corresp
May 13, 2008
Via FEDEX Overnight Delivery
Securities and Exchange Commission
SEC Headquarters
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Attn: Anne Parker
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CC: |
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Donald Delaney
Karl Hiller
Donna Levy |
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RE: |
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Range Resources Corporation
Form 10K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007
Filed February 27, 2008
Definitive Schedule 14A
Filed April 4, 2008
(File No. 001-12209) |
Dear Ms. Parker:
In regard to your letter dated April 30, 2008, Range Resources Corporation (the Company or
we, us or our) respectfully submit the following responses to your inquiry:
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2007
Business, page 1
General, page 1
Inquiry:
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1. |
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We note you increased your proved reserves over the past five years, with a
reserve replacement ratio of 286 percent. We believe the following additional
information would assist readers in understanding the relevance of the measure you
disclose: |
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a) |
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An explanation of how the ratio is calculated; and if the information
used to calculate this ratio is not derived directly from the line items disclosed
in your reconciliations of beginning and ending proved reserve quantities on page
F-36, a tabulation showing your computation with a reconciliation of the various
components utilized to the amounts in your SFAS 69 disclosures. |
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b) |
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The extent to which the proved reserves that have been added are either
proved developed or proved undeveloped. |
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c) |
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A disaggregation of your reserve replacement ratio, showing the extent
to which it is attributable to revisions, improved recovery, purchases and
extensions and discoveries for each year in the five-year period, and in the
aggregate. |
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d) |
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The nature of any material uncertainties pertaining to undeveloped or
newly discovered reserves which may impact the time horizon over which the reserve
additions are expected to be developed and produced. |
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e) |
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An indication of how management uses this measure, and any limitations. |
Please submit the information outlined above.
1
Response:
The disclosure on page 1 of our December 31, 2007 10-K says During the past five years, we
have increased our proved reserves 286%, while production has increased 115% during that same
period. The 286% percent is not intended to represent our reserve replacement ratio. The 286%
referred to in the text is a calculation of the increase in our proved reserves from 2002 (577,977
Mmcfe) to 2007 (2,232,768 Mmcfe). These reserve quantities are contained in our SFAS 69
disclosures for each year. In future filings, we will further clarify this calculation by
including the beginning and ending data points. For example, our disclosure would read Over the
past five years, our reserves have increased from 578.0 bcfe in 2002 to 2.2 tcfe in 2007, a 286%
increase. Based upon this response, we dont believe that additional information is required for
subpart (a) (e). If the Staff requires additional information, please advise.
Production, Revenues and Price History, page 4
Inquiry:
It appears that your gross margin measures may inappropriately exclude DD&A attributable to
costs of sales, while also reflecting an adjustment in the revenue component for the
mark-to-market component of derivative fair value income (loss), so the total includes realized
gains and losses but excludes unrealized gains and losses for derivatives not qualifying for hedge
accounting, which results in a revenue component that is not consistent with your reporting on page
F-6. These variations appear to yield non-GAAP measures of revenue and gross margin for which
different labeling additional disclosures would be required under Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K.
Response:
The table included on page 4 is presented to assist the reader in calculating our cash
margins from the sale of our oil and gas production. We believe the line included in the table
entitled less mark-to-market component of derivative fair value income (loss) reconciles the
table to our statement of operations. In reviewing the Staffs comment and our disclosures, we
have concluded that the wording included in the table could have been clearer. In all future
filings, we will not include the table.
Financial Statements, page F-1
Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, page F-10
Asset Retirement Obligations, page F-14
Inquiry:
We see from your disclosure that you exclude market-risk premium from your measurement of
asset retirement obligations, stating that ...a reliable estimate cannot be determined. However,
we also note that in connection with your 2006 acquisition of Stroud Energy, Inc., you assumed
certain asset retirement obligations, and determined a fair value for such obligations as part of
your purchase price allocation. Given the foregoing, please tell us how you determined that
excluding a market-risk premium from your periodic measurements is consistent with the guidance in
paragraph A20 for SFAS 143 and paragraphs B22 and B23 of FIN47, if that is your view.
Response:
In our calculation of the asset retirement obligations assumed in connection with the
acquisition of Stroud Energy, Inc., we did not include a market-risk premium because, as discussed
below, a reliable estimate could not be determined. Additionally, with respect to the acquisition
of Stroud, a market risk premium, if determinable, would not be material to our consolidated
financial statements as the entire asset retirement obligation was approximately $1.4 million.
In accordance with paragraph 62 of Concepts Statement 7 and a SEC Staff Position, we do not
include a market-risk premium in our calculation of asset retirement obligations because a reliable
estimate cannot be determined. There is no available market data to reliably estimate a market-risk
premium due to the uncertainty in estimating future restoration and removal costs as such costs are
likely to be incurred many years in the future, contracts and regulations regarding such costs
often have vague descriptions of what constitutes removal and asset removal technologies and costs
are constantly changing, as are regulatory, political, environmental, safety and public relations
considerations. The Company is beginning to evaluate the impact of the pending adoption in 2009 of
SFAS 157 non-recurring fair value measures which, as we understand it, will require us to estimate
market-risk premiums.
2
Note 11 Financial Instruments, page F-24
Commodity Derivative Instruments, page F-25
Inquiry:
You state that, in the fourth quarter of 2007, you ...began marking a portion of [y]our oil
hedges designated as Permian Basin production to market due to the anticipated sale of a portion of
[y]our Permian properties. Please tell us why you have not designated the assets you anticipate
selling as held for sale and reflected any corresponding impairment or discontinued operations,
following the guidance in paragraphs 30 and 42 of SFAS 144.
Response:
We began marking to market a portion of our hedges due to our decision to commence the sale
process of some of our Permian Basin production as required by paragraph 32 of SFAS 133.
Specifically, since we were marketing the properties, we were no longer able to conclude that it
was probable that designated production would occur. Although we were marketing the properties, we
believed there was still significant uncertainty about whether we could sell the properties at
terms that were acceptable given the significant volatility in oil and gas prices and the resulting
impact on pricing of any disposition. Thus, these assets were not designated as assets held for
sale as of December 31, 2007 due to the fact that the Company had not satisfied all six criteria
required by SFAS 144 as of the end of the year. Specifically, as of December 31, 2007,we did not
satisfy criteria number 4 (the sale of the asset or disposal group is probable and the transfer is
expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year) and number 6 (actions
necessary to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan
will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn). In summary, we were in a situation where we
could not conclude the production was probable of occurring; however, we also could not conclude
that a sale of the property was probable. As a result, we ceased hedge accounting on the
production, but concluded the properties did not qualify for assets held for sale treatment.
Note 12 Employee Benefit and Equity Plans, page F-27
Deferred Compensation Plan, page F-28
Inquiry:
We note you recorded adjustments in the fourth quarter of 2007 to correct accounting errors
relating to your Rabbi Trust, impacting your deferred compensation plan expense and related
accounts, due to previously having inappropriately (i) adjusted your deferred compensation
liability for market value changes in unvested shares held in the Rabbi Trust (ii) recorded the
common stock issued to the Rabbi Trust at grant date fair value, as opposed to using cost basis,
and (iii) recorded interest and dividends on marketable securities held in the Trust in accumulated
other comprehensive loss. You indicate that these adjustments pertain to accounting that occurred
prior to 2007 and during the first three quarters of 2007. Please tell us how you concluded that
these adjustments should all be reflected in the fourth quarter of 2007, rather than in the
respective periods of occurrence, following the guidance in paragraph 25 of SFAS 154 and SAB Topic
1:N. Please submit the analysis you performed, including a schedule showing the impact of these
adjustments for each quarterly period.
Response:
The following is a summary of the $12.4 million favorable adjustment that was reflected in the
fourth quarter of 2007 by period of occurrence ($ in thousands):
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Twelve |
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Twelve |
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2004 |
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3rd Qtr |
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2nd Qtr |
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1st Qtr |
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Months |
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Months |
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and |
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Total |
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2007 |
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2007 |
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2007 |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Prior |
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Adjustment |
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M-T-M unvested shares |
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$ |
1,317 |
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$ |
1,463 |
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$ |
2,436 |
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$ |
(276 |
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$ |
737 |
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$ |
1,115 |
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$ |
6,792 |
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Interest & dividends |
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127 |
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(22 |
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(22 |
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4,686 |
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844 |
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5,613 |
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Increase to pre-tax income |
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$ |
1,444 |
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$ |
1,441 |
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$ |
2,414 |
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$ |
4,410 |
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$ |
1,581 |
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$ |
1,115 |
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$ |
12,405 |
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Reported pre-tax income |
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$ |
94,046 |
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$ |
99,533 |
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$ |
13,200 |
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$ |
315,701 |
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$ |
175,985 |
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% increase to pre-tax
income |
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1.5 |
% |
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1.4 |
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18.3 |
% |
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1.4 |
% |
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0.9 |
% |
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3
As set forth above, the errors as a percentage of pre-tax income did not have a material
impact on any historical periods except for the first quarter ended March 31, 2007. Additionally,
the cumulative errors were less than 3% of pre-tax income in each of the years ended 2006 and 2005
and the cumulative correcting adjustment in 2007 was less than 2% of 2007 pre-tax income. We also
considered the impact of such errors on our balance sheets (including specific line items within
the balance sheets) noting the impact of such errors were immaterial. Specifically, stockholders
equity would have increased only 1.3%, 0.8% and 0.7% as of September 30, 2007, December 31, 2006
and December 31, 2005, respectively, which we considered to be immaterial. As a result, we did not
believe that quantitatively, the prior years consolidated financial statements were materially
misstated. With respect to the first quarter of 2007, we concluded the impact of the errors ($2.4
million) was not significant in light of full year 2007 results in addition to the fact that the
first quarter 2007 results were significantly impacted by a large mark-to-market adjustment related
to our derivative positions, which significantly decreased first quarter earnings. First quarter
2007 earnings were unusually low to due these non-cash charges; therefore, we did not believe a
$2.4 million adjustment would have been material to a reasonable investor. As part of our
analysis, we also considered qualitative considerations when determining whether a restatement was
warranted. This analysis included the following:
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1. |
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These adjustments would not change the trend in current year
income when compared to prior years income. |
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2. |
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These adjustments do not change a loss into income. |
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3. |
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These adjustments are non-cash. |
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4. |
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These adjustments are not related to any operational areas of our
Company. |
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5. |
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These adjustments did not impact working capital. |
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6. |
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These adjustments did not cause any violation of debt covenants
and would not have impacted debt pricing or credit facility availability. |
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7. |
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These adjustments would not have any effect on management
compensation for current or subsequent years. |
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8. |
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The rabbi trust amounts have historically been excluded from
analyst models and are therefore excluded from their
calculations/expectations of the Companys earnings. |
Based on the collective considerations discussed above, we did not believe any prior quarter
or prior year consolidated financial statements should be restated due to immateriality. However,
as the correcting adjustment in the fourth quarter was not insignificant to the fourth quarter 2007
results, we disclosed the impact of the adjustment in accordance with paragraph 31 of APB 28.
Note 14-Commitments and Contingencies, page F-29
Litigation, page F-29
Inquiry:
We note your disclosure referring to the various legal actions and claims arising in the
ordinary course of business, stating that you ...do not expect these matters to have a material
adverse effect... on your financial position, cash flows or results or operations. And on page
19, you state ...such litigation and claims are likely to be resolved without a material adverse
effect on [y]our financial position or liquidity... Tell us how you would describe your exposure
to loss using the terminology in SFAS 5, being probable, reasonable possible or remote, and
indicate the range of reasonable possible loss and amounts accrued for all matters where exposure
is other than remote. Please include details of any quantification of claims by you or outside
parties. Submit any disclosures that you propose to clarify the characterization of your
litigation contingencies.
Response:
As of December 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company had no accrual for contingent losses for pending
or threatened litigation. The Company does have various legal actions and claims incidental to our
businesses. We have not accrued a liability for these actions due to the fact that the losses are
not probable. We are currently aware of 24 such cases/claims against the Company, many of which are
minor disputes over items such as title issues, and we estimate that it is reasonably possible
these claims could result in losses in the aggregate of up to $1.1 million. However, in the
context of reasonably possible exposure, this amount is immaterial and we do not believe any
additional disclosure is warranted in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31,
2007.
4
Definitive Schedule 14A, Filed April 4, 2008
Executive Compensation
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Components of Executive Compensation
Base Salary, Page 27
Inquiry:
We note your statement that base salaries are targeted at the 50th percentile and
we note the actual salaries paid to your executives on page 42. Please state whether the salaries
were increased in May 2007 in order to ensure that the salaries equaled the 50th
percentile of your Peer Group.
Response:
We confirm that salaries were increased in May 2007 to the 50th percentile of our Peer Group. In the future, we will add a sentence similar to
the following in the narrative disclosure on page 42:
The salary changes made on May 23, 2007 to the Named Executive Officers were consistent with
the Compensation Committees objectives of targeting salaries at the 50th percentile of
the Peer Group adjusted for the factors listed in the section of this Proxy Statement entitled
Compensation Discussion and Analysis Components of Executive Compensation Base Salary.
Performance-Based Annual Incentive Awards, page 29
Inquiry:
We note your statement that the annual incentive payout was a weighted average of the payout
percentage for each performance category. Specify the payout percentage for each performance
category.
Response:
In the future, pursuant to your request, we would add an additional column reflecting the
payout percentage achieved prior to any negative discretion applied by the Compensation Committee
as shown below:
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Unit of |
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Actual |
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2007 Performance Levels |
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Actual |
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Payout % |
Criterion |
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Measurement |
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for 2006 |
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Threshold |
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Target |
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Excellent |
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for 2007 |
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Achieved (1) |
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Finding & development costs |
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$ per mcfe |
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$ |
1.66 |
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$ |
2.80 |
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$ |
2.60 |
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$ |
2.20 |
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$ |
1.90 |
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100 |
% |
EBITDAX |
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$ millions |
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$ |
524 |
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$ |
629 |
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$ |
662 |
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$ |
696 |
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$ |
721 |
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100 |
% |
Production per share |
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mcfe per share |
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0.706 |
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0.720 |
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0.734 |
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0.762 |
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0.800 |
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100 |
% |
Reserves per share |
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mcfe per share |
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12.21 |
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12.45 |
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12.70 |
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13.19 |
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14.909 |
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100 |
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Stock price performance |
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percentile |
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70th |
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50th |
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62.5th |
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75th |
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95th |
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100 |
% |
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(1) |
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Payout percentage shown is prior to any negative discretion applied by the
Compensation Committee. |
Inquiry:
Explain your statement that The actual percentile performance for each category was
interpolated between the performance levels.
5
Response:
On page 29 we would modify the last sentence in paragraph three as follows to better clarify
the concept of interpolated for the reader:
When actual results achieved fall between the performance levels, the percentile performance
used to determine the payout percentage is proportionally adjusted.
Inquiry:
State what the actual payment percentage would have been if the Committee had not exercised
its negative discretion. Explain further your statement that the Committee exercised its negative
discretion in order to achieve an absolute dollar amount for total 2007 incentive compensation
paid to all of our employees.
Response:
In the future, pursuant to your request, we would add an additional column reflecting the
payout percentage achieved prior to any negative discretion applied by the Compensation Committee
as shown below:
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Annual Incentive Payout % of Salary |
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Payout % |
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Actual Payout |
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Threshold |
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Target |
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Excellent |
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Achieved (1) |
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% for 2007 (2) |
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President and CEO |
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50 |
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100 |
% |
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200 |
% |
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200 |
% |
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189 |
% |
EVP and Chief Operating Officer |
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50 |
% |
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100 |
% |
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200 |
% |
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200 |
% |
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191 |
% |
Senior Vice Presidents |
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30 |
% |
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60 |
% |
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120 |
% |
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120 |
% |
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107 |
% |
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(1) |
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Reflects the payout percentage prior to any negative discretion applied by the
Compensation Committee. |
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(2) |
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Reflects the payout percentage after negative discretion was applied by the
Compensation Committee. |
To the extent the same scenario is presented in future years, we would clarify for the reader
the absolute dollar amount concept by modifying the sentence to say:
The Compensation Committee used negative discretion to limit bonuses (paid to all employees)
to equal our budgeted bonus amount.
Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation, page 29
Inquiry:
We note your statement that the grant of annual stock awards and SARs is based in part on your
performance relative to the Peer Group and the total compensation paid to comparable officers at
Peer Group companies, and your discussion of the performance factors applicable to these awards on
page 45. Please add a cross reference on page 29 to the discussion of the performance factors on
page 45. State whether you established threshold, target, and excellent performance levels for
each performance factor, and if you did, disclose them. Explain how you determined the allocation
of the award between SARs and unvested discretionary contributions.
Response:
The criterion discussed on page 45 as to the comparison of actual results of the Company to
the Peer Group of companies is designed to assist the Compensation Committee to measure the
Companys relative performance to critical industry measures. No predetermined performance levels
are established by the Compensation Committee and the relative comparisons are based on actual
results for the year consistently calculated for each Peer Group company. The Compensation
Committee considers the same criterion used to determine executive annual incentive cash payments
and other performance measurements to determine total compensation.
6
The allocation of the long-term incentive compensation is explained on page 32 of the Proxy
Statement under the section entitled Compensation Discussion and Analysis Allocation Among
Types of Compensation Allocation Among Long-Term Equity Incentive Compensation Components.
This section explains that the value of long-term incentive awards is equally divided between SARs
and Annual Stock Awards. When the Annual Stock Awards are contributed to the deferred compensation
plan in the form of stock, such contributions are called unvested discretionary contributions
under the plan.
*******
In connection with the foregoing responses, the undersigned, on behalf of the
Company, acknowledges that:
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the Company is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of the disclosure
in the filing; |
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Staff comments or changes to disclosures in response to Staff comments do
not foreclose the Commission from taking any action with respect to the filing;
and |
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the Company may not assert Staff comments as a defense in any proceeding
initiated by the Commission or any person under the federal securities laws of
the United States. |
Please contact the undersigned at (817) 869-4224 if you have additional questions
or comments.
Sincerely,
/s/ Roger S. Manny
Roger S. Manny
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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Cc:
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John H. Pinkerton, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Rodney L. Waller, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer |
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Kevin P. Lewis Vinson & Elkins LLP |
7