BATL Battalion Oil Corporation

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-Q

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Commission File Number: 001-35467

Battalion Oil Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3505 West Sam Houston Parkway North, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77043

(Address of principal executive offices)

(832) 538-0300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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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 ⌧ No ◻

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ⌧ No ◻

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

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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ⌧

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

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities made under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes ⌧ No ◻

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At May 10, 2023, 16,457,531 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.

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Special note regarding forward-looking statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward looking statements and may concern, among other things, planned capital expenditures, potential increases in oil and natural gas production, potential costs to be incurred, future cash flows and borrowings, our financial position, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations. These forward-looking statements may be identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “objective,” “believe,” “predict,” “intend,” “achievable,” “anticipate,” “will,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “could” and similar terms and phrases. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Readers should consider carefully the risks described under the “Risk Factors” section of our previously filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, as well as the other disclosures contained herein and therein, which describe factors that could cause our actual results to differ from those anticipated in forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to, the following factors:

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All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this document. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

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(In thousands)

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Battalion is an independent energy company focused on the acquisition, production, exploration and development of onshore liquids-rich oil and natural gas assets in the United States. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all majority-owned, controlled subsidiaries. The Company operates in one segment which focuses on oil and natural gas acquisition, production, exploration and development. Allocation of capital is made across the Company’s entire portfolio without regard to operating area. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position as of, and the results of operations for, the periods presented. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of results of operations or cash flows for the full year and accordingly, certain information normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, has been condensed or omitted. During interim periods, Battalion follows the accounting policies disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 30, 2023. Please refer to the notes in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 when reviewing interim financial results. The Company has evaluated events or transactions through the date of issuance of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Liquidity and Cash Requirements

The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP applicable to a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business.

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Our ability to execute our operating strategy is dependent on our ability to maintain adequate liquidity and continue to access capital, as needed. Our current business estimates and forecasts indicate that we will require additional liquidity to continue our operations and meet our debt requirements for the next 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements. In response to these events and conditions, we have implemented a plan to reduce operating and capital costs to improve cash flow, including recent reductions in headcount to align with planned drilling activity. The Company also has obtained a support letter from its three largest current related party investors to purchase additional preferred equity securities in an amount up to $20 million to enable the Company to meet its obligations as they become due through at least one year beyond the issuance of these financial statements. Management believes that based upon its operational forecasts, cash and cash equivalents on hand, cost reduction measures, and the commitment from its three largest current investors to purchase up to $20 million in additional preferred equity securities, as needed, it is probable the Company will have sufficient liquidity to fund its operations, meet its continuous drilling clause and debt payment requirements and maintain compliance with our future debt covenants, as described in Note 5, “Debt,” for the next 12 months from the issuance of these consolidated financial statements.

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Risk and Uncertainties

Supply chain issues. In periods of increasing commodity prices, the Company continues to be at risk to supply chain issues, including, but not limited to, labor shortages, pipe restrictions and potential delays in obtaining frac and/or drilling related equipment that could impact our business. During these periods, the costs and delivery times of rigs, equipment and supplies may also be substantially greater. The unavailability or high cost of drilling rigs and/or frac crews, pressure pumping equipment, tubulars and other supplies, and of qualified personnel can materially and adversely affect our operations and profitability.

Commodity Prices. Our financial results depend upon many factors, but are largely driven by the volume of our oil and natural gas production and the price that we receive for that production There remains the potential for demand for

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

oil and natural gas to be adversely impacted by the economic effects of rising interest rates, tightening monetary policies, or other factors. As a consequence, the Company is unable to predict whether oil and natural gas prices will remain at current levels or will be adversely impacted by these or other factors. When commodity prices decline significantly, our ability to finance our capital budget and operations may be adversely impacted to the extent we have not hedged our production, and we may also be required to record non-cash impairment charges as further described in Note 4, Oil and Natural Gas Properties.

For further information regarding the actual and potential impacts of the supply chain issues and the potential impact of declines in commodity prices on the Company, see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Use of Estimates

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

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Amounts in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets included in “Cash and cash equivalents” and “Restricted cash” reconcile to the Company’s unaudited condensed statements of cash flows as follows:

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Restricted cash consists of funds to collateralize lines of credit.

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Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company’s accounts receivable are primarily receivables from joint interest owners and oil and natural gas purchasers. Accounts receivable are recorded at the amount due, less an allowance for doubtful accounts, when applicable. Payment of our accounts receivable is typically received within 30-60 days. The Company’s historical credit losses have been de minimis and are expected to remain so in the future assuming no substantial changes to the business or creditworthiness of the Company’s counterparties.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

Concentrations of Credit Risk

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

The Company’s exposure to credit risk under its derivative contracts is varied among major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings, where it has master netting agreements which provide for offsetting of amounts payable or receivable between the Company and the counterparty. To manage counterparty risk associated with derivative contracts, the Company selects and monitors counterparties based on an assessment of their financial strength and/or credit ratings. At March 31, 2023, the Company’s derivative counterparties include two major financial institutions, both of which are secured lenders under the Amended Term Loan Agreement.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In the first quarter of 2023, the Company early adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) ASU 2020-06, Debt – Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging – Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40) (“ASU 2020-06)”. The update simplifies the accounting for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock by reducing the number of accounting models and limiting the number of embedded conversion features separately recognized from the primary contract. The guidance also includes targeted improvements to the disclosures for convertible instruments and earnings per share. The adoption of ASU 2020-06 did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.

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2. LEASES

The Company leases equipment and office space pursuant to operating leases. We determine if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception and combine lease and nonlease components, when fixed, for all lease contracts. Nonlease components include common area maintenance charges on office leases and, when applicable, services associated with equipment leases. Operating leases with a lease term greater than 12 months where the Company is the lessee are included in “Operating lease right of use assets” and “Operating lease liabilities” on the consolidated balance sheets and recorded based on the present value of the future minimum lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments. The Company does not recognize right of use assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less, but rather recognizes the lease payments associated with its short-term leases when incurred.

Payments due under the lease contracts include fixed payments plus, in some instances, variable payments. Variable lease payments, if applicable, associated with the Company’s leases are recognized when the event, activity, or circumstance in the lease agreement on which those payments are assessed occurs. Variable lease payments, when applicable, are presented as "Gathering and other” or "General and administrative” in the consolidated statements of operations in the same line item as the expense arising from the fixed lease payments on the operating leases.

The “Operating lease right of use assets” outstanding on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 have an initial lease term of 2.3 years. Payments due under the lease contracts include fixed payments plus, in some instances, variable payments. The table below summarizes the Company’s leases for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 (in thousands, except term and discount rate):

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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Future minimum lease payments associated with the Company’s non-cancellable operating leases for office space as of March 31, 2023 are presented in the table below (in thousands):

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3. OPERATING REVENUES

Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are derived from single basin operations, the Delaware Basin in Pecos, Reeves, Ward and Winkler Counties, Texas. Revenue is presented disaggregated in the statement of operations by major product, and depicts how the nature, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors in the Company’s single basin operations.

Revenue is recognized when the following five steps are completed: (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligation (promise) in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, (5) recognize revenue when the reporting organization satisfies a performance obligation. Revenues from the sale of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids are recognized, at a point in time, when a performance obligation is satisfied by the transfer of control of each unit (e.g. barrel of oil, Mcf of gas) of commodity to the customer. Revenue is measured based on contract consideration allocated to each unit of commodity and excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction that are collected by the Company from a customer are excluded from revenue.

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Since the Company’s performance obligations have been satisfied and an unconditional right to consideration exists as of the balance sheet date, the Company recognized amounts due from contracts with customers of $29.0 million and $34.0 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, as “Accounts receivable, net” on the

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company utilizes the practical expedient exempting the disclosure of the transaction price of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected duration of one year or less and (ii) contracts where variable consideration is allocated entirely to a wholly unsatisfied performance obligation (each unit of product typically represents a separate performance obligation, and therefore, future volumes under the Company’s long-term contracts are wholly unsatisfied).

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For additional information regarding our operating revenues, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.

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4. OIL AND NATURAL GAS PROPERTIES

The Company uses the full cost method of accounting for its investment in oil and natural gas properties. Under this method of accounting, all costs of acquisition, exploration and development of oil and natural gas reserves (including such costs as leasehold acquisition costs, geological expenditures, treating equipment and gathering support facilities costs, dry hole costs, tangible and intangible development costs and direct internal costs) are capitalized as the cost of oil and natural gas properties when incurred. To the extent capitalized costs of evaluated oil and natural gas properties, net of accumulated depletion, exceed the discounted future net revenues of proved oil and natural gas reserves, net of deferred taxes, such excess capitalized costs are charged to expense.

Additionally, the Company assesses all properties classified as unevaluated property on a quarterly basis for possible impairment. The Company assesses properties on an individual basis or as a group, if properties are individually insignificant. The assessment includes consideration of the following factors, among others: intent to drill; remaining lease term; geological and geophysical evaluations; drilling results and activity; the assignment of proved reserves; and the economic viability of development if proved reserves are assigned. During any period in which these factors indicate impairment, the cumulative drilling costs incurred to date for such property and all or a portion of the associated leasehold costs are transferred to the full cost pool and are then subject to depletion and the full cost ceiling test limitation.

At March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2022, using first-day-of-the-month average West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil spot prices (adjusted by lease or field for quality, transportation fees, and regional price differentials) and Henry Hub natural gas prices (adjusted by lease or field for energy content, transportation fees, and regional price differentials) for the respective prior 12-month periods, the Company’s net book value of oil and natural gas properties at March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, did not exceed the ceiling test value of the Company’s reserves. Oil and natural gas prices utilized for the ceiling test calculations as of March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022 were $91.38/bbl and $75.28/bbl of oil, respectively and $5.96/MMBtu and $4.09/MMBtu per MMBtu for natural gas, respectively.

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Changes in commodity prices, production rates, levels of reserves, future development costs, transfers of unevaluated properties to the full cost pool, capital spending, and other factors will determine the Company’s ceiling test calculation and impairment analyses in future periods. Additionally, since oil and natural gas prices are inherently volatile, sustained lower commodity prices over a period of time could result in non-cash impairment charges of our oil and natural gas properties under our full cost ceiling test calculation which would result in a negative impact to our earnings and financial position.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

5. DEBT

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

Term Loan Credit Facility

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On November 24, 2021, the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Halcón Holdings, LLC (Borrower) entered into an Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement (Term Loan Agreement) with Macquarie Bank Limited, as administrative agent, and certain other financial institutions party thereto, as lenders. On November 14, 2022, the Company paid approximately $2.4 million and entered into a further Amended Credit Agreement (the “Amended Term Loan Agreement”) with its lenders which modified certain provisions of its original Term Loan Agreement including, but not limited to, its Current Ratio financial covenant, interest rate benchmark, and prepayment premiums, all as further described below.

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As of March 31, 2023, we had $230.0 million of indebtedness outstanding and approximately $1.4 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Amended Term Loan Agreement. An additional $3.6 million is available for the issuance of letters of credit. The maturity date of the Amended Term Loan Agreement is November 24, 2025. We have a variable interest rate on our borrowings based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) plus 0.15% and increased the applicable margin on borrowings by 0.50%, such that borrowings under the Amended Term Loan Agreement bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the SOFR benchmark rate plus 7.65%. The weighted average interest rate on our borrowings for the quarter ended March 31, 2023 was approximately 12.2%.

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The Company may elect, at its option, to prepay any borrowing outstanding under the Amended Term Loan Agreement subject to the following prepayment premiums:

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The Company may be required to make mandatory prepayments under the Amended Term Loan Agreement in connection with the incurrence of non-permitted debt, certain asset sales, or with cash on hand in excess of certain maximum levels beginning in 2023. For each fiscal quarter after January 1, 2023, the Company is required to make mandatory prepayments when the Consolidated Cash Balance, as defined in the Amended Term Loan Agreement, exceeds $20.0 million. Until December 31, 2024, the forecasted APOD capital expenditures for the succeeding fiscal quarter are excluded for purposes of determining the Consolidated Cash Balance.

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The Company is required to make scheduled remaining amortization payments in the aggregate amount of $115.0 million from the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023 through the fiscal quarter ending September 30, 2025. Amounts outstanding under the Amended Term Loan Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Borrower’s direct and indirect subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and such direct and indirect subsidiaries, and by the equity interests of the Borrower held by the Company. As part of the Amended Term Loan Agreement there are certain restrictions on the transfer of assets, including cash, to Battalion from the guarantor subsidiaries.

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The Amended Term Loan Agreement also contains certain financial covenants (as defined), including the maintenance of the following ratios:

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As of March 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under the Amended Term Loan Agreement.

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The Amended Term Loan Agreement also contains an APOD for the Company’s Monument Draw acreage through the drilling and completion of certain wells. The Amended Term Loan Agreement contains a proved developed producing production test and an APOD economic test which the Company must maintain compliance with otherwise, subject to any available remedies or waivers, the Company is required to immediately cease making expenditures in respect of the APOD other than any expenditures deemed necessary by the Company in respect of no more than six additional APOD wells.

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The Amended Term Loan Agreement also contains certain events of default, including non-payment; breaches of representations and warranties; non-compliance with covenants or other agreements; cross-default to material indebtedness; judgments; change of control; and voluntary and involuntary bankruptcy.

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In conjunction with entering into the original Term Loan Agreement in November 2021, the Company agreed to pay a premium to the lenders upon a future change of control event in which a majority of the board of directors or the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer positions do not remain held by the same persons as before the change of control event (Change of Control Call Option). The premium is reduced over time through the payment of interest and certain fees. The Change of Control Call Option is accounted for as an embedded derivative not clearly and closely related to the host debt instrument. Accordingly, the Company recorded the initial fair value separately on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet within “Other noncurrent liabilities” and records changes in the fair value of the embedded derivative each reporting period in “Interest expense and other” on the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Refer to Note 6, “Fair Value Measurements,” for a discussion of the valuation approach used, the significant inputs to the valuation, and for a reconciliation of the change in fair value of the Change of Control Call Option.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

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6. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company’s determination of fair value incorporates not only the credit standing of the counterparties involved in transactions with the Company resulting in receivables on the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets, but also the impact of the Company’s nonperformance risk on its own liabilities. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). The Company separates the fair value of its financial instruments using a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy assigns the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 2 measurements are inputs that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included within Level 1. The Company utilizes market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated, or generally unobservable. The Company classifies fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs.

A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. There were no transfers between fair value hierarchy levels for any period presented. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s financial assets and liabilities associated with commodity-based derivative contracts that were accounted for at fair value as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

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Derivative contracts listed above as Level 2 include fixed-price swaps, collars, basis swaps and WTI NYMEX rolls that are carried at fair value. The Company records the net change in the fair value of these positions in “Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts” in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Level 2 observable data includes the forward curves for commodity prices based on quoted market prices and implied volatility factors related to changes in the forward curves. See Note 7, “Derivative and Hedging Activities,” for additional discussion of derivatives.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The Company’s derivative contracts are with major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings which are believed to have minimal credit risk. As such, the Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent of nonperformance by the counterparties in the derivative contracts; however, the Company does not anticipate such nonperformance.

As discussed in Note 5, “Debt,” the Company reflects the fair value of the Change of Control Call Option separately on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets and changes to the fair value of the embedded derivative each reporting period in “Interest expense and other” on the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. The valuation of the Change of Control Call Option includes significant inputs such as the timing and probability of discrete potential exit scenarios, forward interest rate curves, and discount rates based on implied and market yields. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the changes in fair value of the Change of Control Call Option classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):

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Estimated fair value amounts have been determined at discrete points in time based on relevant market information. These estimates involve uncertainties and cannot be determined with precision. The estimated fair value of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximates their carrying value due to their short-term nature. The estimated fair value of borrowings under the Company’s Amended Term Loan Agreement approximates carrying value because the interest rates approximate current market rates.

The Company follows the provisions of ASC 820, for nonfinancial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These provisions apply to the Company’s initial recognition of asset retirement obligations for which fair value is used. The asset retirement obligation estimates are derived from historical costs and management’s expectation of future cost environments; and therefore, the Company has designated these liabilities as Level 3. See Note 8, “Asset Retirement Obligations,” for a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the liability for the Company’s asset retirement obligations.

7. DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

The Company is exposed to commodity price risks relating to its ongoing business operations. In accordance with the Company’s policy and the requirements under the Term Loan Agreement, it generally hedges a substantial, but varying, portion of anticipated oil and natural gas production for future periods. Derivatives are carried at fair value on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as assets or liabilities, with the changes in the fair value included in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the period in which the change occurs. The Company has elected not to designate any of its derivative contracts for hedge accounting. Accordingly, the Company records the net change in the mark-to-market valuation of these derivative contracts, as well as all payments and receipts on settled derivative contracts, in “Net gain (loss) on derivative contracts” on the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s hedge policies and objectives may change significantly as its operational profile changes. The Company does not enter into derivative contracts for speculative trading purposes.

It is the Company’s policy to enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are creditworthy financial or commodity hedging institutions deemed by management as competent and competitive market makers. As of March 31, 2023, the Company did not post collateral under any of its derivative contracts as they are secured under the Company’s Term Loan Agreement.

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BATTALION OIL CORPORATION

NOTES TO THE UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

The Company’s crude oil, and natural gas derivative positions at any point in time may consist of fixed-price swaps, costless put/call collars, basis swaps and WTI NYMEX rolls further described as follows:

The following table summarizes the location and fair value amounts of all commodity derivative contracts in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (in thousands):

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