dry holes or wells that are productive but do not produce enough oil, NGLs, and natural gas to be commercially viable after drilling, operating, and other costs.

The borrowing base under our credit agreement is determined semi-annually at the discretion of the lenders and is based in a large part on the prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas.

Significant declines in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices may result in a decrease in our borrowing base. The lenders can unilaterally adjust the borrowing base and therefore the borrowings permitted to be outstanding under our credit agreement. If outstanding borrowings are in excess of the borrowing base, we must (a) repay the loan in excess of the borrowing base, (b) dedicate additional properties to the borrowing base, or (c) begin monthly principal payments in accordance with our credit agreement.

Potential listing of species as “endangered” under the federal Endangered Species Act could result in increased costs and new operating restrictions or delays on our operations and that of our customers, which could adversely affect our operations and financial results.

The federal Endangered Species Act, referred to as the ESA, and analogous state laws regulate a variety of activities, including oil and gas development, which could have an adverse effect on species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA or their habitats. The designation of previously unidentified endangered or threatened species could cause oil and natural gas exploration and production operators and service companies to incur additional costs or become subject to operating delays, restrictions or bans in affected areas, which impacts could adversely reduce the amount of drilling activities in affected areas. All three of our business segments could be subject to the effect of one or more species being listed as threatened or endangered within the areas of our operations. Numerous species have been listed or proposed for protected status in areas in which we provide or could in the future undertake operations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries in 2016 issued final revised definitions relating to impacts on critical habitats for potentially endangered species allowing exclusion of certain ares so long as they will not result in the extinction of the species. The presence of protected species in areas where we provide contract drilling or mid-stream services or conduct exploration and production operations could impair our ability to timely complete or carry out those services and, consequently, adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

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The construction of our new proprietary BOSS drilling rigs is subject to risks, including delays and cost overruns, and may not meet our expectations.

We have designed and built several new proprietary 1,500 horsepower AC electric drilling rigs, which we refer to as BOSS drilling rigs. This new design is intended to position us to more effectively meet the demands of our customers. The construction of any future new BOSS drilling rigs is subject to the risks of delays or cost overruns inherent in any large construction project as a result of numerous possible factors, including the following:


•	shortages of equipment, materials or skilled labor;


•	work stoppages and labor disputes;


•	unscheduled delays in the delivery of ordered materials and equipment;


•	unanticipated increases in the cost of equipment, labor and raw materials used in construction of our drilling rigs, particularly steel;


•	weather interferences;


•	difficulties in obtaining necessary permits or in meeting permit conditions;


•	unforeseen design and engineering problems;


•	failure or delay in obtaining acceptance of the drilling rig from our customer;


•	failure or delay of third party equipment vendors or service providers; and


•	lack of demand from the downturn in the oil and gas industry.

As to our new BOSS drilling rigs, there can be no assurance that we will:


•	obtain additional new-build contract opportunities; or


•	successfully improve our financial condition, results of operations or prospects as a result of the new drilling rigs.

While we hold certain patents regarding our BOSS drilling rig design, it is still possible that third parties may claim we infringe their intellectual property rights. We may receive notices from others claiming that our BOSS drilling rig design infringes on their intellectual property rights. In that event we may choose to resolve these claims by entering into royalty and licensing agreements, redesigning the drilling rig, or paying damages. These outcomes may cause operating margins to decline. In addition to money damages, in some jurisdictions plaintiffs can seek injunctive relief that may limit or prevent marketing and utilizing our drilling rigs that have infringing technologies.

Cyber attacks targeting systems and infrastructure used by the oil and gas industry may adversely impact our operations.

Our business has become increasingly dependent on digital technologies to conduct certain exploration, development and production activities. We depend on digital technology to estimate quantities of natural gas, oil and NGL reserves, process and record financial and operating data, analyze seismic and drilling information, and communicate with our employees and third-party partners. Although we utilize various procedures and controls to mitigate our exposure to such risk, cyber attacks are evolving and unpredictable. These attacks could include, but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, the unauthorized release of protected information and the corruption or loss of data. The occurrence of such an attack could lead to financial losses and have a negative impact on our results of operations. We are not aware that any such breaches have occurred to date.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. Properties

The information called for by this item was consolidated with and disclosed in connection with Item 1 above.

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings

Panola Independent School District No. 4, et al. v. Unit Petroleum Company, No. CJ-07-215, District Court of Latimer County, Oklahoma.

Panola Independent School District No. 4, Michael Kilpatrick, Gwen Grego, Carla Lessel, Thelma Christine Pate, Juanita Golightly, Melody Culberson, and Charlotte Abernathy are the Plaintiffs in this case and are royalty owners in oil and gas drilling and spacing units for which the company’s exploration segment distributes royalty. The Plaintiffs’ central allegation is that the company’s exploration segment has underpaid royalty obligations by deducting post-production costs or marketing related fees. Plaintiffs sought to pursue the case as a class action on behalf of persons who receive royalty from us for our Oklahoma production. We have asserted several defenses including that the deductions are permitted under Oklahoma law. We have also asserted that the case should not be tried as a class action due to the materially different circumstances that determine what, if any, deductions are taken for each lease. On December 16, 2009, the trial court entered its order certifying the class. On May 11, 2012 the court of civil appeals reversed the trial court’s order certifying the class. The Plaintiffs petitioned the supreme court for certiorari and on October 8, 2012, the Plaintiff’s petition was denied. On January 22, 2013, the Plaintiffs filed a second request to certify a class of royalty owners that was slightly smaller than their first attempt. Since then, the Plaintiffs have further amended their proposed class to just include royalty owners entitled to royalties under certain leases located in Latimer, Le Flore, and Pittsburg Counties, Oklahoma. In July 2014, a second class certification hearing was held where, in addition to the defenses described above, we argued that the amended class definition is still deficient under the court of civil appeals opinion reversing the initial class certification. Closing arguments were held on December 2, 2014. There is no timetable for when the court will issue its ruling. The merits of Plaintiffs’ claims will remain stayed while class certification issues are pending.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “UNT.” The following table identifies the high and low closing sales prices per share of our common stock for the periods indicated:



	2016				2015
Quarter	High		Low		High		Low
First	$	12.51	$	4.41	$	34.66	$	24.76
Second	$	17.81	$	8.44	$	36.23	$	26.79
Third	$	18.82	$	11.29	$	27.10	$	11.00
Fourth	$	28.11	$	16.44	$	19.53	$	10.60

On February 10, 2017, the closing sale price of our common stock, as reported by the NYSE, was $27.36 per share. On that date, there were approximately 836 holders of record of our common stock.

We have never declared any cash dividends on our common stock. Any future determination by our board of directors to pay dividends on our common stock will be made only after considering our financial condition, results of operations, capital requirements, and other relevant factors. Additionally, our bank credit agreement and the Notes prohibit the payment of cash dividends on our common stock under certain circumstances. For further information regarding our bank credit agreement and the Notes agreement’s impact on our ability to pay dividends see “Our Credit Agreement and Senior Subordinated Notes” under Item 7 of this report.

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Performance Graph. The following graph and related information shall not be deemed “soliciting material” or be deemed to be “filed” with the SEC, nor will this information be incorporated by reference into any future filing, except to the extent that we specifically incorporate it by reference into that filing.

Set forth below is a line graph comparing our cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock with the cumulative total return of the S&P 500 Stock Index, S&P 600 Oil and Gas Exploration & Production and our peer group which includes Helmerich & Payne, Inc., Patterson – UTI Energy Inc., and Pioneer Energy Services Corp. The graph below assumes an investment of $100 at the beginning of the period. The shareholder return set forth below is not necessarily indicative of future performance.

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Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following table shows selected consolidated financial data. The data should be read in conjunction with Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” for a review of 2016, 2015, and 2014 activity.



	As of and for the Year Ended December 31,
	2016				2015				2014			2013		2012
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
Revenues	$	602,177			$	854,231			$	1,572,944		$	1,351,850	$	1,315,123
Net income (loss)	$	(135,624	)	⁽⁴⁾	$	(1,037,361	)	⁽³⁾	$	136,276	⁽²⁾	$	184,746	$	23,176	⁽¹⁾
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(2.71	)		$	(21.12	)		$	2.80		$	3.83	$	0.48
Diluted	$	(2.71	)		$	(21.12	)		$	2.78		$	3.80	$	0.48
Total assets	$	2,479,303		⁽⁴⁾	$	2,799,842		⁽³⁾	$	4,463,473	⁽²⁾	$	4,010,546	$	3,747,688	⁽¹⁾
Long-term debt ⁽⁵⁾	$	800,917			$	918,995			$	801,908		$	633,852	$	702,927
Other long-term liabilities ⁽⁶⁾	$	103,479			$	140,626			$	148,785		$	158,331	$	167,545
Cash dividends per common share	$	—			$	—			$	—		$	—	$	—

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(1)	In 2012, due to low 12-month average commodity prices, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $283.6 million pre-tax ($176.5 million, net of tax).

(2)

In December 2014, we incurred a non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties of $76.7 million pre-tax ($47.7 million, net of tax), a non-cash write-down associated with the removal of 31 drilling rigs from our fleet along with certain other equipment and drill pipe of $74.3 million pre-tax ($46.3 million, net of tax), and a non-cash write-down associated with a reduction in the carrying value of three midstream segment systems of $7.1 million pre-tax ($4.4 million, net of tax).

(3)

In total for 2015, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs on our oil and natural gas properties of $1.6 billion pre-tax ($1.0 billion, net of tax). We also incurred a non-cash write-down on certain drilling rigs and other equipment of approximately $8.3 million pre-tax ($5.1 million, net of tax), and a non-cash write-down associated with a reduction in the carrying value of three midstream segment systems of $27.0 million pre-tax ($16.8 million, net of tax).


(4)	For the first three quarters of 2016, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs on our oil and natural gas properties of $161.6 million pre-tax ($100.6 million, net of tax).


(5)	Long-term debt is net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs.


(6)	Includes non-current derivative liabilities.

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Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Please read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Item 8 of this report.

General

We operate, manage, and analyze our results of operations through our three principal business segments:


•	Oil and Natural Gas – carried out by our subsidiary Unit Petroleum Company. This segment explores, develops, acquires, and produces oil and natural gas properties for our own account.


•	Contract Drilling – carried out by our subsidiary Unit Drilling Company. This segment contracts to drill onshore oil and natural gas wells for others and for our own account.


•	Mid-Stream – carried out by our subsidiary Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries. This segment buys, sells, gathers, processes, and treats natural gas for third parties and for our own account.

Business Outlook

As discussed in other parts of this report, our success depends, to a large degree, on the prices we receive for our oil and natural gas production, the demand for oil and natural gas, as well as, the demand for our drilling rigs which, in turn, influences the amounts we can charge for those drilling rigs. While our operations are located within the United States, events outside the United States affect us and our industry.

Deteriorating commodity prices worldwide during the past two years or so brought about significant adverse changes affecting our industry and us. These lower commodity prices caused us (and other oil and gas companies) to reduce and ultimately stop drilling activity and spending. When drilling activity and spending decline for extended periods of time the rates for and the number of our drilling rigs working also tend to decline. In addition, sustained lower commodity prices impact the liquidity condition of some of our industry partners and customers, which, in turn, could limit their ability to meet their financial obligations to us.

Commodity prices are volatile and subject to a number of factors most of which we cannot control. With the recent improvements in commodity prices, we are slowly starting to see signs of improvement in both industry and our activity. Our oil and natural gas segment began using two drilling rigs in the fourth quarter of 2016 and continued to do so in January 2017. Our contract drilling segment completed the construction and contracted the ninth BOSS drilling rig in the fourth quarter of 2016. In addition, we have seen indications that other operators are picking up their activity as well, but the extent and duration of this increase remains uncertain.

The impact on our business and financial results from the reduction in oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices has had a number of consequences for us, including:

•

We incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs in the first nine months of 2016 of $161.6 million ($100.6 million net of tax). We did not have a write-down in the fourth quarter of 2016. It is hard to predict with any reasonable certainty the need for or amount of any future impairments given the many factors that go into the ceiling test calculation including, but not limited to, future pricing, operating costs, drilling and completion costs, upward or downward oil and gas reserve revisions, oil and gas reserve additions, and tax attributes. Subject to these inherent uncertainties, if we hold these same factors constant as they existed at December 31, 2016 and only adjust the 12-month average price to an estimated first quarter ending average (holding February 2017 prices constant for the remaining one month of the first quarter of 2017), our forward looking expectation is that we will not recognize an impairment in the first quarter of 2017. But commodity prices (and other factors) remain volatile and they could negatively impact the 12-month average price resulting in the potential for an impairment in the first quarter.


•	We reduced the number of gross wells our oil and natural gas segment drilled in 2016 by approximately 64% from the number drilled in 2015 due to reduced cash flow. For 2017, we plan to increase the number of gross wells drilled by approximately 67-90% from the number of wells drilled in 2016.


•	The decline in drilling by our customers reduced the average utilization of our drilling rig fleet. At December 31, 2015, we had 26 drilling rigs operating. In 2016, utilization continued downward bottoming out in May at 13 operating drilling rigs. After May commodity prices began improving for the remainder of the year and we exited 2016 with 21

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active rigs. As of February 10, 2017, we had 25 drilling rigs operating. Operators have been increasing drilling, but the extent of further increases remain uncertain. As of December 31 2016, all nine of our BOSS drilling rigs were under contract.

•

Due to low NGLs prices, we continue to operate most of our mid-stream processing facilities in full ethane rejection mode which reduces the amount of liquids sold. As long as NGLs prices remain depressed, we expect to continue operating in full ethane rejection mode. Low prices have reduced drilling activity around our processing systems thus reducing the number of new wells available to connect to these systems which has resulted in lower processed volumes as production from connected wells naturally decline.

•

Under the third amendment to our credit agreement entered into on April 8, 2016, the lenders decreased our borrowing base from $550.0 million to $475.0 million. Our commitment under the credit agreement also decreased from $500.0 million to $475.0 million. The October 2016 redetermination did not result in any changes to our borrowing base, and we currently do not anticipate any reduction to our borrowing base for the April 2017 redetermination. At February 10, 2017, we had $163.0 million outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement.

In response to lower commodity prices we did the following during 2016:


•	Consolidated from five to two the number of divisions within our drilling segment further reducing the costs associated with operating the divisions.


•	Designed the higher end of our 2016 exploration and production segment budget so the majority of those proposed expenditures were in the latter part of the year allowing us to take into account future commodity price movement before we actually incured those expenditures.


•	Implemented certain reductions in our office and field workforces to account for the reduction in our operating activities as well as reducing the compensation paid to drilling personnel.


•	Sold non-core oil and gas properties for approximately $67.2 million with most of the proceeds being used to pay down borrowings under our bank credit agreement.

Executive Summary

Oil and Natural Gas

Fourth quarter 2016 production from our oil and natural gas segment was 4,209,000 Boe which was essentially unchanged from the third quarter of 2016 and decreased 12% from the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease came mostly from lower production due to reduced drilling activity resulting in decreased replacement of reserves. Oil and NGLs production during the fourth quarter of 2016 was 47% of our total production compared to 44% of our total production during the fourth quarter of 2015.

Fourth quarter 2016 oil and natural gas revenues increased 11% over the third quarter of 2016 and increased 16% over the fourth quarter of 2015. These increases were primarily due to rising oil, natural gas, and NGLs prices partially offset by reduced production volumes compared to the fourth quarter of 2015.

Our NGLs, oil, and natural gas prices for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 15%, 8%, and 3%, respectively, compared to the third quarter of 2016. Our NGLs and natural gas prices increased 32% and 6%, respectively, compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, while our oil prices decreased 4%.

Direct profit (oil and natural gas revenues less oil and natural gas operating expense) increased 14% over the third quarter of 2016 and 52% over the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase over the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher revenues due to rising commodity prices. The increase over the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to higher revenues and lower lease operating expenses (LOE).

Operating cost per Boe produced for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 5% over the third quarter of 2016 and decreased 14% from the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase over the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to higher lease operating expenses, gross production taxes, and bad debt expense. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to lower LOE, general and administrative expenses, salt water disposal expense, and lower production.

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For 2017, we have derivative contracts covering approximately 3,750 Bbls per day of oil production. For the first quarter, second and third quarters, we have hedged approximately 105,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas production, and for the fourth quarter, we have hedged approximately 92,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas production. For the first quarter of 2018, we have hedged approximately 60,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas production. For the remainder of 2018, we have to date hedged approximately 20,000 MMBtu per day of natural gas production.

At December 31, 2016, the following non-designated hedges were outstanding:



Term	Commodity	Contracted Volume	Weighted Average Fixed Price for Swaps	Contracted Market
Jan’17 – Mar’17	Natural gas – swap	70,000 MMBtu/day	$3.044	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Apr'17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – swap	60,000 MMBtu/day	$2.960	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – swap	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.025	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – basis swap ⁽¹⁾	20,000 MMBtu/day	$(0.215)	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – basis swap ⁽¹⁾	10,000 MMBtu/day	$(0.208)	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'17 – Oct'17	Natural gas – collar	20,000 MMBtu/day	$2.88 - $3.10	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – three-way collar	15,000 MMBtu/day	$2.50 - $2.00 - $3.32	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'18 – Mar'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.25 - $2.50 - $4.43	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Crude oil – three-way collar	3,750 Bbl/day	$49.79 - $39.58 - $60.98	WTI – NYMEX

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(1)	After December 31, 2016, the basis swaps for February through October 2017 and April through October 2018 were liquidated for $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

After December 31, 2016, the following non-designated hedges were entered into:



Term	Commodity	Contracted Volume	Weighted Average Fixed Price for Swaps	Contracted Market
Apr’17 – Oct'17	Natural gas – swap	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.505	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Nov’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.50 - $2.75 - $4.00	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'18 – Mar'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	40,000 MMBtu/day	$3.38 - $2.69 - $4.17	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Apr’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.00 - $2.50 - $3.66	IF – NYMEX (HH)

During 2016, we participated in the drilling of 21 wells (9.67 net wells). For 2017, we plan to participate in the drilling of approximately 35 to 40 gross wells. Our 2017 production guidance is approximately 15.9 to 16.4 MMBoe, an decrease of 5-8% from 2016, actual results will be subject to many factors. This segment’s capital budget for 2017 is approximately $188.0 million, a 57% increase from 2016, excluding acquisitions and ARO liability.

Contract Drilling

The average number of drilling rigs we operated for 2016 was 17.4 compared to 34.7 in 2015. At December 31, 2015, we had 26 drilling rigs operating. In 2016, utilization continued downward bottoming out in May at 13 operating drilling rigs. After May commodity prices began improving for the remainder of the year and we exited 2016 with 21 active rigs.

Revenue for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 29% over the third quarter of 2016 and decreased 34% from the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase over the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to more drilling rigs operating offset slightly by lower dayrates. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to less drilling rigs operating and lower dayrates.

Dayrates for the fourth quarter of 2016 averaged $16,866, a 4% and 9% decrease from the third quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. The decreases were primarily due to downward pressure on dayrates with lower demand.

Operating costs for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 13% over the third quarter of 2016 and decreased 34% from the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. The increase over the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to more drilling rigs operating while the decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to fewer drilling rigs operating.

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Direct profit (contract drilling revenue less contract drilling operating expense) for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 74% over the third quarter of 2016 and decreased 35% from the fourth quarter of 2015. The increase over the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to more drilling rigs operating while the decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to fewer drilling rigs operating.

Operating cost per day for the fourth quarter of 2016 decreased 7% and 8% from the third quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. The decrease from the third quarter of 2016 was primarily due to an increase in drilling rigs operating. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to fewer drilling rigs operating.

During 2016, almost all of our working drilling rigs were drilling horizontal or directional wells for oil and NGLs. The future demand for and the availability of drilling rigs to meet that demand will have an impact on our future dayrates.

As of December 31, 2016, we had eight term drilling contracts with original terms ranging from six months to two years. Seven of these contracts are up for renewal in 2017, (two in the first quarter, three in the second quarter, and two in the third quarter) and one is up for renewal in 2018. Term contracts may contain a fixed rate for the duration of the contract or provide for rate adjustments within a specific range from the existing rate. Some operators who had signed term contracts have opted to release the drilling rig and pay an early termination penalty for the remaining term of the contract. We recorded $3.1 million and $29.0 million in early termination fees in 2016 and 2015, respectively.

During December 2016, we sold an idle 1,500 horsepower SCR drilling rig to an unaffiliated third party. We also fabricated and placed into service our ninth new BOSS drilling rig for a third party operator. This new BOSS rig was constructed using the long lead time components purchased in prior years.

Our anticipated 2017 capital expenditures for this segment are approximately $24.0 million, a 25% increase from 2016.

Mid-Stream

Fourth quarter 2016 liquids sold per day decreased 4% and 5% from the third quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. The decrease from third quarter of 2016 was due primarily to less processed volume due to connecting fewer wells to our system and continuing to operate our processing facilities in full ethane rejection. The decrease from the fourth quarter of 2015 was also due to connecting fewer wells to our systems. For the fourth quarter of 2016, gas processed per day decreased 8% and 17% from the third quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. The decrease from the third quarter of 2016 was due to connecting fewer wells to our processing systems and general declines in wells. The decrease from prior year was also due to connecting fewer wells to our processing systems. For the fourth quarter of 2016, gas gathered per day decreased 1% from the third quarter of 2016 and increased 18% over the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease from the third quarter of 2016 is primarily due to connecting fewer wells to our systems. The increase over the fourth quarter of 2015 were primarily from well connects in the Appalachian region throughout 2016 and the addition of the Snow Shoe system.

NGLs prices in the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 25% and 29% over the prices received in the third quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. Because certain of the contracts used by our mid-stream segment for NGLs transactions are commodity-based contracts – under which we receive a share of the proceeds from the sale of the NGLs – our revenues from those commodity-based contracts fluctuate based on NGLs prices.

Direct profit (mid-stream revenues less mid-stream operating expense) for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 13% and 55% over the third quarter of 2016 and fourth quarter of 2015, respectively. The increase over the third quarter was primarily due to an increase in the price of gas liquids and condensate sold. The increase over the fourth quarter of 2015 was primarily due to an increase in the price of gas liquids and condensate sold as well as an increase in gas transported. Total operating cost for this segment for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 8% and 5% over the third quarter of 2016 and the fourth quarter of 2015, respectively due primarily to the higher cost of gas purchased.

At our Cashion processing facility located in central Oklahoma, our total throughput volume for the fourth quarter of 2016 averaged approximately 33.1 MMcf per day and our total production of natural gas liquids increased to approximately 182,400 gallons per day. The total processing capacity at this facility is approximately 45 MMcf per day. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we completed a construction project that allows us to bring additional gas to the Cashion processing plant. Beginning on January 1, 2017, the producer will deliver 10 MMcf per day for five years on a fee-basis to the Cashion processing facility or pay a shortfall fee which is settled on an annual basis. During 2016, we connected a total of seven new wells to this system.

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At our Bellmon processing facility located in the Mississippian play in North Central Oklahoma, our total throughput volume averaged approximately 28.7 MMcf per day during the fourth quarter of 2016 and our total natural gas liquids averaged approximately 148,400 gallons per day while operating in ethane recovery mode during the quarter. In 2016, after we installed additional compression to be able to handle new third-party volumes, we were able to consolidate two producer-owned gathering systems into our system. During 2016, we connected 15 new wells to this facility. We currently have two processing skids available for processing that provide total processing capacity of 90 MMcf per day.

At our Segno gathering facility located in Southeast Texas, our average gathered volume for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased to approximately 91.3 MMcf per day. During 2016 we completed construction projects that improved the facility and increased our gathering and dehydration capacity to approximately 120 MMcf per day. Also during 2016, we connected three new wells to this gathering system and there is active drilling and recompletion activity in the area around our system.

In the Appalachian region, at our Pittsburgh Mills gathering system, we continue to connect new well pads to this system. During 2016, we connected four new well pads with a total of 18 new wells to this gathering system. With the addition of these new wells our average gathered volume for the fourth quarter increased to approximately 153 MMcf per day. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we started preliminary construction activities to connect the next well pad. This well pad will have five wells drilled and we anticipate connecting it in the second quarter of 2017. This well pad is located on the north end of our system close to our Clinton compressor station.

Also in the Appalachian area, we began operating our Snow Shoe gathering system in January of 2016. During 2016, we connected three well pads to this system that have a total of six wells. Our average total gathered volume for this new system in 2016 was approximately 10.2 MMcf per day. Preliminary construction continues on the Snow Shoe compressor station but we do not intend to complete construction and put this compressor station into service until compression services are required on this system.

Anticipated 2017 capital expenditures for this segment are approximately $13.0 million, a 23% decrease from 2016.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Summary

In this section, we identify those critical accounting policies we follow in preparing our financial statements and related disclosures. Many of these policies require us to make difficult, subjective, and complex judgments in the course of making estimates of matters that are inherently imprecise. Some accounting policies involve judgments and uncertainties to such an extent that there is reasonable likelihood that materially different amounts could have been reported under different conditions, or if different assumptions had been used. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on a regular basis. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions used in preparation of our financial statements. In the following discussion we will attempt to explain the nature of these estimates, assumptions and judgments, as well as the likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported in our financial statements under different conditions or using different assumptions.

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The following table lists the critical accounting policies, identifies the estimates and assumptions that can have a significant impact on the application of these accounting policies, and the financial statement accounts that are affected by these estimates and assumptions.



Accounting Policies	Estimates or Assumptions	Accounts Affected
Full cost method of accounting for oil, NGLs, and natural gas properties	• Oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves, estimates, and related present value of future net revenues • Valuation of unproved properties • Estimates of future development costs	• Oil and natural gas properties • Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization • Provision for depletion, depreciation and amortization • Impairment of oil and natural gas properties • Long-term debt and interest expense

Accounting for ARO for oil, NGLs, and natural gas properties	• Cost estimates related to the plugging and abandonment of wells • Timing of cost incurred • Credit adjusted risk free rate	• Oil and natural gas properties • Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization • Provision for depletion, depreciation and amortization • Current and non-current liabilities • Operating expense

Accounting for impairment of long-lived assets	• Forecast of undiscounted estimated future net operating cash flows	• Drilling and mid-stream property and equipment • Accumulated depletion, depreciation and amortization • Provision for depletion, depreciation and amortization

Goodwill	• Forecast of discounted estimated future net operating cash flows • Terminal value • Weighted average cost of capital	• Goodwill

Accounting for value of stock compensation awards	• Estimates of stock volatility • Estimates of expected life of awards granted • Estimates of rates of forfeitures	• Oil and natural gas properties • Shareholder’s equity • Operating expenses • General and administrative expenses

Accounting for derivative instruments	• Derivatives measured at fair value	• Current and non-current derivative assets and liabilities • Gain (loss) on derivatives

Significant Estimates and Assumptions

Full Cost Method of Accounting for Oil, NGLs, and Natural Gas Properties. The determination of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves is a subjective process. It entails estimating underground accumulations of oil, NGLs, and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact manner. The degree of accuracy of these estimates depends on a number of factors, including, the quality and availability of geological and engineering data, the precision of the interpretations of that data, and individual judgments. Each year, we hire an independent petroleum engineering firm to audit our internal evaluation of our reserves. The audit of our reserve wells or locations as of December 31, 2016 covered those that we projected to comprise 82% of the total proved developed future net income discounted at 10% and 83% of the total proved discounted future net income (based on the SEC's unescalated pricing policy). Included in Part I, Item 1 of this report are the qualifications of our independent petroleum engineering firm and our employees responsible for the preparation of our reserve reports.

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As a general rule, the accuracy of estimating oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves varies with the reserve classification and the related accumulation of available data, as shown in the following table:



Type of Reserves	Nature of Available Data	Degree of Accuracy

Proved undeveloped	Data from offsetting wells, seismic data	Less accurate

Proved developed non-producing	The above as well as logs, core samples, well tests, pressure data	More accurate

Proved developed producing	The above as well as production history, pressure data over time	Most accurate

Assumptions of future oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices and operating and capital costs also play a significant role in estimating these reserves as well as the estimated present value of the cash flows to be received from the future production of those reserves. Volumes of recoverable reserves are influenced by the assumed prices and costs due to the economic limit (that point when the projected costs and expenses of producing recoverable oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves is greater than the projected revenues from the oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves). But more significantly, the estimated present value of the future cash flows from our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves is sensitive to prices and costs, and may vary materially based on different assumptions. Companies, like ours, using full cost accounting use the unweighted arithmetic average of the commodity prices existing on the first day of each of the 12 months before the end of the reporting period to calculate discounted future revenues, unless prices were otherwise determined under contractual arrangements.

We compute DD&A on a units-of-production method. Each quarter, we use the following formulas to compute the provision for DD&A for our producing properties:


•	DD&A Rate = Unamortized Cost / End of Period Reserves Adjusted for Current Period Production


•	Provision for DD&A = DD&A Rate x Current Period Production

Oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserve estimates have a significant impact on our DD&A rate. If future reserve estimates for a property or group of properties are revised downward, the DD&A rate will increase as a result of the revision. Alternatively, if reserve estimates are revised upward, the DD&A rate will decrease. Based on our 2016 production level of 17.3 MMBoe, a decrease in the amount of our 2016 oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves by 5% would increase our DD&A rate by $0.30 per Boe and would decrease pre-tax income by $5.2 million annually. Conversely, an increase in our 2016 oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves by 5% would decrease our DD&A rate by $0.24 per Boe and would increase pre-tax income by $4.1 million annually.

The DD&A expense on our oil and natural gas properties is calculated each quarter using period end reserve quantities adjusted for current period production.

We account for our oil and natural gas exploration and development activities using the full cost method of accounting. Under this method, we capitalize all costs incurred in the acquisition, exploration, and development of oil and natural gas properties. At the end of each quarter, the net capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties are limited to that amount which is the lower of unamortized costs or a ceiling. The ceiling is defined as the sum of the present value (using a 10% discount rate) of the estimated future net revenues from our proved reserves (based on the unescalated 12-month average price on our oil, NGLs, and natural gas adjusted for any cash flow hedges), plus the cost of properties not being amortized, plus the lower of the cost or estimated fair value of unproved properties included in the costs being amortized, less related income taxes. If the net capitalized costs of our oil and natural gas properties exceed the ceiling, we are required to write-down the excess amount. A ceiling test write-down is a non-cash charge to earnings. If required, it reduces earnings and impacts shareholders’ equity in the period of occurrence and results in lower DD&A expense in future periods. Once incurred, a write-down cannot be reversed.

The risk that we will be required to write-down the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties increases when the prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas are depressed or if we have large downward revisions in our estimated proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves. Application of these rules during periods of relatively low prices, even if temporary, increases the chance of a ceiling test write-down. At December 31, 2016 , our reserves were calculated based on applying 12-month 2016 average unescalated prices of $42.75 per barrel of oil, $19.74 per barrel of NGLs, and $2.48 per Mcf of natural gas (then adjusted for price differentials) over the estimated life of each of our oil and natural gas properties. In total for 2016 , we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $161.6 million pre-tax ($100.6 million net of

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tax) due to the reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the first three quarters of the year. We did not have a ceiling test write-down for the fourth quarter of 2016.

It is hard to predict with any reasonable certainty the need for or amount of any future impairments given the many factors that go into the ceiling test calculation including, but not limited to, future pricing, operating costs, drilling and completion costs, upward or downward oil and gas reserve revisions, oil and gas reserve additions, and tax attributes. Subject to these inherent uncertainties, if we hold these same factors constant as they existed at December 31, 2016 and only adjust the 12-month average price to an estimated first quarter ending average (holding February 2017 prices constant for the remaining one month of the first quarter of 2017), our forward looking expectation is that we will not recognize an impairment in the first quarter of 2017. But commodity prices (and other factors) remain volatile and they could negatively impact the 12-month average price resulting in the potential for an impairment in the first quarter.

We use the sales method for recording natural gas sales. This method allows for the recognition of revenue, which may be more or less than our share of pro-rata production from certain wells. Our policy is to expense our pro-rata share of lease operating costs from all wells as incurred. The expenses relating to the wells in which we have a production imbalance are not material.

Costs Withheld from Amortization. Costs associated with unproved properties are excluded from our amortization base until we have evaluated the properties. The costs associated with unevaluated leasehold acreage and related seismic data, wells currently drilling and capitalized interest are initially excluded from our amortization base. Leasehold costs are either transferred to our amortization base with the costs of drilling a well on the lease or are assessed at least annually for possible impairment or reduction in value. Leasehold costs are transferred to our amortization base to the extent a reduction in value has occurred.

Our decision to withhold costs from amortization and the timing of the transfer of those costs into the amortization base involve a significant amount of judgment and may be subject to changes over time based on several factors, including our drilling plans, availability of capital, project economics and results of drilling on adjacent acreage. In December 2014, December 2015, and December 2016, we determined the value of certain unproved oil and gas properties were diminished (in part or in whole) based on an impairment evaluation and our anticipated future exploration plans. That determination resulted in $73.7 million in 2014, $114.4 million in 2015, and $7.6 million in 2016 of costs associated with the unproved properties being added to the capitalized costs to be amortized. At December 31, 2016, we had a total of approximately $314.9 million of costs excluded from the amortization base of our full cost pool.

Accounting for ARO for Oil, NGLs, and Natural Gas Properties. We record the fair value of liabilities associated with the retirement of assets having a long life. In our case, when the reserves in each of our oil or gas wells deplete or otherwise become uneconomical, we are required to incur costs to plug and abandon the wells. These costs are recorded in the period in which the liability is incurred (at the time the wells are drilled or acquired). We do not have any assets restricted for the purpose of settling these ARO liabilities. Our engineering staff uses historical experience to determine the estimated plugging costs taking into account the type of well (either oil or natural gas), the depth of the well and physical location of the well to determine the estimated plugging costs.

Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. Drilling equipment, transportation equipment, gas gathering and processing systems, and other property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Renewals and enhancements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are expensed. We review the carrying amounts of long-lived assets for potential impairment annually, typically during the fourth quarter, or when events occur or changes in circumstances suggest that these carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Changes that could prompt such an assessment may include equipment obsolescence, changes in the market demand for a specific asset, changes in commodity prices, periods of relatively low drilling rig utilization, declining revenue per day, declining cash margin per day, or overall changes in general market conditions. 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. The estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets. Changes in these estimates could cause us to reduce the carrying value of property and equipment. Asset impairment evaluations are, by nature, highly subjective. They involve expectations about future cash flows generated by our assets and reflect management’s assumptions and judgments regarding future industry conditions and their effect on future utilization levels, dayrates, and costs. The use of different estimates and assumptions could result in materially different carrying values of our assets.

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In 2014, our mid-stream segment incurred a $7.1 million pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Weatherford, Billy Rose, and Spring Creek and in 2015, incurred a $27.0 million pre-tax write-down of its systems, Bruceton Mills, Spring Creek, and Midwell due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems not being sufficient to support their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems. No impairment was recorded at December 31, 2016.

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of acquisitions over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but an impairment test is performed at least annually to determine whether the fair value has decreased and is performed additionally when events indicate an impairment may have occurred. For purposes of impairment testing, goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. Our goodwill is all related to our contract drilling segment, and accordingly, the impairment test is generally based on the estimated discounted future net cash flows of our drilling segment, utilizing discount rates and other factors in determining the fair value of our drilling segment. Inputs in our estimated discounted future net cash flows include drilling rig utilization, day rates, gross margin percentages, and terminal value. No goodwill impairment was recorded at December 31, 2016, 2015, or 2014. Based on our impairment test performed as of December 31, 2016, the fair value of our drilling segment exceeded its carrying value by 16%. A period of sustained reduced commodity prices resulting in further reductions in the number of our drilling rigs working and the rates we charge for them could result in a non-cash goodwill impairment in future periods.

Turnkey and Footage Drilling Contracts. Because our contract drilling operations do not bear the risk of completion of a well being drilled under a “daywork” contract, we recognize revenues and expense generated under “daywork” contracts as the services are performed. Under “footage” and “turnkey” contracts we bear the risk of completion of the well, so revenues and expenses are recognized when the well is substantially completed. Substantial completion is determined when the well bore reaches the depth specified in the contract. The entire amount of a loss, if any, is recorded when the loss can be reasonably determined, however, any profit is recorded only at the time the well is finished. The costs of drilling contracts uncompleted at the end of the reporting period (which includes expenses incurred to date on “footage” or “turnkey” contracts) are included in other current assets. We did not drill any wells under turnkey or footage contracts in 2016, 2015, or 2014.

Accounting for Value of Stock Compensation Awards. To account for stock-based compensation, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of an award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. We elected to use the modified prospective method, which requires compensation expense to be recorded for all unvested stock options and other equity-based compensation beginning in the first quarter of adoption. The determination of the fair value of an award requires significant estimates and subjective judgments regarding, among other things, the appropriate option pricing model, the expected life of the award and performance vesting criteria assumptions. As there are inherent uncertainties related to these factors and our judgment in applying them to the fair value determinations, there is risk that the recorded stock compensation may not accurately reflect the amount ultimately earned by the employee.

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Any changes in our derivatives' fair value occurring before their maturity (i.e., temporary fluctuations in value) along with any derivatives settled are reported in gain (loss) on derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

New Accounting Standards

Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The FASB issued ASU 2017-04, to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill. The amendment eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. This amendment will be effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2019, and early adoption is permitted. We do not believe this ASU will have a material impact on our financial statements.

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Business Combinations; Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The FASB issued ASU 2017-01, clarifying the definition of a business. The amendments are intended to help companies and other organizations evaluate whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are in the process of evaluating the impact these amendments will have on our financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The FASB issued ASU 2016-15, to address diversity in how certain transactions are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. This amendment will be effective retrospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 31, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. We do not believe this ASU will have a material impact on our financial statements.

Compensation—Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The FASB has issued ASU 2016-09. The amendments are intended to improve the accounting for employee share-based payments and affect all organizations that issue share-based payment awards to their employees. Several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions are simplified, including: (a) income tax consequences; (b) classification of awards as either equity or liabilities; and (c) classification on the statement of cash flows. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted. The amendments primarily impact classification within the statement of cash flows between financial and operating activities. This will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Leases. The FASB has issued ASU 2016-02. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize at the commencement date a lease liability, which is a lessee's obligation to make lease payments arising from a lease, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, which is an asset that represents the lessee's right to use a specified asset for the lease term. Lessor accounting is largely unchanged. For public companies, the amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact these amendments will have on our financial statements.

Income Taxes: Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. The FASB has issued ASU 2015-17. This changes how deferred taxes are classified on organizations' balance sheets. Organizations will be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent. The amendments apply to all organizations that present a classified balance sheet. For public companies, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted. The amendments will require current deferred tax assets to be combined with noncurrent deferred tax assets. The amendments will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The FASB has issued ASU 2014-09. This guidance affects any entity using U.S. GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should 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. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, "Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients," which provides clarifying guidance in certain areas and adds some practical expedients. Also in May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, "Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting." This ASU rescinds SEC Staff Observer comments that are codified in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and Topic 932, Extractive Activities— Oil and Gas, effective upon the adoption of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which amends the revenue guidance on identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. The FASB has issued 2015-14, which defers the effective date to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We will adopt these amendments effective January 1, 2018. We have begun the identification of revenue within the scope of the guidance. Our evaluation of the impact of the new guidance on our financial statements is on-going. Topic 606 provides for adoption either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings at the date of adoption . We currently believe we will adopt the cumulative effect method.

Adopted Standards

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balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The FASB has also issued ASU 2015-15. The amendments in this ASU allow an entity to defer and present debt issuance cost as an asset and subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We have maintained debt issuance costs associated with our credit agreement as an asset and amortize these fees over the life of the credit agreement. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. We have adopted these amendments during the first quarter of 2016. Previously, debt issuance costs associated with the Notes was classified as a long-term asset on the balance sheet, but with ASU 2015-03, it is presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the recognized debt liability. This is also reflected in Note 6 – Long-Term Debt and Other Long-term Liabilities.

Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern: Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The FASB has issued ASU 2014-15. This is intended to define management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. For each reporting period, management will be required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about a company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year from the date financial statements are issued. The amendments are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We have adopted these amendments and began performing the management assessment beginning with the fiscal year end of December 31, 2016. There are no considerations or events that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Summary.

Our financial condition and liquidity primarily depends on the cash flow from our operations and borrowings under our credit agreement. The principal factors determining the amount of our cash flow are:


•	the amount of natural gas, oil, and NGLs we produce;


•	the prices we receive for our natural gas, oil, and NGLs production;


•	the demand for and the dayrates we receive for our drilling rigs; and


•	the fees and margins we obtain from our natural gas gathering and processing contracts.

We currently believe we have sufficient cash flow and liquidity to meet our obligations and remain in compliance with our debt covenants for the next twelve months. Our ability to meet our debt covenants (under our credit agreement as well as our Indenture) and our capacity to incur additional indebtedness will depend on our future performance, which in turn will be affected by financial, business, economic, regulatory, and other factors. For example, lower oil, natural gas, and NGLs prices since the last redetermination under our credit agreement could result in a redetermination of the borrowing base to a lower level and therefore reduce or limit our ability to borrow funds. As a result, we monitor our liquidity and capital resources, endeavor to anticipate potential covenant compliance issues and work with the lenders under our credit agreement to address those issues, if any, ahead of time.

The following is a summary of certain financial information for the years ended December 31:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	240,130		$	446,944		$	708,993
Net cash used in investing activities	(110,971		)	(549,778		)	(920,597		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(129,101		)	102,620			194,060
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	58		$	(214	)	$	(17,544	)

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Cash flows from Operating Activities

Our operating cash flow is primarily influenced by the prices we receive for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production, the quantity of oil, NGL, and natural gas we produce, settlements of derivative contracts, third-party demand for our drilling rigs and mid-stream services, and the rates we are able to charge for those services. Our cash flows from operating activities are also impacted by changes in working capital.

Net cash provided by operating activities during 2016 decreased by $206.8 million from 2015 due primarily to lower revenues due to lower commodity prices and lower drilling rig utilization and dayrates and $25.9 million less in early termination fees and by changes in operating assets and liabilities related to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements.

Cash flows from Investing Activities

We dedicate and expect to continue to dedicate a substantial portion of our capital expenditure program toward the exploration for and production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas. These capital expenditures are necessary to offset inherent declines in production, which is typical in the capital-intensive oil and natural gas industry.

Cash flows used in investing activities decreased by $438.8 million in 2016 compared to 2015. The change was due primarily to a decrease in capital expenditures partially offset by the proceeds received from the disposition of assets. See additional information on capital expenditures below under Capital Requirements.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Cash flows used in financing activities decreased by $231.7 million in 2016 compared to 2015. This decrease was primarily due to paying down borrowings during 2016 combined with increased borrowing during 2015 under our credit agreement.

At December 31, 2016, we had unrestricted cash totaling $0.9 million and had borrowed $160.8 million of the $475.0 million we currently have available under our credit agreement.

The following is a summary of certain financial information as of December 31, and for the years ended December 31:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands except percentages)
Working capital	$	(43,719	)	$	(10,633	)	$	(51,680	)
Long-term debt ⁽¹⁾	$	800,917		$	918,995		$	801,908
Shareholders’ equity ⁽²⁾	$	1,194,070		$	1,313,580		$	2,332,394
Net income (loss) ⁽²⁾	$	(135,624	)	$	(1,037,361	)	$	136,276

_________________________


(1)	Long-term debt is net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs.

(2)

In 2016, 2015, and 2014, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $161.6 million, $1.6 billion, and $76.7 million pre-tax ($100.6 million, $1.0 billion and $47.7 million, net of tax), respectively. In December 2014, we incurred a non-cash write-down associated with the removal of 31 drilling rigs from our fleet along with certain other equipment and drill pipe of $74.3 million pre-tax ($46.3 million net of tax) and then an additional non-cash write-down in 2015 of $8.3 million pre-tax ($5.1 million, net of tax). Also in December 2014, we incurred a non-cash write-down associated with a reduction in the carrying value of three midstream segment systems of $7.1 million pre-tax ($4.4 million net of tax). Then in December 2015, we incurred a non-cash write-down associated with the reduction in the carrying value of three midstream segment gathering systems of $27.0 million pre-tax ($16.8 million, net of tax). The write-downs impacted our shareholders’ equity, ratio of long-term debt to total capitalization, and net income (loss) for years 2015 and 2014. There was no impact on our compliance with the covenants contained in our credit agreement.

Working Capital

Typically, our working capital balance fluctuates, in part, because of the timing of our trade accounts receivable and accounts payable and the fluctuation in current assets and liabilities associated with the mark to market value of our derivative activity. We had negative working capital of $43.7 million, $10.6 million, and $51.7 million as of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. This is primarily from the timing of our accounts payable associated with our capital expenditures partially offset by lower accounts receivable due to lower revenues. Our credit agreement is used primarily for working capital and capital expenditures. At December 31, 2016, we had borrowed $160.8 million of the $475.0 million currently available to

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us under our credit agreement. The effect of our derivatives decreased working capital by $21.6 million as of December 31, 2016, and increased working capital by $10.2 million and $31.1 million as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The following table summarizes certain operating information for the years ended December 31:



	2016		2015			2014
Oil and Natural Gas:
Oil production (MBbls)	2,974		3,783			3,844
Natural gas liquids production (MBbls)	5,014		5,274			4,628
Natural gas production (MMcf)	55,735		65,546			58,854
Average oil price per barrel received	$	40.50	$	50.79		$	89.43
Average oil price per barrel received excluding derivatives	$	39.05	$	45.04		$	89.32
Average NGLs price per barrel received	$	11.26	$	10.12		$	30.95
Average NGLs price per barrel received excluding derivatives	$	11.26	$	10.12		$	30.95
Average natural gas price per mcf received	$	2.07	$	2.63		$	3.92
Average natural gas price per mcf received excluding derivatives	$	1.98	$	2.25		$	4.03
Contract Drilling:
Average number of our drilling rigs in use during the period	17.4		34.7			75.4
Total number of drilling rigs available for use at the end of the period	94		94			89
Average dayrate	$	17,784	$	19,455		$	20,043
Mid-Stream:
Gas gathered—Mcf/day	419,217		353,771			319,348
Gas processed—Mcf/day	155,461		182,684			161,282
Gas liquids sold—gallons/day	536,494		577,513			733,406
Number of natural gas gathering systems	25		25		⁽¹⁾	38
Number of processing plants	13		13			14

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(1)	In 2015, our mid-stream segment transferred 11 natural gas gathering systems to our oil and natural gas segment.

Oil and Natural Gas Operations

Any significant change in oil, NGLs, or natural gas prices has a material effect on our revenues, cash flow, and the value of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves. Generally, prices and demand for domestic natural gas are influenced by weather conditions, supply imbalances, and by worldwide oil price levels. Domestic oil prices are primarily influenced by world oil market developments. All of these factors are beyond our control and we cannot predict nor measure their future influence on the prices we will receive.

Based on our 2016 production, a $0.10 per Mcf change in what we are paid for our natural gas production, without the effect of derivatives, would result in a corresponding $442,000 per month ($5.3 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow. Our 2016 average natural gas price was $2.07 compared to an average natural gas price of $2.63 for 2015 and $3.92 for 2014. A $1.00 per barrel change in our oil price, without the effect of derivatives, would have a $238,000 per month ($2.9 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow and a $1.00 per barrel change in our NGLs prices, without the effect of derivatives, would have a $398,000 per month ($4.8 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating

cash flow based on our production in 2016. Our 2016 average oil price per barrel was $40.50 compared with an average oil price of $50.79 in 2015 and $89.43 in 2014, and our 2016 average NGLs price per barrel was $11.26 compared with an average NGLs price of $10.12 in 2015 and $30.95 in 2014.

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quarter of 2017. Commodity prices remain volatile and they could negatively impact the 12-month average price and the potential for an impairment in the first quarter.

Our natural gas production is sold to intrastate and interstate pipelines, to independent marketing firms and gatherers under contracts with terms generally ranging anywhere from one month to five years. Our oil production is sold to independent marketing firms generally under six month contracts.

Contract Drilling Operations

Many factors influence the number of drilling rigs we are working at any given time as well as the costs and revenues associated with that work. These factors include the demand for drilling rigs in our areas of operation, competition from other drilling contractors, the prevailing prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas, availability and cost of labor to run our drilling rigs, and our ability to supply the equipment needed.

Although our drilling rig personnel are a key component to the overall success of our drilling services, with the present conditions existing in the drilling industry, we do not anticipate increases in the compensation paid to those personnel in the near term.

During 2016, almost all of our working drilling rigs were drilling horizontal or directional wells for oil and NGLs. The drastic reduction in commodity prices from two years ago for oil and natural gas has changed demand for drilling rigs. All of these factors ultimately affect the demand and mix of the type of drilling rigs used by our customers. The future demand for and the availability of drilling rigs to meet that demand will have an impact on our future dayrates. For 2016, our average dayrate was $17,784 per day compared to $19,455 and $20,043 per day for 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our average number of drilling rigs used in 2016 was 17.4 (19%) compared with 34.7 (38%) and 75.4 (63%) in 2015 and 2014, respectively. Based on the average utilization of our drilling rigs during 2016, a $100 per day change in dayrates has a $1,740 per day ($0.6 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow.

Our contract drilling segment provides drilling services for our exploration and production segment. Some of the drilling services we perform on our properties are, depending on the timing of those services, deemed to be associated with the acquisition of an ownership interest in the property. In those cases, revenues and expenses for those services are eliminated in our statement of operations, with any profit recognized as a reduction in our investment in our oil and natural gas properties. The contracts for these services are issued under the same conditions and rates as the contracts entered into with unrelated third parties. We did not eliminate any revenue or expenses in our contract drilling segment during 2016. By providing drilling services for the oil and natural gas segment, we eliminated revenue of $22.1 million and $89.5 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, from our contract drilling segment and eliminated the associated operating expense of $18.3 million and $62.4 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, yielding $3.8 million and $27.1 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a reduction to the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties.

Mid-Stream Operations

This segment is engaged primarily in the buying, selling, gathering, processing, and treating of natural gas. It operates three natural gas treatment plants, 13 processing plants, 25 gathering systems, and approximately 1,465 miles of pipeline. Its operations are located in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. This segment enhances our ability to gather and market not only our own natural gas and NGLs but also that owned by third parties and serves as a mechanism through which we can construct or acquire existing natural gas gathering and processing facilities. During 2016, 2015, and 2014 this segment purchased $42.7 million, $57.6 million, and $80.9 million, respectively, of our oil and natural gas segment's natural gas and NGLs production, and provided gathering and transportation services of $9.2 million, $7.6 million, and $8.7 million, respectively. Intercompany revenue from services and purchases of production between this business segment and our oil and natural gas segment has been eliminated in our consolidated financial statements.

Our mid-stream segment gathered an average of 419,217 Mcf per day in 2016 compared to 353,771 Mcf per day in 2015 and 319,348 Mcf per day in 2014. It processed an average of 155,461 Mcf per day in 2016 compared to 182,684 Mcf per day in 2015 and 161,282 Mcf per day in 2014, and sold NGLs of 536,494 gallons per day in 2016 compared to 577,513 gallons per day in 2015 and 733,406 gallons per day in 2014. Gas gathering volumes per day in 2016 increased primarily from new wells connected to our systems between the comparative periods particularly at our fee-based Appalachian systems and the addition of the Snow Shoe system. Volumes processed decreased primarily due to fewer wells connected to our processing systems. NGLs sold decreased primarily due to lower processed volume and operating in ethane rejection mode.

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Our Credit Agreement and Senior Subordinated Notes

Credit Agreement. On April 8, 2016, we amended our Senior Credit Agreement (credit agreement) scheduled to mature on April 10, 2020. The amount we can borrow is the lesser of the amount we elect (from time to time) as the commitment amount or the value of the borrowing base as determined by the lenders, but in either event not to exceed the maximum credit agreement amount of $875.0 million. Our elected commitment amount is $475.0 million. Our borrowing base is $475.0 million. We are charged a commitment fee of 0.50% on the amount available but not borrowed. The fee varies based on the amount borrowed as a percentage of the amount of the total borrowing base. We paid $1.0 million in origination, agency, syndication, and other related fees. We are amortizing these fees over the life of the credit agreement. With the new amendment, we pledged the following collateral: (a) 85% of the proved developed producing (discounted as present worth at 8%) total value of our oil and gas properties and (b) 100% of our ownership interest in our midstream affiliate, Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C.

The current lenders under our credit agreement and their respective participation interests are as follows:



Lender	Participation Interest
BOK (BOKF, NA, dba Bank of Oklahoma)	17	%
Compass Bank	17	%
BMO Harris Financing, Inc.	15	%
Bank of America, N.A.	15	%
Comerica Bank	8	%
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.	8	%
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce	8	%
Toronto Dominion (New York), LLC	8	%
The Bank of Nova Scotia	4	%
	100	%

The borrowing base amount–which is subject to redetermination by the lenders on April 1st and October 1st of each year, is based primarily on a percentage of the discounted future value of our oil and natural gas reserves. The October 2016 redetermination did not result in any changes. We or the lenders may request a onetime special redetermination of the borrowing base between each scheduled redetermination. In addition, we may request a redetermination following the completion of an acquisition that meets the requirements set forth in the credit agreement.

At our election, any part of the outstanding debt under the credit agreement may be fixed at a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). LIBOR interest is computed as the sum of the LIBOR base for the applicable term plus 2.00% to 3.00% depending on the level of debt as a percentage of the borrowing base and is payable at the end of each term, or every 90 days, whichever is less. Borrowings not under LIBOR bear interest at the prime rate specified in the credit agreement that in any event cannot be less than LIBOR plus 1.00%. Interest is payable at the end of each month and the principal may be repaid in whole or in part at anytime, without a premium or penalty. At December 31, 2016 and February 10, 2017, we had $160.8 million and $163.0 million, respectively, outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement.

We can use borrowings for financing general working capital requirements for (a) exploration, development, production and acquisition of oil and gas properties, (b) acquisitions and operation of mid-stream assets, (c) issuance of standby letters of credit, (d) contract drilling services, and (e) general corporate purposes.

The credit agreement prohibits, among other things:


•	the payment of dividends (other than stock dividends) during any fiscal year in excess of 30% of our consolidated net income for the preceding fiscal year;


•	the incurrence of additional debt with certain limited exceptions; and


•	the creation or existence of mortgages or liens, other than those in the ordinary course of business, on any of our properties, except in favor of our lenders.

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The credit agreement also requires that we have at the end of each quarter:


•	a current ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 1 to 1.

Through the quarter ending March 31, 2019, the credit agreement also requires that we have at the end of each quarter:


•	a senior indebtedness ratio of senior indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) for the most recently ended rolling four quarter of no greater than 2.75 to 1.

Beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2019, and for each quarter ending thereafter, the credit agreement requires:


•	a leverage ratio of funded debt to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) for the most recently ended rolling four fiscal quarters of no greater than 4 to 1.

As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement.

6.625% Senior Subordinated Notes. We have an aggregate principal amount of $650.0 million, 6.625% senior subordinated notes (the Notes). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually (in arrears) on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Notes will mature on May 15, 2021. In connection with the issuance of the Notes, we incurred $14.7 million of fees that are being amortized as debt issuance cost over the life of the Notes.

The Notes are subject to an Indenture dated as of May 18, 2011, between us and Wilmington Trust, National Association (successor to Wilmington Trust FSB), as Trustee (the Trustee), as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 18, 2011, between us, the Guarantors, and the Trustee, and as further supplemented by the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 7, 2013, between us, the Guarantors and the Trustee (as supplemented, the 2011 Indenture), establishing the terms and providing for the issuance of the Notes. The Guarantors are all of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. The discussion of the Notes in this report is qualified by and subject to the actual terms of the 2011 Indenture.

Unit, as the parent company, has no independent assets or operations. The guarantees by the Guarantors of the Notes (registered under registration statements) are full and unconditional, joint and several, subject to certain automatic customary releases, are subject to certain restrictions on the sale, disposition, or transfer of the capital stock or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary guarantor, and other conditions and terms set out in the Indenture. Any of our subsidiaries that are not Guarantors are minor. There are no significant restrictions on our ability to receive funds from our subsidiaries through dividends, loans, advances or otherwise.

On and after May 15, 2016, we may redeem all or, from time to time, a part of the Notes at certain redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest. If a “change of control” occurs, subject to certain conditions, we must offer to repurchase from each holder all or any part of that holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The 2011 Indenture contains customary events of default. The 2011 Indenture also contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to incur or guarantee additional indebtedness; pay dividends on our capital stock or redeem capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; transfer or sell assets; make investments; incur liens; enter into transactions with our affiliates; and merge or consolidate with other companies. We were in compliance with all covenants of the Notes as of December 31, 2016.

Capital Requirements

Oil and Natural Gas Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Capital Expenditures. Most of our capital expenditures for this segment are discretionary and directed toward future growth. Any decision to increase our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves through acquisitions or through drilling depends on the prevailing or expected market conditions, potential return on investment, future drilling potential, and opportunities to obtain financing under the circumstances involved, all of which provide us with a large degree of flexibility in deciding when and if to incur these costs. We completed drilling 21 gross wells(9.67 net wells) in 2016 compared to 58 gross wells (34.99 net wells) in 2015, and 186 gross wells (121.00 net wells) in 2014. Our 2016 total capital expenditures for our oil and natural gas segment, excluding a $30.9 million reduction in the ARO liability and $0.6 million in acquisitions, totaled $119.9 million compared to 2015 capital expenditures of $273.5 million (excluding a $5.7 million reduction in the ARO liability and $0.2 million in acquisitions), and 2014 capital expenditures of $772.2 million (excluding an $37.7 million reduction in the ARO liability and $5.7 million in acquisitions).

For all of 2017, we plan to participate in drilling approximately 35 to 40 gross wells and estimate our total capital expenditures (excluding any possible acquisitions) for our oil and natural gas segment will be approximately $188.0 million.

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Whether we are able to drill all of those wells is dependent on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control and include the availability of drilling rigs, availability of pressure pumping services, prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas, demand for oil, NGLs, and natural gas, the cost to drill wells, the weather, and the efforts of outside industry partners.

We sold non-core oil and natural gas assets, net of related expenses, for $67.2 million, $1.9 million, and $33.1 million during 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Proceeds from those dispositions reduced the net book value of our full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized.

Contract Drilling Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Capital Expenditures. During the first quarter of 2014. we sold four idle 3,000 horsepower drilling rigs to an unaffiliated third party. The proceeds from that sale were used in our construction program for our new proprietary 1,500 horsepower, AC electric drilling rig, called the BOSS drilling rig.

During 2014, three BOSS drilling rigs were constructed and placed into service for third-party operators.

During 2015, five BOSS drilling rigs were constructed and placed into service for third-party operators.

During December 2016, we sold an idle 1500 HP SCR drilling rig to an unaffiliated third party. We also fabricated and placed into service our ninth new BOSS drilling rig for a third party operator. This new BOSS rig was constructed using the long lead time components purchased in prior years.

Our anticipated 2017 capital expenditures for this segment is approximately $24.0 million. We spent $19.1 million for capital expenditures during 2016 compared to $84.8 million in 2015, and $176.7 million in 2014.

Mid-Stream Dispositions, Acquisitions, and Capital Expenditures. At our Cashion processing facility located in central Oklahoma, our total throughput volume for the fourth quarter of 2016 averaged approximately 33.1 MMcf per day and our total production of natural gas liquids increased to approximately 182,400 gallons per day. The total processing capacity at this facility is approximately 45 MMcf per day. In the fourth quarter of 2016, we completed a construction project that allows us to bring additional gas to the Cashion processing plant. Beginning on January 1, 2017, the producer will deliver 10 MMcf per day for five years on a fee-basis to the Cashion processing facility or pay a shortfall fee which is settled on an annual basis. During 2016, we connected a total of seven new wells to this system.

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During 2016, our mid-stream segment incurred $16.8 million in capital expenditures as compared to $63.5 million in 2015, and $51.1 million, excluding $28.2 million for capital leases, in 2014. For 2017, our estimated capital expenditures is approximately $13.0 million.

Contractual Commitments

At December 31, 2016, we had the following contractual obligations:



	Payments Due by Period
	Total		Less Than 1 Year		2-3 Years		4-5 Years		After 5 Years
	(In thousands)
Long-term debt ⁽¹⁾	$	1,013,620	$	47,532	$	95,065	$	871,023	$	—
Operating leases ⁽²⁾	4,083		3,009		1,002		72		—
Capital lease interest and maintenance ⁽³⁾	9,523		2,475		4,492		2,556		—
Drill pipe, drilling components, and equipment purchases ⁽⁴⁾	4,224		2,280		1,944		—		—
Enterprise Resource Planning software obligations ⁽⁵⁾	1,436		1,436		—		—		—
Total contractual obligations	$	1,032,886	$	56,732	$	102,503	$	873,651	$	—

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(1)	See previous discussion in MD&A regarding our long-term debt. This obligation is presented in accordance with the terms of the Notes and credit agreement and includes interest calculated using our December 31, 2016 interest rates of 6.625% for the Notes and 2.8% for the credit agreement.


(2)	We lease office space or yards in Edmond and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Houston, Texas; Englewood, Colorado; Pinedale, Wyoming; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the terms of operating leases expiring through December 2021. Additionally, we have several equipment leases and lease space on short-term commitments to stack excess drilling rig equipment and production inventory.


(3)	Maintenance and interest payments are included in our capital lease agreements. The capital leases are discounted using annual rates of 4.0%. Total maintenance and interest remaining are $7.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively.


(4)	We have committed to purchase approximately $4.2 million of new drilling rig components over the next two years.


(5)	We have committed to pay $0.9 million for Enterprise Resource Planning software and $0.5 million for maintenance for one year following implementation.

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At December 31, 2016, we also had the following commitments and contingencies that could create, increase or accelerate our liabilities:



	Estimated Amount of Commitment Expiration Per Period
Other Commitments	Total Accrued		Less Than 1 Year		2-3 Years		4-5 Years		After 5 Years
	(In thousands)
Deferred compensation plan ⁽¹⁾	$	4,578	Unknown		Unknown		Unknown		Unknown
Separation benefit plans ⁽²⁾	$	4,943	$	1,130	Unknown		Unknown		Unknown
ARO liability ⁽³⁾	$	70,170	$	2,906	$	43,250	$	6,647	$	17,367
Gas balancing liability ⁽⁴⁾	$	3,789	Unknown		Unknown		Unknown		Unknown
Repurchase obligations ⁽⁵⁾	$	—	Unknown		Unknown		Unknown		Unknown
Workers’ compensation liability ⁽⁶⁾	$	15,163	$	7,178	$	1,926	$	1,003	$	5,056
Capital lease obligations ⁽⁷⁾	$	18,918	$	3,693	$	7,845	$	7,380	$	—
Derivative liabilities—commodity hedges	$	21,979	$	21,564	$	415	$	—	$	—
Other	$	410	$	—	$	410	$	—	$	—

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(1)

We provide a salary deferral plan which allows participants to defer the recognition of salary for income tax purposes until actual distribution of benefits, which occurs at either termination of employment, death or certain defined unforeseeable emergency hardships. We recognize payroll expense and record a liability, included in other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, at the time of deferral.

(2)

Effective January 1, 1997, we adopted a separation benefit plan (Separation Plan). The Separation Plan allows eligible employees whose employment with us is involuntarily terminated or, in the case of an employee who has completed 20 years of service, voluntarily or involuntarily terminated, to receive benefits equivalent to four weeks salary for every whole year of service completed with the company up to a maximum of 104 weeks. To receive payments the recipient must waive certain claims against us in exchange for receiving the separation benefits. On October 28, 1997, we adopted a Separation Benefit Plan for Senior Management (Senior Plan). The Senior Plan provides certain officers and key executives of the company with benefits generally equivalent to the Separation Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has absolute discretion in the selection of the individuals covered in this plan. On May 5, 2004 we also adopted the Special Separation Benefit Plan (Special Plan). This plan is identical to the Separation Benefit Plan with the exception that the benefits under the plan vest on the earliest of a participant’s reaching the age of 65 or serving 20 years with the company. On December 31, 2008, all these plans were amended to bring the plans into compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. On December 8, 2015, we amended the Plans to change the calculation for determining the payouts at the time of a Separation of Service under the Plans.


(3)	When a well is drilled or acquired, under ASC 410 “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” we record the fair value of liabilities associated with the retirement of long-lived assets (mainly plugging and abandonment costs for our depleted wells).


(4)	We have recorded a liability for those properties we believe do not have sufficient oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves to allow the under-produced owners to recover their under-production from future production volumes.

(5)

We formed The Unit 1984 Oil and Gas Limited Partnership and the 1986 Energy Income Limited Partnership along with private limited partnerships (the Partnerships) with certain qualified employees, officers and directors from 1984 through 2011, with a subsidiary of ours serving as general partner. Effective December 31, 2014, the 1984 partnership was dissolved and effective December 31, 2016, the two 1986 partnerships were also dissolved. The Partnerships were formed for the purpose of conducting oil and natural gas acquisition, drilling and development operations and serving as co-general partner with us in any additional limited partnerships formed during that year. The Partnerships participated on a proportionate basis with us in most drilling operations and most producing property acquisitions commenced by us for our own account during the period from the formation of the Partnership through December 31 of that year. These partnership agreements require, on the election of a limited partner, that we repurchase the limited partner’s interest at amounts to be determined by appraisal in the future. Repurchases in any one year are limited to 20% of the units outstanding. We made repurchases of approximately $5,000, $118,000, and $45,000 in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.


(6)	We have recorded a liability for future estimated payments related to workers’ compensation claims primarily associated with our contract drilling segment.


(7)	This amount includes commitments under capital lease arrangements for compressors in our mid-stream segment.

Derivative Activities

Periodically we enter into derivative transactions locking in the prices to be received for a portion of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production. Any change in fair value on all commodity derivatives we have entered into are reflected in the statement of operations.

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Commodity Derivatives. Our commodity derivatives is intended to reduce our exposure to price volatility and manage price risks. Our decision on the type and quantity of our production and the price(s) of our derivative(s) is based, in part, on our view of current and future market conditions. As of December 31, 2016, based on our fourth quarter 2016 average daily production, the approximated percentages of our production under derivative contracts are as follows:



	Mark-to-Market
	2017		2018
Daily oil production	48	%	—	%
Daily natural gas production	70	%	21	%

With respect to the commodities subject to derivative contracts, those contracts serve to limit the risk of adverse downward price movements. However, they also limit increases in future revenues that would otherwise result from price movements above the contracted prices.

The use of derivative transactions carries with it the risk that the counterparties may not be able to meet their financial obligations under the transactions. Based on our evaluation at December 31, 2016, we believe the risk of non-performance by our counterparties is not material. At December 31, 2016, the fair values of the net liabilities we had with each of the counterparties to our commodity derivative transactions are as follows:



	December 31, 2016
	(In millions)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce	$	11.1
Bank of Montreal	8.0
Scotiabank	2.5
Total liabilities	$	21.6

If a legal right of set-off exists, we net the value of the derivative arrangements we have with the same counterparty in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2016, we recorded the fair value of our commodity derivatives on our balance sheet as non-current derivative assets of $0.4 million and current and non-current derivative liabilities of $21.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. At December 31, 2015, we recorded the fair value of our commodity derivatives on our balance sheet as current and non-current derivative assets of $10.2 million and $1.0 million, respectively, and non-current derivative liabilities of $0.3 million.

All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Any changes in our derivatives' fair value occurring before their maturity (i.e., temporary fluctuations in value) are reported in gain (loss) on derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

These gains (losses) are as follows at December 31:



	2016			2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Gain (loss) on derivatives, included are amounts settled during the period of $9,658, $46,615, and ($6,038), respectively	$	(22,813	)	$	26,345	$	30,147

Stock and Incentive Compensation

During 2016, we granted awards covering 736,451 shares of restricted stock. These awards were granted as retention incentive awards. These stock awards had an estimated fair value as of the grant date of $4.5 million. Compensation expense will be recognized over the awards' three year vesting period. During 2016, we recognized $1.9 million in additional compensation expense and capitalized $0.2 million for these awards. During 2015, we granted awards covering 750,290 shares of restricted stock. These awards were granted as retention incentive awards and are being recognized over the awards' three year vesting period. During 2014, we granted awards covering 468,890 shares of restricted stock. These awards were granted as retention incentive awards and are being recognized over their two and three year vesting periods. No SAR awards were made during 2016, 2015, or 2014.

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During 2016, we recognized compensation expense of $9.6 million for our restricted stock grants and capitalized $2.1 million of compensation cost for oil and natural gas properties.

Insurance

We are self-insured for certain losses relating to workers’ compensation, general liability, control of well, and employee medical benefits. Insured policies for other coverage contain deductibles or retentions per occurrence that range from zero to $1.0 million. We have purchased stop-loss coverage in order to limit, to the extent feasible, per occurrence and aggregate exposure to certain types of claims. There is no assurance that the insurance coverage we have will protect us against liability from all potential consequences. If insurance coverage becomes more expensive, we may choose to self-insure, decrease our limits, raise our deductibles, or any combination of these rather than pay higher premiums.

Oil and Natural Gas Limited Partnerships and Other Entity Relationships.

We are the general partner of 13 oil and natural gas partnerships which were formed privately or publicly. Each partnership’s revenues and costs are shared under formulas set out in that partnership’s agreement. The partnerships repay us for contract drilling, well supervision and general and administrative expense. Related party transactions for contract drilling and well supervision fees are the related party’s share of such costs. These costs are billed on the same basis as billings to unrelated third parties for similar services. General and administrative reimbursements consist of direct general and administrative expense incurred on the related party’s behalf as well as indirect expenses assigned to the related parties. Allocations are based on the related party’s level of activity and are considered by us to be reasonable. During 2016, 2015, and 2014, the total we received for all of these fees was $0.3 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million, respectively. Our proportionate share of assets, liabilities, and net income relating to the oil and natural gas partnerships is included in our consolidated financial statements.

Effects of Inflation

The effect of inflation in the oil and natural gas industry is primarily driven by the prices for oil, NGLs, and natural gas. Increases in these prices increase the demand for our contract drilling rigs and services. This increase in demand in turn affects the dayrates we can obtain for our contract drilling services. During periods of higher demand for our drilling rigs we have experienced increases in labor costs as well as the costs of services to support our drilling rigs. Historically, during this same period, when oil, NGLs, and natural gas prices did decline, labor rates did not come back down to the levels existing before the increases. If commodity prices increase substantially for a long period, shortages in support equipment (such as drill pipe, third party services, and qualified labor) can result in additional increases in our material and labor costs. Increases in dayrates for drilling rigs also increase the cost of our oil and natural gas properties. How inflation will affect us in the future will depend on increases, if any, realized in our drilling rig rates, the prices we receive for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas, and the rates we receive for gathering and processing natural gas.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not currently utilize any off-balance sheet arrangements with unconsolidated entities to enhance liquidity and capital resource positions, or for any other purpose. However, as is customary in the oil and gas industry, we are subject to various contractual commitments.

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Results of Operations

2016 versus 2015



	2016			2015			Percent Change ⁽¹⁾
	(In thousands unless otherwise specified)
Total operating revenue	$	602,177		$	854,231		(30	)%
Net loss	$	(135,624	)	$	(1,037,361	)	87	%

Oil and Natural Gas:
Revenue	$	294,221		$	385,774		(24	)%
Operating costs excluding depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment	$	120,184		$	166,046		(28	)%
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	$	113,811		$	251,944		(55	)%
Impairment of oil and gas properties	$	161,563		$	1,599,348		(90	)%

Average oil price received (Bbl)	$	40.50		$	50.79		(20	)%
Average NGL price received (Bbl)	$	11.26		$	10.12		11	%
Average natural gas price received (Mcf)	$	2.07		$	2.63		(21	)%
Oil production (Bbl)	2,974,000			3,783,000			(21	)%
NGLs production (Bbl)	5,014,000			5,274,000			(5	)%
Natural gas production (Mcf)	55,735,000			65,546,000			(15	)%
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization rate (Boe)	$	6.24		$	12.30		(49	)%

Contract Drilling:
Revenue	$	122,086		$	265,668		(54	)%
Operating costs excluding depreciation and impairment	$	88,154		$	156,408		(44	)%
Depreciation	$	46,992		$	56,135		(16	)%
Impairment of contract drilling equipment	$	—		$	8,314		(100	)%

Percentage of revenue from daywork contracts	100		%	100		%	—	%
Average number of drilling rigs in use	17.4			34.7			(50	)%
Average dayrate on daywork contracts	$	17,784		$	19,455		(9	)%

Mid-Stream:
Revenue	$	185,870		$	202,789		(8	)%
Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, and impairment	$	137,609		$	161,556		(15	)%
Depreciation and amortization	$	45,715		$	43,676		5	%
Impairment of gas gathering and processing systems	$	—		$	26,966		(100	)%

Gas gathered—Mcf/day	419,217			353,771			18	%
Gas processed—Mcf/day	155,461			182,684			(15	)%
Gas liquids sold—gallons/day	536,494			577,513			(7	)%

Corporate and other:
General and administrative expense	$	33,337		$	34,358		(3	)%
Other depreciation	$	1,835		$	987		86	%
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	$	2,540		$	(7,229	)	135	%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	$	(39,829	)	$	(31,963	)	25	%
Gain (loss) on derivatives	$	(22,813	)	$	26,345		(187	)%
Other	$	307		$	45		NM
Income tax benefit	$	(71,194	)	$	(626,948	)	89	%
Average interest rate	5.7		%	5.4		%	6	%
Average long-term debt outstanding	$	868,332		$	897,391		(3	)%

_________________________


(1)	NM – A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

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Oil and Natural Gas

Oil and natural gas revenues decreased $91.6 million or 24% in 2016 as compared to 2015 due primarily to lower oil and natural gas prices as well as a decrease in production. Oil production decreased 21%, NGLs production decreased 5%, and natural gas production decreased 15%. Average oil prices between the comparative years decreased 20% to $40.50 per barrel, NGLs prices increased 11% to $11.26 per barrel, and natural gas prices decreased 21% to $2.07 per Mcf.

Oil and natural gas operating costs decreased $45.9 million or 28% between the comparative years of 2016 and 2015 due to lower LOE, saltwater disposal, and general and administrative expense.

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization (DD&A) decreased $138.1 million or 55% primarily due to a 49% decrease in our DD&A rate and by the effect of a 14% decrease in equivalent production. The decrease in our DD&A rate in 2016 compared to 2015 resulted primarily from the effect of the ceiling test write-downs during 2015 and 2016. Our DD&A expense on our oil and natural properties is calculated each quarter utilizing period end reserve quantities adjusted for current period production.

During 2016, we recorded non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties totaling $161.6 million pre-tax ($100.6 million, net of tax) compared to a non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties of $1.6 billion pre-tax ($1.0 billion net of tax) in 2015. These write-downs were due primarily from the reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during each year.

Contract Drilling

Drilling revenues decreased $143.6 million or 54% in 2016 as compared to 2015. The decrease was due primarily to a 50% decrease in the average number of drilling rigs in use, a 9% decrease in the average dayrate, and $25.9 million less received for fees on contracts terminated early in 2016 compared to 2015. Average drilling rig utilization decreased from 34.7 drilling rigs in 2015 to 17.4 drilling rigs in 2016.

Drilling operating costs decreased $68.3 million or 44% in 2016 compared to 2015. The decrease was due primarily to fewer drilling rigs operating. Contract drilling depreciation decreased $9.1 million or 16% also due primarily to fewer drilling rigs operating. During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded an impairment of approximately $8.3 million on 31 drilling rigs and other equipment that was sold at auction during the third quarter.

Mid-Stream

Our mid-stream revenues decreased $16.9 million or 8% in 2016 as compared to 2015 due primarily to gas sold per day decreasing 16% and NGLs sold per day decreasing 7%. Gas processing volumes per day decreased 15% between the comparative years primarily from fewer well connections near our processing systems. Gas gathering volumes per day increased 18% primarily from new well connections in the Appalachian region.

Operating costs decreased $23.9 million or 15% in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to a 6% decrease in prices paid for natural gas purchased and a 15% decrease in purchase volumes. Depreciation and amortization increased $2.0 million or 5% primarily due to capital expenditures for upgrades and well connects.

In December 2015, our mid-stream segment had a $27.0 million pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Bruceton Mills, Midwell, and Spring Creek due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems not being sufficient to support their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems.

Due to continued depressed NGLs prices, we are operating most of our processing facilities in full ethane rejection mode which reduced the amount of liquids sold throughout 2016. As long as NGLs prices continue at or below these levels, we expect to continue operating most facilities in full ethane rejection mode. Our mid-stream segment also experience a reduction in processed volumes in 2016 due to the low pricing environment and reduced drilling activity around our systems.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses decreased $1.0 million or 3% in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to lower employee costs.

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Other Depreciation

Other depreciation increased $0.8 million or 86% in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to the depreciation on the corporate office facility.

Gain (loss) on Disposition of Assets

Gain (loss) on disposition of assets increased $9.8 million in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to the gain of $3.2 million pre-tax on the sale of one drilling rig, various drilling rig components, vehicles, and other equipment somewhat offset by losses from our oil and natural gas and mid-stream segments, compared to a loss of $7.3 million pre-tax on the sale of 31 drilling rigs and other drilling equipment somewhat offset by the gains on the sale of one gathering system, various drilling rig components, vehicles, and a drilling rig during 2015.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased $7.9 million between the comparative years of 2016 and 2015. We capitalized interest based on the net book value associated with unproved properties not being amortized, the construction of additional drilling rigs, and the construction of gas gathering systems. Capitalized interest for 2016 was $15.3 million compared to $21.7 million in 2015, and was netted against our gross interest of $55.1 million and $53.7 million for 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our average interest rate increased from 5.4% to 5.7% and our average debt outstanding was $29.1 million lower in 2016 as compared to 2015 primarily due to the decrease in our outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement over the comparative periods.

Gain (loss) on derivatives decreased from a gain of $26.3 million in 2015 to a loss of $22.8 million in 2016 primarily due to fluctuations in forward prices used to estimate the fair value in mark-to-market accounting.

Income Tax Benefit

Income tax benefit decreased $555.8 million in 2016 compared to 2015 primarily due to a lower pre-tax loss from a reduction in non-cash ceiling test write-downs in 2016 compared to 2015. Our effective tax rate was 34.4% for 2016 and 37.7% for 2015. This decrease is primarily due to increased deferred tax expense in 2016 related to our restricted stock vestings in 2016 after the exhaustion of our remaining accumulated excess tax benefits. The current income tax benefit was minimal in 2016 compared to a current income tax benefit of $20.6 million for 2015. The $20.6 million current income tax benefit in 2015 was primarily due to an anticipated alternative minimum tax (AMT) net operating loss (NOL) carryback refund claim. We paid $42,000 in income taxes during 2016.

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2015 versus 2014



	2015			2014			Percent Change ⁽¹⁾
	(In thousands unless otherwise specified)
Total operating revenue	$	854,231		$	1,572,944		(46	)%
Net income (loss)	$	(1,037,361	)	$	136,276		NM

Oil and Natural Gas:
Revenue	$	385,774		$	740,079		(48	)%
Operating costs excluding depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment	$	166,046		$	187,916		(12	)%
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	$	251,944		$	276,088		(9	)%
Impairment of oil and natural gas properties	$	1,599,348		$	76,683		NM

Average oil price received (Bbl)	$	50.79		$	89.43		(43	)%
Average NGLs price received (Bbl)	$	10.12		$	30.95		(67	)%
Average natural gas price received (Mcf)	$	2.63		$	3.92		(33	)%
Oil production (Bbl)	3,783,000			3,844,000			(2	)%
NGLs production (Bbl)	5,274,000			4,628,000			14	%
Natural gas production (Mcf)	65,546,000			58,854,000			11	%
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization rate (Boe)	$	12.30		$	14.82		(17	)%

Contract Drilling:
Revenue	$	265,668		$	476,517		(44	)%
Operating costs excluding depreciation and impairment	$	156,408		$	274,933		(43	)%
Depreciation	$	56,135		$	85,370		(34	)%
Impairment of contract drilling equipment	$	8,314		$	74,318		(89	)%

Percentage of revenue from daywork contracts	100		%	100		%
Average number of drilling rigs in use	34.7			75.4			(54	)%
Average dayrate on daywork contracts	$	19,455		$	20,043		(3	)%

Mid-Stream:
Revenue	$	202,789		$	356,348		(43	)%
Operating costs excluding depreciation, amortization, and impairment	$	161,556		$	306,831		(47	)%
Depreciation and amortization	$	43,676		$	40,434		8	%
Impairment of gas gathering and processing systems	$	26,966		$	7,068		NM

Gas gathered—Mcf/day	353,771			319,348			11	%
Gas processed—Mcf/day	182,684			161,282			13	%
Gas liquids sold—gallons/day	577,513			733,406			(21	)%

Corporate and other:
General and administrative expense	$	34,358		$	41,027		(16	)%
Other depreciation	$	987		$	996		(1	)%
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	$	(7,229	)	$	8,953		(181	)%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	$	(31,963	)	$	(17,371	)	84	%
Gain on derivatives	$	26,345		$	30,147		(13	)%
Other	$	45		$	(70	)	164	%
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(626,948	)	$	86,663		NM
Average interest rate	5.4		%	6.5		%	(17	)%
Average long-term debt outstanding	$	897,391		$	674,832		33	%

_________________________


(1)	NM – A percentage calculation is not meaningful due to a zero-value denominator or a percentage change greater than 200.

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Oil and Natural Gas

Oil and natural gas revenues decreased $354.3 million or 48% in 2015 as compared to 2014 due primarily to lower oil, natural gas, and NGLs prices partially offset by an increase in production. Oil production decreased 2%, NGLs production increased 14%, and natural gas production increased 11%. Average oil prices between the comparative years decreased 43% to $50.79 per barrel, NGLs prices decreased 67% to $10.12 per barrel, and natural gas prices decreased 33% to $2.63 per Mcf.

Oil and natural gas operating costs decreased $21.9 million or 12% between the comparative years of 2015 and 2014 due to lower gross production taxes due to lower sales revenue and lower general and administrative expense.

DD&A decreased $24.1 million or 9% primarily due to a 17% decrease in our DD&A rate partially offset by the effect of a 9% increase in equivalent production. The decrease in our DD&A rate in 2015 compared to 2014 resulted primarily from the effect of the ceiling test write-downs during 2015. Our DD&A expense on our oil and natural properties is calculated each quarter utilizing period end reserve quantities adjusted for current period production.

During 2015, we recorded non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties totaling $1.6 billion pre-tax ($1.0 billion, net of tax) compared to a non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties of $76.7 million pre-tax ($47.7 million net of tax) in December of 2014. These write-downs were due to the inclusion of the impaired value of the unproved properties of $114.4 million and $73.7 million in 2015 and 2014, respectively and a reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during each year.

Contract Drilling

Drilling revenues decreased $210.8 million or 44% in 2015 as compared to 2014. The decrease was due primarily to a 54% decrease in the average number of drilling rigs in use and a 3% decrease in the average dayrate partially offset by $29.0 million for fees on contracts terminated early in 2015. Average drilling rig utilization decreased from 75.4 drilling rigs in 2014 to 34.7 drilling rigs in 2015.

Drilling operating costs decreased $118.5 million or 43% in 2015 compared to 2014. The decrease was due primarily to fewer drilling rigs operating. Contract drilling depreciation decreased $29.2 million or 34% also due primarily to fewer drilling rigs operating. In December 2014, 31 drilling rigs and other drilling equipment were written down to their estimated market value. This impairment was approximately $74.3 million pre-tax. During the second quarter of 2015, we recorded an additional impairment of approximately $8.3 million on the drilling rigs and other equipment that was sold at auction during the third quarter.

Mid-Stream

Our mid-stream revenues decreased $153.6 million or 43% in 2015 as compared to 2014 due primarily from the average price for NGLs sold decreasing 47%, the average price for natural gas sold decreasing 39%, and NGLs volumes sold per day decreasing 21% primarily from being in ethane rejection mode. Gas processing volumes per day increased 13% between the comparative years primarily from new well connections. Gas gathering volumes per day increased 11% primarily from new well connections.

Operating costs decreased $145.3 million or 47% in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to an 54% decrease in prices paid for natural gas purchased partially offset by a 12% increase in purchase volumes. Depreciation and amortization increased $3.2 million or 8% primarily due to capital expenditures for upgrades and well connects.

In December 2014, our mid-stream segment had a $7.1 million pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Weatherford, Billy Rose, and Spring Creek due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems supporting their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems. In December 2015, our mid-stream segment had another $27.0 million pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Bruceton Mills, Midwell, and Spring Creek due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems not being sufficient to support their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems.

Due to the decline in NGLs prices beginning in 2014, we operated our processing facilities in full ethane rejection mode which reduced the amount of liquids sold throughout 2015. As long as NGLs prices continue at or below these levels,we expect

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to continue operating in full ethane rejection mode. Our mid-stream segment did not experience a reduction in processed volumes in 2015 but as low prices continue we expect further reductions in drilling activity around our systems which will eventually effect our ability to connect new wells resulting in lower processed volumes in the future.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses decreased $6.7 million or 16% in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to lower employee costs and a $1.8 million decrease in the stock-based compensation accrual due to an evaluation of the performance based shares component of previous grants.

Gain (loss) on Disposition of Assets

Gain (loss) on disposition of assets decreased $16.2 million in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to the loss of $7.3 million pre-tax on the sale of 30 drilling rigs and other drilling equipment in an auction somewhat offset by the gains on the sale of one gathering system, various drilling rig components, vehicles, and a drilling rig during 2015, compared to a gain of $9.0 million primarily for the sale of four idle 3,000 horsepower drilling rigs to an unaffiliated third-party during 2014.

Other Income (Expense)

Interest expense, net of capitalized interest, increased $14.6 million between the comparative years of 2015 and 2014. We capitalized interest based on the net book value associated with unproved properties not being amortized, the construction of additional drilling rigs, and the construction of gas gathering systems. Capitalized interest for 2015 was $21.7 million compared to $32.2 million in 2014, and was netted against our gross interest of $53.7 million and $49.6 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our average interest rate decreased from 6.5% to 5.4% and our average debt outstanding was $222.6 million higher in 2015 as compared to 2014 primarily due to the increase in our outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement over the comparative periods.

Gain on derivatives decreased from a gain of $30.1 million in 2014 to a gain of $26.3 million in 2015 primarily due to fluctuations in forward prices used to estimate the fair value in mark-to-market accounting.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense decreased $713.6 million in 2015 compared to 2014 primarily due to decreased income due to the impairments in all three segments during 2015. Our effective tax rate was 37.7% for 2015 and 38.9% for 2014. This decrease is primarily due to the effect of permanent differences as they relate to negative pre-tax income. Current income tax benefit was $20.6 million in 2015 compared to a current income tax expense of $9.4 million for 2014. The $20.6 million current income tax benefit is due to an anticipated alternative minimum tax (AMT) net operating loss (NOL) refund. We paid $3.5 million in income taxes during 2015.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Our operations are exposed to market risks primarily as a result of changes in the prices for natural gas and oil and interest rates.

Commodity Price Risk. Our major market risk exposure is in the prices we receive for our oil, NGLs, and natural gas production. Those prices are primarily driven by the prevailing worldwide price for crude oil and market prices applicable to our natural gas production. Historically, these prices have fluctuated and we expect they will continue to do so. The price of oil, NGLs, and natural gas also affects both the demand for our drilling rigs and the amount we can charge for the use of our drilling rigs. Based on our 2016 production, a $0.10 per Mcf change in what we are paid for our natural gas production would result in a corresponding $442,000 per month ($5.3 million annualized) change in our pre-tax cash flow. A $1.00 per barrel change in our oil price would have a $238,000 per month ($2.9 million annualized) change in our pre-tax operating cash flow and a $1.00 per barrel change in our NGLs prices would have a $398,000 per month ($4.8 million annualized) change in our pre-tax cash flow.

We use derivative transactions to manage the risk associated with price volatility. Our decision on the type and quantity of our production and the price(s) of our derivative(s) is based, in part, on our view of current and future market conditions. The transactions we use include financial price swaps under which we will receive a fixed price for our production and pay a

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variable market price to the contract counterparty. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

At December 31, 2016, the following non-designated hedges were outstanding:



Term	Commodity	Contracted Volume	Weighted Average Fixed Price for Swaps	Contracted Market
Jan’17 – Mar’17	Natural gas – swap	70,000 MMBtu/day	$3.044	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Apr'17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – swap	60,000 MMBtu/day	$2.960	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – swap	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.025	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – basis swap ⁽¹⁾	20,000 MMBtu/day	$(0.215)	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – basis swap ⁽¹⁾	10,000 MMBtu/day	$(0.208)	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'17 – Oct'17	Natural gas – collar	20,000 MMBtu/day	$2.88 - $3.10	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – three-way collar	15,000 MMBtu/day	$2.50 - $2.00 - $3.32	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'18 – Mar'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.25 - $2.50 - $4.43	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Crude oil – three-way collar	3,750 Bbl/day	$49.79 - $39.58 - $60.98	WTI – NYMEX

_________________________


(1)	After December 31, 2016, the basis swaps for February through October 2017 and April through October 2018 were liquidated for $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

After December 31, 2016, the following non-designated hedges were entered into:



Term	Commodity	Contracted Volume	Weighted Average Fixed Price for Swaps	Contracted Market
Apr’17 – Oct'17	Natural gas – swap	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.505	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Nov’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.50 - $2.75 - $4.00	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'18 – Mar'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	40,000 MMBtu/day	$3.38 - $2.69 - $4.17	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Apr’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.00 - $2.50 - $3.66	IF – NYMEX (HH)

Interest Rate Risk. Our interest rate exposure relates to our long-term debt under our credit agreement and the Notes. The credit agreement, at our election bears interest at variable rates based on the Prime Rate or the LIBOR Rate. At our election, borrowings under our credit agreement may be fixed at the LIBOR Rate for periods of up to 180 days. Based on our average outstanding long-term debt subject to a variable rate in 2016, a 1% increase in the floating rate would reduce our annual pre-tax cash flow by approximately $2.2 million. Under our Notes, we pay a fixed rate of interest of 6.625% per year (payable semi-annually in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year).

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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Index to Financial Statements

Unit Corporation and Subsidiaries



	Page
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting	71
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	72
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015	73
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014	75
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016	76
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014	77
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	78

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Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Management of the company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:


•	Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;


•	Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and


•	Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

The company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016. In making this assessment, the company’s management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on their assessment, the company’s management concluded that, as of December 31, 2016, the company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

The effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To Board of Directors and Shareholders of Unit Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated balance sheets and related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Unit Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2016 and 2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 20162016 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 15(a)(2),presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2016, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company's management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Tulsa, Oklahoma

February 28, 2017

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands except share and par value amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	893	$	835
Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,773 and $5,199 at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively)	83,954		79,941
Materials and supplies	3,340		3,565
Current derivative asset (Note 12)	—		10,186
Current income tax receivable	99		21,002
Current deferred tax asset (Note 8)	25,211		14,206
Assets held for sale	—		615
Prepaid expenses and other	7,699		9,908
Total current assets	121,196		140,258
Property and equipment:
Oil and natural gas properties, on the full cost method:
Proved properties	5,446,305		5,401,618
Unproved properties not being amortized	314,867		337,099
Drilling equipment	1,565,268		1,567,560
Gas gathering and processing equipment	705,859		689,063
Saltwater disposal systems	60,638		60,316
Corporate land and building	59,066		49,890
Transportation equipment	32,842		40,072
Other	48,590		45,489
	8,233,435		8,191,107
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment	5,952,330		5,609,980
Net property and equipment	2,281,105		2,581,127
Goodwill (Note 2)	62,808		62,808
Non-current derivative asset (Note 12)	377		968
Other assets	13,817		14,681
Total assets	$	2,479,303	$	2,799,842

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - (Continued)



	As of December 31,
	2016		2015
	(In thousands except share and par value amounts)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	88,793	$	87,413
Accrued liabilities (Note 5)	39,651		46,918
Current derivative liabilities (Note 12)	21,564		—
Current portion of other long-term liabilities (Note 6)	14,907		16,560
Total current liabilities	164,915		150,891
Long-term debt less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (Note 6)	800,917		918,995
Non-current derivative liabilities (Note 12)	415		285
Other long-term liabilities (Note 6)	103,064		140,341
Deferred income taxes (Note 8)	215,922		275,750
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)	—		—
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $1.00 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued	—		—
Common stock, $0.20 par value, 175,000,000 shares authorized, 51,494,318 and 50,413,101 shares issued as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	10,016		9,831
Capital in excess of par value	502,500		486,571
Retained earnings	681,554		817,178
Total shareholders’ equity	1,194,070		1,313,580
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	2,479,303	$	2,799,842

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas	$	294,221		$	385,774		$	740,079
Contract drilling	122,086			265,668			476,517
Gas gathering and processing	185,870			202,789			356,348
Total revenues	602,177			854,231			1,572,944
Expenses:
Operating costs:
Oil and natural gas	120,184			166,046			187,916
Contract drilling	88,154			156,408			274,933
Gas gathering and processing	137,609			161,556			306,831
Total operating costs	345,947			484,010			769,680

Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	208,353			352,742			402,888
Impairments	161,563			1,634,628			158,069
General and administrative	33,337			34,358			41,027
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(2,540		)	7,229			(8,953		)
Total expenses	746,660			2,512,967			1,362,711
Income (loss) from operations	(144,483		)	(1,658,736		)	210,233
Other income (expense):
Interest, net	(39,829		)	(31,963		)	(17,371		)
Gain (loss) on derivatives	(22,813		)	26,345			30,147
Other	307			45			(70		)
Total other income (expense)	(62,335		)	(5,573		)	12,706
Income (loss) before income taxes	(206,818		)	(1,664,309		)	222,939
Income tax expense (benefit):
Current	15			(20,616		)	9,378
Deferred	(71,209		)	(606,332		)	77,285
Total income taxes	(71,194		)	(626,948		)	86,663
Net income (loss)	$	(135,624	)	$	(1,037,361	)	$	136,276
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(2.71	)	$	(21.12	)	$	2.80
Diluted	$	(2.71	)	$	(21.12	)	$	2.78

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Year Ended December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016



	Common Stock		Capital In Excess of Par Value		Retained Earnings			Total
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
Balances, January 1, 2014	$	9,659	$	445,470	$	1,718,263		$	2,173,392
Net income	—		—		136,276			136,276
Activity in employee compensation plans (486,808 shares)	73		22,653		—			22,726
Balances, December 31, 2014	9,732		468,123		1,854,539			2,332,394
Net loss	—		—		(1,037,361		)	(1,037,361		)
Activity in employee compensation plans (819,289 shares)	99		18,448		—			18,547
Balances, December 31, 2015	9,831		486,571		817,178			1,313,580
Net loss	—		—		(135,624		)	(135,624		)
Activity in employee compensation plans (1,081,217 shares)	185		15,929		—			16,114
Balances, December 31, 2016	$	10,016	$	502,500	$	681,554		$	1,194,070

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



	Year Ended December 31,
	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)	$	(135,624	)	$	(1,037,361	)	$	136,276
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization	208,353			352,742			402,888
Impairments (Note 2)	161,563			1,634,628			158,069
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	2,122			2,088			2,055
(Gain) loss on derivatives	22,813			(26,345		)	(30,147		)
Cash (payments) receipts on derivatives settled	9,658			46,615			(6,038		)
(Gain) loss on disposition of assets	(3,127		)	7,229			(8,953		)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	(71,209		)	(606,332		)	77,285
Employee stock compensation plans	13,812			21,468			24,320
Bad debt expense	785			1,191			3,562
ARO liability accretion	2,779			3,453			4,599
Other, net	(6,037		)	(1,517		)	1,068
Changes in operating assets and liabilities increasing (decreasing) cash:
Accounts receivable	(11,796		)	105,426			(60,800		)
Materials and supplies	225			1,507			2,602
Prepaid expenses and other	2,585			7,134			6,550
Accounts payable	27,400			(20,306		)	4,715
Accrued liabilities	(4,388		)	(22,920		)	(1,297		)
Income taxes	20,903			(21,482		)	(6,994		)
Contract advances	(687		)	(274		)	(767		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	240,130			446,944			708,993
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures	(186,149		)	(561,453		)	(981,374		)
Producing property and other acquisitions	(564		)	(179		)	(5,723		)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment	74,823			11,854			66,197
Other	919			—			303
Net cash used in investing activities	(110,971		)	(549,778		)	(920,597		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings under line of credit	251,398			618,500			725,800
Payments under line of credit	(371,600		)	(503,500		)	(559,800		)
Payments on capitalized leases	(3,694		)	(3,549		)	(2,392		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	—			—			1,083
Tax (expense) benefit from stock compensation	(376		)	(3,207		)	1,614
Increase (decrease) in book overdrafts (Note 2)	(4,829		)	(5,624		)	27,755
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(129,101		)	102,620			194,060
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	58			(214		)	(17,544		)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	835			1,049			18,593
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	$	893		$	835		$	1,049
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest paid (net of capitalized)	$	35,690		$	30,910		$	13,620
Income taxes	$	42		$	3,540		$	15,898
Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to purchases of property, plant, and equipment	$	21,190		$	105,157		$	(31,968	)
Non-cash reductions to oil and natural gas properties related to asset retirement obligations	$	30,897		$	5,694		$	37,689
Non-cash additions to property, plant, and equipment acquired under capital leases	$	—		$	—		$	(28,202	)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, references in this report to “Unit”, “Company”, “we”, “our”, “us”, or like terms refer to Unit Corporation and its subsidiaries.

We are primarily engaged in the exploration, development, acquisition, and production of oil and natural gas properties, the land contract drilling of natural gas and oil wells, and the buying, selling, gathering, processing, and treating of natural gas. Our operations are located principally in the United States and are organized in the following three reporting segments: (1) Oil and Natural Gas, (2) Contract Drilling, and (3) Mid-Stream.

Oil and Natural Gas. Carried out by our subsidiary, Unit Petroleum Company, we explore, develop, acquire, and produce oil and natural gas properties for our own account. Our producing oil and natural gas properties, unproved properties, and related assets are located mainly in Oklahoma and Texas, and to a lesser extent, in Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Contract Drilling. Carried out by our subsidiary, Unit Drilling Company, we drill onshore oil and natural gas wells for our own account as well as for a wide range of other oil and natural gas companies. Our drilling operations are mainly located in Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming, North Dakota, and to a lesser extent in Louisiana and Kansas.

Our contract drilling segment experienced more demand for natural gas drilling as opposed to drilling for oil and NGLs before 2008. Since 2008, operators have been focusing more on drilling for oil and NGLs.

Mid-Stream. Carried out by our subsidiary, Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and its subsidiaries, we buy, sell, gather, transport, process, and treat natural gas for our own account and for third parties. Mid-stream operations are performed in Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

NOTE 2 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Unit Corporation and its subsidiaries. Our investment in limited partnerships is accounted for on the proportionate consolidation method, whereby our share of the partnerships’ assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses are included in the appropriate classification in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Certain amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements for prior periods have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. Certain financial statement captions were expanded or combined with no impact to consolidated net income or shareholders' equity.

Accounting Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Drilling Contracts. We recognize revenues and expenses generated from “daywork” drilling contracts as the services are performed, since we do not bear the risk of completion of the well. Under “footage” and “turnkey” contracts, we bear the risk of completion of the well; therefore, revenues and expenses are recognized when the well is substantially completed. Under this method, substantial completion is determined when the well bore reaches the negotiated depth as stated in the contract. The entire amount of a loss, if any, is recorded when the loss is determinable. The costs of uncompleted drilling contracts include expenses incurred to date on “footage” or “turnkey” contracts, which are still in process at the end of the period, and are included in other current assets. Typically, any one of these three types of contracts can be used for the drilling of one well which can take from 10 to 90 days. At December 31, 2016, all of our contracts were daywork contracts of which eight were multi-well and had durations which ranged from six months to two years, seven of which expire in 2017 and one expiring in 2018. These longer term contracts may contain a fixed rate for the duration of the contract or provide for the periodic renegotiation of the rate within a specific range from the existing rate.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Cash Equivalents and Book Overdrafts. We include as cash equivalents all investments with maturities at date of purchase of three months or less which are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. Book overdrafts are checks that have been issued before the end of the period, but not presented to our bank for payment before the end of the period. At December 31, 2016 and 2015, book overdrafts were $17.3 million and $22.1 million, respectively.

Accounts Receivable. Accounts receivable are carried on a gross basis, with no discounting, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts based on existing economic conditions, the financial condition of our customers, and the amount and age of past due accounts. Receivables are considered past due if full payment is not received by the contractual due date. Past due accounts are generally written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts only after all collection attempts have been unsuccessful.

Financial Instruments and Concentrations of Credit Risk and Non-performance Risk. Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk, consist primarily of trade receivables with a variety of oil and natural gas companies. We do not generally require collateral related to receivables. Our credit risk is considered to be limited due to the large number of customers comprising our customer base. Below are the third-party customers that accounted for more than 10% of our segment’s revenues:



	2016		2015		2014
Oil and Natural Gas:
Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P.	24	%	19	%	14	%
Valero Energy Corporation	11	%	15	%	24	%
Drilling:
QEP Resources, Inc.	28	%	25	%	19	%
Whiting Petroleum Corp. (formerly Kodiak Oil and Gas Corp.)	18	%	7	%	9	%
Mid-Stream:
ONEOK Partners, L.P.	30	%	29	%	44	%
Koch Energy Services, LLC	11	%	9	%	2	%
Range Resources Corporation	10	%	5	%	2	%
Tenaska Resources, LLC	10	%	18	%	22	%
Laclede Group, Inc.	9	%	12	%	16	%

We had a concentration of cash of $8.3 million and $2.3 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively with one bank.

The use of derivative transactions also involves the risk that the counterparties will be unable to meet the financial terms of the transactions. We considered this non-performance risk with regard to our counterparties and our own non-performance risk in our derivative valuation at December 31, 2016 and determined there was no material risk at that time. At December 31, 2016, the fair values of the net liabilities we had with each of the counterparties with respect to all of our commodity derivative transactions are listed in the table below:



	December 31, 2016
	(In millions)
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce	$	11.1
Bank of Montreal	8.0
Scotiabank	2.5
Total liabilities	$	21.6

Property and Equipment. Drilling equipment, transportation equipment, gas gathering and processing systems, and other property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Renewals and enhancements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are expensed. Depreciation of drilling equipment is recorded using the units-of-production method based on estimated useful lives starting at 15 years , including a minimum provision of 20% of the active rate when the equipment is idle. We use the composite method of depreciation for drill pipe and collars and calculate the depreciation by

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

footage actually drilled compared to total estimated remaining footage. Depreciation of other property and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from 3 to 15 years.

We review the carrying amounts of long-lived assets for potential impairment annually, typically during the fourth quarter, or when events occur or changes in circumstances suggest that these carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Changes that could prompt such an assessment may include equipment obsolescence, changes in the market demand for a specific asset, changes in commodity prices, periods of relatively low drilling rig utilization, declining revenue per day, declining cash margin per day, or overall changes in general market conditions. 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. The estimate of fair value is based on the best information available, including prices for similar assets. Changes in these estimates could cause us to reduce the carrying value of property and equipment. Asset impairment evaluations are, by nature, highly subjective. They involve expectations about future cash flows generated by our assets and reflect management’s assumptions and judgments regarding future industry conditions and their effect on future utilization levels, dayrates, and costs. The use of different estimates and assumptions could result in materially different carrying values of our assets.

On a periodic basis, we evaluate our fleet of drilling rigs for marketability based on the condition of inactive rigs, expenditures that would be necessary to bring them to working condition and the expected demand for drilling services by rig type. The components comprising inactive rigs are evaluated, and those components with continuing utility to the Company’s other marketed rigs are transferred to other rigs or to its yards to be used as spare equipment. The remaining components of these rigs are retired. In December 2014, we removed from service 31 drilling rigs, some older top drives, and certain drill pipe no longer marketable in the current environment and based on the estimated market value from third-party assessments, we recorded a write-down of approximately $74.3 million, pre-tax. During the first quarter of 2015, we sold one of these drilling rigs to an unaffiliated third party. The proceeds of this sale, less costs to sell, exceeded the $0.3 million net book value of the drilling rig resulting in a gain of $7,900. During the second quarter, we recorded an additional write-down on the remaining drilling rigs and other equipment of approximately $8.3 million pre-tax based on the estimated market value from similar auctions. During the third quarter, we sold the remaining 30 drilling rigs and most of the equipment in an auction. The proceeds from the sale of those assets, less costs to sell, was less than the $11.0 million net book value resulting in a loss of $7.3 million pre-tax. When property and equipment components are disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is generally reflected in operations. For dispositions of drill pipe and drill collars, an average cost for the appropriate feet of drill pipe and drill collars is removed from the asset account and charged to accumulated depreciation and proceeds, if any, are credited to accumulated depreciation.

In 2016, our mid-stream segment had no impairments.

In 2015, our mid-stream segment incurred a $27.0 million, pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Bruceton Mills, Midwell, and Spring Creek due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems not being sufficient to support their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems.

In 2014, our mid-stream segment incurred a $7.1 million, pre-tax write-down of three of its systems, Weatherford, Billy Rose, and Spring Creek due to anticipated future cash flow and future development around these systems not being sufficient to support their carrying value. The estimated future cash flows were less than the carrying value on these systems.

We record an asset and a liability equal to the present value of the expected future ARO associated with our oil and gas properties. The ARO asset is depreciated in a manner consistent with the depreciation of the underlying physical asset. We measure changes in the liability due to passage of time by accreting an interest charge. This amount is recognized as an increase in the carrying amount of the liability and as a corresponding accretion expense.

Capitalized Interest. During 2016, 2015, and 2014, interest of approximately $15.3 million, $21.7 million, and $32.2 million, respectively, was capitalized based on the net book value associated with unproved properties not being amortized, the construction of additional drilling rigs, and the construction of gas gathering systems. Interest is being capitalized using a weighted average interest rate based on our outstanding borrowings.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

testing, goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. Our goodwill is all related to our contract drilling segment, and accordingly, the impairment test is generally based on the estimated discounted future net cash flows of our drilling segment, utilizing discount rates and other factors in determining the fair value of our drilling segment. Inputs in our estimated discounted future net cash flows include drilling rig utilization, day rates, gross margin percentages, and terminal value. No goodwill impairment was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, or 2014. There were no additions to goodwill in 2016, 2015, or 2014. Based on our impairment test performed as of December 31, 2016, the fair value of our drilling segment exceeded its carrying value by 16%. Goodwill of $1.3 million is deductible for tax purposes.

Oil and Natural Gas Operations. We account for our oil and natural gas exploration and development activities using the full cost method of accounting prescribed by the SEC. Accordingly, all productive and non-productive costs incurred in connection with the acquisition, exploration and development of our oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves, including directly related overhead costs and related asset retirement costs, are capitalized and amortized on a units-of-production method based on proved oil and natural gas reserves. Directly related overhead costs of $15.4 million, $19.2 million, and $23.7 million were capitalized in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. Independent petroleum engineers annually audit our internal evaluation of our reserves. The average rates used for depreciation, depletion, and amortization (DD&A) were $6.24, $12.30, and $14.82 per Boe in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The calculation of DD&A includes estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing proved reserves and estimated dismantlement and abandonment costs, net of estimated salvage values. Our unproved properties and wells in progress totaling $314.9 million are excluded from the DD&A calculation.

No gains or losses are recognized on the sale, conveyance, or other disposition of oil and natural gas properties unless a significant reserve amount to our total reserves is involved.

Revenue from the sale of oil and natural gas is recognized when title passes, net of royalties.

Under the full cost rules, at the end of each quarter, we review the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties. The full cost ceiling is based principally on the estimated future discounted net cash flows from our oil and natural gas properties discounted at 10%. We use the unweighted arithmetic average of the commodity prices existing on the first day of each of the 12 months before the end of the reporting period to calculate discounted future revenues, unless prices were otherwise determined under contractual arrangements. In the event the unamortized cost of oil and natural gas properties being amortized exceeds the full cost ceiling, as defined by the SEC, the excess is charged to expense in the period during which such excess occurs. Once incurred, a write-down of oil and natural gas properties is not reversible.

We determined the value of certain unproved oil and gas properties were diminished (in part or in whole) based on an impairment evaluation and our anticipated future exploration plans. Those determinations resulted in $73.7 million in 2014, $114.4 million in 2015, and $7.6 million in 2016 of costs being added to the total of our capitalized costs being amortized. We incurred a $76.7 million pre-tax ($47.7 million net of tax) non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties in 2014 due to the inclusion of the impaired value of those unproved properties and a reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the year. In 2015, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $1.6 billion pre-tax ($1.0 billion net of tax) primarily due to the reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the year. In 2016, we incurred non-cash ceiling test write-downs of our oil and natural gas properties of $161.6 million pre-tax ($100.6 million net of tax) due to the reduction of the 12-month average commodity prices during the first three quarters of the year. There was not a ceiling test write-down for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Our contract drilling segment provides drilling services for our exploration and production segment. Depending on the timing of the drilling services performed on our properties those services may be deemed, for financial reporting purposes, to be associated with the acquisition of an ownership interest in the property. Revenues and expenses for these services are eliminated in our statement of operations, with any profit recognized reducing our investment in our oil and natural gas properties. The contracts for these services are issued under the similar terms and rates as the contracts entered into with unrelated third parties. We did not eliminate any revenue or expenses in our contract drilling segment during 2016. We eliminated revenue of $22.1 million and $89.5 million for 2015 and 2014, respectively from our contract drilling segment and eliminated the associated operating expense of $18.3 million and $62.4 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, yielding $3.8 million and $27.1 million during 2015 and 2014, respectively, as a reduction to the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties.

Gas Gathering and Processing Revenue. Our gathering and processing segment recognizes revenue from the gathering and processing of natural gas and NGLs in the period the service is provided based on contractual terms.

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Insurance. We are self-insured for certain losses relating to workers’ compensation, control of well and employee medical benefits. Insured policies for other coverage contain deductibles or retentions per occurrence that range from zero to $1.0 million. We have purchased stop-loss coverage in order to limit, to the extent feasible, per occurrence and aggregate exposure to certain types of claims. There is no assurance that the insurance coverages we have will adequately protect us against liability from all potential consequences. If insurance coverage becomes more expensive, we may choose to self-insure, decrease our limits, raise our deductibles, or any combination of these rather than pay higher premiums.

Derivative Activities. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Any changes in our derivatives' fair value occurring before their maturity (i.e., temporary fluctuations in value) are reported in gain (loss) on derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We document our risk management strategy and do not engage in derivative transactions for speculative purposes.

Limited Partnerships. Unit Petroleum Company is a general partner in 13 oil and natural gas limited partnerships sold privately and publicly. Some of our officers, directors, and employees own the interests in most of these partnerships. We share in each partnership’s revenues and costs in accordance with formulas set out in each of the limited partnership agreement. The partnerships also reimburse us for certain administrative costs incurred on behalf of the partnerships.

Income Taxes. Measurement of current and deferred income tax liabilities and assets is based on provisions of enacted tax law; the effects of future changes in tax laws or rates are not included in the measurement. Valuation allowances are established where necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable for the year and the change during that year in deferred tax assets and liabilities.

The accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a return. Guidance is also provided on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. We have $0.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits.

Natural Gas Balancing. We use the sales method for recording natural gas sales. This method allows for recognition of revenue, which may be more or less than its share of pro-rata production from certain wells. We estimate our December 31, 2016 balancing position to be approximately 3.7 Bcf on under-produced properties and approximately 3.3 Bcf on over-produced properties. We have recorded a receivable of $2.8 million on certain wells where we estimate that insufficient reserves are available for us to recover the under-production from future production volumes. We have also recorded a liability of $3.8 million on certain properties where we believe there are insufficient reserves available to allow the under-produced owners to recover their under-production from future production volumes. Our policy is to expense the pro-rata share of lease operating costs from all wells as incurred. Such expenses relating to the balancing position on wells in which we have imbalances are not material.

Employee and Director Stock Based Compensation. We recognize in our financial statements the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards. The amount of our equity compensation cost relating to employees directly involved in exploration activities of our oil and natural gas segment is capitalized to our oil and natural gas properties. Amounts not capitalized to our oil and natural gas properties are recognized in general and administrative expense and operating costs of our business segments. We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs). The value of our restricted stock grants is based on the closing stock price on the date of the grants.

New Accounting Standards

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annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We are in the process of evaluating the impact these amendments will have on our financial statements.

Adopted Standards

Interest—Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The FASB has issued ASU 2015-03. The amendments in this ASU require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The FASB has also issued ASU 2015-15. The amendments in this ASU allow an entity to defer and present debt issuance cost as an asset and

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subsequently amortize the deferred debt issuance costs ratably over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement, regardless of whether there are any outstanding borrowings on the line-of-credit arrangement. We have maintained debt issuance costs associated with our credit agreement as an asset and amortize these fees over the life of the credit agreement. For public business entities, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. We have adopted these amendments during the first quarter of 2016. Previously, debt issuance costs associated with the Notes was classified as a long-term asset on the balance sheet, but with ASU 2015-03, it is presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the recognized debt liability. This is also reflected in Note 6 – Long-Term Debt and Other Long-term Liabilities.

NOTE 3 – DIVESTITURES

Oil and Natural Gas

We had non-core asset sales with proceeds, net of related expenses, of $33.1 million, $1.9 million, and $67.2 million in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Proceeds from these dispositions reduced the net book value of the full cost pool with no gain or loss recognized.

Contract Drilling

During 2014, we sold four drilling rigs to an unaffiliated third party. The proceeds of this sale, less costs to sell, exceeded the $16.3 million net book value of the drilling rigs, both in the aggregate and for each drilling rig, resulting in a gain of $9.6 million.

During the first quarter of 2015, we sold one drilling rig to an unaffiliated third party for $0.3 million resulting in a gain of $7,900. During the third quarter, we sold 30 drilling rigs, some old top drive equipment, and drill pipe in an auction. The proceeds from the sale of those assets, less costs to sell, was less than the $11.0 million net book value resulting in a loss of $7.3 million pre-tax.

During December 2016, we sold one idle 1500 HP SCR drilling rig to an unaffiliated third party. The proceeds of this sale, less costs to sell, exceeded the $1.7 million net book value of the drilling rig, resulting in a gain of $1.6 million.

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NOTE 4 – EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The following data shows the amounts used in computing earnings (loss) per share:



	Income (Loss) (Numerator)			Weighted Shares (Denominator)	Per-Share Amount
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
For the year ended December 31, 2014:
Basic earnings per common share	$	136,276		48,611	$	2.80
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and SARs	—			472	(0.02		)
Diluted earnings per common share	$	136,276		49,083	$	2.78
For the year ended December 31, 2015:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(1,037,361	)	49,110	$	(21.12	)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and SARs	—			—	—
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(1,037,361	)	49,110	$	(21.12	)
For the year ended December 31, 2016:
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(135,624	)	50,029	$	(2.71	)
Effect of dilutive stock options, restricted stock, and SARs	—			—	—
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(135,624	)	50,029	$	(2.71	)

Due to the net loss for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, approximately 509,000 and 186,000, respectively, weighted average shares related to stock options, restricted stock, and SARs were antidilutive and were excluded from the earnings per share calculation above.

The following options and their average exercise prices were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock for the years ended December 31:



	2016		2015		2014
Options and SARs	199,755		261,270		73,500
Average exercise price	$	48.79	$	50.34	$	64.43

NOTE 5 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31:



	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Employee costs	$	15,394	$	12,641
Lease operating expenses	10,075		17,220
Interest payable	6,524		6,321
Third-party credits	2,998		3,326
Taxes	2,219		3,767
Other	2,441		3,643
Total accrued liabilities	$	39,651	$	46,918

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NOTE 6 – LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following as of December 31:



	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Credit agreement with average interest rates of 2.8% and 2.6% at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively	$	160,800		$	281,000
6.625% senior subordinated notes due 2021	650,000			650,000
Total principal amount	$	810,800		$	931,000
Less: unamortized discount	(2,804		)	(3,338		)
Less: debt issuance costs, net	(7,079		)	(8,667		)
Total long-term debt	$	800,917		$	918,995

The amount of the borrowing base–which is subject to redetermination by the lenders on April 1st and October 1st of each year, is based primarily on a percentage of the discounted future value of our oil and natural gas reserves. The October 2016 redetermination did not result in any changes. We or the lenders may request a onetime special redetermination of the borrowing base between each scheduled redetermination. In addition, we may request a redetermination following the completion of an acquisition that meets the requirements set forth in the credit agreement.

At our election, any part of the outstanding debt under the credit agreement may be fixed at a London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). LIBOR interest is computed as the sum of the LIBOR base for the applicable term plus 2.00% to 3.00% depending on the level of debt as a percentage of the borrowing base and is payable at the end of each term, or every 90 days, whichever is less. Borrowings not under LIBOR bear interest at the prime rate specified in the credit agreement that in any event cannot be less than LIBOR plus 1.00%. Interest is payable at the end of each month and the principal may be repaid in whole or in part at anytime, without a premium or penalty. At December 31, 2016, we had $160.8 million outstanding borrowings under our credit agreement.

The credit agreement prohibits, among other things:


•	the payment of dividends (other than stock dividends) during any fiscal year in excess of 30% of our consolidated net income for the preceding fiscal year;


•	the incurrence of additional debt with certain limited exceptions; and


•	the creation or existence of mortgages or liens, other than those in the ordinary course of business, on any of our properties, except in favor of our lenders.

The credit agreement also requires that we have at the end of each quarter:


•	a current ratio (as defined in the credit agreement) of not less than 1 to 1.

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Through the quarter ending March 31, 2019, the credit agreement also requires that we have at the end of each quarter:


•	a senior indebtedness ratio of senior indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) for the most recently ended rolling four quarter of no greater than 2.75 to 1.

Beginning with the quarter ending June 30, 2019, and for each quarter ending thereafter, the credit agreement requires:


•	a leverage ratio of funded debt to consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the credit agreement) for the most recently ended rolling four fiscal quarters of no greater than 4 to 1.

As of December 31, 2016, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in the credit agreement.

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Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following as of December 31:



	2016		2015
	(In thousands)
ARO liability	$	70,170	$	98,297
Capital lease obligations	18,918		22,466
Workers’ compensation	15,163		16,551
Separation benefit plans	4,943		9,886
Deferred compensation plan	4,578		4,244
Gas balancing liability	3,789		5,047
Other	410		410
	117,971		156,901
Less current portion	14,907		16,560
Total other long-term liabilities	$	103,064	$	140,341

Estimated annual principal payments under the terms of debt and other long-term liabilities from 2017 through 2021 are $14.9 million, $5.5 million, $47.9 million, $170.0 million, and $655.8 million, respectively.

Capital Leases

During 2014, our mid-stream segment entered into capital lease agreements for twenty compressors with initial terms of seven years. The underlying assets are included in gas gathering and processing equipment. The current portion of our capital lease obligations of $3.7 million is included in current portion of other long-term liabilities and the non-current portion of $15.2 million is included in other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016. These capital leases are discounted using annual rates of 4.0%. Total maintenance and interest remaining related to these leases are $7.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively at December 31, 2016. Annual payments, net of maintenance and interest, average $4.1 million annually through 2021. At the end of the term, our mid-stream segment has the option to purchase the assets at 10% of the fair market value of the assets at that time.

Future payments required under the capital leases at December 31, 2016 are as follows:



	Amount
Ending December 31,	(In thousands)
2017	$	6,168
2018	6,168
2019	6,168
2020	6,168
2021	3,769
Total future payments	28,441
Less payments related to:
Maintenance	7,659
Interest	1,864
Present value of future minimum payments	$	18,918

NOTE 7 – ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

We are required to record the estimated fair value of the liabilities relating to the future retirement of our long-lived assets (AROs). Our oil and natural gas wells are plugged and abandoned when the oil and natural gas reserves in those wells are depleted or the wells are no longer able to produce. The plugging and abandonment liability for a well is recorded in the period

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in which the obligation is incurred (at the time the well is drilled or acquired). None of our assets are restricted for purposes of settling these AROs. All of our AROs relate to plugging costs associated with our oil and gas wells.

The following table shows certain information about our AROs for the periods indicated:



	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
ARO liability, January 1:	$	98,297		$	100,567
Accretion of discount	2,779			3,453
Liability incurred	584			6,754
Liability settled	(1,215		)	(2,893		)
Liability sold	(10,882		)	(421		)
Revision of estimates ⁽¹⁾	(19,393		)	(9,163		)
ARO liability, December 31:	70,170			98,297
Less current portion	2,906			3,965
Total long-term ARO liability	$	67,264		$	94,332

_________________________


(1)	Plugging liability estimates were revised in both 2016 and 2015 for updates in the cost of services used to plug wells over the preceding year. We had various upward and downward adjustments as well as changes in estimated timing of cash flows.

NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES

A reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit), computed by applying the federal statutory rate to pre-tax income (loss) to our effective income tax expense (benefit) is as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the statutory rate	$	(72,386	)	$	(582,508	)	$	78,029
State income tax expense (benefit), net of federal benefit	(5,687		)	(45,768		)	6,131
Restricted stock shortfall	5,465			—			—
Statutory depletion and other	1,414			1,328			2,503
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(71,194	)	$	(626,948	)	$	86,663

For the periods indicated, the total provision for income taxes consisted of the following:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Current taxes:
Federal	$	—		$	(20,612	)	$	8,594
State	15			(4		)	784
	15			(20,616		)	9,378
Deferred taxes:
Federal	(62,923		)	(535,691		)	68,360
State	(8,286		)	(70,641		)	8,925
	(71,209		)	(606,332		)	77,285
Total provision	$	(71,194	)	$	(626,948	)	$	86,663

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Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following at December 31:



	2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for losses and nondeductible accruals	$	53,967		$	56,479
Net operating loss carryforward	190,603			140,863
Alternative minimum tax and research and development tax credit carryforward	5,409			5,409
	249,979			202,751
Deferred tax liability:
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment	(440,690		)	(464,295		)
Net deferred tax liability	(190,711		)	(261,544		)
Current deferred tax asset	25,211			14,206
Non-current—deferred tax liability	$	(215,922	)	$	(275,750	)

Realization of the deferred tax assets are dependent on generating sufficient future taxable income. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realized. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near-term if estimates of future taxable income are reduced. At December 31, 2016, we have federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $485.0 million which expire from 2021 to 2036.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013. During 2014, we recognized a tax benefit relating to a research and development tax credit carryforward in conjunction with our BOSS drilling rig activities. Due to the nature and subjectivity surrounding the research and development credit and historical challenges by the IRS against companies who claim the credit, it is our belief that the full amount of the credit may not be eventually allowed by the IRS once we are no longer in an AMT tax paying position. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Balance at January 1:	$	410	$	410	$	—
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	—		—		410
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—		—		—
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—		—		—
Settlements	—		—		—
Balance at December 31:	$	410	$	410	$	410

At December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, there was $0.4 million of unrecognized tax benefits that if recognized would affect the annual effective tax rate.

NOTE 9 – EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

Under our 401(k) Employee Thrift Plan, employees who meet specified service requirements may contribute a percentage of their total compensation, up to a specified maximum, to the plan. We may match each employee’s contribution, up to a specified maximum, in full or on a partial basis. We made discretionary contributions under the plan of 630,039, 235,104, and 120,333 shares of common stock and recognized expense of $4.0 million, $6.2 million, and $5.2 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

We provide a salary deferral plan (Deferral Plan) which allows participants to defer the recognition of salary for income tax purposes until actual distribution of benefits which occurs at either termination of employment, death or certain defined unforeseeable emergency hardships. The liability recorded under the Deferral Plan at December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $4.6 million and $4.2 million, respectively. We recognized payroll expense and recorded a liability at the time of deferral.

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Effective January 1, 1997, we adopted a separation benefit plan (Separation Plan). The Separation Plan allows eligible employees whose employment is involuntarily terminated or, in the case of an employee who has completed 20 years of service, voluntarily or involuntarily terminated, to receive benefits equivalent to four weeks salary for every whole year of service completed up to a maximum of 104 weeks. To receive payments, the recipient must waive any claims against us in exchange for receiving the separation benefits. On October 28, 1997, we adopted a Separation Benefit Plan for Senior Management (Senior Plan). The Senior Plan provides certain officers and key executives of Unit with benefits generally equivalent to the Separation Plan. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has absolute discretion in the selection of the individuals covered in this plan. On May 5, 2004 we also adopted the Special Separation Benefit Plan (Special Plan). This plan is identical to the Separation Benefit Plan with the exception that the benefits under the plan vest on the earliest of a participant’s reaching the age of 65 or serving 20 years with the company.

On December 31, 2008, we amended all three Plans to be in compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The key amendments to the Plans address, among other things, when distributions may be made, the timing of payments, and the circumstances under which employees become eligible to receive benefits. On December 8, 2015, we amended the Plans to change the calculation for determining the payouts at the time of a Separation of Service under the Plans. None of the amendments materially increase the benefits, grants or awards issuable under the Plans. We recognized expense of $3.1 million, $3.0 million, and $2.7 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, for benefits associated with anticipated payments from these separation plans.

We have entered into key employee change of control contracts with three of our current executive officers. These severance contracts have an initial three-year term that is automatically extended for one year on each anniversary, unless a notice not to extend is given by us. If a change of control of the company, as defined in the contracts, occurs during the term of the severance contract, then the contract becomes operative for a fixed three-year period. The severance contracts generally provide that the executive’s terms and conditions for employment (including position, work location, compensation, and benefits) will not be adversely changed during the three-year period after a change of control. If the executive’s employment is terminated (other than for cause, death, or disability), the executive terminates for good reason during such three-year period, or the executive terminates employment for any reason during the 30-day period following the first anniversary of the change of control, and on certain terminations prior to a change of control or in connection with or in anticipation of a change of control, the executive is generally entitled to receive, in addition to certain other benefits, any earned but unpaid compensation; up to 2.9 times the executive’s base salary plus annual bonus (based on historic annual bonus); and the company matching contributions that would have been made had the executive continued to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan for up to an additional three years.

The severance contract provides that the executive is entitled to receive a payment in an amount sufficient to make the executive whole for any excise tax on excess parachute payments imposed under Section 4999 of the Code. As a condition to receipt of these severance benefits, the executive must remain in the employ of the company prior to change of control and render services commensurate with his position.

NOTE 10 – TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

Unit Petroleum Company serves as the general partner of 13 oil and gas limited partnerships (the employee partnerships) which were formed to allow certain of our qualified employees and our directors to participate in Unit Petroleum’s oil and gas exploration and production operations. Employee partnerships were formed for each year beginning with 1984 and ending with 2011. Previously, there were three non-employee partnerships, one that was formed in 1984 and two formed in 1986 (investments by third parties). Effective December 31, 2014, the 1984 partnership was dissolved and effective December 31, 2016, the two 1986 partnerships were also dissolved.

The employee partnerships formed in 1984 through 1990 were consolidated into a single consolidating partnership in 1993 and the employee partnerships formed in 1991 through 1999 were also consolidated into the consolidating partnership in 2002. The consolidation of the 1991 through the 1999 employee partnerships was done by the general partners under the authority contained in the respective partnership agreements and did not involve any vote, consent or approval by the limited partners. The employee partnerships have each had a set percentage (ranging from 1% to 15%) of our interest in most of the oil and natural gas wells we drill or acquire for our own account during the particular year for which the partnership was formed. The total interest the employees have in our oil and natural gas wells by participating in these partnerships does not exceed one percent.

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Amounts received in the years ended December 31, from both public and private Partnerships for which Unit is a general partner are as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
	(In thousands)
Contract drilling	$	—	$	—	$	4
Well supervision and other fees	254		423		435
General and administrative expense reimbursement	6		18		39

Related party transactions for contract drilling and well supervision fees are the related party’s share of such costs. These costs are billed to related parties on the same basis as billings to unrelated parties for such services. General and administrative reimbursements are both direct general and administrative expense incurred on the related party’s behalf and indirect expenses allocated to the related parties. Such allocations are based on the related party’s level of activity and are considered by management to be reasonable.

Former Chairman of our Board, John Nikkel is a 25.8% owner of Rampart Holdings, Inc. which owns 100% of Toklan Oil and Gas Company (Toklan), an oil and gas exploration and production company located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Mr. Nikkel's son, Robert Nikkel is Toklan's President, and he owns 20.0% of the company. In 2014, there were two wells drilled for Toklan, one of which was completed in 2014 and one of which was completed in 2015 with no activity in 2016. Under its usual standard dayrate contract terms available generally to all similarly-situated customers at that time and in the same general drilling area, the Company recognized revenue from Toklan of approximately $0.5 million in 2015 and $1.5 million in 2014. During 2014, we received payments of $1.1 million and had an accounts receivable balance of $0.4 million at December 31, 2014. During 2015, we received payments of $0.9 million with no accounts receivable balance at December 31, 2015. There was no material revenues in 2016. The Company also paid royalties in 2014, in the ordinary course of business, of approximately $0.2 million to Toklan. There were no material royalties to disclose for 2015 or 2016. Also in 2015, Toklan paid $0.5 million for the North Custer Gathering System, an inactive (since 2009) gathering system owned by our mid-stream segment. We determined that the capital required to re-activate that system would not provide adequate returns based on future cash flow potential. Toklan operates the North Custer Gathering System under its affiliate, West Thomas Field Services, LLC (West Thomas), a company in which Mr. John Nikkel holds an approximate 25.0% ownership interest and in which Mr. Robert Nikkel has an ownership interest of approximately 20.0%. West Thomas entered into a gas purchase agreement with our exploration and production segment in November of 2015. Payments from West Thomas under that contract amounted to $0.4 million and $0.1 million for 2016 and 2015 volumes purchased, respectively. Additionally, on March 10, 2016, Mr. Nikkel purchased in the open market $0.4 million in aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 6.625% senior subordinated notes due 2021. The notes pay interest semi-annually in cash in arrears on May 15 and November 15 of each year. For 2016, interest payments for May and November were approximately $4,800 and $13,250, respectively.

One of our directors, G. Bailey Peyton IV, also serves as Manager of Peyton Royalties, LP, a family-controlled limited partnership that owns royalty rights in wells in the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles. The Company in the ordinary course of business, paid royalties or lease bonuses, primarily due to its status as successor in interest to prior transactions and as operator of the wells involved and, in some cases, as lessee, with respect to certain wells in which Mr. Peyton, members of Mr. Peyton's family, and Peyton Royalties, LP have an interest. Such payments totaled approximately $0.5 million, $0.8 million, and $1.3 million during 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

Our Audit Committee and the board, in accordance with our related party transaction policy, have determined that these arrangements are in the best interest of the Company.

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NOTE 11 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

For restricted stock awards, we had:



	2016		2015 ⁽¹⁾		2014
	(In millions)
Recognized stock compensation expense	$	9.6	$	15.3	$	17.4
Capitalized stock compensation cost for our oil and natural gas properties	2.1		3.5		3.7
Tax benefit on stock based compensation	3.6		5.8		6.7

_________________________


(1)	In 2015, recognized stock compensation was reduced by $3.2 million, capitalized stock compensation cost for our oil and natural gas properties was reduced by $0.2 million, and the tax benefit was reduced by $1.2 million for lower expected payouts related to the performance shares.

The remaining unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested awards at December 31, 2016 is approximately $6.5 million of which $1.0 million is anticipated to be capitalized. The weighted average period of time over which this cost will be recognized is 0.7 of a year.

The Second Amended and Restated Unit Corporation Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan effective May 6, 2015 (the amended plan) allows us to grant stock-based and cash-based compensation to our employees (including employees of subsidiaries) as well as to non-employee directors. A total of 4,500,000 shares of the company's common stock is authorized for issuance to eligible participants under the amended plan with 2.0 million shares being the maximum number of shares that can be issued as “incentive stock options.” Awards under this plan may be granted in any one or a combination of the following:


•	incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code;


•	non-qualified stock options;


•	performance shares;


•	performance units;


•	restricted stock;


•	restricted stock units;


•	stock appreciation rights;


•	cash based awards; and


•	other stock-based awards.

This plan also contains various limits as to the amount of awards that can be given to an employee in any fiscal year. All awards are generally subject to the minimum vesting periods, as determined by our Compensation Committee and included in the award agreement.

Expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of our stock. We use historical data to estimate option exercise and termination rates within the model and aggregate groups that have similar historical exercise behavior for valuation purposes. To date, we have not paid dividends on our stock. The risk free interest rate is computed from the United States Treasury Strips rate using the term over which it is anticipated the grant will be exercised.

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SARs

Activity pertaining to SARs granted under the amended plan is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2014	145,901		$	46.59
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(14,131	)	46.50
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	131,770		46.60
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	131,770		46.60
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(40,515	)	51.76
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	91,255		$	44.31

There were no SARs granted or vested during 2016, 2015, or 2014.



	Outstanding and Exercisable SARs at December 31, 2016
Exercise Prices	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$44.31	91,255	1.0 year	$44.31

There were no SARs exercised in 2016. The SARs expire after 10 years from the date of the grant. There was no aggregate intrinsic value on the 91,255 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016. The remaining weighted average contractual term is 1.0 year.

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Restricted Stock

Activity pertaining to restricted stock awards granted under the amended plan is as follows:



Employees	Number of Time Vested Shares		Number of Performance Vested Shares		Total Number of Shares		Weighted Average Price
Nonvested at January 1, 2014	652,835		123,908		776,743		$	48.70
Granted	383,448		71,674		455,122		53.72
Vested	(291,712	)	(13,092	)	(304,804	)	49.68
Forfeited	(19,805	)	(6,970	)	(26,775	)	51.92
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	724,766		175,520		900,286		50.81
Granted	576,361		148,081		724,442		34.06
Vested	(343,657	)	(39,245	)	(382,902	)	49.69
Forfeited	(20,808	)	(7,196	)	(28,004	)	45.33
Nonvested at December 31, 2015	936,662		277,160		1,213,822		41.29
Granted	494,078		152,373		646,451		5.62
Vested	(425,195	)	—		(425,195	)	43.47
Forfeited	(75,808	)	(57,405	)	(133,213	)	36.87
Nonvested at December 31, 2016	929,737		372,128		1,301,865		$	23.32



Non-Employee Directors	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Price
Nonvested at January 1, 2014	35,704		$	41.07
Granted	13,768		63.91
Vested	(14,336	)	40.93
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	35,136		$	50.08
Granted	25,848		34.04
Vested	(18,920	)	46.51
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at December 31, 2015	42,064		$	41.83
Granted	90,000		12.02
Vested	(20,248	)	43.46
Forfeited	—		—
Nonvested at December 31, 2016	111,816		$	17.21

The time vested restricted stock awards granted are being recognized over a three year vesting period. During 2016, there were two different performance vested restricted stock awards granted to certain executive officers. The first will cliff vest three years from the grant date based on the company's achievement of certain stock performance measures at the end of the term and will range from 0% to 200% of the restricted shares granted as performance shares. The second will vest, one-third each year, over a three year vesting period based on the company's achievement of cash flow to total assets (CFTA) performance measurement each year and will range from 0% to 200%. Based on a probability assessment of the selected performance criteria at December 31, 2016, the participants are estimated to receive 102% of the 2016, 10% of the 2015, and 41% of the 2014 performance based shares. The CFTA performance measurement at December 31, 2016 was assessed to vest at target or 100%.

The fair value of the restricted stock granted in 2016, 2015, and 2014 at the grant date was $4.5 million, $24.5 million, and $24.1 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of the 445,443 shares of restricted stock that vested in 2016 on

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their vesting date was $4.1 million. The aggregate intrinsic value of the 1,413,681 shares of restricted stock outstanding subject to vesting at December 31, 2016 was $38.0 million with a weighted average remaining life of 1.0 year.

Employee Stock Option Plan

The Stock Option Plan, provided the granting of options for up to 2,700,000 shares of common stock to officers and employees. The option plan permitted the issuance of qualified or nonqualified stock options. Options granted typically became exercisable at the rate of 20% per year one year after being granted and expire after 10 years from the original grant date. The exercise price for options granted under this plan was the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. In 2006, as a result of the approval of the adoption of the Unit Corporation Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan, no further awards were made under this plan. During 2015, the remaining options expired.

Activity pertaining to the Stock Option Plan is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2014	68,920		$	37.81
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(21,490	)	37.83
Forfeited	(37,930	)	37.83
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	9,500		37.69
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(9,500	)	37.69
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	—		—
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	—		$	—

As of December 31, 2015, there were no further options outstanding or exercisable in this plan.

Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan

Under the Unit Corporation 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan, on the first business day following each annual meeting of shareholders, each person who was then a member of our Board of Directors and who was not then an employee of the company or any of its subsidiaries was granted an option to purchase 3,500 shares of common stock. The option price for each stock option was the fair market value of the common stock on the date the stock options were granted. The term of each option is 10 years and cannot be increased and no stock options were to be exercised during the first six months of its term except in case of death. On May 2, 2012, our stockholders approved the amended plan which succeeds this plan, and no further awards were made under the non-employee director option plan.

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Activity pertaining to the Directors’ Plan is as follows:



	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 1, 2014	171,500		$	51.70
Granted	—		—
Exercised	(21,000	)	33.94
Forfeited	—		—
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	150,500		54.18
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(21,000	)	54.35
Outstanding at December 31, 2015	129,500		54.15
Granted	—		—
Exercised	—		—
Forfeited	(21,000	)	62.40
Outstanding at December 31, 2016	108,500		$	52.56

There were no options exercised in 2016.



	Outstanding and Exercisable Options at December 31, 2016
Weighted Average Exercise Price	Number of Shares	Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life	Weighted Average Exercise Price
$31.30 - $41.21	38,500	2.9 years	$	37.58
$53.81 - $73.26	70,000	2.2 years	$	60.79

There was no aggregate intrinsic value of the shares outstanding subject to options at December 31, 2016. The remaining weighted average remaining contractual term is 2.5 years.

NOTE 12 – DERIVATIVES

Commodity Derivatives

We have entered into various types of derivative transactions covering some of our projected natural gas, NGLs, and oil production. These transactions are intended to reduce our exposure to market price volatility by setting the price(s) we will receive for that production. Our decisions on the price(s), type, and quantity of our production subject to a derivative contract is based, in part, on our view of current and future market conditions. As of December 31, 2016, our derivative transactions consisted of the following types of hedges:


•	Swaps. We receive or pay a fixed price for the commodity and pay or receive a floating market price to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.


•	Basis Swaps. We receive or pay the NYMEX settlement value plus or minus a fixed delivery point price for the commodity and pay or receive the published index price at the specified delivery point. We use basis swaps to hedge the price risk between NYMEX and its physical delivery points.

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•	Collars. A collar contains a fixed floor price (put) and a ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, we receive the fixed price and pay the market price. If the market price is between the call and the put strike price, no payments are due from either party.

•

Three-way collars. A three-way collar contains a fixed floor price (long put), fixed subfloor price (short put) and a fixed ceiling price (short call). If the market price exceeds the ceiling strike price, we receive the ceiling strike price and pay the market price. If the market price is between the ceiling and the floor strike price, no payments are due from either party. If the market price is below the floor price but above the subfloor price, we receive the floor strike price and pay the market price. If the market price is below the subfloor price, we receive the market price plus the difference between the floor and subfloor strike prices and pay the market price.

We have documented policies and procedures to monitor and control the use of derivative instruments. We do not engage in derivative transactions for speculative purposes. All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet and measured at fair value. Any changes in our derivatives' fair value occurring before their maturity (i.e., temporary fluctuations in value) are reported in gain (loss) on derivatives in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

At December 31, 2016, the following non-designated hedges were outstanding:



Term	Commodity	Contracted Volume	Weighted Average Fixed Price for Swaps	Contracted Market
Jan’17 – Mar’17	Natural gas – swap	70,000 MMBtu/day	$3.044	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Apr'17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – swap	60,000 MMBtu/day	$2.960	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – swap	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.025	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – basis swap ⁽¹⁾	20,000 MMBtu/day	$(0.215)	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – basis swap ⁽¹⁾	10,000 MMBtu/day	$(0.208)	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'17 – Oct'17	Natural gas – collar	20,000 MMBtu/day	$2.88 - $3.10	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – three-way collar	15,000 MMBtu/day	$2.50 - $2.00 - $3.32	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'18 – Mar'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.25 - $2.50 - $4.43	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan’17 – Dec'17	Crude oil – three-way collar	3,750 Bbl/day	$49.79 - $39.58 - $60.98	WTI – NYMEX

_________________________


(1)	After December 31, 2016, the basis swaps for February through October 2017 and April through October 2018 were liquidated for $0.6 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

After December 31, 2016, the following non-designated hedges were entered into:



Term	Commodity	Contracted Volume	Weighted Average Fixed Price for Swaps	Contracted Market
Apr’17 – Oct'17	Natural gas – swap	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.505	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Nov’17 – Dec'17	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.50 - $2.75 - $4.00	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Jan'18 – Mar'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	40,000 MMBtu/day	$3.38 - $2.69 - $4.17	IF – NYMEX (HH)
Apr’18 – Dec'18	Natural gas – three-way collar	10,000 MMBtu/day	$3.00 - $2.50 - $3.66	IF – NYMEX (HH)

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The following tables present the fair values and locations of the derivative transactions recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31:



		Derivative Assets Fair Value
	Balance Sheet Location	2016		2015
		(In thousands)
Commodity derivatives:
Current	Current derivative assets	$	—	$	10,186
Long-term	Non-current derivative assets	377		968
Total derivative assets		$	377	$	11,154



		Derivative Liabilities Fair Value
	Balance Sheet Location	2016		2015
		(In thousands)
Commodity derivatives:
Current	Current derivative liabilities	$	21,564	$	—
Long-term	Non-current derivative liabilities	415		285
Total derivative liabilities		$	21,979	$	285

If a legal right of set-off exists, we net the value of the derivative transactions we have with the same counterparty in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Effect of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31:



Derivatives Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivative
Derivatives Instruments		2016			2015
		(In thousands)
Commodity derivatives	Gain (loss) on derivatives ⁽¹⁾	$	(22,813	)	$	26,345
Total		$	(22,813	)	$	26,345

_________________________


(1)	Amount settled during the period is a gain of $9,658 and a gain of $46,615, respectively.

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NOTE 13 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid for the transfer of a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants (in either case, an exit price). To estimate an exit price, a three-level hierarchy is used prioritizing the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels with the highest priority given to Level 1 and the lowest priority given to Level 3. The levels are summarized as follows:


•	Level 1—unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.


•	Level 2—significant observable pricing inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Essentially, inputs (variables used in the pricing models) that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.


•	Level 3—generally unobservable inputs which are developed based on the best information available and may include our own internal data.

The inputs available to us determine the valuation technique we use to measure the fair values of our financial instruments.

The following tables set forth our recurring fair value measurements:



	December 31, 2016
	Level 2			Level 3			Effect of Netting			Total
	(In thousands)
Financial assets (liabilities):
Commodity derivatives:
Assets	$	878		$	43		$	(544	)	$	377
Liabilities	(15,358		)	(7,165		)	544			(21,979		)
	$	(14,480	)	$	(7,122	)	$	—		$	(21,602	)



	December 31, 2015
	Level 2			Level 3			Effect of Netting			Total
	(In thousands)
Financial assets (liabilities):
Commodity derivatives:
Assets	$	2,794		$	10,145		$	(1,785	)	$	11,154
Liabilities	(1,019		)	(1,051		)	1,785			(285		)
	$	1,775		$	9,094		$	—		$	10,869

All of our counterparties are subject to master netting arrangements. If a legal right of set-off exists, we net the value of the derivative transactions we have with the same counterparty. We are not required to post any cash collateral with our counterparties and no collateral has been posted as of December 31, 2016.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values of the assets and liabilities in the table above. There were no transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 financial assets (liabilities).

Level 2 Fair Value Measurements

Commodity Derivatives. We measure the fair values of our crude oil and natural gas swaps using estimated internal discounted cash flow calculations based on the NYMEX futures index.

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Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Commodity Derivatives. The fair values of our natural gas and crude oil collars are estimated using internal discounted cash flow calculations based on forward price curves, quotes obtained from brokers for contracts with similar terms, or quotes obtained from counterparties to the agreements.

The following tables are reconciliations of our level 3 fair value measurements:



	Net Derivatives
	For the Year Ended,
	December 31, 2016			December 31, 2015
	(In thousands)
Beginning of period	$	9,094		$	3,355
Total gains or losses:
Included in earnings⁽¹⁾	(9,042		)	15,260
Settlements	(7,174		)	(9,521		)
End of period	$	(7,122	)	$	9,094
Total gains (losses) for the period included in earnings attributable to the change in unrealized loss relating to assets still held at end of period	$	(16,216	)	$	5,739

_________________________


(1)	Commodity derivatives are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in gain (loss) on derivatives.

The following table provides quantitative information about our Level 3 unobservable inputs at December 31, 2016:



Commodity ⁽¹⁾	Fair Value		Valuation Technique	Unobservable Input	Range
	(In thousands)
Oil three-way collar	(1,167	)	Discounted cash flow	Forward commodity price curve	$0.00 - $4.29
Natural gas collar	(3,332	)	Discounted cash flow	Forward commodity price curve	$0.00 - $0.79
Natural gas three-way collar	(2,623	)	Discounted cash flow	Forward commodity price curve	$0.00 - $0.71

_________________________


(1)	The commodity contracts detailed in this category include non-exchange-traded crude oil and natural gas collars and three-way collars that are valued based on NYMEX. The forward pricing range represents the low and high price expected to be received within the settlement period.

Based on our valuation at December 31, 2016, we determined that the non-performance risk with regard to our counterparties was immaterial.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with accounting guidance for financial instruments. We have determined the estimated fair values by using available market information and valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

At December 31, 2016, the carrying values on the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents (classified as Level 1), accounts receivable, accounts payable, other current assets, and current liabilities approximate their fair value because of their short term nature.

Based on the borrowing rates currently available to us for credit agreement debt with similar terms and maturities and also considering the risk of our non-performance, long-term debt under our credit agreement at December 31, 2016 approximates its fair value. This debt would be classified as Level 2.

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The carrying amounts of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, associated with the Notes reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $640.1 million and $638.0 million, respectively. We estimate the fair value of these Notes using quoted marked prices at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were $649.9 million and $455.5 million, respectively. These Notes would be classified as Level 2.

Fair Value of Non-Financial Instruments

The initial measurement of AROs at fair value is calculated using discounted cash flow techniques and based on internal estimates of future retirement costs associated with property, plant, and equipment. Significant Level 3 inputs used in the calculation of AROs include plugging costs and remaining reserve lives. A reconciliation of the Company’s AROs is presented in Note 7 – Asset Retirement Obligations.

Non-recurring fair value measurements are also applied, when applicable, to determine the fair value of our long-lived assets and goodwill. During 2016, 2015, and 2014, we recorded non-cash impairment charges discussed further in Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. The valuation of these assets require the use of significant unobservable inputs classified as Level 3.

NOTE 14 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We lease office space or yards in Edmond and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Houston, Texas; Englewood, Colorado; Pinedale, Wyoming; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania under the terms of operating leases expiring through December 2021. Additionally, we have several compressor rentals, equipment leases, and lease space on short-term commitments to stack excess drilling rig equipment and production inventory. Future minimum rental payments under the terms of the leases are approximately $3.0 million, $0.9 million, $0.1 million, and $0.1 million in 2017 through 2020, respectively. Total rent expense incurred was $11.1 million, $12.9 million, and $13.6 million in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

During 2014, our mid-stream segment entered into capital lease agreements for twenty compressors with initial terms of seven years. Future capital lease payments under the terms are approximately $6.2 million each year through 2020 and approximately $3.8 million in 2021. Total maintenance and interest remaining related to these leases are $7.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively at December 31, 2016. Annual payments, net of maintenance and interest, average $4.1 million annually through 2021. At the end of the term, our mid-stream segment has the option to purchase the assets at 10% of the fair market value of the assets at that time.

The employee oil and gas limited partnerships require, on the election of a limited partner, that we repurchase the limited partner’s interest at amounts to be determined by appraisal in the future. These repurchases in any one year are limited to 20% of the units outstanding. We made repurchases of approximately $5,000, $118,000, $45,000 in 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively.

We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities on properties to be acquired by identifying existing problems and assessing the potential liability. We also conduct periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to identify changes in our environmental risk profile. These reviews evaluate whether there is a probable liability, its amount, and the likelihood that the liability will be incurred. The amount of any potential liability is determined by considering, among other matters, incremental direct costs of any likely remediation and the proportionate cost of employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to any possible remediation effort. As it relates to evaluations of purchased properties, depending on the extent of an identified environmental problem, we may exclude a property from the acquisition, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction, or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.

We have not historically experienced any environmental liability while being a contract driller since the greatest portion of risk is borne by the operator. Any liabilities we have incurred have been small and have been resolved while the drilling rig is on the location and the cost has been included in the direct cost of drilling the well.

For 2017 and 2018, we have committed to purchase approximately $2.3 million and $1.9 million, respectively, of new drilling rig components. We have also committed to paying $1.4 million for Enterprise Resource Planning software and maintenance over the next year.

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We are subject to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of our various businesses none of which, in our opinion, will result in judgments which would have a material adverse effect on our financial position, operating results or cash flows.

NOTE 15 – INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION

We have three main business segments offering different products and services:


•	Oil and natural gas,


•	Contract drilling, and


•	Mid-stream

The oil and natural gas segment is engaged in the development, acquisition, and production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas properties. The contract drilling segment is engaged in the land contract drilling of oil and natural gas wells and the mid-stream segment is engaged in the buying, selling, gathering, processing, and treating of natural gas and NGLs.

We evaluate each segment’s performance based on its operating income, which is defined as operating revenues less operating expenses and depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment. Our oil and natural gas production outside the United States is not significant.

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The following table provides certain information about the operations of each of our segments:



	Year Ended December 31, 2016
	Oil and Natural Gas			Contract Drilling			Mid-stream			Other			Eliminations			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas	$	294,221		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	294,221
Contract drilling	—			122,086			—			—			—			122,086
Gas gathering and processing	—			—			237,785			—			(51,915		)	185,870
Total revenues	294,221			122,086			237,785			—			(51,915		)	602,177
Expenses:
Operating costs:
Oil and natural gas	126,739			—			—			—			(6,555		)	120,184
Contract drilling	—			88,154			—			—			—			88,154
Gas gathering and processing	—			—			182,969			—			(45,360		)	137,609
Total operating costs	126,739			88,154			182,969			—			(51,915		)	345,947
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	113,811			46,992			45,715			1,835			—			208,353
Impairments ⁽¹⁾	161,563			—			—			—			—			161,563
Total expenses	402,113			135,146			228,684			1,835			(51,915		)	715,863
Total operating income (loss) ⁽²⁾	(107,892		)	(13,060		)	9,101			(1,835		)	—
General and administrative expense	—			—			—			(33,337		)	—			(33,337		)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	(324		)	3,184			(302		)	(18		)	—			2,540
Loss on derivatives	—			—			—			(22,813		)	—			(22,813		)
Interest expense, net	—			—			—			(39,829		)	—			(39,829		)
Other	—			—			—			307			—			307
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(108,216	)	$	(9,876	)	$	8,799		$	(97,525	)	$	—		$	(206,818	)

Identifiable assets:
Oil and natural gas	$	965,159		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	965,159
Contract drilling	—			941,676			—			—			—			941,676
Gas gathering and processing	—			—			461,600			—			—			461,600
Total identifiable assets ⁽³⁾	965,159			941,676			461,600			—			—			2,368,435
Corporate land and building	—			—			—			58,188			—			58,188
Other corporate assets ⁽⁴⁾	—			—			—			52,680			—			52,680
Total assets	$	965,159		$	941,676		$	461,600		$	110,868		$	—		$	2,479,303

Capital expenditures:	$	89,562		$	19,134		$	16,796		$	16,663		$	—		$	142,155

_______________________


(1)	We incurred non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties of $161.6 million pre-tax ($100.6 million, net of tax).


(2)	Operating income (loss) is total operating revenues less operating expenses, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment and does not include general corporate expenses, gain (loss) on disposition of assets, loss on derivatives, interest expense, other income (loss), or income taxes.


(3)	Identifiable assets are those used in Unit’s operations in each industry segment.


(4)	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, transportation equipment, furniture, and equipment.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)



	Year Ended December 31, 2015
	Oil and Natural Gas			Contract Drilling			Mid-stream			Other			Eliminations			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas	$	385,774		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	385,774
Contract drilling	—			287,767			—			—			(22,099		)	265,668
Gas gathering and processing	—			—			268,012			—			(65,223		)	202,789
Total revenues	385,774			287,767			268,012			—			(87,322		)	854,231
Expenses:
Operating costs:
Oil and natural gas	170,831			—			—			—			(4,785		)	166,046
Contract drilling	—			174,757			—			—			(18,349		)	156,408
Gas gathering and processing	—			—			221,994			—			(60,438		)	161,556
Total operating costs	170,831			174,757			221,994			—			(83,572		)	484,010
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	251,944			56,135			43,676			987			—			352,742
Impairments ⁽¹⁾	1,599,348			8,314			26,966			—			—			1,634,628
Total expenses	2,022,123			239,206			292,636			987			(83,572		)	2,471,380
Total operating income (loss) ⁽²⁾	(1,636,349		)	48,561			(24,624		)	(987		)	(3,750		)
General and administrative expense	—			—			—			(34,358		)	—			(34,358		)
Gain (loss) on disposition of assets	(147		)	(7,516		)	465			(31		)	—			(7,229		)
Gain on derivatives	—			—			—			26,345			—			26,345
Interest expense, net	—			—			—			(31,963		)	—			(31,963		)
Other	—			—			—			45			—			45
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(1,636,496	)	$	41,045		$	(24,159	)	$	(40,949	)	$	(3,750	)	$	(1,664,309	)

Identifiable assets:
Oil and natural gas	$	1,218,036		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	1,218,036
Contract drilling	—			993,015			—			—			—			993,015
Gas gathering and processing	—			—			478,661			—			—			478,661
Total identifiable assets ⁽³⁾	1,218,036			993,015			478,661			—			—			2,689,712
Corporate land and building	—			—			—			49,890			—			49,890
Other corporate assets ⁽⁴⁾	—			—			—			60,240						60,240
Total assets	$	1,218,036		$	993,015		$	478,661		$	110,130		$	—		$	2,799,842

Capital expenditures:	$	267,944		$	84,802		$	63,476		$	38,065		$	—		$	454,287

_______________________

(1)

We incurred non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties of $1.6 billion pre-tax ($1.0 billion, net of tax). Impairment for contract drilling equipment includes a $8.3 million pre-tax write-down for 30 drilling rigs and other drilling equipment. Impairment for gas gathering and processing systems includes $27.0 million pre-tax write-down for three of our systems, Bruceton Mills, Midwell, and Spring Creek.


(2)	Operating income (loss) is total operating revenues less operating expenses, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment and does not include general corporate expenses, gain (loss) on disposition of assets, gain on derivatives, interest expense, other income (loss), or income taxes.


(3)	Identifiable assets are those used in Unit’s operations in each industry segment.


(4)	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, corporate leasehold improvements, transportation equipment, furniture, and equipment.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)



	Year Ended December 31, 2014
	Oil and Natural Gas		Contract Drilling		Mid-stream		Other			Eliminations			Total Consolidated
	(In thousands)
Revenues:
Oil and natural gas	$	740,079	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	740,079
Contract drilling	—		566,012		—		—			(89,495		)	476,517
Gas gathering and processing	—		—		445,934		—			(89,586		)	356,348
Total revenues	740,079		566,012		445,934		—			(179,081		)	1,572,944
Expenses:
Operating costs:
Oil and natural gas	192,429		—		—		—			(4,513		)	187,916
Contract drilling	—		337,371		—		—			(62,438		)	274,933
Gas gathering and processing	—		—		391,903		—			(85,072		)	306,831
Total operating costs	192,429		337,371		391,903		—			(152,023		)	769,680
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	276,088		85,370		40,434		996			—			402,888
Impairments ⁽¹⁾	76,683		74,318		7,068		—			—			158,069
Total expenses	545,200		497,059		439,405		996			(152,023		)	1,330,637
Total operating income (loss) ⁽²⁾	194,879		68,953		6,529		(996		)	(27,058		)
General and administrative expense	—		—		—		(41,027		)	—			(41,027		)
Gain on disposition of assets	—		8,819		97		37			—			8,953
Gain on derivatives	—		—		—		30,147			—			30,147
Interest expense, net	—		—		—		(17,371		)	—			(17,371		)
Other	—		—		—		(70		)	—			(70		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	194,879	$	77,772	$	6,626	$	(29,280	)	$	(27,058	)	$	222,939

Identifiable assets:
Oil and natural gas	$	2,856,833	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—		$	2,856,833
Contract drilling	—		1,059,980		—		—			—			1,059,980
Gas gathering and processing	—		—		500,255		—			—			500,255
Total identifiable assets ⁽³⁾	2,856,833		1,059,980		500,255		—			—			4,417,068
Corporate land and building	—		—		—		16,104			—			16,104
Other corporate assets ⁽⁴⁾	—		—		—		30,300			—			30,300
Total assets	$	2,856,833	$	1,059,980	$	500,255	$	46,404		$	—		$	4,463,472

Capital expenditures: ⁽⁵⁾	$	740,262	$	176,683	$	79,268	$	17,067		$	—		$	1,013,280

_______________________

(1)

We incurred non-cash ceiling test write-down of our oil and natural gas properties of $76.7 million pre-tax ($47.7 million, net of tax). Impairment for contract drilling equipment includes a $74.3 million pre-tax write-down for 31 drilling rigs and other drilling equipment. Impairment for gas gathering and processing systems includes $7.1 million pre-tax write-down for three of our systems, Weatherford, Billy Rose, and Spring Creek.


(2)	Operating income (loss) is total operating revenues less operating expenses, depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment and does not include general corporate expenses, gain on disposition of assets, gain on derivatives, interest expense, other income (loss), or income taxes.


(3)	Identifiable assets are those used in Unit’s operations in each industry segment.


(4)	Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, corporate leasehold improvements, transportation equipment, furniture, and equipment.


(5)	Our mid-stream segment entered into capital leases for $28.2 million.

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UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

NOTE 16 – SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Summarized unaudited quarterly financial information is as follows:



	Three Months Ended
	March 31			June 30			September 30			December 31
	(In thousands except per share amounts)
2015
Revenues	$	255,099		$	214,447		$	212,393		$	172,292
Gross loss ⁽¹⁾	$	(389,699	)	$	(419,916	)	$	(314,657	)	$	(492,877	)
Net loss	$	(248,354	)	$	(274,389	)	$	(205,281	)	$	(309,337	)
Net loss per common share:
Basic	$	(5.07	)	$	(5.58	)	$	(4.18	)	$	(6.29	)
Diluted	$	(5.07	)	$	(5.58	)	$	(4.18	)	$	(6.29	)
2016
Revenues	$	136,184		$	138,305		$	153,408		$	174,280
Gross income (loss) ⁽¹⁾	$	(49,871	)	$	(74,223	)	$	(27,365	)	$	37,773
Net income (loss)	$	(41,149	)	$	(72,136	)	$	(24,022	)	$	1,683
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.83	)	$	(1.44	)	$	(0.48	)	$	0.03
Diluted ⁽²⁾	$	(0.83	)	$	(1.44	)	$	(0.48	)	$	0.03

_________________________


(1)	Gross profit (loss) excludes general and administrative expense, interest expense, (gain) loss on disposition of assets, gain (loss) on derivatives, income taxes, and other income (loss).


(2)	Due to the effect of the income in the fourth quarter, the diluted earnings per share for the year's four quarters does not equal annual loss per share.

107

SUPPLEMENTAL OIL AND GAS DISCLOSURES

(UNAUDITED)

Our oil and gas operations are substantially located in the United States. The capitalized costs at year-end and costs incurred during the year were as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Capitalized costs:
Proved properties	$	5,446,305		$	5,401,618		$	4,990,753
Unproved properties	314,867			337,099			485,568
	5,761,172			5,738,717			5,476,321
Accumulated depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment	(4,900,304		)	(4,631,404		)	(2,786,678		)
Net capitalized costs	$	860,868		$	1,107,313		$	2,689,643
Cost incurred:
Unproved properties acquired	$	21,675		$	41,777		$	76,041
Proved properties acquired	564			179			5,723
Exploration	17,325			19,222			68,811
Development	80,582			208,845			615,252
Asset retirement obligation	(30,906		)	(5,693		)	(37,687		)
Total costs incurred	$	89,240		$	264,330		$	728,140

The following table shows a summary of the oil and natural gas property costs not being amortized at December 31, 2016, by the year in which such costs were incurred:



	2016		2015		2014		2013 and Prior		Total
	(In thousands)
Unproved properties acquired and wells in progress	$	23,494	$	41,445	$	55,562	$	194,366	$	314,867

Unproved properties not subject to amortization relates to properties which are not individually significant and consist primarily of lease acquisition costs. The evaluation process associated with these properties has not been completed and therefore, the company is unable to estimate when these costs will be included in the amortization calculation.

The results of operations for producing activities are as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Revenues	$	282,742		$	371,335		$	723,566
Production costs	(108,822		)	(152,560		)	(165,315		)
Depreciation, depletion, amortization, and impairment	(268,901		)	(1,844,726		)	(347,220		)
	(94,981		)	(1,625,951		)	211,031
Income tax (expense) benefit	32,696			612,496			(82,028		)
Results of operations for producing activities (excluding corporate overhead and financing costs)	$	(62,285	)	$	(1,013,455	)	$	129,003

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Estimated quantities of proved developed oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves and changes in net quantities of proved developed and undeveloped oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves were as follows:



	Oil Bbls		NGLs Bbls		Natural Gas Mcf		Total MBoe
	(In thousands)
2014
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year	21,765		41,205		581,784		159,934
Revision of previous estimates ⁽¹⁾	(3,174	)	(2,266	)	(32,790	)	(10,905	)
Extensions and discoveries	5,327		10,850		113,541		35,101
Infill reserves in existing proved fields	2,775		3,577		47,189		14,217
Purchases of minerals in place	236		88		368		385
Production	(3,844	)	(4,629	)	(58,854	)	(18,282	)
Sales	(418	)	(296	)	(4,277	)	(1,427	)
End of year	22,667		48,529		646,961		179,023
Proved developed reserves:
Beginning of year	15,594		30,437		464,234		123,403
End of year	17,448		35,850		500,950		136,790
Proved undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year	6,171		10,768		117,550		36,531
End of year	5,219		12,679		146,011		42,233
2015
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year	22,667		48,529		646,961		179,023
Revision of previous estimates ⁽¹⁾	(3,954	)	(9,367	)	(139,514	)	(36,573	)
Extensions and discoveries	1,208		1,948		20,974		6,651
Infill reserves in existing proved fields	670		1,861		22,641		6,304
Purchases of minerals in place	—		—		—		—
Production	(3,783	)	(5,274	)	(65,546	)	(19,981	)
Sales	(73	)	(10	)	(648	)	(191	)
End of year	16,735		37,687		484,868		135,233
Proved developed reserves:
Beginning of year	17,448		35,850		500,950		136,790
End of year	14,679		31,218		416,395		115,296
Proved undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year	5,219		12,679		146,011		42,233
End of year	2,056		6,469		68,473		19,937
2016
Proved developed and undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year	16,735		37,687		484,868		135,233
Revision of previous estimates ⁽¹⁾	(549	)	(2,473	)	(31,670	)	(8,300	)
Extensions and discoveries	1,816		1,588		13,720		5,690
Infill reserves in existing proved fields	663		2,724		24,704		7,504
Purchases of minerals in place	114		43		630		262
Production	(2,974	)	(5,014	)	(55,735	)	(17,277	)
Sales	(109	)	(73	)	(30,938	)	(5,338	)
End of year	15,696		34,482		405,579		117,774
Proved developed reserves:
Beginning of year	14,679		31,218		416,395		115,296
End of year	12,724		28,502		347,121		99,079
Proved undeveloped reserves:
Beginning of year	2,056		6,469		68,473		19,937
End of year	2,972		5,980		58,458		18,695

_________________________


(1)	Natural gas revisions of previous estimates decreased primarily due to a decline in natural gas prices.

109

Estimates of oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves require extensive judgments of reservoir engineering data. Assigning monetary values to such estimates does not reduce the subjectivity and changing nature of such reserve estimates. Indeed the uncertainties inherent in the disclosure are compounded by applying additional estimates of the rates and timing of production and the costs that will be incurred in developing and producing the reserves. The information set forth in this report is, therefore, subjective and, since judgments are involved, may not be comparable to estimates submitted by other oil and natural gas producers. In addition, since prices and costs do not remain static, and no price or cost escalations or de-escalations have been considered, the results are not necessarily indicative of the estimated fair market value of estimated proved reserves, nor of estimated future cash flows.

The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows (SMOG) was calculated using 12-month average prices and year-end costs and statutory tax rates, adjusted for permanent differences that relate to existing proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves. SMOG as of December 31 is as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Future cash flows	$	2,030,925		$	2,475,898		$	6,398,236
Future production costs	(861,625		)	(1,017,777		)	(2,069,636		)
Future development costs	(173,446		)	(228,445		)	(560,102		)
Future income tax expenses	(141,752		)	(230,544		)	(1,228,533		)
Future net cash flows	854,102			999,132			2,539,965
10% annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows	(335,892		)	(409,646		)	(1,104,221		)
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows relating to proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves	$	518,210		$	589,486		$	1,435,744

The principal sources of changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows were as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
	(In thousands)
Sales and transfers of oil and natural gas produced, net of production costs	$	(173,920	)	$	(218,115	)	$	(558,252	)
Net changes in prices and production costs	(94,026		)	(1,356,333		)	(33,259		)
Revisions in quantity estimates and changes in production timing	(51,979		)	(213,945		)	(135,125		)
Extensions, discoveries, and improved recovery, less related costs	84,738			95,671			635,752
Changes in estimated future development costs	70,976			227,857			96,339
Previously estimated cost incurred during the period	16,602			59,117			164,430
Purchases of minerals in place	2,652			—			8,395
Sales of minerals in place	(17,248		)	(3,338		)	(19,135		)
Accretion of discount	69,069			209,979			179,190
Net change in income taxes	44,241			562,838			(98,119		)
Other—net	(22,381		)	(209,989		)	(30,448		)
Net change	(71,276		)	(846,258		)	209,768
Beginning of year	589,486			1,435,744			1,225,976
End of year	$	518,210		$	589,486		$	1,435,744

Certain information concerning the assumptions used in computing SMOG and their inherent limitations are discussed below. We believe this information is essential for a proper understanding and assessment of the data presented.

The assumptions used to compute SMOG do not necessarily reflect our expectations of actual revenues to be derived from those reserves nor their present worth. Assigning monetary values to the reserve quantity estimation process does not reduce the subjective and ever-changing nature of reserve estimates. Additional subjectivity occurs when determining present values because the rate of producing the reserves must be estimated. In addition to difficulty inherent in predicting the future, variations from the expected production rate could result from factors outside of our control, such as unintentional delays in development, environmental concerns or changes in prices or regulatory controls. Also, the reserve valuation assumes that all

110

reserves will be disposed of by production. However, other factors such as the sale of reserves in place could affect the amount of cash eventually realized.

The December 31, 2016, future cash flows were computed by applying the unescalated 12-month average prices of $42.75 per barrel for oil, $19.74 per barrel for NGLs, and $2.48 per Mcf for natural gas (then adjusted for price differentials) relating to proved reserves and to the year-end quantities of those reserves. Future price changes are considered only to the extent provided by contractual arrangements in existence at year-end.

Future production and development costs are computed by estimating the expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves at the end of the year, based on continuation of existing economic conditions.

Future income tax expenses are computed by applying the appropriate year-end statutory tax rates to the future pretax net cash flows relating to proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves less the tax basis of our properties. The future income tax expenses also give effect to permanent differences and tax credits and allowances relating to our proved oil, NGLs, and natural gas reserves.

Care should be exercised in the use and interpretation of the above data. As production occurs over the next several years, the results shown may be significantly different as changes in production performance, petroleum prices and costs are likely to occur.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures


(a)	Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain “disclosure controls and procedures,” as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act), that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms, and that such information is collected and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that no matter how well conceived and operated, disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the disclosure controls and procedures are met. Our disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to meet, and our management believes that they meet, reasonable assurance standards. Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, subject to the limitations noted above, the company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.


(b)	Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on the results of this evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2016.


(c)	Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the last quarter, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Item 9B. Other Information

None.

PART III

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance

In accordance with Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information required by this item is incorporated in this report by reference to the Proxy Statement, except for the information regarding our executive officers which is presented below. The Proxy Statement will be filed before our annual shareholders’ meeting scheduled to be held on May 3, 2017.

Our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct applies to all directors, officers, and employees, including our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, and our Controller. You can find our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct on our internet website, www.unitcorp.com. We will post any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, and any waivers that are required to be disclosed by the rules of either the SEC or the NYSE, on our internet website.

Because our common stock is listed on the NYSE, our Chief Executive Officer was required to make, and he has made, an annual certification to the NYSE stating that he was not aware of any violation by us of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. Our Chief Executive Officer made his annual certification to that effect to the NYSE as of May 10, 2016. In addition, we have filed, as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to be filed with the SEC regarding the quality of our public disclosure.

Executive Officers

The table below and accompanying text sets forth certain information as of February 10, 2017 concerning each of our executive officers as well as certain officers of our subsidiaries. There were no arrangements or understandings between any of the officers and any other person(s) under which the officers were elected.



NAME	AGE	POSITION HELD
Larry D. Pinkston	62	Chief Executive Officer since April 1, 2005, Director since January 15, 2004, President since August 1, 2003, Chief Operating Officer since February 24, 2004, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from May 1989 to February 24, 2004
Mark E. Schell	59	Senior Vice President since December 2002, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary since January 1987
David T. Merrill	56	Senior Vice President since May 2, 2012, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since February 24, 2004, Vice President of Finance from August 2003 to February 24, 2004
Brad J. Guidry⁽¹⁾	61	Executive Vice President, Unit Petroleum Company since March 1, 2005
John Cromling	69	Executive Vice President, Unit Drilling Company since April 15, 2005
Robert Parks	62	Manager and President, Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. since June 1996
Frank Young	47	Senior Vice President Exploration and Production Midcontinent of Unit Petroleum Company since 2012, Vice President - Central Division from June 2007, when he joined Unit Company, to until 2012.

_________________________


(1)	Mr. Guidry is retiring effective March 31, 2017.

Mr. Pinkston joined the company in December 1981. He had served as Corporate Budget Director and Assistant Controller before being appointed Controller in February, 1985. In December, 1986 he was elected Treasurer of the company and was elected to the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in May, 1989. In August, 2003, he was elected to the position of President. He was elected a director of the company by the Board in January, 2004. In February, 2004, in addition to his position as President, he was elected to the office of Chief Operating Officer. In April 2005, he also began serving as Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Pinkston holds the offices of President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from East Central University of Oklahoma.

Mr. Schell joined the company in January 1987, as its Secretary and General Counsel. In 2003, he was promoted to Senior Vice President. From 1979 until joining Unit Corporation, Mr. Schell was Counsel, Vice President, and a member of the Board

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of Directors of C & S Exploration Inc. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Arizona State University and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law. He is a member of the Oklahoma Bar Association. Mr. Schell is a director of the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association. In addition, he is the Chairman and a director of the Oklahoma Injury Benefit Coalition, an Oklahoma non-profit association advocating for improvements to Oklahoma's Workers' Compensation system. He is also a member of the State Chamber of Oklahoma board of directors and serves on the board of advisors for the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber.

Mr. Merrill joined the company in August 2003 and served as its Vice President of Finance until February 2004 when he was elected to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. In May 2012, he was promoted to Senior Vice President. From May 1999 through August 2003, Mr. Merrill served as Senior Vice President, Finance with TV Guide Networks, Inc. From July 1996 through May 1999 he was a Senior Manager with Deloitte & Touche LLP. From July 1994 through July 1996 he was Director of Financial Reporting and Special Projects for MAPCO, Inc. He began his career as an auditor with Deloitte, Haskins & Sells in 1983. Mr. Merrill received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from the University of Oklahoma and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Guidry joined Unit Petroleum Company in August 1988 as a Staff Geologist. In 1991, he was promoted to Geologic Manager overseeing the Geologic Operations of the company. In January 2003, he was promoted to Vice President of the West division. In March 2005, Mr. Guidry was promoted to Senior Vice President of Exploration for Unit Petroleum Company. From 1979 to 1988, he was employed as a Division Geologist for Reading and Bates Petroleum Co. From 1978 to 1979, he worked with ANR Resources in Houston. He began his career as an open hole well logging engineer with Dresser Atlas Oilfield Services. Mr. Guidry graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.

Mr. Cromling joined Unit Drilling Company in 1997 as a Vice-President and Division Manager. In April 2005, he was promoted to the position of Executive Vice-President of Drilling for Unit Drilling Company. In 1980, he formed Cromling Drilling Company which managed and operated drilling rigs until 1987. From 1987 to 1997, Cromling Drilling Company provided engineering consulting services and generated and drilled oil and natural gas prospects. Prior to this, he was employed by Big Chief Drilling for 11 years and served as Vice-President. Mr. Cromling graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a degree in Petroleum Engineering.

Mr. Parks founded Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. in 1996. When Superior was acquired by the company in July 2004, he continued with Superior as one of its managers and as its President. From April 1992 through April 1996 Mr. Parks served as Vice-President—Gathering and Processing for Cimarron Gas Companies. From December 1986 through March 1992, he served as Vice-President—Business Development for American Central Gas Companies. Mr. Parks began his career as an engineer with Cities Service Company in 1978. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Rice University and his M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. Young joined Unit Petroleum Company in June 2007 as Vice President - Central Division. In 2012, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Exploration and Production over Unit’s Midcontinent assets. Before joining Unit, Mr. Young was employed by Anadarko Petroleum Corporation. He began his career with Anadarko in 1991 as a Production Engineer and, in 1994, began working as a Reservoir Engineer. In 1996, he was promoted to a Senior Asset Engineering role responsible for delineation and development of Anadarko’s North African oil fields. In 1999, he was moved into a Senior Completions / Operations Engineering role responsible for development of gas fields in East Texas. In 2000, he was promoted to Division Engineer responsible for operations within Anadarko’s Permian Division in West Texas. In 2002, he was promoted to Planning Manager for North America. In 2004, he was promoted to General Manager of Central Gulf of Mexico responsible for delineation and development of various Deepwater fields. Mr. Young holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University.

Item 11. Executive Compensation

In accordance with Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information required by this Item is incorporated into this report by reference to the Proxy Statement (see Item 10 above).

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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The following table provides information for all equity compensation plans as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, under which our equity securities were authorized for issuance:



Plan Category	Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (a)		Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights (b)		Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in Column (a)) (c)
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders ⁽¹⁾	108,500	⁽²⁾	$	52.56	1,492,686	⁽³⁾
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders	—		—		—
Total	108,500		$	52.56	1,492,686

_________________________


(1)	Shares awarded under all above plans may be newly issued, from our treasury, or acquired in the open market.


(2)	This number includes108,500 stock options outstanding under the Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan.

(3)

This number reflects the shares available for issuance under the Second Amended and Restated Unit Corporation Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan effective May 6, 2015 (the amended plan). The amended plan allows us to grant stock-based compensation to our employees and non-employee directors. A total of 4,500,000 shares of the company's common stock is authorized for issuance to eligible participants under the amended plan. No more than 2,000,000 of the shares available under the amended plan may be issued as “incentive stock options” and all of the shares available under this plan may be issued as restricted stock. In addition, shares related to grants that are forfeited, terminated, canceled, expire unexercised, or settled in such manner that all or some of the shares are not issued to a participant shall immediately become available for issuance.

In accordance with Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information required by this Item is incorporated into this report by reference to the Proxy Statement (see Item 10 above).

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

In accordance with Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information required by this Item is incorporated into this report by reference to the Proxy Statement (see Item 10 above).

Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services

In accordance with Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information required by this Item is incorporated into this report by reference to the Proxy Statement (see Item 10 above).

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PART IV

Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a) Financial Statements, Schedules and Exhibits:

1. Financial Statements:

Included in Part II of this report:

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2015, and 2016

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

2. Financial Statement Schedules:

Included in Part IV of this report for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

Other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

3. Exhibits:

The exhibit numbers in the following list correspond to the numbers assigned such exhibits in the Exhibit Table of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.



3.1		Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Unit Corporation (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Unit's Form 8-K, dated June 29, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference).

3.1.2		Certificate of Amendment of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K, dated May 9, 2006 which is incorporated herein by reference).

3.2		By-laws of Unit Corporation, as amended and restated on June 17, 2014 (filed as Exhibit 3.3 to our Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-202956), and incorporated by reference herein).

4.1		Form of Common Stock Certificate (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Unit’s Form S-3 (File No. 333-83551), which is incorporated herein by reference).

4.5		Indenture dated as of May 18, 2011, by and between the Company and Wilmington Trust FSB, as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated May 18, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference).

4.6		First Supplemental Indenture (including form of note) dated as of May 18, 2011, by and among the Company, as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined therein), as guarantors and Wilmington Trust FSB as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated May 18, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference).

4.7		Second Supplemental Indenture (including form of note) dated as of January 7, 2013, by and among the Registrant, as issuer, the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined therein), as guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association as trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.10 to Unit’s Post-Effective Amendment No.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated February 16, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.1.2*		Form of Unit Corporation Restricted Stock Bonus Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated December 13, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.1.3*		Unit Corporation Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan Amended and Restated May 2, 2012 (filed as Exhibit 10 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated May 2, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.1.4		Amended and Restated Key Employee Change of Control Contract dated August 19, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated August 25, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference).

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10.1.5		Senior Credit Agreement dated September 13, 2011 by and among the Company and the subsidiaries named therein (as borrowers), BOKF, NA DBA Bank of Oklahoma, as Administrative Agent, and the institutions named therein (as lenders) (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated September 13, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.1.6		Gas Purchase Agreement dated November 21, 2011 by and between Superior Pipeline Company, L.L.C. and Sullivan and Company, L.L.C. (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated November 21, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.1.7		First Amendment and Consent, dated September 5, 2012, to the Senior Credit Agreement by and among the Company and the subsidiaries named therein (as borrowers), BOKF, NA DBA Bank of Oklahoma, as Administrative Agent, and the institutions named therein (as lenders) (filed as exhibit 10.1 to Unit's Form 8-K dated September 5, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.1.8*		Second Amended and Restated Unit Corporation Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan dated May 6, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 10 to Unit's Form 8-K dated May 8, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.1		Unit 1979 Oil and Gas Program Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as Exhibit I to Unit Drilling and Exploration Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 as S.E.C. File No. 2-66347, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.3*		Unit’s Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 as S.E.C. File No’s. 33-19652, 33-44103, 33-64323 and 333-39584 which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.4*		Unit Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (filed as an Exhibit to Form S-8 as S.E.C. File No. 33-49724 and File No. 333-166605, which are incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.5*		Unit Corporation Employees’ Thrift Plan (filed as an Exhibit to Form S-8 as S.E.C. File No. 33-53542, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.6		Unit Consolidated Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.7*		Unit Corporation Salary Deferral Plan (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.8*		Unit Corporation Separation Benefit Plan for Senior Management as amended (filed as an Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated December 20, 2004).

10.2.9*		Unit Corporation Special Separation Benefit Plan as amended (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated December 20, 2004).

10.2.10		Unit 2000 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under the cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999).

10.2.11*		Unit Corporation 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (filed as an Exhibit to Form S-8 as S.E.C. File No. 333-38166, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.12		Unit 2001 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under the cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000).

10.2.13		Unit 2002 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2001).

10.2.14		Unit 2003 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002).

10.2.15		Unit 2004 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003).

10.2.16		Unit 2005 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004).

10.2.17*		Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and its executive officers and directors (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated February 22, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.18*		Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between the Company and its executive officers and directors (filed herein as Exhibit 10.1).

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10.2.19		Unit 2006 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005).

10.2.20		Unit 2007 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006).

10.2.21*		Separation Benefit Plan as amended August 21, 2007 (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007).

10.2.22		Unit 2008 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007).

10.2.23*		Annual Bonus Performance Plan entered into October 21, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated October 23, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.24*		Separation Benefit Plan as amended October 21, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated October 23, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.25*		Separation Benefit Plan as amended December 31, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated January 6, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.26*		Special Separation Benefit Plan as amended December 31, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated January 6, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.27*		Separation Benefit Plan for Senior Management as amended December 31, 2008 (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated January 6, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.28		Unit 2009 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008).

10.2.29*		Unit Corporation 2000 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan as Amended and Restated August 25, 2004 (as amended on May 29, 2009 and filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated May 29, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.30		Unit 2010 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009).

10.2.31		Unit 2011 Employee Oil and Gas Limited Partnership Agreement of Limited Partnership (filed as an Exhibit to Unit’s Annual Report under cover of Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010).

10.2.32		Second Amendment and Consent, dated April 10, 2015, to the Senior Credit Agreement by and among the Company and the subsidiaries named therein (as borrowers), BOKF, NA DBA Bank of Oklahoma, as Administrative Agent, and the institutions named therein (as lenders) (filed as exhibit 10.1 to Unit's Form 8-K dated April 13, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.33*		Separation Benefit Plan as amended December 8, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated December 14, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference).

10.2.34*		Special Separation Benefit Plan as amended December 8, 2015 (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Unit’s Form 8-K dated December 14, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference).

12		Computation Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (filed herein).

21		Subsidiaries of the Registrant (filed herein).

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (filed herein).

23.2		Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P. (filed herein).

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Exchange Act (filed herein).

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Exchange Act (filed herein).

32		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herein).

99.1		Ryder Scott Company, L.P. Summary Report (filed herein).

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.

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101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan identified under the requirements of Item 15 of Form 10-K.

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Item 16. Form 10-K Summary

Not applicable.

Schedule II

UNIT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:



Description	Balance at Beginning of Period		Additions Charged to Costs & Expenses		Deductions & Net Write-Offs			Balance at End of Period
	(In thousands)
Year ended December 31, 2016	$	5,199	$	785	$	(2,211	)	$	3,773
Year ended December 31, 2015	$	5,039	$	1,191	$	(1,031	)	$	5,199
Year ended December 31, 2014	$	5,342	$	3,562	$	(3,865	)	$	5,039

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



			UNIT CORPORATION

DATE:	February 28, 2017	By:	/s/ LARRY D. PINKSTON
			LARRY D. PINKSTON
			President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 28th day of February, 2017.



Name		Title

/s/ J. MICHAEL ADCOCK		Chairman of the Board and Director
J. Michael Adcock		Chairman of the Board and Director

/s/ LARRY D. PINKSTON		President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)
Larry D. Pinkston

/s/ DAVID T. MERRILL		Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)
David T. Merrill

/s/ DON A. HAYES		Vice President, Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
Don A. Hayes		Vice President, Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ GARY CHRISTOPHER		Director
Gary Christopher

/s/ STEVEN B. HILDEBRAND		Director
Steven B. Hildebrand

/s/ CARLA S. MASHINSKI		Director
Carla S. Mashinski

/s/ WILLIAM B. MORGAN		Director
William B. Morgan

/s/ LARRY C. PAYNE		Director
Larry C. Payne

/s/ G. BAILEY PEYTON IV		Director
G. Bailey Peyton IV

/s/ ROBERT SULLIVAN, JR.		Director
Robert Sullivan, Jr.

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EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.		Description
10.1		Form of Indemnification Agreement

12		Computation Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

21		Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23.1		Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

23.2		Consent of Ryder Scott Company, L.P.

31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer under Rule 13a—14(a) of the Exchange Act.

31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13a—14(a) of the Exchange Act.

32		Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under Rule 13a-14(a) of the Exchange Act and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99.1		Ryder Scott Company, L.P. Summary Report.

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

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