basis, G&A was $7.04 per Boe in the fourth quarter of 2024 compared to $6.91 per Boe in the third quarter of 2024 and $5.82 per Boe in the corresponding period of 2023. These differences are primarily related to production variances.
Derivative (Gain) Loss, net: In the fourth quarter of 2024, W&T recorded a net loss of $2.1 million with commodity derivative contracts comprised of $2.6 million of realized losses and $0.5 million of unrealized gains related to the increase in fair value of open contracts. W&T recognized a net gain of $3.2 million in the third quarter of 2024 and a net gain of $13.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 related to commodity derivative activities.
To take advantage of the recent uptick in prices for natural gas, W&T recently added Henry Hub costless collars for 50,000 MMBtu/d of natural gas for the period of March through December 2025 with a floor of $3.88 per MMBtu and a ceiling of $5.125 per MMBtu.
A summary of the Company’s outstanding derivative positions is provided in the investor presentation posted on W&T’s website.
Interest Expense: Net interest expense in the fourth quarter of 2024 was $10.2 million compared to $10.0 million in the third quarter of 2024 and $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Other Expense: During 2021 and 2022, as a result of the declaration of bankruptcy by a third party that is the indirect successor in title to certain offshore interests that were previously divested by the Company, W&T recorded a contingent loss accrual related to anticipated non-ARO P&A costs. During the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company reassessed its existing obligations and recorded a $2.8 million decrease in the contingent loss accrual.
Income Tax (Benefit) Expense: W&T recognized an income tax benefit of $1.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. This compares to the recognition of an income tax benefit of $4.5 million and an income tax expense of $1.9 million for the quarters ended September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Capital Expenditures and Asset Retirement Settlements: Capital expenditures on an accrual basis (excluding acquisitions) in the fourth quarter of 2024 were $12.2 million, and asset retirement settlement costs totaled $19.3 million. For the year ended December 31, 2024, capital expenditures on an accrual basis (excluding acquisitions) totaled $28.6 million and asset retirements costs were $39.7 million. Investments related to acquisitions in the year ended December 31, 2024 totaled $80.6 million, which included $77.3 million for the Cox acquisition and $3.3 million of final purchase price adjustments related to W&T’s acquisition of properties in September 2023.
Balance Sheet and Liquidity: As of December 31, 2024, W&T had available liquidity of $159.0 million comprised of $109.0 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $50.0 million of borrowing availability under W&T’s first priority secured revolving facility provided by Calculus Lending LLC. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had total debt of $393.2 million and Net Debt of $284.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, Net Debt to trailing twelve months (“TTM”) Adjusted EBITDA was 1.8x.
Debt Refinance: On January 28, 2025 W&T closed an offering of the 10.75% Notes at par in a private offering that was exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company used a portion of the proceeds from the 10.75% Notes offering, along with cash on hand to, (i) purchase for cash pursuant to a tender offer, such of the Company’s outstanding 11.75% Notes that were validly tendered pursuant to the terms thereof, (ii) repay $114.2 million outstanding under the Term Loan, (iii) fund the full redemption amount for an August 1, 2025 redemption of the remaining 11.75% Notes not validly tendered and accepted for purchase in the tender offer, and (iv) pay premiums, fees and expenses related to these transactions. On the closing date of the offering of the 10.75% Notes, the Company completed all actions necessary to satisfy and discharge the indenture governing the 11.75% Notes.
Pro forma for the debt refinance, the Garden Banks Disposition and the Insurance Settlement, as of December 31, 2024, W&T’s cash and cash equivalents would have been approximately $104.3 million, total debt would have been approximately $349.5 million and Net Debt would have been approximately $245.2 million. As of December 31, 2024, the pro forma Net Debt to TTM Adjusted EBITDA would have been 1.6x.
In conjunction with the issuance of the 10.75% Notes, the Company entered into a new credit agreement which provides the Company with a revolving credit and letter of credit facility, with initial lending commitments of $50 million with a letter of credit sublimit of $10 million. The Credit Facility matures on July 28, 2028.
Accretive Acquisition of Producing Properties in the GOA: In January 2024, W&T was the successful bidder for six fields in the GOA, including Eugene Island 64, Main Pass 61, Mobile 904, Mobile 916, South Pass 49 and West Delta 73, all of which include a 100% working interest and an average 82% net revenue interest. They are located in