CHK Q2 2015 10-Q

Chesapeake Energy Corp (CHK) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q3 2015

CHK 2015 10-K
CHK Q2 2015 10-Q CHK 2015 10-K

Table of Contents









UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM

10-Q

[X]     Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015

[  ]    Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File No. 1-13726


Chesapeake Energy Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oklahoma

73-1395733

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

73118

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(405) 848-8000

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 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 [X] Accelerated Filer [ ] 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 October 29, 2015 , there were 665,070,706 shares of our $0.01 par value common stock outstanding.





CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015



PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page

Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014

1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

5

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014

7

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

54

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

78

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

82

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

83

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

85

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

85

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

85

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

85

Item 5.

Other Information

85

Item 6.

Exhibits

85



Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)


September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

($ in millions)

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents ($1 and $1 attributable to our VIE)

$

1,759


$

4,108


Restricted cash

-


38


Accounts receivable, net

1,275


2,236


Short-term derivative assets ($0 and $16 attributable to our VIE)

342


879


Other current assets

203


207


Total Current Assets

3,579


7,468


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

Oil and natural gas properties, at cost based on full cost accounting:

Proved oil and natural gas properties

($488 and $488 attributable to our VIE)

62,941


58,594


Unproved properties

7,185


9,788


Other property and equipment

2,935


3,083


Total Property and Equipment, at Cost

73,061


71,465


Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization

(($397) and ($251) attributable to our VIE)

(56,196

)

(39,043

)

Property and equipment held for sale, net

94


93


Total Property and Equipment, Net

16,959


32,515


LONG-TERM ASSETS:

Investments

225


265


Long-term derivative assets

257


6


Other long-term assets

266


497


TOTAL ASSETS

$

21,286


$

40,751



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

1

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)


September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

($ in millions)

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Accounts payable

$

1,070


$

2,049


Current maturities of long-term debt, net

893


381


Accrued interest

137


150


Deferred income tax liabilities

59


207


Short-term derivative liabilities

24


15


Other current liabilities ($11 and $15 attributable to our VIE)

2,374


3,061


Total Current Liabilities

4,557


5,863


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

Long-term debt, net

10,674


11,154


Deferred income tax liabilities

574


4,185


Long-term derivative liabilities

106


218


Asset retirement obligations, net of current portion

442


447


Other long-term liabilities

387


679


Total Long-Term Liabilities

12,183


16,683


CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Note 4)

EQUITY:

Chesapeake Stockholders' Equity:

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized:

7,251,515 shares outstanding

3,062


3,062


Common stock, $0.01 par value, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized:

665,042,789 and 664,944,232 shares issued

7


7


Paid-in capital

12,385


12,531


Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

(11,017

)

1,483


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(119

)

(143

)

Less: treasury stock, at cost; 1,570,895 and 1,614,312 common shares

(36

)

(37

)

Total Chesapeake Stockholders' Equity

4,282


16,903


Noncontrolling interests

264


1,302


Total Equity

4,546


18,205


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

21,286


$

40,751



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

2

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions except per share data)

REVENUES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL

$

880


$

2,341


$

2,693


$

5,812


Marketing, gathering and compression

2,013


3,362


5,993


9,543


Oilfield services

-


-


-


546


Total Revenues

2,893


5,703


8,686


15,901


OPERATING EXPENSES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL production

251


298


826


868


Production taxes

25


62


87


185


Marketing, gathering and compression

1,955


3,369


5,751


9,515


Oilfield services

-


-


-


431


General and administrative

49


60


174


229


Restructuring and other termination costs

53


(14

)

39


12


Provision for legal contingencies

-


100


359


100


Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization

488


688


1,773


1,977


Depreciation and amortization of other assets

31


37


100


194


Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

5,416


-


15,407


-


Impairments of fixed assets and other

79


15


167


75


Net (gains) losses on sales of fixed assets

(1

)

(86

)

3


(201

)

Total Operating Expenses

8,346


4,529


24,686


13,385


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

(5,453

)

1,174


(16,000

)

2,516


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense

(88

)

(17

)

(210

)

(82

)

Losses on investments

(33

)

(27

)

(57

)

(72

)

Net gain on sales of investments

-


-


-


67


Losses on purchases of debt

-


-


-


(195

)

Other income (expense)

(2

)

(1

)

3


12


Total Other Expense

(123

)

(45

)

(264

)

(270

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

(5,576

)

1,129


(16,264

)

2,246


INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT):

Current income taxes

-


2


(6

)

10


Deferred income taxes

(937

)

435


(3,808

)

849


Total Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

(937

)

437


(3,814

)

859


NET INCOME (LOSS)

(4,639

)

692


(12,450

)

1,387


Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(13

)

(30

)

(50

)

(110

)

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE

(4,652

)

662


(12,500

)

1,277


Preferred stock dividends

(43

)

(43

)

(128

)

(128

)

Repurchase of preferred shares of CHK Utica

-


(447

)

-


(447

)

Earnings allocated to participating securities

-


(3

)

-


(15

)

NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

$

(4,695

)

$

169


$

(12,628

)

$

687


EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic

$

(7.08

)

$

0.26


$

(19.07

)

$

1.04


Diluted

$

(7.08

)

$

0.26


$

(19.07

)

$

1.04


CASH DIVIDEND DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

$

-


$

0.0875


$

0.0875


$

0.2625


WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON

EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING (in millions):

Basic

663


660


662


659


Diluted

663


660


662


659



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

3

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)



Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(4,639

)

$

692


$

(12,450

)

$

1,387


OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS),

NET OF INCOME TAX:

Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $5, $0, $4 and $3

7


-


6


3


Reclassification of (gains) losses on settled derivative instruments, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $2, $2, $11 and $12

5


3


18


13


Reclassification of (gains) losses on investment, net of income tax expense (benefit) of $0, $0, $0 and ($3)

-


-


-


(5

)

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

12


3


24


11


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(4,627

)

695


(12,426

)

1,398


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS

(13

)

(30

)

(50

)

(110

)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE

$

(4,640

)

$

665


$

(12,476

)

$

1,288





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

4

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

NET INCOME (LOSS)

$

(12,450

)

$

1,387


ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME (LOSS) TO CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

1,873


2,171


Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

(3,808

)

849


Derivative gains, net

(642

)

(20

)

Cash receipts (payments) on derivative settlements, net

850


(341

)

Stock-based compensation

61


59


Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

15,407


-


Net (gains) losses on sales of fixed assets

3


(201

)

Impairments of fixed assets and other

159


44


Losses on investments

57


72


Net gains on sales of investments

-


(67

)

Losses on purchases of debt

-


61


Restructuring and other termination costs

39


(18

)

Provision for legal contingencies

359


100


Other

24


57


Changes in assets and liabilities

(877

)

(348

)

Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities

1,055


3,805


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Drilling and completion costs

(2,696

)

(3,185

)

Acquisitions of proved and unproved properties

(407

)

(1,023

)

Proceeds from divestitures of proved and unproved properties

188


723


Additions to other property and equipment

(114

)

(675

)

Proceeds from sales of other property and equipment

80


964


Additions to investments

(8

)

(14

)

Proceeds from sales of investments

-


239


Decrease in restricted cash

52


37


Other

-


(4

)

Net Cash Used In Investing Activities

(2,905

)

(2,938

)


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

5

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)




Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from credit facilities borrowings

-


3,573


Payments on credit facilities borrowings

-


(3,896

)

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of discount and offering costs

-


2,966


Proceeds from issuance of oilfield services senior notes, net of discount

and offering costs

-


494


Proceeds from issuance of oilfield services term loan, net of issuance costs

-


394


Cash paid to purchase debt

-


(3,362

)

Cash paid for common stock dividends

(118

)

(175

)

Cash paid for preferred stock dividends

(128

)

(128

)

Cash paid on financing derivatives

-


(50

)

Cash paid to repurchase noncontrolling interest of CHK C-T

(143

)

-


Cash paid to repurchase preferred shares of CHK Utica

-


(1,254

)

Cash held and retained by SSE at spin-off

-


(8

)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners

(78

)

(143

)

Other

(32

)

(25

)

Net Cash Used In Financing Activities

(499

)

(1,614

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(2,349

)

(747

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

4,108


837


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

1,759


$

90


Supplemental disclosures to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows are presented below:

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

Interest paid, net of capitalized interest

$

134


$

88


Income taxes paid, net of refunds received

$

50


$

17


SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF SIGNIFICANT NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Repurchase of noncontrolling interest of CHK C-T

$

(872

)

$

-


Change in divested proved and unproved properties

$

1,046


$

23


Change in accrued drilling and completion costs

$

(124

)

$

(64

)

Change in accrued acquisitions of proved and unproved properties

$

61


$

(100

)





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

6

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Unaudited)



Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

PREFERRED STOCK:

Balance, beginning and end of period

$

3,062


$

3,062


COMMON STOCK:

Balance, beginning and end of period

7


7


PAID-IN CAPITAL:

Balance, beginning of period

12,531


12,446


Stock-based compensation

52


26


Exercise of stock options

-


24


Dividends on common stock

(59

)

-


Dividends on preferred stock

(128

)

-


Decrease in tax benefit from stock-based compensation

(11

)

(1

)

Balance, end of period

12,385


12,495


RETAINED EARNINGS (ACCUMULATED DEFICIT):

Balance, beginning of period

1,483


688


Net income (loss) attributable to Chesapeake

(12,500

)

1,277


Dividends on common stock

-


(175

)

Dividends on preferred stock

-


(128

)

Spin-off of oilfield services business

-


(270

)

Repurchase of preferred shares of CHK Utica

-


(447

)

Balance, end of period

(11,017

)

945


ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS):

Balance, beginning of period

(143

)

(162

)

Hedging activity

24


16


Investment activity

-


(5

)

Balance, end of period

(119

)

(151

)

TREASURY STOCK – COMMON:

Balance, beginning of period

(37

)

(46

)

Purchase of 37,687 and 24,859 shares for company benefit plans

(1

)

(1

)

Release of 81,104 and 369,432 shares from company benefit plans

2


9


Balance, end of period

(36

)

(38

)

TOTAL CHESAPEAKE STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

4,282


16,320


NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS:

Balance, beginning of period

1,302


2,145


Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

50


110


Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners

(73

)

(137

)

Repurchase of noncontrolling interest of CHK C-T

(1,015

)

-


Repurchase of preferred shares of CHK Utica

-


(807

)

Balance, end of period

264


1,311


TOTAL EQUITY

$

4,546


$

17,631



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

7

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)






1.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Chesapeake Energy Corporation ("Chesapeake" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of our direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries and entities in which Chesapeake has a controlling financial interest. Intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated. These financial statements were prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all disclosures required for financial statements prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.

This Form 10-Q relates to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 (the "Current Quarter" and the "Current Period", respectively) and the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (the "Prior Quarter" and the "Prior Period", respectively). Chesapeake's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Form 10-K") includes certain definitions and a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. All material adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been reflected. The results for the Current Quarter and the Current Period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.


8

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





2.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and includes the effect of any participating securities as appropriate. Participating securities consist of unvested restricted stock issued to our employees and non-employee directors that provide dividend rights.

Diluted EPS is calculated assuming the issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive securities, provided the effect is not antidilutive. For the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, our contingent convertible senior notes did not have a dilutive effect, and therefore were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. See Note 3 for further discussion of our contingent convertible senior notes.

For the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, shares of the following securities and associated adjustments to net income, representing dividends on preferred stock and allocated earnings on participating securities, were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as the effect was antidilutive.

Net Income

Adjustments

Shares

($ in millions)

(in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

Common stock equivalent of our preferred stock outstanding:

5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

21


59


5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series A)

$

16


42


5.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series 2005B)

$

3


6


4.50% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

3


6


Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Common stock equivalent of our preferred stock outstanding:

5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

21


59


5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series A)

$

16


42


5.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series 2005B)

$

3


6


4.50% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

3


6


Participating securities

$

3


3


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

Common stock equivalent of our preferred stock outstanding:

5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

64


59


5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series A)

$

47


42


5.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series 2005B)

$

8


6


4.50% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

9


6


Participating securities

$

-


1


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Common stock equivalent of our preferred stock outstanding:

5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

64


59


5.75% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series A)

$

47


42


5.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series 2005B)

$

8


6


4.50% cumulative convertible preferred stock

$

9


6


Participating securities

$

14


3





9

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





3.

Debt

Our long-term debt consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

($ in millions)

3.25% senior notes due 2016

$

500


$

500


6.25% euro-denominated senior notes due 2017 (a)

384


416


6.5% senior notes due 2017

660


660


7.25% senior notes due 2018

669


669


Floating rate senior notes due 2019

1,500


1,500


6.625% senior notes due 2020

1,300


1,300


6.875% senior notes due 2020

500


500


6.125% senior notes due 2021

1,000


1,000


5.375% senior notes due 2021

700


700


4.875% senior notes due 2022

1,500


1,500


5.75% senior notes due 2023

1,100


1,100


2.75% contingent convertible senior notes due 2035 (b)

396


396


2.5% contingent convertible senior notes due 2037 (b)

1,168


1,168


2.25% contingent convertible senior notes due 2038 (b)

347


347


Revolving credit facility

-


-


Discount on senior notes (c)

(165

)

(231

)

Interest rate derivatives (d)

8


10


Total debt, net

11,567


11,535


Less current maturities of long-term debt, net (e)

(893

)

(381

)

Total long-term debt, net

$

10,674


$

11,154


___________________________________________

(a)

The principal amount shown is based on the exchange rate of $1.1177 to €1.00 and $1.2098 to €1.00 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Foreign Currency Derivatives in Note 8 for information on our related foreign currency derivatives.

(b)

The repurchase, conversion, contingent interest and redemption provisions of our contingent convertible senior notes are as follows:

Holders' Demand Repurchase Rights . The holders of our contingent convertible senior notes may require us to repurchase, in cash, all or a portion of their notes at 100% of the principal amount of the notes on any of four dates that are five , ten , fifteen and twenty years before the maturity date. The first put date, for the 2.75% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2035 (the 2035 Notes), is November 15, 2015. As required by the terms of the indenture for the 2035 Notes, on October 1, 2015, we issued a notice to the holders of the 2035 Notes allowing each holder an opportunity to require us to repurchase some or all of its notes on November 15, 2015. As a result, we may be required to repurchase some or all of the 2035 Notes outstanding on November 15, 2015.

Optional Conversion by Holders . At the holder's option, prior to maturity under certain circumstances, the notes are convertible into cash and, if applicable, shares of our common stock using a net share settlement process. One triggering circumstance is when the price of our common stock exceeds a threshold amount during a specified period in a fiscal quarter. Convertibility based on common stock price is measured quarterly. During the specified period in the third quarter of 2015, the price of our common stock was below the threshold level for each series of the contingent convertible senior notes and, as a result, the holders do not have the option to convert their notes into cash and common stock in the fourth quarter of 2015 under this provision.


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The notes are also convertible, at the holder's option, during specified five -day periods if the trading price of the notes is below certain levels determined by reference to the trading price of our common stock. The notes were not convertible under this provision during the Current Quarter or the Prior Quarter. In general, upon conversion of a contingent convertible senior note, the holder will receive cash equal to the principal amount of the note and common stock for the note's conversion value in excess of the principal amount.

Contingent Interest. We will pay contingent interest on the convertible senior notes after they have been outstanding at least ten years during certain periods if the average trading price of the notes exceeds the threshold defined in the indenture.

The holders' demand repurchase dates, the common stock price conversion threshold amounts (as adjusted to give effect to cash dividends on our common stock) and the ending date of the first six-month period in which contingent interest may be payable for the contingent convertible senior notes are as follows:

    Contingent  

    Convertible  

    Senior  Notes    

Holders' Demand

Repurchase Dates

Common Stock

 Price Conversion 

Thresholds

 Contingent Interest

First Payable

(if applicable)

2.75% due 2035

November 15, 2015, 2020, 2025, 2030

$

45.14


May 14, 2016

2.5% due 2037

May 15, 2017, 2022, 2027, 2032

$

59.44


November 14, 2017

2.25% due 2038

December 15, 2018, 2023, 2028, 2033

$

100.35


June 14, 2019

Optional Redemption by the Company. We may redeem the contingent convertible senior notes once they have been outstanding for ten years at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the notes, payable in cash. Beginning December 1, 2015, we may redeem any 2035 Notes that have not been put to us and repurchased as described above under Holders' Demand Repurchase Rights .

(c)

Discount as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 included $160 million and $224 million , respectively, associated with the equity component of our contingent convertible senior notes. This discount is amortized based on an effective yield method.

(d)

See Interest Rate Derivatives in Note 8 for further discussion related to these instruments.

(e)

As of September 30, 2015 , current maturities of long-term debt, net includes the carrying amount of our 3.25% Senior Notes due March 2016 and 2035 Notes. As discussed in footnote (b) above, the holders of our 2035 Notes could exercise their individual demand repurchase rights on November 15, 2015, which would require us to repurchase all or a portion of the principal amount of the notes. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, current maturities of long-term debt, net reflects $3 million and $15 million , respectively, of discount associated with the equity component of the 2035 Notes.

Chesapeake Senior Notes and Contingent Convertible Senior Notes

The Chesapeake senior notes and the contingent convertible senior notes are unsecured senior obligations of Chesapeake and rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness and rank senior in right of payment to all of our future subordinated indebtedness. As a holding company, Chesapeake owns no operating assets and has no significant operations independent of its subsidiaries. Chesapeake's obligations under the senior notes and the contingent convertible senior notes are jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of our direct and indirect 100% owned subsidiaries. See Note 19 for condensed consolidating financial information regarding our guarantor and non-guarantor subsidiaries.

We may redeem the senior notes, other than the contingent convertible senior notes, at any time at specified make-whole or redemption prices. Our senior notes are governed by indentures containing covenants that may limit our ability and our subsidiaries' ability to incur certain secured indebtedness, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, and consolidate, merge or transfer assets. The indentures governing the senior notes and the contingent convertible senior notes do not have any financial or restricted payment covenants. Indentures for the senior notes and contingent convertible senior notes have cross default provisions that apply to other indebtedness the Company or any guarantor subsidiary may have from time to time with an outstanding principal amount of at least $50 million or $75 million , depending on the indenture.


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We are required to account for the liability and equity components of our convertible debt instruments separately and to reflect interest expense at the interest rate of similar nonconvertible debt at the time of issuance. The applicable rates for our 2.75% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2035, our 2.5% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2037 and our 2.25% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2038 are 6.86% , 8.0% and 8.0% , respectively.

In March 2013, the Company brought suit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., the indenture trustee for the 6.775% Senior Notes due 2019 (the 2019 Notes). The Company sought and ultimately obtained a judgment declaring that the notice it issued on March 15, 2013 to redeem all of the 2019 Notes at par (plus accrued interest through the redemption date) was timely and effective for that redemption pursuant to the special early redemption provision of the supplemental indenture governing the 2019 Notes. In May 2013, as a result of that ruling, the 2019 Notes were redeemed at par. In November 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, on appeal by the indenture trustee, reversed the District Court's declaratory judgment and held that the notice was not effective to redeem the 2019 Notes at par because it was not timely for that purpose. The Court of Appeals remanded the case to the District Court for a determination whether the redemption notice triggered a redemption at the make-whole price specified in the indenture, instead of at par. The Company sought a rehearing by the Court of Appeals en banc in December 2014, and that petition was denied on February 6, 2015. On February 13, 2015, the indenture trustee moved the District Court for entry of a judgment requiring the Company to pay the make-whole price, as defined in the indenture, less the par amount paid in the 2013 redemption plus prejudgment interest from the redemption date. On March 20, 2015, the Company filed its opposition to the Trustee's motion and cross-moved for a judgment requiring the Company to pay restitution in an amount that would disgorge the benefit the Company achieved from refinancing the 2019 Notes in 2013 and that would return the parties to the economic positions they would have been in if the par redemption had never taken place. On July 10, 2015, the District Court granted the Trustee's motion and denied the Company's cross-motion and entered an amended judgment on July 17, 2015 awarding the Trustee $380 million plus prejudgment interest in the amount of $59 million . The Company filed a notice of appeal on July 27, 2015 and posted a supersedeas bond to stay execution of the judgment while appellate proceedings are pending.

Revolving Credit Facility

On September 30, 2015, we entered into an amendment to our $4.0 billion senior revolving credit facility dated December 15, 2014 and maturing December 2019, which is used for general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the amended credit agreement, we are required to secure our obligations under the facility and certain hedging agreements with liens on certain of our oil and natural gas properties, with such liens to be released upon the satisfaction of specific conditions. The amended credit facility provides that, while the obligations are required to be secured, (i) we have the right to incur junior lien indebtedness of up to $2.0 billion; (ii) our use of the facility will be subject to a borrowing base; (iii) the rate of interest on outstanding loans, as well as fees on undrawn commitments, will vary based on the percentage of the borrowing base used, rather than on our credit ratings; (iv) the total leverage ratio covenant will be suspended; and (v) the credit facility will be subject to a first lien secured leverage ratio and an interest rate coverage ratio (as described below). The amendment sets the borrowing base at $4.0 billion. The total commitments under the credit facility remain at $4.0 billion, subject to reduction in connection with issuances of junior lien indebtedness by us after April 15, 2016, the date of the first borrowing base redetermination. No adjustment to the total commitment will occur for any junior lien indebtedness issuance that occurs before April 15, 2016. As of September 30, 2015 , we had no outstanding borrowings under the facility and had used $12 million of the facility for various letters of credit.


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While obligations under our credit facility are required to be secured, revolving loans under the amended credit facility will bear interest, at our election, at either (i) a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the federal funds effective rate plus 0.5% , (b) the administrative agent's prime rate or (c) the London interbank offer rate (LIBOR) for a one-month interest period plus 1.0% (alternative base rate (ABR) loans), or (ii) a LIBOR rate (LIBOR loans), in each case plus a margin based on the percentage of the borrowing base used (currently 1.0% per annum for ABR loans and 2.0% per annum for LIBOR loans). The terms of the credit facility include covenants limiting, among other things, our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments or loans, create liens, consummate mergers and similar fundamental changes, make restricted payments, make investments in unrestricted subsidiaries and enter into transactions with affiliates, together with a requirement that we maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a net debt to capitalization ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) that does not exceed 65%. While it is required to be secured by a portion of our oil and natural gas properties, the amended credit facility requires us to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter (i) a first lien secured leverage ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) of 3.5 to 1.0 through 2017 and 3.0 to 1.0 thereafter, and (ii) an interest rate coverage ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) of 1.1 to 1.0 through the first quarter of 2017, increasing to 1.25 to 1.0 by the end of 2017.

Our credit facility is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by certain of our material subsidiaries. The amended credit agreement includes events of default relating to customary matters, including, among other things, nonpayment of principal, interest or other amounts; violation of covenants; incorrectness of representations and warranties in any material respect; cross-payment default and cross acceleration with respect to indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of $125 million or more ; bankruptcy; judgments involving liability of $125 million or more that are not paid ; and ERISA events . Many events of default are subject to customary notice and cure periods.

Spin-Off Debt Transactions

On June 30, 2014, we completed the spin-off of our oilfield services business, which we previously conducted through our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary Chesapeake Oilfield Operating, L.L.C. (COO), into the independent, publicly traded company Seventy Seven Energy Inc. (SSE). In the Prior Period, COO or its subsidiaries completed the following debt transactions:

Entered into a five -year senior secured revolving credit facility with total commitments of $275 million and incurred approximately $3 million in financing costs related to entering into the facility.

Entered into a $400 million seven -year secured term loan and used the net proceeds of approximately $394 million and borrowings under the new revolving credit facility to repay and terminate COO's then-existing credit facility.

Issued $500 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2022 in a private placement and used the net proceeds of approximately $494 million to make a cash distribution of approximately $391 million to us, to repay a portion of outstanding indebtedness under the new revolving credit facility discussed above and for general corporate purposes.

All deferred charges and debt balances related to these transactions were removed from our consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2014. See Note 15 for further discussion of the spin-off.

Fair Value of Debt

We estimate the fair value of our exchange-traded debt using quoted market prices (Level 1). The fair value of all other debt, which would include borrowings under our revolving credit facility (which was undrawn as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014), is estimated using our credit default swap rate (Level 2). Fair value is compared to the carrying value, excluding the impact of interest rate derivatives, in the table below.

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2014

Carrying

Amount

Estimated

Fair Value

Carrying

Amount

Estimated

Fair Value

($ in millions)

Short-term debt (Level 1)

$

893


$

881


$

381


$

396


Long-term debt (Level 1)

$

10,666


$

8,043


$

11,144


$

11,656



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(Unaudited)





4.

Contingencies and Commitments

Contingencies

Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings

The Company is involved in a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings (including those described below). Many of these proceedings are in early stages, and many of them seek or may seek damages and penalties, the amount of which is indeterminate. We estimate and provide for potential losses that may arise out of litigation and regulatory proceedings to the extent that such losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required in making these estimates and our final liabilities may ultimately be materially different. Our total estimated liability in respect of litigation and regulatory proceedings is determined on a case-by-case basis and represents an estimate of probable losses after considering, among other factors, the progress of each case or proceeding, our experience and the experience of others in similar cases or proceedings, and the opinions and views of legal counsel. We account for legal defense costs in the period the costs are incurred.

July 2008 Common Stock Offering Litigation. On February 25, 2009, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and certain of its officers and directors along with certain underwriters of the Company's July 2008 common stock offering. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on September 11, 2009 alleging that the registration statement for the offering contained material misstatements and omissions and seeking damages under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 of an unspecified amount and rescission. The action was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma on October 13, 2009. Chesapeake and the officer and director defendants moved for summary judgment on grounds of loss causation and materiality on December 28, 2011, and the motion was granted as to all claims as a matter of law on March 29, 2013. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal on August 8, 2014 and denied the plaintiffs' petition for rehearing on November 12, 2014. On April 10, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court, and on October 15, 2015, certiorari was denied and the case was closed.

Shareholder Derivative Litigation. A federal consolidated derivative action and an Oklahoma state court derivative action were stayed in 2012 pending resolution of a related, previously reported putative federal securities class action. The shareholder derivative actions alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, among other things, related to the former CEO's personal financial practices and purported conflicts of interest, and the Company's accounting for volumetric production payments. The federal securities class action was dismissed in July 2014, and the parties stipulated to continue the stay of the Oklahoma state court derivative action while the plaintiffs pursued their claims in the federal consolidated derivative action. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated derivative complaint on October 31, 2014 and an amended consolidated derivative complaint on February 12, 2015. Chesapeake filed its motion to dismiss on February 23, 2015, and on August 13, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal. The federal derivative case was dismissed on September 29, 2015, and the Oklahoma state derivative case was dismissed on August 21, 2015.

Regulatory Proceedings. The Company has received, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and certain state governmental agencies and authorities, subpoenas and demands for documents, information and testimony in connection with investigations into possible violations of federal and state antitrust laws relating to our purchase and lease of oil and gas rights in various states. The Company also has received DOJ, the U.S. Postal Service and state subpoenas seeking information on the Company's royalty payment practices. Chesapeake has engaged in discussions with the DOJ and state agency representatives and continues to respond to such subpoenas and demands.

Redemption of 2019 Notes. See Note 3 for a description of pending litigation regarding our redemption in May 2013 of our 2019 Notes. As a result of the reversal of the trial court's decision in our declaratory judgment action against the indenture trustee, we accrued a loss contingency of $100 million for this matter in the 2014 fourth quarter, and we accrued an additional $339 million in the Current Period as a result of the judgment on remand entered on July 17, 2015.

Business Operations. Chesapeake is involved in various other lawsuits and disputes incidental to its business operations, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, royalty claims, property damage claims and contract actions. With regard to contract actions, various mineral or leasehold owners have filed lawsuits against us seeking specific performance to require us to acquire their oil and natural gas interests and pay acreage bonus payments, damages based on breach of contract and/or, in certain cases, punitive damages based on alleged fraud. The Company has successfully defended a number of these failure-to-close cases in various courts, has settled and resolved other such cases and disputes and believes that its remaining loss exposure for these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Regarding royalty claims, Chesapeake and other natural gas producers have been named in various lawsuits alleging royalty underpayment. The suits against us allege, among other things, that we used below-market prices, made improper deductions, used improper measurement techniques and/or entered into arrangements with affiliates that resulted in underpayment of royalties in connection with the production and sale of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGL). Plaintiffs have varying royalty provisions in their respective leases, oil and gas law varies from state to state, and royalty owners and producers differ in their interpretation of the legal effect of lease provisions governing royalty calculations. The Company has resolved a number of these claims through negotiated settlements of past and future royalties and has prevailed in various other lawsuits. We are currently defending lawsuits seeking damages with respect to royalty underpayment in various states, including, but not limited to, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. These lawsuits include cases filed by individual royalty owners and putative class actions, some of which seek to certify a statewide class. The Company also has received DOJ, U.S. Postal Service and state subpoenas seeking information on the Company's royalty payment practices.

Chesapeake is defending numerous lawsuits filed by individual royalty owners alleging royalty underpayment with respect to properties in Texas. On April 8, 2015, Chesapeake obtained a transfer order from the Texas Multidistrict Litigation Panel to transfer a substantial portion of these lawsuits filed since June 2014 to the 348th District Court of Tarrant County for pre-trial purposes. These lawsuits, which primarily relate to the Barnett Shale, generally allege that Chesapeake underpaid royalties by making improper deductions and using incorrect production volumes. In addition to allegations of breach of contract, a number of these lawsuits allege fraud, conspiracy, joint venture and antitrust violations by Chesapeake. Chesapeake expects that additional lawsuits will be filed by new plaintiffs making similar allegations. The lawsuits seek direct damages in varying amounts, together with exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, costs and interest. Chesapeake believes its royalty calculations and payment practices were appropriate and has not accrued a loss contingency with respect to the multidistrict litigation.

Putative statewide class actions in Pennsylvania and Ohio and purported class arbitrations in Pennsylvania have been filed on behalf of royalty owners asserting various claims for damages related to alleged underpayment of royalties as a result of the Company's divestiture of substantially all of its midstream business and most of its gathering assets in 2012 and 2013. These cases include claims for violation of and conspiracy to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and one of the cases includes claims of intentional interference with contractual relations and violations of antitrust laws. We have not accrued a loss contingency for any of the Pennsylvania and Ohio matters seeking class certification.

We believe losses are reasonably possible in certain of the other pending royalty cases for which we have not accrued a loss contingency, but we are currently unable to estimate an amount or range of loss or the impact the actions could have on our future results of operations or cash flows. Uncertainties in pending royalty cases generally include the complex nature of the claims and defenses, the potential size of the class in class actions, the scope and types of the properties and agreements involved, and the applicable production years. Based on management's current assessment, we are of the opinion that no pending or threatened lawsuit or dispute relating to the Company's business operations is likely to have a material adverse effect on its future consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The final resolution of such matters could exceed amounts accrued, however, and actual results could differ materially from management's estimates.

Environmental Contingencies

The nature of the oil and gas business carries with it certain environmental risks for Chesapeake and its subsidiaries. Chesapeake has implemented various policies, procedures, training and auditing to reduce and mitigate such environmental risks. Chesapeake conducts periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to assess changes in our environmental risk profile. Environmental reserves are established for environmental liabilities for which economic losses are probable and reasonably estimable. We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities in acquisitions by using an evaluation process that seeks to identify pre-existing contamination or compliance concerns and address the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental concern, Chesapeake may, among other things, exclude a property from the transaction, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction in an acquisition or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property.


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(Unaudited)





Commitments

Gathering, Processing and Transportation Agreements

We have contractual commitments with midstream service companies and pipeline carriers for future gathering, processing and transportation of natural gas and liquids to move certain of our production to market. Working interest owners and royalty interest owners, where appropriate, will be responsible for their proportionate share of these costs. Commitments related to gathering, processing and transportation agreements are not recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets; however, they are reflected as adjustments to oil, natural gas and NGL sales prices used in our proved reserves estimates.

The aggregate undiscounted commitments under our gathering, processing and transportation agreements, excluding any reimbursement from working interest and royalty interest owners, credits for third-party volumes or future costs under cost-of-service agreements, are presented below.

September 30,
2015

($ in millions)

2015

$

461


2016

1,927


2017

1,939


2018

1,741


2019

1,452


2020 – 2099

6,828


Total

$

14,348


In addition, we have entered into long-term agreements for certain natural gas gathering and related services within specified acreage dedication areas in exchange for cost-of-service based fees redetermined annually or tiered fees based on volumes delivered relative to scheduled volumes. Future gathering fees vary with the applicable agreement. One of these agreements in the Anadarko Basin in northwestern Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle contains cost-of-service based fees that are redetermined annually through 2019. The annual upward or downward fee adjustment for this contract is capped at 15% of the then-current fees at the time of redetermination. To the extent the actual rate of return on capital expended by the counterparty over the term of the agreement differs from the applicable rate of return, a payment is due to (from) the midstream service company.

Drilling Contracts

We have contracts with various drilling contractors, including those entered into with SSE in connection with the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014, to utilize drilling services with terms ranging from three months to three years at market-based pricing. These commitments are not recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2015 , the aggregate undiscounted minimum future payments under these drilling service commitments were approximately $321 million .

Pressure Pumping Contracts

In connection with the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014, we entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of SSE for pressure pumping services. The services agreement requires us to utilize, at market-based pricing, the lesser of (i) seven , five and three pressure pumping crews in years one , two and three of the agreement, respectively, or (ii) 50% of the total number of all pressure pumping crews working for us in all of our operating regions during the respective year. We are also required to utilize SSE pressure pumping services for a minimum number of fracture stages as set forth in the agreement. We are entitled to terminate the agreement in certain situations, including if SSE fails to provide the overall quality of service provided by similar service providers. As of September 30, 2015 , the aggregate undiscounted minimum future payments under this agreement were approximately $265 million .


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(Unaudited)





Drilling Commitments

We have committed to drill wells for the benefit of Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust. See Noncontrolling Interests in Note 6 for discussion of this commitment.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Purchase Commitments

We commit to purchase oil, natural gas and NGL from other owners in the properties we operate, including owners associated with our volumetric production payment (VPP) transactions. Production purchases under these arrangements are based on market prices at the time of production, and the purchased oil, natural gas and NGL are resold at market prices. See Volumetric Production Payments in Note 9 for further discussion of our VPP transactions.

Net Acreage Maintenance Commitments

Under the terms of our Barnett and Utica Shale joint venture agreements with Total S.A. (see Joint Ventures in Note 9), we are required to extend, renew or replace expiring joint leasehold, at our cost, to ensure that the net acreage is maintained in certain designated areas as of future measurement dates. In the Current Quarter, we entered into a settlement with Total regarding our acreage maintenance commitment in our Barnett Shale joint venture and accrued a $70 million charge, which is included in impairments of fixed assets and other in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Other Commitments

In July 2011, we agreed to invest $155 million  in preferred equity securities of Sundrop Fuels, Inc. (Sundrop), a privately held cellulosic biofuels company based in Longmont, Colorado. We also provided Sundrop with a one-time option to require us to purchase up to $25 million in additional preferred equity securities following the full payment of the initial investment. To date, we have funded our $155 million commitment in full and Sundrop has not exercised its preferred equity call option. See Note 10 for further discussion of this investment.

As part of our normal course of business, we enter into various agreements providing, or otherwise arranging for, financial or performance assurances to third parties on behalf of our wholly owned guarantor subsidiaries. These agreements may include future payment obligations or commitments regarding operational performance that effectively guarantee our subsidiaries' future performance.

In connection with divestitures, our purchase and sale agreements generally provide indemnification to the counterparty for liabilities incurred as a result of a breach of a representation or warranty by the indemnifying party and/or other specified matters. These indemnifications generally have a discrete term and are intended to protect the parties against risks that are difficult to predict or cannot be quantified at the time of entering into or consummating a particular transaction. For divestitures of oil and gas properties, our purchase and sale agreements may require the return of a portion of the proceeds we receive as a result of uncured title defects.

Certain of our oil and natural gas properties are burdened by non-operating interests such as royalty and overriding royalty interests, including overriding royalty interests sold through our VPP transactions. As the holder of the working interest from which these interests have been created, we have the responsibility to bear the cost of developing and producing the reserves attributable to these interests. See Volumetric Production Payments in Note 9 for further discussion of our VPP transactions.

While executing our strategic priorities, we have incurred certain cash charges, including contract termination charges, restructuring and other termination costs, financing extinguishment costs and charges for unused natural gas transportation and gathering capacity. As we continue to focus on our strategic priorities, we may take certain actions that reduce financial leverage and complexity, and we may incur additional cash and noncash charges.


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(Unaudited)





5.

Other Liabilities

Other current liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below.

September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

($ in millions)

Revenues and royalties due others

$

627


$

1,176


Accrued drilling and production costs

231


385


Joint interest prepayments received

181


189


Accrued compensation and benefits

295


344


Other accrued taxes

105


55


Accrued dividends

43


101


Bank of New York Mellon legal accrual

439


100


Royalty settlement

-


119


Other

453


592


Total other current liabilities

$

2,374


$

3,061


Other long-term liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are detailed below.

September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

($ in millions)

CHK Utica ORRI conveyance obligation (a)

$

198


$

220


CHK C-T ORRI conveyance obligation (b)

-


135


Financing obligations

29


30


Unrecognized tax benefits

25


45


Other

135


249


Total other long-term liabilities

$

387


$

679


____________________________________________

(a)

$20 million and $14 million of the total $218 million and $234 million obligations are recorded in other current liabilities as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. See Noncontrolling Interests in Note 6 for further discussion of the conveyance obligation.

(b)

$23 million of the total $158 million obligation is recorded in other current liabilities as of December 31, 2014. In the Current Quarter, we sold the oil and natural gas properties held by CHK Cleveland Tonkawa, L.L.C. (CHK C-T) and eliminated our ORRI obligation attributable to CHK C-T. See Noncontrolling Interests in Note 6 for further discussion of the transaction.


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6.

Equity

Common Stock

The following is a summary of the changes in our common shares issued for the Current Period and the Prior Period:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

(in thousands)

Shares issued as of January 1

664,944


666,192


Restricted stock issuances (net of forfeitures and cancellations) (a)

85


(2,413

)

Stock option exercises

14


1,267


Shares issued as of September 30

665,043


665,046


___________________________________________

(a)

The Prior Period reflects forfeitures upon the June 2014 spin-off of our oilfield services business.

Preferred Stock

The following reflects the shares outstanding of our preferred stock for the Current Period and the Prior Period:

5.75%

5.75% (A)

4.50%

5.00%

(2005B)  

(in thousands)

Shares outstanding as of January 1, 2015 and 2014 and

shares outstanding as of September 30, 2015 and 2014

1,497


1,100


2,559


2,096


Dividends

Dividends declared on our common stock and preferred stock are reflected as adjustments to retained earnings to the extent a surplus of retained earnings exists after giving effect to the dividends. To the extent retained earnings are insufficient to fund the distributions, dividend declarations are accounted for as a reduction to paid-in capital.

In July 2015, our Board of Directors determined to eliminate quarterly cash dividends on our common stock. Dividends on our outstanding preferred stock are payable quarterly. We may pay dividends on our 5.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2005B) and our 4.50% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock in cash, common stock or a combination thereof, at our option. Dividends on both series of our 5.75% Cumulative Convertible Non-Voting Preferred Stock are payable only in cash.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

For the Current Period and the Prior Period, changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, are detailed below.

Cash Flow

Hedges


Investments

Net Change

($ in millions)

Balance, December 31, 2014

$

(143

)

$

-


$

(143

)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

6


-


6


Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

18


-


18


Net other comprehensive income

24


-


24


Balance, September 30, 2015

$

(119

)

$

-


$

(119

)

Balance, December 31, 2013

$

(167

)

$

5


$

(162

)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

3


-


3


Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

13


(5

)

8


Net other comprehensive income

16


(5

)

11


Balance, September 30, 2014

$

(151

)

$

-


$

(151

)

For the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, into the condensed consolidated statements of operations are detailed below.

Details About Accumulated

Other Comprehensive

Income (Loss) Components

Affected Line Item

in the Statement

Where Net Income is Presented

Amounts Reclassified

($ in millions)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

Net losses on cash flow hedges:

Commodity contracts

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

$

5


Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

$

5


Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Net losses on cash flow hedges:

Commodity contracts

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

$

3


Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

$

3


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

Net losses on cash flow hedges:

Commodity contracts

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

$

18


Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

$

18


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Net losses on cash flow hedges:

Commodity contracts

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

$

13


Investments:

Sale of investment

Net gain on sale of investment

(5

)

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

$

8



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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Noncontrolling Interests

Cleveland Tonkawa Financial Transaction. We formed CHK C-T in March 2012 to continue development of a portion of our oil and natural gas assets in our Cleveland and Tonkawa plays. In exchange for all of the common shares of CHK C-T, we contributed to CHK C-T approximately 245,000 net acres of leasehold and the existing wells within an area of mutual interest in the plays between the top of the Tonkawa and the top of the Big Lime formations covering Ellis and Roger Mills counties in western Oklahoma. In March 2012, in a private placement, third-party investors contributed $1.25 billion in cash to CHK C-T in exchange for (i)  1.25 million preferred shares, and (ii) our obligation to deliver a 3.75% overriding royalty interest (ORRI) in the existing wells and up to 1,000 future net wells to be drilled on the contributed play leasehold. We initially committed to drill and complete, for the benefit of CHK C-T in the area of mutual interest, a minimum cumulative total of 300 net wells. We ultimately drilled and completed 190 net wells, and the drilling commitment was suspended in January 2015.

In the Current Quarter, CHK C-T sold all of its oil and natural gas properties to FourPoint Energy, LLC (FourPoint) and immediately used the consideration received, plus other cash it had on hand, to repurchase and cancel all of the outstanding preferred shares in CHK C-T. Chesapeake is responsible for post-closing adjustments to the purchase price and has certain indemnity obligations in connection with the sale to FourPoint. In connection with the repurchase and cancellation of the CHK C-T preferred stock and related agreements with the CHK C-T investors, we eliminated quarterly preferred dividend payments and all related future drilling and ORRI commitments attributable to CHK C-T. Under the full cost method of accounting, the sale of the oil and natural gas properties was accounted for as a reduction of capitalized costs with no gain or loss recognized.

As of December 31, 2014 , $1.015 billion of noncontrolling interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheets was attributable to CHK C-T. In the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, income of $13 million , $19 million , $50 million and $56 million , respectively, was attributable to the noncontrolling interests of CHK C-T.

Utica Financial Transaction. We formed CHK Utica, L.L.C. (CHK Utica) in October 2011 to develop a portion of our Utica Shale oil and natural gas assets. In exchange for all of the common shares of CHK Utica, we contributed to CHK Utica approximately 700,000 net acres of leasehold and the existing wells within an area of mutual interest in the Utica Shale play covering 13 counties located primarily in eastern Ohio. During November and December 2011, in private placements, third-party investors contributed $1.25 billion in cash to CHK Utica in exchange for (i)  1.25 million preferred shares, and (ii) our obligation to deliver a 3% ORRI in 1,500 net wells to be drilled on certain of our Utica Shale leasehold.

In July 2014, we repurchased all of the outstanding preferred shares of CHK Utica from third-party preferred shareholders for approximately $1.254 billion , or approximately $1,189 per share including accrued dividends. The $447 million difference between the cash paid for the preferred shares and the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest acquired was reflected in retained earnings and as a reduction to net income available to common stockholders for purposes of our EPS computations. Pursuant to the transaction, our obligation to pay quarterly dividends to third-party preferred shareholders was eliminated. In addition, the development agreement was terminated pursuant to the transaction, which eliminated our obligation to drill and complete a minimum number of wells within a specified period for the benefit of CHK Utica. Our repurchase of the outstanding preferred shares in CHK Utica did not affect our obligation to deliver a 3% ORRI in 1,500 net wells on certain Utica Shale leasehold.

The CHK Utica investors' right to receive, proportionately, a 3% ORRI in the first 1,500 net wells drilled on our Utica Shale leasehold is subject to an increase to 4% on net wells earned in any year following a year in which we do not meet our net well commitment under the ORRI obligation, which runs through 2023. However, in no event are we required to deliver to investors more than a total ORRI of 3% in 1,500 net wells. If at any time we hold fewer net acres than would enable us to drill all then-remaining net wells on 150 -acre spacing, the investors have the right to require us to repurchase their right to receive ORRIs in the remaining net wells at the then-current fair market value of the remaining ORRIs. We retain the right to repurchase the investors' right to receive ORRIs in the remaining net wells at the then-current fair market value of the remaining ORRIs once we have drilled a minimum of 1,300 net wells. As of September 30, 2015 , we had drilled 482 net wells. The obligation to deliver future ORRIs has been recorded as a liability which will be settled through the future conveyance of the underlying ORRIs to the investors on a net-well basis, at which time the associated liability will be reversed and the sale of the ORRIs reflected as an adjustment to the capitalized cost of our oil and natural gas properties. Because we did not meet our ORRI commitment in 2012, the


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





ORRI increased to 4% for wells earned in 2013, and the ultimate number of wells in which we must assign an interest will be reduced accordingly. We met our ORRI conveyance commitments as of December 31, 2013 and 2014.

In the Prior Quarter and the Prior Period, income of approximately $6 million and $43 million , respectively, was attributable to the noncontrolling interests of CHK Utica.

Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust. In November 2011, Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust (the Trust) sold 23,000,000 common units representing beneficial interests in the Trust at a price of $19.00 per common unit in its initial public offering. The common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade under the symbol "CHKR". We own 12,062,500 common units and 11,687,500 subordinated units, which in the aggregate represent an approximate 51% beneficial interest in the Trust. The Trust has a total of 46,750,000 units outstanding.

In connection with the Trust's initial public offering, we conveyed royalty interests to the Trust that entitle the Trust to receive (i)  90% of the proceeds (after deducting certain post-production expenses and any applicable taxes) that we receive from the production of hydrocarbons from 69 then-producing wells, and (ii)  50% of the proceeds (after deducting certain post-production expenses and any applicable taxes) in 118 development wells that have been or will be drilled on approximately 45,400 gross acres ( 29,000 net acres) in the Colony Granite Wash play in Washita County in the Anadarko Basin of western Oklahoma. Pursuant to the terms of a development agreement with the Trust, we are obligated to drill and complete, or cause to be drilled and completed, the development wells at our own expense prior to June 30, 2016, and the Trust is not responsible for any costs related to the drilling and completion of the development wells or any other operating or capital costs of the Trust properties. In addition, we granted to the Trust a lien on our remaining interests in the undeveloped properties that are subject to the development agreement in order to secure our drilling obligation to the Trust, although the maximum amount recoverable by the Trust under the lien was limited to $263 million initially and is proportionately reduced as we fulfill our drilling obligation over time. As of September 30, 2015 , we had drilled and completed or caused to be drilled and completed approximately 103 development wells, as calculated under the development agreement, and the maximum amount recoverable under the drilling support lien was approximately $33 million .

The subordinated units we hold in the Trust are entitled to receive pro rata distributions from the Trust each quarter if and to the extent there is sufficient cash to provide a cash distribution on the common units that is not less than the applicable subordination threshold for the quarter. If there is not sufficient cash to fund a distribution on all of the Trust units, the distribution to be made with respect to the subordinated units is reduced or eliminated for the quarter in order to make a distribution, to the extent possible, of up to the subordination threshold amount on the common units. The distribution made with respect to the subordinated units to Chesapeake was either reduced or eliminated for each of the most recent 13 quarters. In exchange for agreeing to subordinate a portion of our Trust units, and in order to provide additional financial incentive to us to satisfy our drilling obligation and perform operations on the underlying properties in an efficient and cost-effective manner, Chesapeake is entitled to receive incentive distributions equal to 50% of the amount by which the cash available for distribution on the Trust units in any quarter exceeds the applicable incentive threshold for the quarter. The remaining 50% of cash available for distribution in excess of the applicable incentive threshold is to be paid to Trust unitholders, including Chesapeake, on a pro rata basis. Through September 30, 2015 , no incentive distributions had been made. At the end of the fourth full calendar quarter following our satisfaction of our drilling obligation with respect to the development wells, the subordinated units will automatically convert into common units on a one-for-one basis and our right to receive incentive distributions will terminate. After this time, the common units will no longer have the protection of the subordination threshold, and all Trust unitholders will share in the Trust's distributions on a pro rata basis.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





For the Current Period and the Prior Period, the Trust declared and paid the following distributions:

Production Period


Distribution Date


Cash Distribution

per

Common Unit


Cash Distribution

per

Subordinated Unit

March 2015 – May 2015

August 31, 2015

$

0.3579


$

-


December 2014 – February 2015

June 1, 2015

$

0.3899


$

-


September 2014 – November 2014

March 2, 2015

$

0.4496


$

-


March 2014 – May 2014

August 29, 2014

$

0.5796


$

-


December 2013 – February 2014

May 30, 2014

$

0.6454


$

-


September 2013 – November 2013

March 3, 2014

$

0.6624


$

-


We have determined that the Trust is a variable interest entity (VIE) and that Chesapeake is the primary beneficiary. As a result, the Trust is consolidated in our condensed consolidated financial statements. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , $264 million and $287 million , respectively, of noncontrolling interests on our condensed consolidated balance sheets were attributable to the Trust. Net income (loss) attributable to the Trust's noncontrolling interests is presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations as income of approximately $1 million in the Current Quarter, income of approximately $6 million in the Prior Quarter, income of a nominal amount in the Current Period and income of approximately $14 million in the Prior Period. See Note 11 for further discussion of VIEs.

7.

Share-Based Compensation

Chesapeake's share-based compensation program consists of restricted stock, stock options and performance share units (PSUs) granted to employees and common stock and restricted stock granted to non-employee directors under our long term incentive plans. The restricted stock and stock options are equity-classified awards and the PSUs are liability-classified awards.

Equity-Classified Awards

Restricted Stock. We grant restricted stock units to employees and non-employee directors. Prior to 2014, we also granted restricted stock awards as equity compensation. We refer to both types of awards as restricted stock. Restricted stock vests over a minimum of three years and the holder receives dividends, if paid, on unvested shares. A summary of the changes in unvested restricted stock during the Current Period is presented below.

Shares of

Unvested

Restricted Stock

Weighted Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

(in thousands)

Unvested restricted stock as of January 1, 2015

10,091


$

21.20


Granted

7,016


$

13.97


Vested

(4,025

)

$

21.78


Forfeited

(899

)

$

17.21


Unvested restricted stock as of September 30, 2015

12,183


$

17.14


The aggregate intrinsic value of restricted stock that vested during the Current Period was approximately $59 million based on the stock price at the time of vesting.

As of September 30, 2015 , there was approximately $149 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.04 years.

The vesting of certain restricted stock grants may result in state and federal income tax benefits, or reductions in these benefits, related to the difference between the market price of the common stock at the date of vesting and the date of grant. During the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, we recognized reductions in tax benefits related to restricted stock of $5 million , $4 million , $11 million and $1 million , respectively. Each adjustment was recorded to additional paid-in capital and deferred income taxes.


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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Stock Options. In the Current Period and the Prior Period, we granted members of senior management stock options that vest ratably over a three -year period. In January 2013, we also granted retention awards of stock options to certain officers that vest one-third on each of the third , fourth and fifth anniversaries of the grant date. Each stock option award has an exercise price equal to the closing price of the Company's common stock on the grant date. Outstanding options expire seven to ten years from the date of grant.

We utilize the Black-Scholes option pricing model to measure the fair value of stock options. The expected life of an option is determined using the simplified method, as there is no adequate historical exercise behavior available. Volatility assumptions are estimated based on an average of historical volatility of Chesapeake stock over the expected life of an option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury rate in effect at the time of the grant over the expected life of the option. The dividend yield is based on an annual dividend yield, taking into account the Company's dividend policy, over the expected life of the option. The Company used the following weighted average assumptions to estimate the grant date fair value of the stock options granted in the Current Period:

Expected option life – years

4.5


Volatility

39.91

%

Risk-free interest rate

1.33

%

Dividend yield

1.91

%

The following table provides information related to stock option activity for the Current Period: 

Number of

Shares

Underlying  

Options

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

Per Share

Weighted  

Average

Contract

Life in

Years

Aggregate  

Intrinsic

Value (a)

(in thousands)

($ in millions)

Outstanding at January 1, 2015

4,599


$

19.55


7.03

$

5


Granted

1,208


$

18.37


Exercised

(14

)

$

18.13


$

-


Expired

(213

)

$

18.54


Forfeited

-


$

-


Outstanding at September 30, 2015

5,580


$

19.33


5.83

$

-


Exercisable at September 30, 2015

2,248


$

19.50


4.86

$

-


___________________________________________

(a)

The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the current market value or the market value upon exercise of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.

As of September 30, 2015 , there was $10 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.80 years .

The vesting of certain stock option grants may result in state and federal income tax benefits, or reductions in these benefits, related to the difference between the market price of the common stock at the date of vesting and the date of grant. During the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, we recognized a reduction in tax benefits related to stock options of nominal amounts. Each adjustment was recorded to additional paid-in capital and deferred income taxes.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Restricted Stock and Stock Option Compensation. We recognized the following compensation costs related to restricted stock and stock options for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

General and administrative expenses

$

9


$

12


$

33


$

36


Oil and natural gas properties

3


6


18


22


Oil, natural gas and NGL production expenses

4


5


14


13


Marketing, gathering and compression expenses

-


2


3


5


Oilfield services expenses

-


-


-


5


Total

$

16


$

25


$

68


$

81


Liability-Classified Awards

Performance Share Units. In 2013, 2014 and 2015, we granted PSUs to senior management that vest ratably over a three -year term and are settled in cash on the third anniversary of the awards. The ultimate amount earned is based on achievement of performance metrics established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which include total shareholder return (TSR) and, for certain of the awards, operational performance goals such as finding and development costs and production and proved reserve growth.

For PSUs granted in 2013, the TSR component can range from 0% to 125% of base salary, and each of the two operational components can range from 0% to 62.5% ; however, the maximum total payout is capped at 200% . For PSUs granted in 2014, the TSR component can range from 0% to 200% , with no operational components. For PSUs granted in 2015, the TSR component can range from 0% to 100% , and each of the two operational components can range from 0% to 50% resulting in a maximum total payout of 200% . The payout percentage for these PSUs is capped at 100% if the Company's absolute TSR is less than zero. Compensation expense associated with PSU grants is recognized over the service period based on the graded-vesting method. The number of units settled is dependent upon the Company's estimates of the underlying performance measures. The Company utilized the Monte Carlo simulation for the TSR performance measure and the following assumptions to determine the grant date fair value of the PSUs:

Volatility

46.36

%

Risk-free interest rate

0.71

%

Dividend yield for value of awards

-

%

The following table presents a summary of our 2013, 2014 and 2015 PSU awards:

Units

Fair Value

as of

Grant Date

Fair Value (a)

Liability for

Vested

Amount (a)

($ in millions)

2013 Awards:

Payable 2016

1,701,941


$

35


$

9


$

9


2014 Awards:

Payable 2017

609,637


$

16


$

1


$

1


2015 Awards:

Payable 2018

696,683


$

13


$

4


$

2


___________________________________________

(a)

As of September 30, 2015 .


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





PSU Compensation. We recognized the following compensation costs (credits) related to PSUs for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

General and administrative expenses

$

(2

)

$

(12

)

$

(16

)

$

(2

)

Restructuring and other termination costs

(1

)

(17

)

(16

)

(11

)

Marketing, gathering and compression

-


(1

)

(1

)

-


Oil and natural gas properties

-


-


(1

)

3


Total

$

(3

)

$

(30

)

$

(34

)

$

(10

)

Effect of the Spin-off on Share-Based Compensation

The employee matters agreement entered into in connection with the June 2014 spin-off of our oilfield services business (see Note 15) addresses the treatment of holders of Chesapeake stock options, restricted stock and PSUs. Unvested equity-based compensation awards held by COO employees were canceled and replaced with new awards of SSE, and unvested equity-based compensation awards held by Chesapeake employees were adjusted to account for the spin-off, each as of the spin-off date. The employee matters agreement provides that employees of SSE ceased to participate in benefit plans sponsored or maintained by Chesapeake as of the spin-off date. In addition, the employee matters agreement provides that as of the spin-off date, each party is responsible for the compensation of its current employees and for all liabilities relating to its former employees, as determined by their respective employer on the date of termination.

8.

Derivative and Hedging Activities

Chesapeake uses commodity derivative instruments to secure attractive pricing and margins on its share of expected production, to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in future commodity prices and to protect its expected operating cash flow against significant market movements or volatility. Chesapeake also uses derivative instruments to mitigate a portion of its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. All of our commodity derivative instruments are net settled based on the difference between the fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

Oil and Natural Gas Derivatives

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , our oil and natural gas derivative instruments consisted of the following types of instruments:

Swaps : Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.

Collars: These instruments contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, Chesapeake receives the fixed price and pays the market price. If the market price is between the put and the call strike prices, no payments are due from either party. Three-way collars include an additional put option in exchange for a more favorable strike price on the call option. This eliminates the counterparty's downside exposure below the second put option strike price.

Options : Chesapeake sells, and occasionally buys, call options in exchange for a premium. At the time of settlement, if the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, Chesapeake pays the counterparty the excess on sold call options, and Chesapeake receives the excess on bought call options. If the market price settles below the fixed price of the call option, no payment is due from either party.

Basis Protection Swaps : These instruments are arrangements that guarantee a fixed price differential to NYMEX from a specified delivery point. Chesapeake receives the fixed price differential and pays the floating market price differential to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.


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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





The estimated fair values of our oil and natural gas derivative instrument assets (liabilities) as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 are provided below. 

September 30, 2015

December 31, 2014

Volume

Fair Value

Volume

Fair Value

($ in millions)  

($ in millions)  

Oil (mmbbl):

Fixed-price swaps

8.0


$

161


12.5


$

471


Three-way collars

1.1


11


4.4


40


Call options

18.1


(9

)

35.8


(89

)

Basis protection swaps

1.6


-


-


-


Total oil

28.8


$

163


52.7


$

422


Natural gas (tbtu):

Fixed-price swaps

295


$

174


275


$

281


Three-way collars

36


28


207


165


Call options

193


(107

)

193


(170

)

Basis protection swaps

75


(4

)

60


23


Total natural gas

599


$

91


735


$

299


Total estimated fair value

$

254


$

721


We have terminated certain commodity derivative contracts that were previously designated as cash flow hedges for which the hedged production is still expected to occur. See further discussion below under Effect of Derivative Instruments – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) .

Interest Rate Derivatives

As of September 30, 2015 , there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding. As of December 31, 2014 , our interest rate derivative instruments consisted of swaps. We enter into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (we receive a fixed interest rate and pay a floating market rate) to mitigate our exposure to changes in the fair value of our senior notes. We enter into floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps (we receive a floating market rate and pay a fixed interest rate) to manage our interest rate exposure related to our bank credit facility borrowings.

The notional amount of our interest rate derivatives associated with our long-term debt as of December 31, 2014 was $850 million . The estimated fair value of our interest rate derivative liabilities as of December 31, 2014 was $17 million .

We have terminated certain fair value hedges related to certain of our senior notes. Gains and losses related to these terminated hedges will be amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the remaining term of the related senior notes. Over the next six years , we will recognize $8 million in net gains related to these transactions.

Foreign Currency Derivatives

We are party to cross currency swaps to mitigate our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations that may result from the €344 million principal amount of our euro-denominated senior notes. The terms of the cross currency swaps were based on the dollar/euro exchange rate on the issuance date of $1.3325 to €1.00. Under the terms of the cross currency swaps we currently hold, on each semi-annual interest payment date, the counterparties pay us €11 million and we pay the counterparties $17 million , which yields an annual dollar-equivalent interest rate of 7.491% . Upon maturity of the notes, the counterparties will pay us €344 million and we will pay the counterparties $459 million . The swaps are designated as cash flow hedges and, because they are entirely effective in having eliminated any potential variability in our expected cash flows related to changes in foreign exchange rates, changes in their fair value do not impact earnings. The fair values of the cross currency swaps are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as liabilities of $76 million and $53 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The euro-denominated debt in long-term debt has been adjusted to $384 million as of September 30, 2015 , using an exchange rate of $1.1177 to €1.00.


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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Supply Contract Derivatives


From time to time and in the normal course of business, our marketing subsidiary enters into supply contracts under which we commit to deliver a predetermined quantity of natural gas to certain counterparties in an attempt to earn attractive margins. Under certain contracts, we receive a sales price that is based on the price of a product other than natural gas, thereby creating an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation. In one of these supply contracts, we are committed to supply a minimum of 90 bbtu per day of natural gas through March 2025. In the Current Quarter and the Current Period, we recorded revenues of approximately $36 million and $63 million , respectively, for settlements of this embedded derivative. The bifurcated derivative was measured at fair value as of September 30, 2015 , which resulted in unrealized gains of $70 million and $291 million in the Current Quarter and Current Period, respectively. Both settlements and mark-to-market gains (losses) are included in marketing, gathering and compression revenues in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Effect of Derivative Instruments – Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

The following table presents the fair value and location of each classification of derivative instrument included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 on a gross basis and after same-counterparty netting: 

Balance Sheet Classification

Gross

Fair Value

Amounts Netted

in Condensed Consolidated

Balance Sheet

Net Fair Value Presented

in Condensed Consolidated

Balance Sheet

($ in millions)

As of September 30, 2015

Commodity Contracts:

Short-term derivative asset

$

370


$

(71

)

$

299


Long-term derivative asset

12


(3

)

9


Short-term derivative liability

(95

)

71


(24

)

Long-term derivative liability

(33

)

3


(30

)

Total commodity contracts

254


-


254


Foreign Currency Contracts: (a)

Long-term derivative liability

(76

)

-


(76

)

Total foreign currency contracts

(76

)

-


(76

)

Supply Contracts:

Short-term derivative asset

43


-


43


Long-term derivative asset

248


-


248


Total supply contracts

291


-


291


Total derivatives

$

469


$

-


$

469



27

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Balance Sheet Classification

Gross

Fair Value

Amounts Netted

in Condensed Consolidated

Balance Sheet

Net Fair Value Presented

in Condensed Consolidated

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2014

Commodity Contracts:

Short-term derivative asset

$

974


$

(95

)

$

879


Long-term derivative asset

16


(10

)

6


Short-term derivative liability

(105

)

95


(10

)

Long-term derivative liability

(163

)

10


(153

)

Total commodity contracts

722


-


722


Interest Rate Contracts:

Short-term derivative liability

(5

)

-


(5

)

Long-term derivative liability

(12

)

-


(12

)

Total interest rate contracts

(17

)

-


(17

)

Foreign Currency Contracts: (a)

Long-term derivative liability

(53

)

-


(53

)

Total foreign currency contracts

(53

)

-


(53

)

Total derivatives

$

652


$

-


$

652


____________________________________________

(a)

Designated as cash flow hedging instruments.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , we did not have any cash collateral balances for these derivatives.

Effect of Derivative Instruments – Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

The components of oil, natural gas and NGL revenues for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period are presented below. 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

$

653


$

1,777


$

2,353


$

5,842


Gains (losses) on undesignated oil and natural gas derivatives

234


569


369


(5

)

Losses on terminated cash flow hedges

(7

)

(5

)

(29

)

(25

)

Total oil, natural gas and NGL revenues

$

880


$

2,341


$

2,693


$

5,812



28

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





The components of marketing, gathering and compression revenues for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period are presented below.

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Marketing, gathering and compression revenues (a)

$

1,943


$

3,362


$

5,703


$

9,543


Gains on undesignated supply contract derivatives

70


-


290


-


Total marketing, gathering and compression revenues

$

2,013


$

3,362


$

5,993


$

9,543


____________________________________________

(a)

Current Quarter and Current Period settlements of $41 million and $77 million , respectively, on supply contracts accounted for as derivatives are included in marketing, gathering and compression revenues.

The components of interest expense for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period are presented below. 

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Interest expense on senior notes

$

171


$

170


$

513


$

534


Interest expense on term loan

-


-


-


36


Amortization of loan discount, issuance costs and other

14


9


37


44


Interest expense on credit facilities

2


6


8


22


Gains on terminated fair value hedges

-


-


(2

)

(2

)

(Gains) losses on undesignated interest rate derivatives

-


2


(10

)

(48

)

Capitalized interest

(99

)

(170

)

(336

)

(504

)

Total interest expense

$

88


$

17


$

210


$

82



29

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Effect of Derivative Instruments – Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

A reconciliation of the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in our condensed consolidated statements of stockholders' equity related to our cash flow hedges is presented below.

Three Months Ended September 30,

2015

2014

Before 

Tax  

After 

Tax  

Before 

Tax  

After 

Tax  

($ in millions)

Balance, beginning of period

$

(211

)

$

(131

)

$

(243

)

$

(154

)

Net change in fair value

12


7


-


-


Losses reclassified to income

7


5


5


3


Balance, end of period

$

(192

)

$

(119

)

$

(238

)

$

(151

)

Nine Months Ended September 30,

2015

2014

Before 

Tax  

After 

Tax  

Before 

Tax  

After 

Tax  

($ in millions)

Balance, beginning of period

$

(231

)

$

(143

)

$

(269

)

$

(167

)

Net change in fair value

10


6


6


3


Losses reclassified to income

29


18


25


13


Balance, end of period

$

(192

)

$

(119

)

$

(238

)

$

(151

)

Approximately $118 million of the $119 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss as of September 30, 2015 represented the net deferred loss associated with commodity derivative contracts that were previously designated as cash flow hedges for which the hedged production is still expected to occur. Deferred gain or loss amounts will be recognized in earnings in the month in which the originally forecasted hedged production occurs. As of September 30, 2015 , we expect to transfer approximately $20 million of net loss included in accumulated other comprehensive income to net income (loss) during the next 12 months. The remaining amounts will be transferred by December 31, 2022.

Credit Risk Considerations

Over-the-counter traded derivative instruments and our supply contracts expose us to our counterparties' credit risk. To mitigate this risk, we enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are rated investment grade and deemed by management to be competent and competitive market makers, and we attempt to limit our exposure to non-performance by any single counterparty. As of September 30, 2015 , our oil, natural gas, interest rate and supply contract derivative instruments were spread among 17 counterparties.

Hedging Arrangements

As of September 30, 2015 , our secured commodity hedging facility with nine counterparties provided approximately 444 mmboe of hedging capacity for oil, natural gas and NGL price derivatives and 444 mmboe for basis derivatives with an aggregate mark-to-market capacity of $7.1 billion . The facility is secured by proved reserves, the value of which must cover the fair value of the transactions outstanding under the facility by at least 1.65 times at semi-annual collateral redetermination dates and 1.30 times in between those dates, and guarantees by certain subsidiaries that also guarantee our revolving credit facility and indentures. We have significant flexibility with regard to releases and/or substitutions of pledged reserves, provided that certain requirements are met including maintaining specified collateral coverage ratios as well as maintaining credit ratings with either of the designated rating agencies at or above current levels. The counterparties' obligations under the facility must be secured by cash or short-term U.S. treasury instruments to the extent that any mark-to-market amounts owed to us exceed defined thresholds. As of September 30, 2015 , we had hedged under the facility 27.3 mmboe of our future production with price derivatives and 1.2 mmboe with basis derivatives.


30

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





In April 2015, we also began entering into bilateral hedging agreements with the intention of replacing and terminating the respective counterparties' positions in the secured hedging facility. In the Current Period, we entered into bilateral arrangements that reduced the aggregate mark-to-market capacity under the secured hedging facility from $16.5 billion to $7.1 billion . The counterparties' and our obligations under the bilateral hedging agreements must be secured by cash or letters of credit to the extent that any mark-to-market amounts owed to us or by us exceed defined thresholds. As of September 30, 2015 , we had hedged under bilateral agreements 87.2 mmboe of our future production with price derivatives and 12.9 mmboe with basis derivatives.

Fair Value

The fair value of our derivatives is based on third-party pricing models which utilize inputs that are either readily available in the public market, such as oil and natural gas forward curves and discount rates, or can be corroborated from active markets or broker quotes. These values are compared to the values given by our counterparties for reasonableness. Since oil, natural gas, interest rate and cross currency swaps do not include optionality and therefore generally have no unobservable inputs, they are classified as Level 2. All other derivatives have some level of unobservable input, such as volatility curves, and are therefore classified as Level 3. Derivatives are also subject to the risk that either party to a contract will be unable to meet its obligations. We factor non-performance risk into the valuation of our derivatives using current published credit default swap rates. To date, this has not had a material impact on the values of our derivatives.

The following table provides information for financial assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 :

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2) 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

Total

Fair Value

($ in millions)

As of September 30, 2015

Derivative Assets (Liabilities):

Commodity assets

$

-


$

343


$

39


$

382


Commodity liabilities

-


(12

)

(116

)

(128

)

Interest rate liabilities

-


-


-


-


Foreign currency liabilities

-



(76

)

-


(76

)

Supply contract assets

-


-


291


291


Total derivatives

$

-


$

255


$

214


$

469


As of December 31, 2014

Derivative Assets (Liabilities):

Commodity assets

$

-


$

784


$

205


$

989


Commodity liabilities

-


(9

)

(259

)

(268

)

Interest rate liabilities

-


(17

)

-


(17

)

Foreign currency liabilities

-


(53

)

-


(53

)

Supply contract assets

-


-


1


1


Total derivatives

$

-


$

705


$

(53

)

$

652




31

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





A summary of the changes in the fair values of Chesapeake's financial assets (liabilities) classified as Level 3 during the Current Period and the Prior Period is presented below.

Commodity

Derivatives

Supply

Contracts

($ in millions)

Beginning balance as of January 1, 2015

$

(54

)

$

1


Total gains (losses) (unrealized):

Included in earnings (a)

99


281


Total purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:

Settlements

(122

)

9


Ending balance as of September 30, 2015

$

(77

)

$

291


Beginning balance as of January 1, 2014

$

(478

)

$

-


Total gains (losses) (unrealized):

Included in earnings (a)

53


-


Total purchases, issuances, sales and settlements:

Settlements

124


-


Transfers (b)

(4

)

-


Ending balance as of September 30, 2014

$

(305

)

$

-


___________________________________________

(a)

Oil, Natural Gas

and NGL

Sales

Marketing, Gathering and Compression Revenue

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Total gains (losses) included in earnings for the period

$

99


$

53


$

281


$

-


Change in unrealized gains (losses) related to assets still held at reporting date

$

72


$

60


$

281


$

-


(b)

The values related to basis swaps were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 as a result of our ability to begin using data readily available in the public market to corroborate our estimated fair values.

Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Unobservable Inputs for Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

The significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 derivative contracts include unpublished forward prices of oil and natural gas market volatility and credit risk of counterparties. Changes in these inputs impact the fair value measurement of our derivative contracts. For example, an increase or decrease in the forward prices and volatility of oil and natural gas prices decreases or increases the fair value of oil and natural gas derivatives and adverse changes to our counterparties' creditworthiness decreases the fair value of our derivatives. The following table presents quantitative information about Level 3 inputs used in the fair value measurement of our commodity derivative contracts at fair value as of September 30, 2015 :

Instrument

Type

Unobservable

Input

Range

Weighted

Average

Fair Value

September 30, 2015

($ in millions)

Oil trades (a)

Oil price volatility curves

23.69% – 37.51%

31.70%

$

2


Supply contracts (b)

Oil price volatility curves

20.22% – 44.86%

23.82%

$

291


Natural gas trades (a)

Natural gas price volatility

curves

19.76% – 61.06%

31.31%

$

(79

)

___________________________________________

(a)

Fair value is based on an estimate derived from option models.

(b)

Fair value is based on an estimate derived from industry standard methodologies which consider historical relationships among various commodities, modeled market prices, time value and volatility factors.


32

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





9.

Oil and Natural Gas Property Transactions

In the Current Quarter, CHK C-T sold all of its oil and natural gas properties to FourPoint and immediately used the consideration, plus other cash it had on hand, to repurchase and cancel all of CHK C-T's outstanding preferred shares. In a related transaction, we sold noncore properties adjacent to the CHK C-T properties to FourPoint for approximately $90 million .

In the Prior Quarter, we exchanged interests in approximately 440,000 gross acres in the Powder River Basin in southeastern Wyoming with RKI Exploration & Production, LLC (RKI). Under the agreement, we conveyed to RKI approximately 137,000 net acres and our interest in 67 gross wells with an average working interest of approximately 22% in the northern portion of the Powder River Basin, where RKI was the designated operator. In exchange, RKI conveyed to us approximately 203,000 net acres and its interest in 186 gross wells with an average working interest of 48% in the southern portion of the Powder River Basin, where we were the designated operator. In conjunction with the exchange, we paid RKI approximately $450 million in cash.

During the Prior Quarter, we sold noncore leasehold interests in the Marcellus Shale to Rice Drilling B LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rice Energy Inc. (NYSE:RICE), for net proceeds of $233 million .

During the Prior Quarter, we sold noncore leasehold interests, producing properties and 61 wellhead compressor units in South Texas to Hilcorp Energy Company for net proceeds of $133 million . Operating obligations related to VPP #5 were also transferred. See Volumetric Production Payments below.

During the Current Period and the Prior Period, excluding proceeds received from selling additional interests in our joint venture leasehold described under Joint Ventures below, we received proceeds related to divestitures of other noncore oil and natural gas properties of approximately $52 million and $335 million , respectively.

Under full cost accounting rules, we accounted for the sales of oil and natural gas properties discussed above as adjustments to capitalized costs, with no recognition of gain or loss as the sales have not involved a significant change in proved reserves or significantly altered the relationship between costs and proved reserves.

Joint Ventures

Between July 2008 and June 2013, we entered into eight significant joint ventures with other leading energy companies, including Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production (Sinopec), Total S.A. (Total), CNOOC Limited, Statoil, BP America and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (formerly known as Plains Exploration & Production Company), pursuant to which we sold portions ranging from 20% to 50% of certain leasehold, producing properties and other assets located in eight different resource plays. In return, we received aggregate cash proceeds of $8.0 billion and commitments by our joint venture partners to pay, in the aggregate, our share of future drilling and completion costs of $9.0 billion . In each of these joint ventures, Chesapeake serves as the operator and conducts all drilling, completion and operations, the majority of leasing and, in certain transactions, marketing activities for the project. Each joint venture partner is responsible for its proportionate share of drilling and completion costs as a working interest owner and, if applicable, pays a specified percentage of our drilling and completion costs in designated wells. As of September 30, 2015 , we had utilized all drilling carries from our joint venture partners. During the Current Period and the Prior Period, our drilling and completion costs included the benefit of approximately $51 million and $535 million , respectively, in drilling and completion carries paid by our joint venture partners.

During the Current Period and the Prior Period, we sold interests in additional leasehold we acquired in the Marcellus, Barnett, Utica, Eagle Ford shales and Mid-Continent plays to our joint venture partners for approximately $30 million and $24 million , respectively.


33

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





Volumetric Production Payments

From time to time, we have sold certain of our producing assets located in more mature producing regions through the sale of VPPs. A VPP is a limited-term overriding royalty interest in oil and natural gas reserves that (i) entitles the purchaser to receive scheduled production volumes over a period of time from specific lease interests; (ii) is free and clear of all associated future production costs and capital expenditures; (iii) is nonrecourse to the seller (i.e., the purchaser's only recourse is to the reserves acquired); (iv) transfers title of the reserves to the purchaser; and (v) allows the seller to retain all production beyond the specified volumes, if any, after the scheduled production volumes have been delivered. For all of our VPP transactions, we novated to each of the respective VPP buyers hedges that covered all VPP volumes sold. If contractually scheduled volumes exceed the actual volumes produced from the VPP wellbores that are attributable to the ORRI conveyed, either the shortfall will be made up from future production from these wellbores (or, at our option, from our retained interest in the wellbores) through an adjustment mechanism, or the initial term of the VPP will be extended until all scheduled volumes, to the extent produced, are delivered from the VPP wellbores to the VPP buyer. We retain drilling rights on the properties below currently producing intervals and outside of producing wellbores.

As the operator of the properties from which the VPP volumes have been sold, we bear the cost of producing the reserves attributable to these interests, which we include as a component of production expenses and production taxes in our condensed consolidated statements of operations in the periods these costs are incurred. As with all non-expense-bearing royalty interests, volumes conveyed in a VPP transaction are excluded from our estimated proved reserves; however, the estimated production expenses and taxes associated with VPP volumes expected to be delivered in future periods are included as a reduction of the future net cash flows attributable to our proved reserves for purposes of determining our full cost ceiling test for impairment purposes and in determining our standardized measure. Pursuant to SEC guidelines, the estimates used for purposes of determining the cost center ceiling and the standardized measure are based on current costs. Our commitment to bear the costs on any future production of VPP volumes is not reflected as a liability on our balance sheet. The costs that will apply in the future will depend on the actual production volumes as well as the production costs and taxes in effect during the periods in which the production actually occurs, which could differ materially from our current and historical costs, and production may not occur at the times or in the quantities projected, or at all.

For accounting purposes, cash proceeds from the sale of VPPs were reflected as a reduction of oil and natural gas properties with no gain or loss recognized, and our proved reserves were reduced accordingly. We have also committed to purchase natural gas and liquids associated with our VPP transactions. Production purchased under these arrangements is based on market prices at the time of production, and the purchased natural gas and liquids are resold at market prices.

As of September 30, 2015 , our outstanding VPPs consisted of the following:

Volume Sold

VPP #

Date of VPP        

Location

Proceeds

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

($ in millions)

(mmbbl)

 (bcf)

(mmbbl)

(bcfe)

10

March 2012

Anadarko Basin Granite

Wash

$

744


3.0


87


9.2


160


9

May 2011

Mid-Continent

853


1.7


138


4.8


177


4

December 2008

Anadarko and Arkoma

Basins

412


0.5


95


-


98


3

August 2008

Anadarko Basin

600


-


93


-


93


2

May 2008

Texas, Oklahoma and

Kansas

622


-


94


-


94


1

December 2007

Kentucky and West

Virginia

1,100


-


208


-


208


$

4,331


5.2


715


14.0


830



34

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





The volumes produced on behalf of our VPP buyers during the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period were as follows:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

VPP #

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(mbbl)

 (bcf)

 (mbbl)

 (bcfe)

(mbbl)

 (bcf)

 (mbbl)

 (bcfe)

10

76.0


2.1


253.3


4.0


98.0


2.6


314.5


5.0


9

41.4


3.6


92.9


4.3


46.1


3.8


101.5


4.7


   8 (a)

-


8.9


-


8.9


-


14.8


-


14.8


  6 (b)

-


-


-


-


6.0


1.1


-


1.1


  5 (b)

-


-


-


-


4.2


1.2


-


1.2


4

10.5


2.0


-


2.0


11.9


2.2


-


2.3


3

-


1.6


-


1.6


-


1.8


-


1.8


2

-


1.0


-


1.0


-


1.1


-


1.1


1

-


3.2


-


3.2


-


3.4


-


3.4


127.9


22.4


346.2


25.0


166.2


32.0


416.0


35.4


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

VPP #

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(mbbl)

 (bcf)

 (mbbl)

 (bcfe)

(mbbl)

 (bcf)

 (mbbl)

 (bcfe)

10

237.0


6.5


798.3


12.7


310.0


8.1


989.6


15.8


9

127.5


10.8


284.8


13.2


142.6


11.7


311.9


14.4


   8 (a)

-


36.5


-


36.5


-


45.7


-


45.7


   6 (b)

-


-


-


-


18.0


3.3


-


3.4


   5 (b)

-


-


-


-


16.5


4.6


-


4.7


4

32.2


6.1


-


6.2


36.5


6.8


-


7.0


3

-


4.9


-


4.9


-


5.5


-


5.5


2

-


3.1


-


3.1


-


5.1


-


5.1


1

-


10.0


-


10.0


-


10.4


-


10.4


396.7


77.9


1,083.1


86.6


523.6


101.2


1,301.5


112.0


____________________________________________

(a)

VPP #8 expired in August 2015.

(b)

In 2014, we divested the properties associated with VPP #5 and VPP #6.

The volumes remaining to be delivered on behalf of our VPP buyers as of September 30, 2015 were as follows:

Volume Remaining as of September 30, 2015

VPP #

Term Remaining

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(in months)

 (mmbbl)

 (bcf)

 (mmbbl)

 (bcfe)

10

77

1.1


31.5


3.9


61.3


9

65

0.7


62.5


1.7


76.6


4

15

-


9.3


-


9.6


3

46

-


19.1


-


19.1


2

43

-


10.8


-


10.8


1

87

-


81.6


-


81.6


1.8


214.8


5.6


259.0



35

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





10.

Investments

A summary of our investments, including our approximate ownership percentage and carrying value as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , is presented below.

Approximate

Ownership %

Carrying

Value

Accounting

Method

September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

September 30,
2015

December 31,
2014

($ in millions)

FTS International, Inc.

Equity

30%

30%

$

88


$

116


Sundrop Fuels, Inc.

Equity

56%

56%

119


130


Other

-

-%

-%

18


19


Total investments

$

225


$

265


FTS International, Inc. FTS International, Inc. (FTS), based in Fort Worth, Texas, is a privately held company that, through its subsidiaries, provides hydraulic fracturing and other services to oil and gas companies. During the Current Period, we recorded negative equity method and other adjustments, prior to intercompany profit eliminations, of $72 million for our share of FTS' net loss and an accretion adjustment of $44 million related to the excess of our underlying equity in net assets of FTS over our carrying value.

Sundrop Fuels, Inc. Sundrop Fuels, Inc. (Sundrop), based in Longmont, Colorado, is a privately held cellulosic biofuels company that is constructing a nonfood biomass-based "green gasoline" plant. During the Current Period, we recorded an $18 million charge related to our share of Sundrop's net loss and $7 million of capitalized interest associated with the construction of Sundrop's plant. The carrying value of our investment in Sundrop was in excess of our underlying equity in net assets by approximately $85 million as of September 30, 2015 and will be amortized over the life of the plant once it is placed into service.

Sold Investments

Chaparral Energy, Inc. Chaparral Energy, Inc. (Chaparral), based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a private independent oil and natural gas company engaged in the production, acquisition and exploitation of oil and natural gas properties. In the Prior Period, we sold all of our interest in Chaparral for net cash proceeds of $209 million . We recorded a $73 million gain related to the sale.

Other. In the Prior Period, we sold an equity investment in a natural gas trading and management firm for cash proceeds of $30 million and recorded a loss of $6 million associated with the transaction.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





11.

Variable Interest Entities

We consolidate the activities of VIEs for which we are the primary beneficiary. In order to determine whether we own a variable interest in a VIE, we perform a qualitative analysis of the entity's design, organizational structure, primary decision makers and relevant agreements.

Consolidated VIE

Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust . For a discussion of the formation, operations and presentation of the Trust, see Noncontrolling Interests in Note 6. The Trust is considered a VIE due to the lack of voting or similar decision-making rights by its equity holders regarding activities that have a significant effect on the economic success of the Trust. Our ownership in the Trust and our obligations under the development agreement and related drilling support lien constitute variable interests. We have determined that we are the primary beneficiary of the Trust because (i) we have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the Trust via our obligations to perform under the development agreement, and (ii) as a result of the subordination and incentive thresholds applicable to the subordinated units we hold in the Trust, we have the obligation to absorb losses and the right to receive residual returns that potentially could be significant to the Trust. As a result, we consolidate the Trust in our financial statements, and the common units of the Trust owned by third parties are reflected as a noncontrolling interest.

The Trust is a consolidated entity whose legal existence is separate from Chesapeake and our other consolidated subsidiaries, and the Trust is not a guarantor of any of Chesapeake's debt. The creditors or beneficial holders of the Trust have no recourse to the general credit of Chesapeake; however, we have certain obligations to the Trust through the development agreement that are secured by a drilling support lien on our retained interest in the development wells up to a specified maximum amount recoverable by the Trust, which could result in the Trust acquiring all or a portion of our retained interest in the undeveloped portion of an area of mutual interest, if we do not meet our drilling commitment. In consolidation, as of September 30, 2015 , $1 million of cash and cash equivalents, $488 million of proved oil and natural gas properties, $397 million of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization and $11 million of other current liabilities were attributable to the Trust. We have presented parenthetically on the face of the condensed consolidated balance sheets the assets of the Trust that can be used only to settle obligations of the Trust and the liabilities of the Trust for which creditors do not have recourse to the general credit of Chesapeake.

Unconsolidated VIE

Mineral Acquisition Company I, L.P. In 2012, MAC-LP, L.L.C., a wholly owned non-guarantor unrestricted subsidiary of Chesapeake, entered into a partnership agreement with KKR Royalty Aggregator LLC (KKR) to form Mineral Acquisition Company I, L.P. The purpose of the partnership is to acquire mineral interests, or royalty interests carved out of mineral interests, in oil and natural gas basins in the continental United States. We are committed to acquire for our own account (outside the partnership) 10% of any acquisition agreed upon by the partnership up to a maximum of $25 million , and the partnership will acquire the remaining 90% up to a maximum of $225 million , funded entirely by KKR, making KKR the sole equity investor. We have significant influence over the decisions made by the partnership, as we hold two of five seats on the board of directors. We will receive proportionate distributions from the partnership of any cash received from royalties in excess of expenses paid, ranging from 7% to 22.5% . The partnership is considered a VIE because KKR's control over the partnership is disproportionate to its economic interest. This VIE remains unconsolidated as the power to direct the activities of the partnership is shared between the Company and KKR. We are using the equity method to account for this investment. The carrying value of our investment was $10 million as of September 30, 2015 .


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





12.

Other Property and Equipment

Net (Gains) Losses on Sales of Fixed Assets

A summary by asset class of (gains) or losses on sales of fixed assets for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period is as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Natural gas compressors

$

(1

)

$

(75

)

$

(1

)

$

(195

)

Gathering systems and treating plants

1


(5

)

1


8


Oilfield services equipment

-


-


-


(7

)

Buildings and land

(1

)

(6

)

-


(5

)

Other

-


-


3


(2

)

Total net (gains) losses on sales of fixed assets

$

(1

)

$

(86

)

$

3


$

(201

)

In the Prior Quarter, as part of a divestiture of noncore oil and natural gas properties in South Texas, we sold 61 compressors and related equipment to Hilcorp Energy Company for $19 million and recorded a $6 million gain on the sale. In the Prior Period, we sold 499 compressors and related equipment to Exterran Partners, L.P. for approximately $495 million , which included the sale of 162 compressors and related equipment for approximately $133 million in the Prior Quarter. We recorded a $161 million gain associated with the transactions, which included a $68 million gain in the Prior Quarter. In the Prior Period, we also sold 102 compressors and related equipment to Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (ACMP) for proceeds of approximately $159 million . We recorded a $24 million gain associated with the transaction.

Assets Held for Sale

We are continuing to pursue the sale of buildings and land located primarily in Oklahoma, West Virginia and the Fort Worth, Texas area. Buildings and land are recorded within our other segment. These assets are being actively marketed, and we believe it is probable they will be sold over the next 12 months. As a result, these assets are reflected as held for sale as of September 30, 2015 . Oil and natural gas properties that we intend to sell are not presented as held for sale pursuant to the rules governing full cost accounting for oil and gas properties. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , we had $94 million and $93 million , respectively, of buildings and land, net of accumulated depreciation, classified as assets held for sale on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





13.

Impairments

Impairments of Oil and Natural Gas Properties

On a quarterly basis, we analyze our unproved leasehold and transfer to proved properties leasehold that can be associated with proved reserves, leasehold that expired in the quarter and leasehold that is no longer part of our development strategy and will be abandoned. As commodity prices have decreased significantly over the past 12 months, we transferred, in the Current Quarter, unproved leasehold having a cost of approximately $1.0 billion that would not be a part of our development strategy going forward. The acreage is noncore and is spread out across most of our operating areas.

Our proved oil and natural gas properties are subject to quarterly full cost ceiling tests. Under the ceiling test, capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues (adjusted for cash flow hedges) less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves, less any related income tax effects. Estimated future net revenues for the quarterly ceiling limit are calculated using the average of commodity prices on the first day of the month over the trailing 12-month period. In the Current Quarter and the Current Period, capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties exceeded the ceiling, resulting in an impairment in the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties of $5.416 billion and $15.407 billion , respectively. Cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2015 , which related to future periods, increased the ceiling test impairment by $184 million . Based on the first-day-of the-month prices we have received over the 11 months ended November 1, 2015, we expect to record another material write-down in the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties in the fourth quarter of 2015. Further material write-downs in subsequent quarters will occur if the trailing 12-month commodity prices continue to fall as compared to the commodity prices used in prior quarters.

Impairments of Fixed Assets and Other

Compressors. In the Current Period, we recorded a $21 million impairment related to 466 compressors that were sold in the Current Quarter for the difference between the aggregate sales price of $63 million and the carrying value.

Contract Termination Charges . In the Current Period, as a result of reductions in our planned drilling activity in response to declines in oil and natural gas prices, we terminated contracts with drilling contractors and incurred charges of $7 million . Further contract termination charges in subsequent quarters may occur if commodity prices remain low or continue to decline. The contract termination charges are included in our exploration and production operating segment.

Oilfield Services Equipment. In the Prior Period, we purchased 31 leased rigs and equipment from various lessors for an aggregate purchase price of $140 million . In connection with these purchases, we paid $8 million in early lease termination costs, which are included in impairments of fixed assets and other in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. In addition, we recognized an impairment loss of approximately $15 million related to leasehold improvements associated with these assets. The drilling rigs and equipment are included in our former oilfield services operating segment.

Other. In the Current Period, we recorded a $47 million loss contingency related to contract disputes. In the Current Quarter and the Current Period, we recorded a $9 million and $22 million impairment of a note receivable as a result of the increased credit risk associated with declining commodity prices. In addition, under the terms of our joint venture agreements (see Note 9), we are required to extend, renew or replace certain expiring joint leasehold, at our cost, to ensure that the net acreage is maintained in certain designated areas. In the Current Quarter, we entered into a settlement with Total regarding our acreage maintenance commitment in our Barnett Shale joint venture and accrued a $70 million charge. In the Prior Period, we revised our estimate of our net acreage shortfall with Total under the terms of our Barnett Shale joint venture agreement and recorded a $22 million charge. See Note 4 for additional discussion regarding our net acreage maintenance commitments.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements. Fair value measurements for certain of the impairments discussed above were based on recent sales information for comparable assets. As the fair value was estimated using the market approach based on recent prices from orderly sales transactions for comparable assets between market participants, these values were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Other inputs used were not observable in the market; these values were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





14.

Restructuring and Other Termination Costs

Workforce Reduction

On September 29, 2015, we reduced our workforce by approximately 15% as part of an overall plan to reduce costs and better align our workforce with the needs of our business and current oil and natural gas commodity prices. In connection with the reduction, we incurred a total charge of approximately $55 million in the Current Quarter for one-time termination benefits, all of which will be paid in cash in the 2015 fourth quarter.

Other

We recognized a credit of $16 million in the Current Period related to negative fair value adjustments to PSUs granted to former executives of the Company which corresponded to a decrease in the trading price of our common stock. The Prior Period amount included $15 million of charges incurred in connection with the spin-off of our oilfield services business and senior management separations.

15.

Spin-Off of Oilfield Services Business

On June 30, 2014, we completed the spin-off of our oilfield services business, which we previously conducted through our indirect, wholly owned subsidiary COO, into SSE, an independent, publicly traded company. Following the close of business on June 30, 2014, we distributed to Chesapeake shareholders one share of SSE common stock and cash in lieu of fractional shares for every 14 shares of Chesapeake common stock held on June 19, 2014, the record date for the distribution.

Prior to the completion of the spin-off, we and COO and its affiliates engaged in the following series of transactions:

COO and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a $275 million senior secured revolving credit facility and a $400 million secured term loan, the proceeds of which were used to repay in full and terminate COO's then-existing credit facility.

COO distributed to us its compression unit manufacturing business, its geosteering business and the proceeds from the sale of substantially all of its crude oil hauling business. See Note 12 for further discussion of the sale.

We transferred to a subsidiary of COO, at carrying value, certain of our buildings and land, most of which COO had been leasing from us prior to the spin-off.

COO issued $500 million of 6.5% Senior Notes due 2022 in a private placement and used the net proceeds to make a cash distribution of approximately $391 million to us, to repay a portion of outstanding indebtedness under the new revolving credit facility and for general corporate purposes.

COO converted from a limited liability company into Seventy Seven Energy Inc., a publicly-traded corporation.

We distributed all of SSE's outstanding shares to our shareholders, which resulted in SSE becoming an independent, publicly traded company.

Following the spin-off, we have no ownership interest in SSE. Therefore, we ceased to consolidate SSE's assets and liabilities as of the spin-off date. Because we expect to have significant continued involvement associated with SSE's future operations through the various agreements we entered into in connection with the spin-off, our former oilfield services segment's historical financial results for periods prior to the spin-off continue to be included in our historical financial results as a component of continuing operations. For segment disclosures, we have labeled our oilfield services segment as "Former Oilfield Services". See Note 18 for additional information regarding our segments.

In the Prior Period, our stockholders' equity decreased by $270 million , net of $152 million of associated deferred tax liabilities, as the result of the spin-off, and we recognized $15 million of charges associated with the spin-off that are included in restructuring and other termination costs on our consolidated statement of operations.


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





16.

Income Taxes

A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, including net operating losses, is recognized when it is more likely than not that some or all of the benefit from the deferred tax asset will not be realized. To assess that likelihood, we use estimates and judgment regarding our future taxable income, and we consider the tax consequences in the jurisdiction where such taxable income is generated, to determine whether a valuation allowance is required. Such evidence can include our current financial position, our results of operations, both actual and forecasted, the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, and tax planning strategies as well as the current and forecasted business economics of our industry.  

Based on the material write-downs of the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties and our expected operating results in the 2015 fourth quarter, we project being in a net deferred tax asset position at December 31, 2015. We believe it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated is the projected cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ending December 31, 2015. Such objective negative evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective positive evidence, such as our projections for future growth. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as future expected growth.

17.

Fair Value Measurements

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Other Current Assets. Assets related to Chesapeake's deferred compensation plan are included in other current assets. The fair value of these assets is determined using quoted market prices as they consist of exchange-traded securities.

Other Current Liabilities . Liabilities related to Chesapeake's deferred compensation plan are included in other current liabilities. The fair values of these liabilities are determined using quoted market prices as the plan consists of exchange-traded mutual funds.

Financial Assets (Liabilities) . The following table provides fair value measurement information for the above-noted financial assets (liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 :

Quoted

Prices in

Active

Markets

(Level 1)

Significant

Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2) 

Significant

Unobservable

Inputs

(Level 3)

Total

Fair Value

($ in millions)

As of September 30, 2015

Financial Assets (Liabilities):

Other current assets

$

58


$

-


$

-


$

58


Other current liabilities

(60

)

-


-


(60

)

Total

$

(2

)

$

-


$

-


$

(2

)

As of December 31, 2014

Financial Assets (Liabilities):

Other current assets

$

57


$

-


$

-


$

57


Other current liabilities

(58

)

-


-


(58

)

Total

$

(1

)

$

-


$

-


$

(1

)


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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





See Note 3 for information regarding fair value measurement of our debt instruments. See Note 8 for information regarding fair value measurement of our derivatives.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

See Note 13 regarding nonrecurring fair value measurements.

18.

Segment Information

As of September 30, 2015 , we have two reportable operating segments, each of which is managed separately because of the nature of its operations. The exploration and production operating segment is responsible for finding and producing oil, natural gas and NGL. The marketing, gathering and compression operating segment is responsible for marketing, gathering and compression of oil, natural gas and NGL. In addition, prior to the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014, our former oilfield services operating segment was responsible for drilling, oilfield trucking, oilfield rentals, hydraulic fracturing and other oilfield services operations for both Chesapeake-operated wells and wells operated by third parties. Our former oilfield services segment's historical financial results for periods prior to the spin-off continue to be included in our historical financial results as a component of continuing operations, as reflected in the table below.

Management evaluates the performance of our segments based upon income (loss) before income taxes. Revenues from the sale of oil, natural gas and NGL related to Chesapeake's ownership interests by our marketing, gathering and compression operating segment are reflected as revenues within our exploration and production operating segment. These amounts totaled $1.046 billion , $2.150 billion , $3.483 billion and $6.746 billion for the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. Revenues generated by our former oilfield services operating segment for work performed for Chesapeake's exploration and production operating segment were reclassified to the full cost pool based on Chesapeake's ownership interest. Revenues reclassified totaled $544 million for the Prior Period. No income was recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations related to oilfield services performed for Chesapeake-operated wells.


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(Unaudited)





The following table presents selected financial information for Chesapeake's operating segments:

Exploration

and

Production

Marketing,

Gathering

and

Compression 

Former

Oilfield

Services  

Other  

Intercompany

Eliminations

Consolidated 

Total

($ in millions)

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2015

Revenues

$

853


$

3,059


$

-


$

-


$

(1,019

)

$

2,893


Intersegment revenues

27


(1,046

)

-


-


1,019


-


Total revenues

$

880


$

2,013


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

2,893


Income (Loss) Before

Income Taxes

$

(5,625

)

$

70


$

-


$

(37

)

$

16


$

(5,576

)

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2014

Revenues

$

2,341


$

5,512


$

-


$

-


$

(2,150

)

$

5,703


Intersegment revenues

-


(2,150

)

-


-


2,150


-


Total revenues

$

2,341


$

3,362


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

5,703


Income (Loss) Before

Income Taxes

$

987


$

113


$

-


$

(63

)

$

92


$

1,129


Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2015

Revenues

$

2,614


$

9,476


$

-


$

-


$

(3,404

)

$

8,686


Intersegment revenues

79


(3,483

)

-


-


3,404


-


Total revenues

$

2,693


$

5,993


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

8,686


Income (Loss) Before

Income Taxes

$

(16,759

)

$

208


$

-


$

(82

)

$

369


$

(16,264

)

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2014

Revenues

$

5,812


$

16,289


$

1,060


$

30


$

(7,290

)

$

15,901


Intersegment revenues

-


(6,746

)

(544

)

-


7,290


-


Total revenues

$

5,812


$

9,543


$

516


$

30


$

-


$

15,901


Income (Loss) Before

Income Taxes

$

2,089


$

325


$

(16

)

$

(24

)

$

(128

)

$

2,246


As of

September 30, 2015

Total Assets

$

15,646


$

1,711


$

-


$

4,342


$

(413

)

$

21,286


As of

December 31, 2014

Total Assets

$

35,381


$

1,978


$

-


$

4,283


$

(891

)

$

40,751




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(Unaudited)





19.

Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

Chesapeake Energy Corporation is a holding company, owns no operating assets and has no significant operations independent of its subsidiaries. Our obligations under our outstanding senior notes and contingent convertible senior notes listed in Note 3 are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by certain of our 100% owned subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis. Subsidiaries with noncontrolling interests, consolidated variable interest entities and certain de minimis subsidiaries are non-guarantors. Our former oilfield services subsidiaries were separately capitalized and were not guarantors of our debt obligations.

The tables below are condensed consolidating financial statements for Chesapeake Energy Corporation (parent) on a stand-alone, unconsolidated basis, and its combined guarantor and combined non-guarantor subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014. This financial information may not necessarily be indicative of our results of operations, cash flows or financial position had these subsidiaries operated as independent entities.


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(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

($ in millions)

Parent  

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,849


$

12


$

1


$

(103

)

$

1,759


Restricted cash

-


-


-


-


-


Other

69


1,736


15


-


1,820


Intercompany receivable, net

24,909


-


457


(25,366

)

-


Total Current Assets

26,827


1,748


473


(25,469

)

3,579


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

Oil and natural gas properties, at cost

based on full cost accounting, net

-


13,503


98


1,125


14,726


Other property and equipment, net

-


2,139


-


-


2,139


Property and equipment

held for sale, net

-


94


-


-


94


Total Property and Equipment,

Net

-


15,736


98


1,125


16,959


LONG-TERM ASSETS:

Other assets

112


626


10


-


748


Investments in subsidiaries and

intercompany advances

(10,358

)

788


-


9,570


-


TOTAL ASSETS

$

16,581


$

18,898



$

581



$

(14,774

)

$

21,286


CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Current liabilities

$

1,529


$

3,118


$

13


$

(103

)

$

4,557


Intercompany payable, net

-


24,788


-


(24,788

)

-


Total Current Liabilities

1,529


27,906


13


(24,891

)

4,557


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

Long-term debt, net

10,674


-


-


-


10,674


Deferred income tax liabilities

(5

)

516


32


31


574


Other long-term liabilities

101


834


-


-


935


Total Long-Term Liabilities

10,770


1,350


32


31


12,183


EQUITY:

Chesapeake stockholders' equity

4,282


(10,358

)

536


9,822


4,282


Noncontrolling interests

-


-


-


264


264


Total Equity

4,282


(10,358

)

536


10,086


4,546


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

16,581


$

18,898


$

581


$

(14,774

)

$

21,286



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(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2014

($ in millions)

Parent

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

4,100


$

2


$

84


$

(78

)

$

4,108


Restricted cash

-


-


38


-


38


Other

55


3,174


93


-


3,322


Intercompany receivable, net

24,527


-


341


(24,868

)

-


Total Current Assets

28,682


3,176


556


(24,946

)

7,468


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

Oil and natural gas properties, at cost

based on full cost accounting, net

-


28,358


1,112


673


30,143


Other property and equipment, net

-


2,276


3


-


2,279


Property and equipment

held for sale, net

-


93


-


-


93


Total Property and Equipment,

Net

-


30,727


1,115


673


32,515


LONG-TERM ASSETS:

Other assets

153


618


26


(29

)

768


Investments in subsidiaries and

intercompany advances

126


467


-


(593

)

-


TOTAL ASSETS

$

28,961


$

34,988


$

1,697


$

(24,895

)

$

40,751


CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Current liabilities

$

792


$

5,081


$

68


$

(78

)

$

5,863


Intercompany payable, net

-


24,940


-


(24,940

)

-


Total Current Liabilities

792


30,021


68


(25,018

)

5,863


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

Long-term debt, net

11,154


-


-


-


11,154


Deferred income tax liabilities

-


3,751


234


200


4,185


Other long-term liabilities

112


1,090


142


-


1,344


Total Long-Term Liabilities

11,266


4,841


376


200


16,683


EQUITY:

Chesapeake stockholders' equity

16,903


126


1,253


(1,379

)

16,903


Noncontrolling interests

-


-


-


1,302


1,302


Total Equity

16,903


126


1,253


(77

)

18,205


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

$

28,961


$

34,988


$

1,697


$

(24,895

)

$

40,751





46

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

($ in millions)

Parent  

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

REVENUES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL

$

-


$

855


$

25


$

-


$

880


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


2,013


-


-


2,013


Total Revenues

-


2,868


25


-


2,893


OPERATING EXPENSES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL production

-


245


6


-


251


Production taxes

-


25


-


-


25


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


1,955


-


-


1,955


General and administrative

1


47


1


-


49


Restructuring and other termination costs

-


53


-


-


53


Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation,

depletion and amortization

-


478


11


(1

)

488


Depreciation and amortization of other

assets

-


31


-


-


31


Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

-


5,412


37


(33

)

5,416


Impairments of fixed assets and other

-


79


-


-


79


Net gains on sales of fixed assets

-


(1

)

-


-


(1

)

Total Operating Expenses

1


8,324


55


(34

)

8,346


LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

(1

)

(5,456

)

(30

)

34


(5,453

)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense

(182

)

(58

)

-


152


(88

)

Losses on investments

-


(33

)

-


-


(33

)

Other income (expense)

140


(113

)

-


(29

)

(2

)

Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiary

(4,594

)

(50

)

-


4,644


-


Total Other Expense

(4,636

)

(254

)

-


4,767


(123

)

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

(4,637

)

(5,710

)


(30

)


4,801


(5,576

)

INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)

15


(985

)

7


26


(937

)

NET LOSS

(4,652

)

(4,725

)

(37

)

4,775


(4,639

)

Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interests

-


-


-


(13

)

(13

)

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE

TO CHESAPEAKE

(4,652

)

(4,725

)

(37

)

4,762


(4,652

)

Other comprehensive income

8


4


-


-


12


COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE

$

(4,644

)

$

(4,721

)

$

(37

)

$

4,762


$

(4,640

)


47

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

($ in millions)

Parent 

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

REVENUES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL

$

-


$

2,223


$

118


$

-


$

2,341


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


3,361


1


-


3,362


Total Revenues

-


5,584


119


-


5,703


OPERATING EXPENSES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL production

-


289


9


-


298


Production taxes

-


61


1


-


62


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


3,368


1


-


3,369


General and administrative

-


59


1


-


60


Restructuring and other termination costs

-


(14

)

-


-


(14

)

Provision for legal contingencies

-


100


-


-


100


Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation,

depletion and amortization

-


662


44


(18

)

688


Depreciation and amortization of other

assets

-


37


-


-


37


Impairment of oil and natural gas
properties

-


-


104


(104

)

-


Impairments of fixed assets and other

-


15


-


-


15


Net gains on sales of fixed assets

-


(86

)

-


-


(86

)

Total Operating Expenses

-


4,491


160


(122

)

4,529


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

-


1,093


(41

)

122


1,174


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense

(178

)

(11

)

-


172


(17

)

Losses on investments

-


(27

)

-


-


(27

)

Other income

56


119


(4

)

(172

)

(1

)

Equity in net earnings (losses) of

subsidiary

737


(58

)

-


(679

)

-


Total Other Income (Expense)

615


23


(4

)

(679

)

(45

)

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

615


1,116


(45

)

(557

)

1,129


INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

(47

)

454


(17

)

47


437


NET INCOME (LOSS)

662


662


(28

)

(604

)

692


Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interests

-


-


-


(30

)

(30

)

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE

TO CHESAPEAKE

662


662


(28

)

(634

)

662


Other comprehensive income (loss)

-


3


-


-


3


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE

$

662


$

665


$

(28

)

$

(634

)

$

665




48

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

($ in millions)

Parent  

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

REVENUES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL

$

-


$

2,583


$

110


$

-


$

2,693


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


5,993


-


-


5,993


Total Revenues

-


8,576


110


-


8,686


OPERATING EXPENSES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL production

-


799


27


-


826


Production taxes

-


85


2


-


87


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


5,750


1


-


5,751


General and administrative

3


168


3


-


174


Restructuring and other termination costs

-


39


-


-


39


Provision for legal contingencies

339


20


-


-


359


Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation,

depletion and amortization

-


1,727


66


(20

)

1,773


Depreciation and amortization of other

assets

-


100


-


-


100


Impairment of oil and natural gas properties

-


15,395


443


(431

)

15,407


Impairments of fixed assets and other

-


167


-


-


167


Net losses on sales of fixed assets

-


3


-


-


3


Total Operating Expenses

342


24,253


542


(451

)

24,686


LOSS FROM OPERATIONS

(342

)

(15,677

)

(432

)

451


(16,000

)

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense

(532

)

(133

)

-


455


(210

)

Losses on investments

-


(57

)

-


-


(57

)

Other income

100


5


-


(102

)

3


Equity in net earnings (losses) of subsidiary

(11,908

)

(381

)

-


12,289


-


Total Other Expense

(12,340

)

(566

)

-


12,642


(264

)

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

(12,682

)

(16,243

)

(432

)

13,093


(16,264

)

INCOME TAX BENEFIT

(182

)

(3,720

)

(101

)

189


(3,814

)

NET LOSS

(12,500

)

(12,523

)

(331

)

12,904


(12,450

)

Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interests

-


-


-


(50

)

(50

)

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE

TO CHESAPEAKE

(12,500

)

(12,523

)

(331

)

12,854


(12,500

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

6


18


-


-


24


COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE

$

(12,494

)

$

(12,505

)

$

(331

)

$

12,854


$

(12,476

)


49

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

($ in millions)

Parent 

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

REVENUES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL

$

-


$

5,505


$

310


$

(3

)

$

5,812


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


9,539


4


-


9,543


Oilfield services

-


41


983


(478

)

546


Total Revenues

-


15,085


1,297


(481

)

15,901


OPERATING EXPENSES:

Oil, natural gas and NGL production

-


837


31


-


868


Production taxes

-


181


4


-


185


Marketing, gathering and compression

-


9,512


3


-


9,515


Oilfield services

-


53


769


(391

)

431


General and administrative

-


182


47


-


229


Restructuring and other termination costs

-


9


3


-


12


Provision for legal contingencies

-


100


-


-


100


Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation,

depletion and amortization

-


1,910


124


(57

)

1,977


Depreciation and amortization of other

assets

-


116


142


(64

)

194


Impairment of oil and natural gas
properties

-


-


202


(202

)

-


Impairments of fixed assets and other

-


52


23


-


75


Net gains on sales of fixed assets

-


(194

)

(7

)

-


(201

)

Total Operating Expenses

-


12,758


1,341


(714

)

13,385


INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS

-


2,327


(44

)

233


2,516


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

Interest expense

(524

)

(14

)

(42

)

498


(82

)

Losses on investments

-


(69

)

(5

)

2


(72

)

Net gain on sales of investments

-


67


-


-


67


Losses on purchases of debt

(195

)

-


-


-


(195

)

Other income (expense)

535


3


(2

)

(524

)

12


Equity in net earnings (losses) of

subsidiary

1,391


(167

)

-


(1,224

)

-


Total Other Income (Expense)

1,207


(180

)

(49

)

(1,248

)

(270

)

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

1,207


2,147


(93

)

(1,015

)

2,246


INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)

(70

)

884


(36

)

81


859


NET INCOME (LOSS)

1,277


1,263


(57

)

(1,096

)

1,387


Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interests

-


-


-


(110

)

(110

)

NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE

TO CHESAPEAKE

1,277


1,263


(57

)

(1,206

)

1,277


Other comprehensive income

3


8


-


-


11


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHESAPEAKE

$

1,280


$

1,271


$

(57

)

$

(1,206

)

$

1,288





50

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2015

($ in millions)

Parent  

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

CASH FLOWS FROM

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Cash Provided By

Operating Activities

$

-


$

950


$

105


$

-


$

1,055


CASH FLOWS FROM

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Drilling and completion costs

-


(2,633

)

(63

)

-


(2,696

)

Acquisitions of proved and unproved properties

-


(407

)

-


-


(407

)

Proceeds from divestitures of proved and unproved properties

-


151


37


-


188


Additions to other property and equipment

-


(118

)

4


-


(114

)

Other investing activities

-


60


52


12


124


Net Cash Used In

Investing Activities

-


(2,947

)

30


12


(2,905

)

CASH FLOWS FROM

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Cash paid to repurchase noncontrolling interest of CHK C-T

-


-


(143

)

-


(143

)

Other financing activities

(631

)

387


(75

)

(37

)

(356

)

Intercompany advances, net

(1,620

)

1,620


-


-


-


Net Cash Used In

Financing Activities

(2,251

)

2,007


(218

)

(37

)

(499

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(2,251

)

10



(83

)


(25

)

(2,349

)

Cash and cash equivalents,

beginning of period

4,100


2


84


(78

)

4,108


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

1,849


$

12


$

1


$

(103

)

$

1,759



51

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

($ in millions)

Parent

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Non-

Guarantor

Subsidiaries

Eliminations

Consolidated

CASH FLOWS FROM

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Cash Provided By

Operating Activities

$

-


$

3,423


$

382


$

-


$

3,805


CASH FLOWS FROM

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Drilling and completion costs

-


(3,090

)

(95

)

-


(3,185

)

Acquisitions of proved and unproved properties

-


(1,020

)

(3

)

-


(1,023

)

Proceeds from divestitures of proved and unproved properties

-


722


1


-


723


Additions to other property and equipment

-


(424

)

(251

)

-


(675

)

Other investing activities

-


1,162


60


-


1,222


Net Cash Used In

Investing Activities

-


(2,650

)

(288

)

-


(2,938

)

CASH FLOWS FROM

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Proceeds from credit facilities borrowings

-


2,856


717


-


3,573


Payments on credit facilities borrowings

-


(2,797

)

(1,099

)

-


(3,896

)

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of discount and offering costs

2,966


-


494


-


3,460


Proceeds from issuance of oilfield services term loan, net of issuance costs

-


-


394


-


394


Cash paid to purchase debt

(3,362

)

-


-


-


(3,362

)

Other financing activities

(293

)

(1,352

)

(127

)

(11

)

(1,783

)

Intercompany advances, net

(99

)

520


(421

)

-


-


Net Cash Used In

Financing Activities

(788

)

(773

)

(42

)

(11

)

(1,614

)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(788

)

-


52


(11

)

(747

)

Cash and cash equivalents,

beginning of period

799


-


38


-


837


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

$

11


$

-


$

90


$

(11

)

$

90






52

Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)

(Unaudited)





20.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued updated revenue recognition guidance to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and international financial reporting standards. The new standard requires the recognition of revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration the company expects to receive in the exchange. The accounting standards update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016, with early application not permitted. In July 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date as well as permission to early adopt the new revenue recognition standard as of the original effective date.  We are evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update on the presentation of debt issuance costs. The update requires 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 recognition and measurement guidance for debt issuance costs is not affected by the update. For public entities, the guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and it is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update which allows for line-of-credit arrangements to be handled consistently with the presentation of debt issuance costs update issued in April 2015. For public entities, the guidance is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and it is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.


53

Table of Contents


ITEM 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Financial Data

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our production volumes, oil, natural gas and NGL sales, average sales prices received, and other operating income and expenses for the periods indicated:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

Net Production:

Oil (mmbbl)

10.5


10.9


32.3


31.1


Natural gas (bcf)

263.0


282.0


802.2


813.4


NGL (mmbbl)

7.0


8.8


21.0


24.1


Oil equivalent (mmboe) (a)

61.3


66.8


187.0


190.7


Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales ($ in millions):

Oil sales

$

434


$

1,005


$

1,442


$

2,933


Oil derivatives – realized gains (losses) (b)

224


(77

)

641


(288

)

Oil derivatives – unrealized gains (losses) (b)

(100

)

456


(444

)

354


Total oil sales

558


1,384


1,639


2,999


Natural gas sales

228


569


859


2,324


Natural gas derivatives – realized gains (losses) (b)

70


19


341


(221

)

Natural gas derivatives – unrealized gains (losses) (b)

33


166


(198

)

125


Total natural gas sales

331


754


1,002


2,228


NGL sales

(9

)

203


52


585


Total NGL sales

(9

)

203


52


585


Total oil, natural gas and NGL sales

$

880


$

2,341


$

2,693


$

5,812


Average Sales Price (excluding gains (losses) on derivatives):

Oil ($ per bbl)

$

41.25


$

91.87


$

44.57


$

94.28


Natural gas ($ per mcf)

$

0.87


$

2.02


$

1.07


$

2.86


NGL ($ per bbl)

$

(1.38

)

$

22.95


$

2.46


$

24.31


Oil equivalent ($ per boe)

$

10.63


$

26.62


$

12.57


$

30.63


Average Sales Price (including realized gains (losses) on derivatives):

Oil ($ per bbl)

$

62.68


$

84.81


$

64.40


$

85.04


Natural gas ($ per mcf)

$

1.14


$

2.09


$

1.50


$

2.59


NGL ($ per bbl)

$

(1.38

)

$

22.95


$

2.46


$

24.31


Oil equivalent ($ per boe)

$

15.45


$

25.74


$

17.83


$

27.96



54

Table of Contents


Three Months Ended
September 30,

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

2015

2014

Other Operating Income (c)  ($ in millions):

Marketing, gathering and compression net margin (d)

$

58


$

(7

)

$

242


$

28


Oilfield services net margin

$

-


$

-


$

-


$

115


Expenses ($ per boe):

Oil, natural gas and NGL production

$

4.09


$

4.47


$

4.42


$

4.55


Production taxes

$

0.42


$

0.94


$

0.47


$

0.97


General and administrative (e)

$

0.79


$

0.90


$

0.93


$

1.20


Oil, natural gas and NGL depreciation, depletion and amortization

$

7.95


$

10.31


$

9.48


$

10.36


Depreciation and amortization of other assets

$

0.51


$

0.55


$

0.53


$

1.02


Interest expense (f)

$

1.41


$

0.16


$

1.17


$

0.65


Interest Expense ($ in millions):

Interest expense

$

88


$

15


$

222


$

132


Interest rate derivatives – realized (gains) losses (g)

(2

)

(4

)

(4

)

(9

)

Interest rate derivatives – unrealized (gains) losses (g)

2


6


(8

)

(41

)

Total interest expense

$

88


$

17


$

210


$

82


___________________________________________

(a)

Oil equivalent is based on six mcf of natural gas to one barrel of oil or one barrel of NGL. This ratio reflects an energy content equivalency and not a price or revenue equivalency.

(b)

Realized gains (losses) include the following items: (i) settlements of undesignated derivatives related to current period production revenues, (ii) prior period settlements for option premiums and for early-terminated derivatives originally scheduled to settle against current period production revenues, and (iii) gains (losses) related to de-designated cash flow hedges originally designated to settle against current period production revenues. Unrealized gains (losses) include the change in fair value of open derivatives scheduled to settle against future period production revenues offset by amounts reclassified as realized gains (losses) during the period.

(c)

Includes revenue and operating costs. See Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets under Results of Operations for details of the depreciation and amortization associated with our marketing, gathering and compression and former oilfield services operating segments.

(d)

The Current Quarter and the Current Period include unrealized gains of $70 million and $290 million, respectively, on the fair value of our supply contract derivatives. See Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for discussion related to these instruments.

(e)

Includes share-based compensation but excludes restructuring and other termination costs.

(f)

Includes the effects of realized (gains) losses from interest rate derivatives, excludes the effects of unrealized (gains) losses from interest rate derivatives and is shown net of amounts capitalized.

(g)

Realized (gains) losses include settlements related to the current period interest accrual and the effect of (gains) losses on early-terminated trades. Settlements of early-terminated trades are reflected in realized (gains) losses over the original life of the hedged item. Unrealized (gains) losses include changes in the fair value of open interest rate derivatives offset by amounts reclassified to realized (gains) losses during the period.


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Overview

Chesapeake is currently the second-largest producer of natural gas and the 12th largest producer of oil and natural gas liquids (NGL) in the United States. We own interests in approximately 43,300 oil and natural gas wells and produced an average of approximately 667 mboe per day in the Current Quarter, net to our interest. We have a large and geographically diverse resource base of onshore U.S. unconventional natural gas and liquids assets. We have leading positions in the liquids-rich resource plays of the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas; the Utica Shale in Ohio and Pennsylvania; the Anadarko Basin in northwestern Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle; and the Niobrara Shale in the Powder River Basin in Wyoming. Our natural gas resource plays are the Haynesville/Bossier Shales in northwestern Louisiana and East Texas; the Marcellus Shale in the northern Appalachian Basin in Pennsylvania; and the Barnett Shale in the Fort Worth Basin of north-central Texas. We also own oil and natural gas marketing and natural gas gathering and compression businesses.

Our Strategy

With substantial leasehold positions in premier U.S. onshore resource plays, Chesapeake is focused on finding and producing hydrocarbons in a responsible and efficient manner that seeks to maximize shareholder returns. We are committed to increasing our profitability and decreasing our financial complexity through the execution of our business strategy, which consists of four fundamental tenets: financial discipline, profitable and efficient growth from captured resources, exploration and business development. Our near-term strategy includes maximizing liquidity, improving margins, preserving cash flow generating capability and using our speed, operating efficiency and capital allocation as strengths.

We are applying financial discipline to all aspects of our business with the primary goal of continuing to increase financial and operational flexibility through value-driven spending and lower business costs. In addition, we will continue to strive towards balancing capital expenditures with cash flows. As a result of our focus on financial discipline, our combined production and general and administrative expenses decreased to $4.88 per boe in the Current Quarter compared to $5.37 per boe in the Prior Quarter and to $5.35 per boe in the Current Period compared to $5.75 per boe in the Prior Period. As part of a broader effort to decrease our financial complexity and increase our liquidity, we recently amended our revolving credit facility to give us greater flexibility and access to our liquidity, eliminated quarterly dividends on our common stock and eliminated future preferred share dividends and drilling and overriding royalty interest commitments related to our CHK Cleveland Tonkawa (CHK C-T) subsidiary. We are also evaluating additional asset sales, joint ventures and farmouts to increase our liquidity and future cash flow. Additionally, we recently restructured certain of our gathering agreements to improve our per unit gathering rates beginning in 2016, enhance volume growth, satisfy minimum volume commitment obligations and increase realized pricing per mcf of natural gas. We expect the new agreements will improve our drilling economics and operational efficiency. See Recent Developments below.

Our substantial inventory of hydrocarbon resources, including our undeveloped acreage inventory, provides a strong foundation for future growth. We have seen and continue to see increased efficiencies through our leveraging of first-well investments made in prior periods, including drilling on pre-existing pads. In addition, through operational improvements, we are experiencing increased well productivity from larger completions and lower production declines. We have a competitive capital allocation process designed to optimize our asset portfolio and identify the highest quality projects for future investment. To better understand our opportunities for continuous improvement, we benchmark our performance against that of our peers and evaluate the performance of completed projects. We also pay careful attention to safety, regulatory compliance and environmental stewardship measures while executing our strategy.

Although our substantial inventory of hydrocarbon resources provides a strong foundation, we believe exploration and business development are also key opportunities for future growth. We believe we will have opportunities to enhance or expand our portfolio through leveraging our innovative technology and expertise, exploring and exploiting new domestic resources, pursuing international growth opportunities and targeting strategic acquisitions. We believe these platforms will increase shareholder returns in the future.


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Operating Results

Our Current Quarter production of 61 mmboe consisted of 11 mmbbls of oil ( 17% on an oil equivalent basis), 263 bcf of natural gas ( 72% on an oil equivalent basis), and 7 mmbbls of NGL ( 11% on an oil equivalent basis). Our daily production for the Current Quarter averaged approximately 667 mboe, a decrease of 8% from the Prior Quarter. Compared to the Prior Quarter, average daily oil production decreased by 4% , or approximately 4 mbbls per day; average daily natural gas production decreased by 7% , or approximately 207 mmcf per day; and average daily NGL production decreased by 21% , or approximately 20 mbbls per day. Our oil, natural gas and NGL production decreased as a result of the sales of certain of our Cleveland and Tonkawa assets in August 2015 and southern Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale assets in 2014. In addition, our natural gas production decreased due primarily to shut-in volume from our curtailment in the Marcellus and Utica Shales. Adjusted for asset sales, our total daily production increased 3% in the Current Quarter compared to the Prior Quarter. Our oil, natural gas and NGL revenues (excluding gains or losses on oil and natural gas derivatives) decrease d approximately $1.124 billion to $653 million in the Current Quarter compared to $1.777 billion in the Prior Quarter, primarily due to significant decreases in the prices received for oil, natural gas and NGL sold. See Results of Operations below for additional details.

Our Current Period production of 187 mmboe consisted of 32 mmbbls of oil ( 17% on an oil equivalent basis), 802 bcf of natural gas ( 72% on an oil equivalent basis), and 21 million mmbbls of NGL ( 11% on an oil equivalent basis). Our daily production for the Current Period averaged approximately 685 mboe, a decrease of 2% from the Prior Period. Compared to the Prior Period, average daily oil production increased by 4% , or approximately 5 mbbls per day; average daily natural gas production decreased by 1% , or approximately 41 mmcf per day; and average daily NGL production decreased by 13% , or approximately 11 mbbls per day. Our natural gas and NGL production decreased primarily as a result of the sales of certain of our Cleveland and Tonkawa assets in August 2015 and southern Marcellus Shale and Utica Shale assets in 2014. In addition, our natural gas production decreased due primarily to shut-in volume from our curtailment in the Marcellus and Utica Shales. Adjusted for asset sales, our total daily production increased 10% in the Current Period compared to the Prior Period. Our oil, natural gas and NGL revenues (excluding gains or losses on oil and natural gas derivatives) decrease d approximately $3.490 billion to $2.352 billion in the Current Period compared to $5.842 billion in the Prior Period, primarily due to significant decreases in the prices received for oil, natural gas and NGL sold. See Results of Operations below for additional details.

Capital Expenditures

Our drilling and completion capital expenditures during the Current Quarter were approximately $467 million and capital expenditures for the acquisition of unproved properties, geological and geophysical costs and other property and equipment were approximately $57 million, for a total of approximately $524 million. In the Current Quarter, we operated an average of 18 rigs, a decrease of 51 rigs compared to the Prior Quarter. As a result of lower drilling and completion activity, partially offset by a reduction in drilling carries received from our joint venture partners, drilling and completion expenditures decreased approximately $774 million in the Current Quarter compared to the Prior Quarter. The level of capital expenditures for the acquisition of unproved properties, geological and geophysical costs and other property and equipment decreased approximately $54 million, or 46%, compared to the Prior Quarter.

Our capitalized interest was approximately $99 million and $170 million in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. Including capitalized interest, total capital investments were approximately $623 million in the Current Quarter compared to $1.5 billion for the Prior Quarter, a decrease of 59%.

Our drilling and completion capital expenditures during the Current Period were approximately $2.6 billion and capital expenditures for the acquisition of unproved properties, geological and geophysical costs and other property and equipment were approximately $176 million, for a total of approximately $2.7 billion. In the Current Period, we operated an average of 33 rigs, a decrease of 33 rigs compared to the Prior Period. As a result of lower drilling and completion activity, partially offset by a reduction in drilling carries received from our joint venture partners and significant well completion costs incurred in the Current Period for wells that had been drilled, but not completed, in prior periods, drilling and completion expenditures decreased approximately $546 million in the Current Period compared to the Prior Period. The level of capital expenditures for the acquisition of unproved properties, geological and geophysical costs and other property and equipment decreased approximately $241 million compared to the Prior Period. The reduction is primarily the result of the elimination of capital expenditures for our former oilfield services business which was spun off in June 2014. In the Prior Period, we also purchased rigs and compressors previously sold under long-term lease arrangements for approximately $474 million as part of a strategic initiative to reduce complexity and future commitments as well as to facilitate asset sales and the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014.


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Our capitalized interest was approximately $336 million and $504 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. Including capitalized interest, total capital investments were approximately $3.1 billion in the Current Period compared to $4.0 billion for the Prior Period, a decrease of 24%.

Based on planned activity levels for the remainder of 2015, we project that full-year 2015 capital expenditures for drilling and completion, leasehold, geological and geophysical and other property and equipment will be $3.4 billion to $3.9 billion, inclusive of capitalized interest. The decrease from the $6.7 billion spent in 2014 is primarily driven by reduced activity as a result of substantially lower oil and natural gas prices in 2015 compared to 2014. See Liquidity and Capital Resources for additional information on how we plan to fund our capital budget.

Recent Developments

Chairman of the Board

On October 12, 2015, we announced that R. Brad Martin has been appointed non-executive Chairman of our Board of Directors, replacing Archie W. Dunham. Mr. Martin was appointed to our Board of Directors in June 2012. As part of the transition, Mr. Dunham will remain a director and has been named Chairman Emeritus.

Credit Facility Amendment

On September 30, 2015, we entered into an amendment to our $4.0 billion senior revolving credit facility dated December 15, 2014, and maturing December 2019, which is used for general corporate purposes. Pursuant to the amended credit agreement, we are required to secure our obligations under the facility and certain hedging agreements with liens on certain of our oil and gas properties, with such liens to be released upon the satisfaction of specific conditions. The amended credit facility provides that, while the obligations are required to be secured, (i) we have the right to incur junior lien indebtedness of up to $2.0 billion; (ii) our use of the facility will be subject to a borrowing base; (iii) the rate of interest on outstanding loans, as well as fees on undrawn commitments, will vary based on the percentage of the borrowing base used, rather than on our credit ratings; (iv) the total leverage ratio covenant will be suspended; and (v) the amended credit facility will be subject to a first lien secured leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio. The amended credit facility requires us to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter while it is required to be secured by a portion of our oil and natural gas properties, (i) a first lien secured leverage ratio of 3.5 to 1 through 2017 and 3.0 to 1.0 thereafter, and (ii) an interest rate coverage ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 through the first quarter of 2017, increasing to 1.25 to 1.0 by the end of 2017. The amendment sets the borrowing base at $4.0 billion. The total commitments under the credit facility remain at $4.0 billion, subject to reduction in connection with issuances of junior lien indebtedness by us after April 15, 2016, the date of the first borrowing base redetermination. No adjustment to the total commitment will occur for any junior lien indebtedness issuance that occurs before April 15, 2016. This amendment gives us greater flexibility and access to our liquidity.

Workforce Reduction

On September 29, 2015, we reduced our workforce by approximately 15% as part of an overall plan to reduce costs and better align our workforce with the needs of our business and current oil and natural gas commodity prices. In connection with the reduction, we incurred a total charge of approximately $55 million in the Current Quarter for one-time termination benefits, all of which will be paid in cash in the 2015 fourth quarter.

New Haynesville and Dry Gas Utica Gathering Agreements

In September 2015, we entered into new fixed-fee gas gathering agreements with subsidiaries of The Williams Companies, Inc. (Williams) in our Haynesville Shale operating area and our dry gas Utica Shale operating area. The fixed-fee provisions will be effective beginning in January 2016, replacing the previous fee structures that have applied. We expect that the gas gathering fees, when the new fee structure is effective, will be lower in both operating areas. Under the Haynesville Shale agreement, we expect to meet our existing minimum volume commitments (MVC) because of the consolidation of two Williams gathering systems and a projected increase in our Haynesville Shale volumes. Inclusive of previously expected MVC shortfall payments, we expect reductions in our Haynesville gas gathering rates of approximately $0.20 per mcf in 2016 and 2017 and approximately $0.30 per mcf in 2018 and beyond. Under the Utica Shale agreement, we estimate a gathering rate reduction of approximately $0.25 per mmbtu. We are dedicating an additional 50,000 net acres in the Utica Shale to Williams and will be subject to a new MVC of 250,000 mmbtu per day beginning in mid-2017. We expect to meet this Utica Shale MVC with approximately one rig per year.


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Cleveland Tonkawa Transactions

On August 31, 2015, our subsidiary CHK C-T sold all of its oil and natural gas properties to FourPoint Energy, LLC (FourPoint) and immediately used the consideration received, plus other cash it had on hand, to repurchase and cancel all of CHK C-T's outstanding preferred shares. Chesapeake is responsible for post-closing adjustments to the purchase price and has certain indemnity obligations in connection with the sale to FourPoint. In connection with the repurchase and cancellation of the CHK C-T preferred stock and related agreements with the CHK C-T investors, we eliminated the noncontrolling interest and overriding royalty interest (ORRI) obligation on our condensed consolidated balance sheet, $75 million in annual preferred dividend payments and all future drilling and ORRI commitments attributable to CHK C-T. Also on August 31, 2015, in a related transaction, we sold to FourPoint for approximately $90 million certain noncore properties adjacent to the CHK C-T properties. Chesapeake's net production from the assets sold in the two transactions was approximately 15 mboe per day in the Current Quarter. See Note 6 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a description of CHK C-T.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity Overview

As of September 30, 2015 , we had approximately $5.748 billion in cash availability (defined as unrestricted cash on hand plus borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility) compared to $8.093 billion as of December 31, 2014 , and we had a working capital deficit of approximately $978 million compared to working capital of approximately $1.605 billion as of December 31, 2014 . The decrease in cash availability and working capital from December 31, 2014 to September 30, 2015 is primarily the result of the excess of our capital expenditures in the Current Period over our operating cash flow due to lower oil, natural gas and NGL prices received for our production in the Current Period. Additionally, the decrease in working capital is the result of the reclassification of our 3.25% Senior Notes due 2016 from a long-term liability to a current liability as of March 31, 2015 and accruals related to certain of our legal matters.

As a result of substantially lower oil and natural gas prices in 2015 compared to 2014, we plan to operate an average of 28 rigs in 2015 and exit the year with 14 rigs operating, as compared to an average of 65 rigs in 2014, and our lowest operated rig activity level since 2004. With this level of activity, forecasted commodity prices during the remainder of 2015 and our current derivative contracts in place, we expect to fund a portion of our 2015 fourth quarter planned capital expenditures with cash on hand. We currently have downside price protection, through open swaps, on approximately 38% of our projected 2015 fourth quarter oil production at an average price of $86.89 per bbl. We have additional downside price protection under three-way collar arrangements on approximately 11% of our projected 2015 fourth quarter oil production based on an average bought put NYMEX price of $90.00 per bbl and exposure below an average sold put NYMEX price of $80.00 per bbl. We have downside price protection, through open swaps, on approximately 20% of our projected 2015 fourth quarter natural gas production at an average price of $3.94 per mcf. We have additional downside price protection under three-way collar arrangements on approximately 14% of our projected 2015 fourth quarter natural gas production based on an average bought put NYMEX price of $4.17 per mcf and exposure below an average sold put NYMEX price of $3.38 per mcf. On three-way collars, if the actual price at settlement is below the sold put price, our gain will be the difference between the bought put price and the sold put price. In addition, for 2016 we have downside protection on approximately 12.1 mmbbls of oil at an average price of $52.13 per bbl and 283 bcf of natural gas at an average price of $3.18 per mcf.

Management continues to review operational plans for the remainder of 2015 and beyond, which could result in changes to projected capital expenditures and revenues from sales of oil, natural gas and NGL. We closely monitor the amounts and timing of our sources and uses of funds, particularly as they affect our ability to maintain compliance with the financial covenants of our revolving credit facility. We believe we have adequate flexibility to respond to negative developments if needed; however, adjustments in discretionary capital expenditures could negatively impact our ability to meet certain of our drilling and midstream commitments. We believe we will have sufficient liquidity to fund our current operations, including our contractual commitments to third parties pursuant to various agreements described in Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements below in addition to any repurchase payments related to our debt obligations. Our current budget anticipates having sufficient cash on hand to remain undrawn on our revolving credit facility through December 31, 2015.


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Table of Contents


Sources of Funds

The following table presents the sources of our cash and cash equivalents for the Current Period and the Prior Period. See Notes 9, 10 and 12 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of divestitures of oil and natural gas assets, investments and other assets, respectively.

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

$

1,055


$

3,805


Divestitures of Oil and Natural Gas Assets:

Joint venture leasehold

30


24


Other oil and natural gas properties

158


699


Total divestitures of oil and natural gas assets

188


723


Sales of Other Assets:

Compressors sold to ACMP

-


159


Compressors sold to Exterran

-


495


Other property and equipment

80


310


Total sales of other assets

80


964


Other Sources of Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Proceeds from sales of investments

-


239


Proceeds from long-term debt, net

-


2,966


Proceeds from oilfield services long-term debt, net

-


888


Other

52


37


Total other sources of cash and cash equivalents

52


4,130


Total sources of cash and cash equivalents

$

1,375


$

9,622


Cash provided by operating activities was $1.055 billion in the Current Period compared to $3.805 billion in the Prior Period. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities from the Current Period to the Prior Period is primarily the result of lower realized prices for the oil, natural gas and NGL we sold, partially offset by realized gains on our derivative instruments and decreases in certain of our operating expenses. Changes in cash flow from operations are largely due to the same factors that affect our net income, excluding various non-cash items such as depreciation, depletion and amortization, impairments, gains or losses on sales of fixed assets, deferred income taxes and mark-to-market changes in our derivative instruments. See the discussion below under Results of Operations .

We currently plan to use cash and cash equivalents on hand to fund a portion of our capital expenditures during the remainder of 2015. Our $4.0 billion revolving credit facility, which was amended on September 30, 2015, also provides an additional source of liquidity if needed. See Revolving Credit Facility below for a description of the facility. Prior to June 2014, we also utilized a $500 million oilfield services credit facility. This facility was terminated in June 2014 in connection with the spin-off of our oilfield services business. We had no borrowings or repayments in the Current Period, and borrowed $3.573 billion and repaid $3.896 billion in the Prior Period under our revolving credit facilities. As of September 30, 2015 , we had no outstanding borrowings under our revolving credit facility and had utilized approximately $12 million of the facility for various letters of credit.


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Uses of Funds

The following table presents the uses of our cash and cash equivalents for the Current Period and the Prior Period:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Oil and Natural Gas Expenditures:

Drilling and completion costs (a)

$

2,675


$

3,146


Acquisitions of proved and unproved properties

102


590


Interest capitalized on unproved properties

326


472


Total oil and natural gas expenditures

3,103


4,208


Other Uses of Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash paid to repurchase debt

-


3,362


Cash paid to purchase leased rigs and compressors

-


474


Payments on credit facility borrowings, net

-


323


Additions to other property and equipment

114


201


Dividends paid

246


303


Distributions to noncontrolling interest owners

78


143


Cash paid to repurchase noncontrolling interest of CHK C-T (b)

143


-


Cash paid to repurchase preferred shares of CHK Utica (b)

-


1,254


Cash paid for financing derivatives (c)

-


50


Additions to investments

8


14


Other

32


37


Total other uses of cash and cash equivalents

621


6,161


Total uses of cash and cash equivalents

$

3,724


$

10,369


___________________________________________

(a)

Net of $51 million and $535 million in drilling and completion carries received from our joint venture partners during the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively.

(b)

See Note 6 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for discussion of these transactions.

(c)

Reflects derivatives deemed to contain, for accounting purposes, a significant financing element at contract inception.

Our primary use of funds is for capital expenditures for drilling and completion costs on our oil and natural gas properties. During the Current Period, our average operated rig count was 33 rigs compared to an average operated rig count of 66 rigs in the Prior Period. Although our average operated rig count decreased by 50% in the Current Period compared to the Prior Period, our drilling and completion expenditures did not decrease proportionately primarily as a result of a $484 million decrease in drilling and completion carries received from our joint venture partners.

Capital expenditures related to our midstream, oilfield services and other fixed assets were $114 million in the Current Period compared to $201 million in the Prior Period. The reduction of these expenditures in the Current Period as compared to the Prior Period is primarily the result of the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014 and reductions in construction expenditures on our corporate headquarters and field offices.

In the Prior Period, we purchased rigs and compressors previously sold under long-term lease arrangements for approximately $474 million as part of a strategic initiative to reduce complexity and future commitments as well as to facilitate asset sales and the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014.

We paid dividends on our preferred stock of $128 million in both the Current Period and the Prior Period. We paid dividends on our common stock of $118 million and $175 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. We eliminated common stock dividends effective with the 2015 third quarter.


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Revolving Credit Facility

We have a $4.0 billion senior revolving credit facility that matures in December 2019. As of September 30, 2015 , we had no outstanding borrowings under the facility and had used $12 million of the facility for various letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility bear interest at a variable rate. We are required to secure our obligations under the facility and certain hedging agreements with liens on certain of our oil and natural gas properties, with such liens to be released upon the satisfaction of specific conditions. The applicable interest rates under the facility fluctuate based on the percentage of the borrowing base used. The financial covenants require us to maintain, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter, (i) a net debt to capitalization ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) that does not exceed 65%, and while the obligations are secured (a) a first lien secured leverage ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) of 3.5 to 1.0 through 2017 and 3.0 to 1.0 thereafter and (b) and an interest rate coverage ratio (as defined in the amended credit agreement) of 1.1 to 1.0 through the first quarter of 2017, increasing to 1.25 to 1.0 by the end of 2017. As of September 30, 2015 , our net debt to capitalization ratio was approximately 0.38%, our first lien secured leverage ratio was approximately 0.00 to 1.0 and our interest rate coverage ratio was 4.67 to 1.0. We were in compliance with all financial covenants under the amended credit agreement as of September 30, 2015 . See Note 3 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of the terms of the credit facility.

Hedging Arrangements

We have a multi-counterparty secured hedging facility with 9 counterparties that have committed to provide approximately 444 mmboe of hedging capacity for oil, natural gas and NGL price derivatives and 444 mmboe for basis derivatives with an aggregate mark-to-market capacity of $7.1 billion as of September 30, 2015 . In April 2015, we also began using bilateral hedging agreements. For further discussion of the terms of the hedging facility and bilateral hedging agreements, see Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report.


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Senior Note Obligations

Our senior note obligations consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 :

September 30,
2015

($ in millions)    

3.25% senior notes due 2016

$

500


6.25% euro-denominated senior notes due 2017 (a)

384


6.5% senior notes due 2017

660


7.25% senior notes due 2018

669


Floating rate senior notes due 2019

1,500


6.625% senior notes due 2020

1,300


6.875% senior notes due 2020

500


6.125% senior notes due 2021

1,000


5.375% senior notes due 2021

700


4.875% senior notes due 2022

1,500


5.75% senior notes due 2023

1,100


2.75% contingent convertible senior notes due 2035 (b)

396


2.5% contingent convertible senior notes due 2037 (b)

1,168


2.25% contingent convertible senior notes due 2038 (b)

347


Discount on senior notes (c)

(165

)

Interest rate derivatives (d)

8


Total senior notes, net

11,567


Less current maturities of long-term debt, net (e)

(893

)

Total long-term senior notes, net

$

10,674


___________________________________________

(a)

The principal amount shown is based on the exchange rate of $1.1177 to €1.00 as of September 30, 2015 . See Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for information on our related foreign currency derivatives.

(b)

The holders of our contingent convertible senior notes may require us to repurchase, in cash, all or a portion of their notes at 100% of the principal amount of the notes on any of four dates that are five, ten, fifteen and twenty years before the maturity date. The first put date, for the 2.75% Contingent Convertible Senior Notes due 2035 (the 2035 Notes), is November 15, 2015. As required by the terms of the indenture for the 2035 Notes, on October 1, 2015, we issued a notice to the holders of the 2035 Notes allowing each holder an opportunity to require us to repurchase some or all of its notes on November 15, 2015. As a result, we may be required to repurchase some or all of the 2035 Notes outstanding on November 15, 2015. Beginning December 1, 2015, we may redeem any 2035 Notes that have not been put to us and repurchased. The notes are convertible, at the holder's option, prior to maturity under certain circumstances into cash and, if applicable, shares of our common stock using a net share settlement process.

(c)

Included in this discount as of September 30, 2015 was $160 million associated with the equity component of our contingent convertible senior notes. This discount is amortized based on an effective yield method.

(d)

See Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for discussion related to these instruments.

(e)

Current maturities of long-term debt, net includes the carrying amount of our 3.25% Senior Notes due March 2016 and 2035 Notes. Holders of the 2035 Notes could exercise their individual demand purchase rights on November 15, 2015, which would require us to repurchase all or a portion of the principal amount of the notes. As of September 30, 2015 , current maturities of long-term debt, net reflects $3 million of discount associated with the equity component of the 2035 Notes.

For further discussion and details regarding our senior notes and contingent convertible senior notes, see Note 3 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report.


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Credit Risk

Derivative instruments that enable us to manage our exposure to oil, natural gas and NGL prices, as well as to interest rate and foreign currency volatility, expose us to credit risk from our counterparties. To mitigate this risk, we enter into derivative contracts only with counterparties that are rated investment grade and deemed by management to be competent and competitive market makers, and we attempt to limit our exposure to non-performance by any single counterparty. As of September 30, 2015 , our oil, natural gas, interest rate and supply contract derivative instruments were spread among 17 counterparties. We also deposited available cash balances with many of these same counterparties as well as other relationship banks. Additionally, the counterparties under our commodity hedging arrangements are required to secure their obligations in excess of defined thresholds.

Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers of oil, natural gas and NGL ($860 million as of September 30, 2015 ) and exploration and production companies that own interests in properties we operate ($270 million as of September 30, 2015 ). This industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers and joint working interest owners may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We generally require letters of credit or parent guarantees for receivables from parties which are judged to have sub-standard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated. During the Current Period and the Prior Period, we recognized nominal amounts of bad debt expense related to potentially uncollectible receivables. Additionally, during the Current Quarter and the Current Period, we recorded $9 million and $13 million, respectively, of impairments of a note receivable related to a previous asset sale as a result of the increased credit risk associated with declining commodity prices.

Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

From time to time, we enter into arrangements and transactions that can give rise to off-balance sheet obligations. As of September 30, 2015 , these arrangements and transactions included (i) operating lease agreements, (ii) volumetric production payments (VPPs) (to purchase production and pay related production expenses and taxes in the future), (iii) open purchase commitments, (iv) open delivery commitments, (v) open drilling commitments, (vi) undrawn letters of credit, (vii) open gathering and transportation commitments, and (viii) various other commitments we enter into in the ordinary course of business that could result in a future cash obligation. See Notes 4 and 9 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of commitments and VPPs, respectively.

Results of Operations – Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. September 30, 2014

General . For the Current Quarter, Chesapeake had a net loss of $4.639 billion , or $7.08 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $2.893 billion . This compares to net income of $692 million , or $0.26 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $5.703 billion during the Prior Quarter. The decrease in net income in the Current Quarter was primarily driven by an impairment of our oil and natural gas properties. See Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties below. The decrease in total revenues in the Current Quarter was primarily driven by decreases in the prices we received for our oil, natural gas and NGL production.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales . During the Current Quarter, oil, natural gas and NGL sales were $880 million compared to $2.341 billion in the Prior Quarter. In the Current Quarter, Chesapeake sold 61 mmboe for $653 million at a weighted average price of $10.63 per boe (excluding the effect of derivatives), compared to 67 mmboe sold in the Prior Quarter for $1.777 billion at a weighted average price of $26.62 per boe (excluding the effect of derivatives). The decrease in the price received per boe in the Current Quarter compared to the Prior Quarter resulted in a $980 million decrease in revenues, and decreased sales volumes resulted in a $144 million decrease in revenues, for a net decrease in revenues of $1.124 billion (excluding the effect of derivatives).

For the Current Quarter, our average price received per barrel of oil (excluding the effect of derivatives) was $41.25 , compared to $91.87 in the Prior Quarter. Natural gas prices received per mcf (excluding the effect of derivatives) were $0.87 and $2.02 in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. NGL prices received per barrel (excluding the effect of derivatives) were ($1.38) and $22.95 in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively.

Gains and losses from our oil and natural gas derivatives resulted in a net increase in oil and natural gas revenues of $227 million in the Current Quarter and $564 million in the Prior Quarter. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Part I of this report for a complete listing of all of our derivative instruments as of September 30, 2015 .


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A change in oil, natural gas and NGL prices has a significant impact on our revenues and cash flows. Assuming our Current Quarter production levels and without considering the effect of derivatives, an increase or decrease of $1.00 per barrel of oil sold would result in an increase or decrease in Current Quarter revenues and cash flows of approximately $10 million, an increase or decrease of $0.10 per mcf of natural gas sold would result in an increase or decrease in Current Quarter revenues and cash flows of approximately $26 million and $25 million, respectively, and an increase or decrease of $1.00 per barrel of NGL sold would result in an increase or decrease in Current Quarter revenues and cash flows of $7 million and $8 million, respectively.

The following tables show production and average sales prices received by our operating divisions for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter:

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(bcf)

($/mcf) (a)

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(mmboe)

%

($/boe) (a)

Southern (b)

8.5


42.00


145.1


1.04


3.7


0.09


36.4


60


13.96


Northern (c)

2.0


38.13


117.9


0.66


3.3


(3.01

)

24.9


40


5.80


Total

10.5


41.25


263.0


0.87


7.0


(1.38

)

61.3


100

%

10.63


Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(bcf)

($/mcf) (a)

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(mmboe)

%

($/boe) (a)

Southern (b)

9.1


94.14


148.2


2.26


4.5


25.98


38.2


57


34.17


Northern (c)

1.8


80.79


133.8


1.75


4.3


19.97


28.6


43


16.55


Total

10.9


91.87


282.0


2.02


8.8


22.95


66.8


100

%

26.62


___________________________________________

(a)

Average sales prices exclude gains (losses) on derivatives. The decrease in the average sales price for our oil sold in the Current Quarter as compared to the Prior Quarter was primarily driven by lower crude oil prices. The decrease in the average sales price for our natural gas sold in the Current Quarter as compared to the Prior Quarter was primarily driven by lower natural gas prices partially offset by lower basis differentials in certain of our operating areas relative to the benchmark natural gas prices and lower gathering and transportation costs in certain of our operating areas. The decrease in the average sales price for our NGL sold in the Current Quarter as compared to the Prior Quarter was primarily driven by a decrease in ethane and propane prices due to seasonality in the Utica Shale play and increased gathering and transportation costs in certain of our areas.

(b)

Our Southern Division includes the Eagle Ford, Granite Wash, Cleveland, Tonkawa and Mississippian Lime unconventional liquids plays and the Haynesville/Bossier and Barnett unconventional natural gas shale plays. The Eagle Ford Shale accounted for approximately 19% of our estimated proved reserves by volume as of December 31, 2014. Eagle Ford Shale production for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter was 9.9 mmboe and 9.4 mmboe, respectively. The Barnett Shale accounted for approximately 17% of our estimated proved reserves by volume as of December 31, 2014. Barnett Shale production for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter was 5.8 mmboe and 5.7 mmboe, respectively. Our gathering agreements for Barnett and Haynesville production require us to pay the service provider a fee for any production shortfall below certain annual minimum gathering volume commitments. We anticipate incurring shortfall fees of approximately $160 million to $180 million in the 2015 fourth quarter based on current production estimates.

(c)

Our Northern Division includes the Utica and Niobrara unconventional liquids plays and the Marcellus unconventional natural gas play.

Our average daily production of 667 mboe for the Current Quarter consisted of approximately 114,100 bbls of oil ( 17% on an oil equivalent basis), approximately 2.9 bcf of natural gas ( 72% on an oil equivalent basis) and approximately 76,200 bbls of NGL ( 11% on an oil equivalent basis). Oil production decreased by 4% year over year, natural gas production decreased by 7% and NGL production decreased by 21% .


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Excluding the impact of derivatives, our percentage of revenues from oil, natural gas and NGL is shown in the following table:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

Oil

66%

57%

Natural gas

34%

32%

NGL

-%

11%

  Total

100%

100%

Marketing, Gathering and Compression Revenues and Expenses . Marketing, gathering and compression revenues consist of third-party revenues as well as fair value adjustments on our supply contract derivatives (see Note 8 in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional information on our supply contract derivatives). Expenses related to our marketing, gathering and compression operations consist of third-party expenses and exclude depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, impairments of fixed assets and other, net gains or losses on sales of fixed assets and interest expense. See Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets below for the depreciation and amortization recorded on our marketing, gathering and compression assets. Chesapeake recognized $2.013 billion in marketing, gathering and compression revenues in the Current Quarter, of which $70 million related to unrealized gains on the fair value of our supply contract derivatives, with corresponding expenses of $1.955 billion , for a net margin before depreciation of $58 million . This compares to revenues of $3.362 billion , expenses of $3.369 billion and a net loss before depreciation of $7 million in the Prior Quarter. Revenues and expenses decreased in the Current Quarter compared to the Prior Quarter primarily as a result of lower oil, natural gas and NGL prices paid and received in our marketing operations. The margin increase from the Prior Quarter to the Current Quarter was primarily the result of an unrealized gain on the fair value adjustment on our supply contract derivatives, partially offset by lower compression revenues and expenses as a result of the sale of a significant portion of our compression assets in 2014 and 2015.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Production Expenses . Production expenses, which include lifting costs and ad valorem taxes, were $251 million in the Current Quarter, compared to $298 million in the Prior Quarter. On a unit-of-production basis, production expenses were $4.09 per boe in the Current Quarter compared to $4.47 per boe in the Prior Quarter. The absolute and per unit expense decrease in the Current Quarter was primarily the result of a general improvement in operating efficiencies across most of our operating areas. Production expenses in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter included approximately $25 million and $38 million, or $0.41 and $0.56 per boe, respectively, associated with VPP production volumes. We anticipate a continued decrease in production expenses associated with VPP production volumes as the contractually scheduled volumes under our VPP agreements decrease and operating efficiencies generally improve. In addition, our obligations with respect to two of our VPPs were assumed by third parties as a result of our divestiture of related properties in 2014 and another VPP expired in 2015.

Production Taxes . Production taxes were $25 million in the Current Quarter compared to $62 million in the Prior Quarter. On a unit-of-production basis, production taxes were $0.42 per boe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.94 per boe in the Prior Quarter. In general, production taxes are calculated using value-based formulas that produce lower per unit costs when oil, natural gas and NGL prices are lower. The absolute and per unit decrease in production taxes in the Current Quarter was primarily due to a decrease in the prices received for oil, natural gas and NGL. Production taxes in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter included approximately $1 million and $4 million, or $0.01 and $0.06 per boe, respectively, associated with VPP production volumes. We anticipate a continued decrease in production tax expenses associated with VPP production volumes as the contractually scheduled volumes under our VPP agreements decrease. In addition, our obligations with respect to two of our VPPs were assumed by third parties as a result of our divestiture of related properties in 2014 and another VPP expired in 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses were $49 million in the Current Quarter and $60 million in the Prior Quarter, or $0.79 and $0.90 per boe, respectively. The absolute and per unit expense decrease in the Current Quarter was primarily due to a decrease in payroll and associated costs resulting from our effort to reduce our cost structure and maintain an increased emphasis on operational efficiency.

Chesapeake follows the full cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with oil and natural gas property acquisition, drilling and completion activities are capitalized. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with the acquisition of leasehold, as well as drilling and completion activities, and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We capitalized $43 million and $52 million of


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internal costs in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively, directly related to our leasehold acquisition and drilling and completion efforts. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in capitalized payroll-related costs.

Restructuring and Other Termination Costs. We recorded an expense of $53 million and a credit of $14 million in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively, for restructuring and other termination costs. In the Current Quarter, we reduced our workforce by approximately 15% as part of an overall plan to reduce costs and better align our workforce with the needs of our business and current oil and natural gas commodity prices. In connection with the reduction, we incurred a total charge of approximately $55 million in the Current Quarter for one-time termination benefits, all of which will be paid in cash in the fourth quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Current Quarter and Prior Quarter amounts included negative fair value adjustments to PSUs granted to former executives of the Company, which corresponded to a decrease in the trading price of our common stock.

Provision for Legal Contingencies. In the Prior Quarter, we recorded a $100 million provision for legal contingencies related to royalty claims in Oklahoma. See Item 1 of Part II of this report for further discussion of the litigation.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization . Depreciation, depletion and amortization (DD&A) of oil, natural gas and NGL properties was $488 million and $688 million in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. The average DD&A rate per boe, which is a function of capitalized costs, future development costs and the related underlying reserves in the periods presented, was $7.95 and $10.31 in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. The absolute and per unit decrease in the Current Quarter was the result of a lower amortization base as a result of our impairment of oil and gas properties in the 2015 first and second quarters and a reduction in our estimated future development costs as a result of drilling efficiencies, partially offset by an approximate 14% reduction in our reserve base driven primarily by lower prices used in calculating our estimated reserves. Approximately 57% of the reduction in our reserve base due to price was associated with proved undeveloped reserves. There were no other significant changes in the reserve estimates.

Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets . Depreciation and amortization of other assets were $31 million in the Current Quarter and $37 million in the Prior Quarter, or $0.51 and $0.55 per boe, respectively. Property and equipment costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The following table shows depreciation expense by asset class for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter and the estimated useful lives of these assets.

Three Months Ended September 30,

Estimated

Useful

Life

2015

2014

($ in millions)

(in years)

Natural gas compressors (a)

$

8


$

10


3 – 20

Buildings and improvements

10


10


10 – 39

Computers and office equipment

5


7


3 – 7

Vehicles

2


5


0 – 7

Natural gas gathering systems and treating plants (a)

3


3


20

Other

3


2


2 – 20

Total depreciation and amortization of other assets

$

31


$

37


___________________________________________

(a)

Included in our marketing, gathering and compression operating segment.

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties. Our oil and natural gas properties are subject to quarterly full cost ceiling tests. Under the ceiling test, capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues (adjusted for cash flow hedges) less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves, less any related income tax effects. As of September 30, 2015 , capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties exceeded the ceiling, resulting in an impairment in the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties of $5.416 billion . Cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2015 , which relate to future periods, increased the ceiling test impairment by $184 million .


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As of September 30, 2015, the present value of estimated future net revenue of our proved reserves, discounted at an annual rate of 10%, was $7.138 billion. Estimated future net revenue represents the estimated future gross revenue to be generated from the production of proved reserves, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices and costs under existing economic conditions as of that date. The prices used in the present value calculation as of September 30, 2015 were $59.21 per bbl of oil and $3.06 per mcf of natural gas, before price differential adjustments. Based on first-of-the-month index prices for October and November 2015, as well as the current strip prices for December 2015, we reasonably expect a decrease of approximately $8.53 per barrel of oil and $0.46 per mcf of natural gas in the prices we will be using to calculate the estimated future net revenue of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2015, and such decreases are expected to reduce the present value of estimated future net revenue of our proved reserves by approximately $2.9 billion in the 2015 fourth quarter. Such decrease is likely to be a significant factor in the amount of impairment recorded as of December 31, 2015. Further material write-downs in subsequent quarters will occur if the trailing 12-month commodity prices continue to fall as compared to the commodity prices used in prior quarters.

Deterioration in commodity prices also impacts estimated quantities of proved reserves. In the Current Quarter, we recognized negative reserve revisions to our year-end 2014 estimated proved reserve of approximately 14% due to lower commodity prices. Based on first-of-the-month index prices for October and November 2015, as well as the current strip prices for December 2015, we reasonably expect to report additional negative price-related revisions to our year-end 2014 estimated proved reserves of approximately 18% in the 2015 fourth quarter. We do not expect these negative price-related revisions and 2015 fourth quarter production to be fully offset by reserve additions.

Impairments of Fixed Assets and Other. In the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, we recognized $79 million and $15 million , respectively, of fixed asset impairment losses and other charges. The Current Quarter amount consisted of a $70 million settlement charge for a net acreage maintenance obligation to Total in our Barnett Shale joint venture and a $9 million impairment of a note receivable. The Prior Quarter impairments primarily related to natural gas compressors and buildings. See Note 13 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of our impairments of fixed assets and other.

Net Gains on Sales of Fixed Assets. In the Current Quarter, net gains on sales of fixed assets were $1 million compared to net gains of $86 million in the Prior Quarter. The Prior Quarter amount was primarily related to the sale of natural gas compressors. See Note 12 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of net gains on sales of fixed assets.

Interest Expense . Interest expense was $88 million in the Current Quarter compared to $17 million in the Prior Quarter as follows:

Three Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Interest expense on senior notes

$

171


$

170


Amortization of loan discount, issuance costs and other

14


9


Interest expense on credit facilities

2


6


Realized gains on interest rate derivatives (a)

(2

)

(4

)

Unrealized losses on interest rate derivatives (b)

2


6


Capitalized interest

(99

)

(170

)

Total interest expense

$

88


$

17


Average senior notes borrowings

$

11,798


$

11,798


Average credit facilities borrowings

$

-


$

105


___________________________________________

(a)

Includes settlements related to the interest accrual for the period and the effect of (gains) losses on early- terminated trades. Settlements of early-terminated trades are reflected in realized (gains) losses over the original life of the hedged item.

(b)

Includes changes in the fair value of open interest rate derivatives offset by amounts reclassified to realized (gains) losses during the period.


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The increase in the Current Quarter interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in capitalized interest resulting from a lower average balance of our unproved oil and natural gas properties, the primary asset on which interest is capitalized. Interest expense, excluding unrealized gains or losses on interest rate derivatives and net of amounts capitalized, was $1.41 per boe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.16 per boe in the Prior Quarter.

Losses on Investments. Losses on investments were $33 million in the Current Quarter compared to $27 million in the Prior Quarter. The Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter losses were primarily related to our equity in FTS International, Inc. and Sundrop Fuels, Inc. See Note 10 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of our investments.

Other Expense . We recorded $2 million and $1 million of other expense in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. The Current Quarter consisted of $4 million of miscellaneous expense and $2 million of interest income, and the Prior Quarter consisted of $2 million of miscellaneous expense and $1 million of interest income.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Chesapeake recorded an income tax benefit of $937 million in the Current Quarter and income tax expense of $437 million in the Prior Quarter. Our effective income tax rate was 16.8% in the Current Quarter and 38.7% in the Prior Quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from the Prior Quarter to the Current Quarter is primarily due to the tax benefit at expected rates being offset by a significant increase in the valuation allowance. Further, our effective tax rate can fluctuate as a result of the impact of state income taxes and permanent differences.

Based on the material write-downs of the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties and our expected operating results in the 2015 fourth quarter, we project being in a net deferred tax asset position at year end. We believe it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated is the projected cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ending December 31, 2015. Such objective negative evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective positive evidence, such as our projections for future growth. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as expected future growth.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. Chesapeake recorded net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $13 million and $30 million in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Current Quarter consisted of income related to the Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust and dividends paid on preferred stock of our CHK C-T subsidiary. The Prior Quarter amount included income related to the Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust as well as dividends paid on preferred stock of our CHK C-T and CHK Utica, L.L.C. (CHK Utica) subsidiaries. The decrease from the Prior Quarter to the Current Quarter is primarily due to the repurchase of all of the outstanding preferred shares of CHK Utica and CHK C-T from third-party preferred shareholders in July 2014 and August 2015, respectively. See Note 6 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of these entities.


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Results of Operations – Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 vs. September 30, 2014

General . For the Current Period, Chesapeake had a net loss of $12.450 billion , or $19.07 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $8.686 billion . This compares to net income of $1.387 billion , or $1.04 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $15.901 billion during the Prior Period. The decrease in net income in the Current Period was primarily driven by impairments of our oil and natural gas properties. See Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties below. The decrease in total revenues in the Current Period was primarily driven by decreases in the prices we received for our oil, natural gas and NGL production.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Sales . During the Current Period, oil, natural gas and NGL sales were $2.693 billion compared to $5.812 billion in the Prior Period. In the Current Period, Chesapeake sold 187 mmboe for $2.352 billion at a weighted average price of $12.57 per boe (excluding the effect of derivatives), compared to 191 mmboe sold in the Prior Period for $5.842 billion at a weighted average price of $30.63 per boe (excluding the effect of derivatives). The decrease in the price received per boe in the Current Period compared to the Prior Period resulted in a $3.378 billion decrease in revenues, and decreased sales volumes resulted in a $112 million decrease in revenues, for a net decrease in revenues of $3.490 billion (excluding the effect of derivatives).

For the Current Period, our average price received per barrel of oil (excluding the effect of derivatives) was $44.57 , compared to $94.28 in the Prior Period. Natural gas prices received per mcf (excluding the effect of derivatives) were $1.07 and $2.86 in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. NGL prices received per barrel (excluding the effect of derivatives) were $2.46 and $24.31 in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively.

Gains and losses from our oil and natural gas derivatives resulted in a net increase in oil, natural gas and NGL revenues of $340 million in the Current Period and a net decrease of $30 million in the Prior Period. See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Part I of this report for a complete listing of all of our derivative instruments as of September 30, 2015 .

A change in oil, natural gas and NGL prices has a significant impact on our revenues and cash flows. Assuming our Current Period production levels and without considering the effect of derivatives, an increase or decrease of $1.00 per barrel of oil sold would result in an increase or decrease in Current Period revenues and cash flows of approximately $32 million and $31 million, respectively, an increase or decrease of $0.10 per mcf of natural gas sold would result in an increase or decrease in Current Period revenues and cash flows of approximately $80 million and $77 million, respectively, and an increase or decrease of $1.00 per barrel of NGL sold would result in an increase or decrease in Current Period revenues and cash flows of $21 million and $19 million, respectively.


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The following tables show production and average sales prices received by our operating divisions for the Current Period and the Prior Period:

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(bcf)

($/mcf) (a)

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(mmboe)

%

($/boe) (a)

Southern (b)

26.5


45.94


434.5


1.08


11.6


4.72


110.4


59


15.76


Northern (c)

5.8


38.36


367.7


1.06


9.4


(0.33

)

76.6


41


7.98


Total

32.3


44.57


802.2


1.07


21.0


2.46


187.0


100

%

12.57


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Oil

Natural Gas

NGL

Total

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(bcf)

($/mcf) (a)

(mmbbl)

($/bbl) (a)

(mmboe)

%

($/boe) (a)

Southern (b)

26.2


95.94


432.1


2.76


12.6


26.98


110.8


58


36.52


Northern (c)

4.9


85.47


381.3


2.96


11.5


21.41


79.9


42


22.47


Total

31.1


94.28


813.4


2.86


24.1


24.31


190.7


100

%

30.63


___________________________________________

(a)

Average sales prices exclude gains (losses) on derivatives. The decrease in the average sales price for our oil sold in the Current Period as compared to the Prior Period was primarily driven by lower crude oil prices. The decrease in the average sales price for our natural gas sold in the Current Period as compared to the Prior Period was primarily driven by lower natural gas prices. The decrease in the average sales price for our NGL sold in the Current Period as compared to the Prior Period was primarily driven by a decrease in the Current Quarter in ethane and propane prices due to seasonality in the Utica Shale play.

(b)

Our Southern Division includes the Eagle Ford, Granite Wash, Cleveland, Tonkawa and Mississippian Lime unconventional liquids plays and the Haynesville/Bossier and Barnett unconventional natural gas shale plays. The Eagle Ford Shale accounted for approximately 19% of our estimated proved reserves by volume as of December 31, 2014. Eagle Ford Shale production for the Current Period and the Prior Period was 29.7 mmboe and 25.7 mmboe, respectively. The Barnett Shale accounted for approximately 17% of our estimated proved reserves by volume as of December 31, 2014. Barnett Shale production for the Current Period and the Prior Period was 16.4 mmboe and 18.3 mmboe, respectively. Our gathering agreements for Barnett and Haynesville production require us to pay the service provider a fee for any production shortfall below certain annual minimum gathering volume commitments. We anticipate incurring shortfall fees of approximately $160 million to $180 million in the 2015 fourth quarter based on current production estimates.

(c)

Our Northern Division includes the Utica and Niobrara unconventional liquids plays and the Marcellus unconventional natural gas play.

Our average daily production of 685 mboe for the Current Period consisted of approximately 118,500 bbls of oil ( 17% on an oil equivalent basis), approximately 2.9 bcf of natural gas ( 72% on an oil equivalent basis) and approximately 77,100 bbls of NGL ( 11% on an oil equivalent basis). Oil production increased by 4% year over year, natural gas production decreased by 1% and NGL production decreased by 13% .

Excluding the impact of derivatives, our percentage of revenues from oil, natural gas and NGL is shown in the following table:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

Oil

61%

51%

Natural gas

37%

40%

NGL

2%

9%

  Total

100%

100%


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Marketing, Gathering and Compression Revenues and Expenses . Marketing, gathering and compression revenues consist of third-party revenues as well as fair value adjustments on our supply contract derivatives (see Note 8 in Item 1 of Part I of this report for additional information on our supply contract derivatives). Expenses related to our marketing, gathering and compression operations consist of third-party expenses and exclude depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, impairments of fixed assets and other, net gains or losses on sales of fixed assets and interest expense. See Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets below for the depreciation and amortization recorded on our marketing, gathering and compression assets. Chesapeake recognized $5.993 billion in marketing, gathering and compression revenues in the Current Period, of which $290 million related to unrealized gains on the fair value of our supply contract derivatives, with corresponding expenses of $5.751 billion , for a net margin before depreciation of $242 million . This compares to revenues of $9.543 billion , expenses of $9.515 billion and a net margin before depreciation of $28 million in the Prior Period. Revenues and expenses decreased in the Current Period compared to the Prior Period primarily as a result of lower oil, natural gas and NGL prices paid and received in our marketing operations. The margin increase in the Current Period as compared to the Prior Period was primarily the result of an unrealized gain on the fair value adjustment on our supply contract derivatives, partially offset by cost increases on certain sales contracts with third parties entered into to help meet certain of our oil pipeline and other commitments and by lower compression revenues and expenses as a result of the sale of a significant portion of our compression assets in 2014 and 2015.

Oilfield Services Revenues and Expenses . Our oilfield services consisted of third-party revenues and expenses related to our former oilfield services operations and excluded depreciation and amortization, general and administrative expenses, impairments of fixed assets and other, net gains or losses on sales of fixed assets and interest expense. See Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets below for the depreciation and amortization recorded on our oilfield services assets in the Prior Period. Chesapeake recognized revenues of $546 million , expenses of $431 million with a net margin before depreciation of $115 million in the Prior Period. As a result of the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014, we did not have oilfield services revenues and expenses in the Current Period and will not have oilfield services revenues and expenses in future periods.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Production Expenses . Production expenses, which include lifting costs and ad valorem taxes, were $826 million in the Current Period, compared to $868 million in the Prior Period. On a unit-of-production basis, production expenses were $4.42 per boe in the Current Period compared to $4.55 per boe in the Prior Period. The per unit decrease in the Current Period was primarily the result of operating efficiencies across most of our operating areas, partially offset by new producing wells in liquid plays with higher per unit costs. Production expenses in the Current Period and the Prior Period included approximately $89 million and $118 million, or $0.47 and $0.62 per boe, respectively, associated with VPP production volumes. We anticipate a continued decrease in production expenses associated with VPP production volumes as the contractually scheduled volumes under our VPP agreements decrease and operating efficiencies generally improve. In addition, our obligations with respect to two of our VPPs were assumed by third parties as a result of our divestiture of related properties in 2014 and another VPP expired in 2015.

Production Taxes . Production taxes were $87 million in the Current Period compared to $185 million in the Prior Period. On a unit-of-production basis, production taxes were $0.47 per boe in the Current Period compared to $0.97 per boe in the Prior Period. In general, production taxes are calculated using value-based formulas that produce lower per unit costs when oil, natural gas and NGL prices are lower. The absolute and per unit decrease in production taxes in the Current Period was primarily due to lower prices received for oil, natural gas and NGL. Production taxes in the Current Period and Prior Period included approximately $4 million and $14 million, or $0.02 and $0.07 per boe, respectively, associated with VPP production volumes. We anticipate a continued decrease in production tax expenses associated with VPP production volumes as the contractually scheduled volumes under our VPP agreements decrease. In addition, our obligations with respect to two of our VPPs were assumed by third parties as a result of our divestiture of related properties in 2014 and another VPP expired in 2015.

General and Administrative Expenses . General and administrative expenses were $174 million in the Current Period and $229 million in the Prior Period, or $0.93 and $1.20 per boe, respectively. The absolute and per unit expense decrease in the Current Period was primarily due to reduced overhead as a result of the spin-off of our oilfield services business in June 2014 and efforts to reduce other administrative expenses. In addition, in the Current Period, we recorded negative fair value adjustments to PSUs granted to executives of the Company, which corresponded to a decrease in the trading price of our common stock. See Note 7 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of our share-based compensation.


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Chesapeake follows the full cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with oil and natural gas property acquisition, drilling and completion activities are capitalized. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with the acquisition of leasehold, as well as drilling and completion activities, and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We capitalized $156 million and $164 million of internal costs in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively, directly related to our leasehold acquisition and drilling and completion efforts.

Restructuring and Other Termination Costs. We recorded $39 million and $12 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively, related to restructuring and other termination costs. In the Current Period, we reduced our workforce by approximately 15% as part of an overall plan to reduce costs and better align our workforce with the needs of our business and current oil and natural gas commodity prices. In connection with the reduction, we incurred a total charge of approximately $55 million in the Current Period for one-time termination benefits, all of which will be paid in cash in the fourth quarter of 2015. Additionally, the Current Period and Prior Period amounts include negative fair value adjustments to PSUs granted to former executives of the Company, which corresponded to a decrease in the trading price of our common stock. The Prior Period also includes charges incurred in connection with the spin-off of our oilfield services business and senior management separations.

Provision for Legal Contingencies. In the Current Period, we recorded a $359 million provision for legal contingencies. The provision consisted of $25 million related to the April 2015 resolution of litigation we were defending against the state of Michigan and $339 million related to litigation involving our early redemption of our 2019 Notes. See Notes 3 and 4 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for discussion of the ongoing 2019 Notes litigation. Additionally, we reduced our royalty provision accrual from $119 million to $114 million to reflect the amount paid in the Current Quarter to settle litigation with Oklahoma royalty owners, net of claimants that opted-out. In the Prior Period, we recorded a $100 million provision for legal contingencies related to this royalty litigation. See Item 1 of Part II of this report for further discussion of the Oklahoma royalty litigation.

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization . DD&A of oil, natural gas and NGL properties was $1.773 billion and $1.977 billion in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. The average DD&A rate per boe, which is a function of capitalized costs, future development costs and the related underlying reserves in the periods presented, was $9.48 and $10.36 in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. The absolute and per unit decrease in the Current Period was the result of a lower amortization base as a result of our impairment of oil and gas properties in the 2015 first and second quarters and a reduction in our estimated future development costs as a result of drilling efficiencies, partially offset by an approximate 21% reduction in our reserve base driven primarily by lower prices used in calculating our estimated reserves. Approximately 50% of the reduction in our reserves base due to price was associated with proved undeveloped reserves. There were no other significant changes in the reserve estimates.


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Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets . Depreciation and amortization of other assets was $100 million in the Current Period compared to $194 million in the Prior Period. On a unit-of-production basis, depreciation and amortization of other assets was $0.53 per boe in the Current Period compared to $1.02 per boe in the Prior Period. Property and equipment costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. In June 2014, we completed the spin-off of our oilfield services business and, therefore, did not incur oilfield services depreciation expense in the Current Period and will not incur this expense in future periods. In the Prior Period, to the extent company-owned oilfield services equipment was used to drill and complete our wells, a substantial portion of the depreciation (i.e., the portion related to our utilization of the equipment) was capitalized in oil and natural gas properties as drilling and completion costs. The following table shows depreciation expense by asset class for the Current Period and the Prior Period and the estimated useful lives of these assets.

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

Estimated

Useful

Life

2015

2014

($ in millions)

(in years)

Natural gas compressors (a)

$

29


$

27


3 – 20

Buildings and improvements

29


32


10 – 39

Computers and office equipment

18


25


3 – 7

Vehicles

8


19


0 – 7

Natural gas gathering systems and treating plants (a)

8


9


20

Oilfield services equipment (b)

-


74


3 – 15

Other

8


8


2 – 20

Total depreciation and amortization of other assets

$

100


$

194


___________________________________________

(a)

Included in our marketing, gathering and compression operating segment.

(b)

Included in our former oilfield services operating segment.

Impairment of Oil and Natural Gas Properties. Our oil and natural gas properties are subject to quarterly full cost ceiling tests. Under the ceiling test, capitalized costs, less accumulated amortization and related deferred income taxes, may not exceed an amount equal to the sum of the present value of estimated future net revenues (adjusted for cash flow hedges) less estimated future expenditures to be incurred in developing and producing the proved reserves, less any related income tax effects. As of September 30, 2015 , June 30, 2015 and March 31, 2015, capitalized costs of oil and natural gas properties exceeded the ceiling, resulting in an impairment in the Current Period of the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties of $15.407 billion . Cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2015 , June 30, 2015 and March 31, 2015, which relate to future periods, increased the ceiling test impairment by $569 million.

As of September 30, 2015, the present value of estimated future net revenue of our proved reserves, discounted at an annual rate of 10%, was $7.138 billion. Estimated future net revenue represents the estimated future gross revenue to be generated from the production of proved reserves, net of estimated production and future development costs, using prices and costs under existing economic conditions as of that date. The prices used in the present value calculation as of September 30, 2015 were $59.21 per bbl of oil and $3.06 per mcf of natural gas, before price differential adjustments. Based on first-of-the-month index prices for October and November 2015, as well as the current strip prices for December 2015, we reasonably expect a decrease of approximately $8.53 per barrel of oil and $0.46 per mcf of natural gas in the prices we will be using to calculate the estimated future net revenue of our proved reserves as of December 31, 2015, and such decreases are expected to reduce the present value of estimated future net revenue of our proved reserves by approximately $2.9 billion in the 2015 fourth quarter. Such decrease is likely to be a significant factor in the amount of impairment recorded as of December 31, 2015. Further material write-downs in subsequent quarters will occur if the trailing 12-month commodity prices continue to fall as compared to the commodity prices used in prior quarters.

Deterioration in commodity prices also impacts estimated quantities of proved reserves. In the Current Period, we recognized negative reserve revisions to our year-end 2014 estimated proved reserves of approximately 27% due to lower commodity prices. Based on first-of-the-month index prices for October and November 2015, as well as the current strip prices for December 2015, we reasonably expect to report negative price-related revisions to our year-end 2014 estimated proved reserves of approximately 45% in preparing our December 31, 2015 reserve report. We do not expect these negative price-related revisions and 2015 production to be fully offset by reserve additions.


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Impairments of Fixed Assets and Other. In the Current Period and the Prior Period, we recognized $167 million and $75 million , respectively, of fixed asset impairment losses and other charges. The Current Period amount consisted of a $70 million charge for a joint venture net acreage shortfall with Total, a $47 million loss contingency related to contract disputes, a $21 million impairment related to the sale of third-party rental compressors, a $22 million impairment of a note receivable and $7 million of charges incurred for terminating drilling contracts as a result of the decline in oil and natural gas prices. Further contract termination charges in subsequent quarters may occur if commodity prices remain low. The Prior Period losses consisted of a $22 million charge for our Barnett Shale joint venture net acreage shortfall with Total, $10 million of impairments related to a gathering system, $23 million of impairments related to certain of our drilling rigs, $11 million of impairments related to certain of our natural gas compressors and $9 million of impairments related to buildings and land. See Note 13 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of our impairments of fixed assets and other.

Net (Gains) Losses on Sales of Fixed Assets. In the Current Period, net losses on sales of fixed assets were $3 million compared to net gains of $201 million in the Prior Period. The Prior Period amount was primarily related to gains on sales of natural gas compressors and our crude oil hauling assets, partially offset by losses on sales of drilling rigs and equipment.

Interest Expense . Interest expense was $210 million in the Current Period compared to $82 million in the Prior Period as follows:

Nine Months Ended
September 30,

2015

2014

($ in millions)

Interest expense on senior notes

$

513


$

534


Interest expense on term loan

-


36


Amortization of loan discount, issuance costs and other

37


44


Interest expense on credit facilities

8


22


Realized gains on interest rate derivatives (a)

(4

)

(9

)

Unrealized gains on interest rate derivatives (b)

(8

)

(41

)

Capitalized interest

(336

)

(504

)

Total interest expense

$

210


$

82


Average senior notes borrowings

$

11,798


$

11,605


Average term loan borrowings

$

-


$

835


Average credit facilities borrowings

$

-


$

325


___________________________________________

(a)

Includes settlements related to the interest accrual for the period and the effect of (gains) losses on early- terminated trades. Settlements of early-terminated trades are reflected in realized (gains) losses over the original life of the hedged item.

(b)

Includes changes in the fair value of open interest rate derivatives offset by amounts reclassified to realized (gains) losses during the period.

The increase in the Current Period interest expense was primarily due to a decrease in capitalized interest and a decrease in unrealized gains on interest rate derivatives, partially offset by a decrease in senior note, term loan and credit facility interest expense. The decrease in capitalized interest resulted from a lower average balance of our unproved oil and natural gas properties, the primary asset on which interest is capitalized. Interest expense, excluding unrealized gains or losses on interest rate derivatives and net of amounts capitalized, was $1.17 per boe in the Current Period compared to $0.65 per boe in the Prior Period.

Losses on Investments. Losses on investments were $57 million in the Current Period compared to $72 million in the Prior Period. The Current Period and the Prior Period losses were primarily related to our equity in FTS International, Inc. and Sundrop Fuels, Inc. See Note 10 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of our investments.


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Net Gain on Sales of Investments. W e recorded a net gain on sales of investments of $67 million in the Prior Period. We sold all of our interest in Chaparral Energy, Inc. for cash proceeds of $215 million and recorded a $73 million gain related to the sale. We also sold an equity investment in a natural gas trading and management firm for cash proceeds of $30 million and recorded a loss of $6 million associated with the transaction.

Losses on Purchases of Deb t. In the Prior Period, we repaid borrowings under and terminated our $2.0 billion term loan credit facility due 2017, and recorded a loss of approximately $90 million, including $40 million in premiums, $30 million of unamortized discount and $20 million of unamortized deferred charges. Also in the Prior Period, we purchased and redeemed $1.265 billion in aggregate principal amount of our 9.5% Senior Notes due 2015 for $1.352 billion. We recorded a loss of approximately $99 million associated with the purchase and redemption, including $87 million in premiums, $9 million of unamortized debt discount and $3 million of unamortized deferred charges. In addition, in the Prior Period, we redeemed $97 million in principal amount of our 6.875% Senior Notes due 2018 at par. We recorded a loss of approximately $6 million associated with the redemption, including $5 million in premiums and $1 million of unamortized deferred charges.

Other Income . Other income was $3 million in the Current Period, consisting of $5 million of interest income and $2 million of miscellaneous expense. In the Prior Period, other income was $12 million and consisted of $2 million of interest income and $10 million of miscellaneous income.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit). Chesapeake recorded an income tax benefit of $3.814 billion in the Current Period and income tax expense of $859 million in the Prior Period. Our effective income tax rate was 23.5% in the Current Period and 38.2% in the Prior Period. The decrease in the effective income tax rate from the Prior Period to the Current Period is primarily due to the tax benefit at expected rates being offset by a significant increase in the valuation allowance. Further, our effective tax rate can fluctuate as a result of the impact of state income taxes and permanent differences.

Based on the material write-downs of the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties and our expected operating results in the 2015 fourth quarter, we project being in a net deferred tax asset position at year end. We believe it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated is the projected cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ending December 31, 2015. Such objective negative evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective positive evidence, such as our projections for future growth. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as expected future growth.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests. Chesapeake recorded net income attributable to noncontrolling interests of $50 million and $110 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Current Period consisted of income related to the Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust and dividends paid on preferred stock of our CHK C-T subsidiary. The Prior Period amount included income related to the Chesapeake Granite Wash Trust as well as dividends paid on preferred stock of our CHK C-T and CHK Utica subsidiaries. The decrease from the Prior Period to the Current Period is primarily due to the repurchase of all of the outstanding preferred shares of CHK Utica and CHK C-T from third-party preferred shareholders in July 2014 and August 2015, respectively. See Note 6 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a discussion of these entities.

Forward-Looking Statements

This report includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They include expected oil, natural gas and NGL production and future expenses, estimated operating costs, assumptions regarding future oil, natural gas and NGL prices, planned drilling activity, estimates of future drilling and completion and other capital expenditures, potential future write-downs of our oil and natural gas assets, anticipated sales, and the adequacy of our provisions for legal contingencies, as well as statements concerning anticipated cash flow and liquidity, ability to comply with financial maintenance covenants and meet contractual commitments to third parties, operating and capital efficiencies, business strategy, and other plans and objectives for future operations. Disclosures concerning the fair values of derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date. These market prices are subject to significant volatility.


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Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are described under Risk Factors in Item 1A of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 ("2014 Form 10-K") and include:

the volatility of oil, natural gas and NGL prices;

write-downs of our oil and natural gas asset carrying values due to declines in prices;

the availability of operating cash flow and other funds to finance reserve replacement costs;

our ability to replace reserves and sustain production;

uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil, natural gas and NGL reserves and projecting future rates of production and the amount and timing of development expenditures;

our ability to generate profits or achieve targeted results in drilling and well operations;

leasehold terms expiring before production can be established;

commodity derivative activities resulting in lower prices realized on oil, natural gas and NGL sales;

the need to secure derivative liabilities and the inability of counterparties to satisfy their obligations;

adverse developments or losses from pending or future litigation and regulatory proceedings, including royalty claims;

the limitations our level of indebtedness may have on our financial flexibility;

charges incurred in response to market conditions and in connection with actions to reduce financial leverage and complexity;

drilling and operating risks and resulting liabilities;

effects of environmental protection laws and regulation on our business;

legislative and regulatory initiatives further regulating hydraulic fracturing or other aspects of our operations;

our need to secure adequate supplies of water for our drilling operations and to dispose of or recycle the water used;

federal and state tax proposals affecting our industry;

potential OTC derivatives regulation limiting our ability to hedge against commodity price fluctuations;

impacts of potential legislative and regulatory actions addressing climate change;

competition in the oil and gas exploration and production industry;

a deterioration in general economic, business or industry conditions;

negative public perceptions of our industry;

limited control over properties we do not operate;

pipeline and gathering system capacity constraints and transportation interruptions;

cyber attacks adversely impacting our operations; and

an interruption in operations at our headquarters due to a catastrophic event.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this report, which speak only as of the filing date, and we undertake no obligation to update this information except as required by applicable law. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in this report and our other filings with the SEC that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.


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ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Oil, Natural Gas and NGL Derivatives

Our results of operations and cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil, natural gas and NGL. To mitigate a portion of our exposure to adverse price changes, we have entered into various derivative instruments. These instruments allow us to predict with greater certainty the effective prices to be received for our share of production. We believe our derivative instruments continue to be highly effective in achieving our risk management objectives.

Our general strategy for protecting short-term cash flow and attempting to mitigate exposure to adverse oil, natural gas and NGL price changes is to hedge into strengthening oil and natural gas futures markets when prices reach levels that management believes are unsustainable for the long term, have material downside risk in the short term or provide reasonable rates of return on our invested capital. Information we consider in forming an opinion about future prices includes general economic conditions, industrial output levels and expectations, producer breakeven cost structures, liquefied natural gas trends, oil and natural gas storage inventory levels, industry decline rates for base production and weather trends.

We use a wide range of derivative instruments to achieve our risk management objectives, including swaps, collars and options. All of these are described in more detail below. We typically use swaps and three-way collars for a large portion of the oil and natural gas price risk we hedge. We have also sold calls, taking advantage of premiums associated with market price volatility. In 2012 and 2013, we bought oil and natural gas calls to, in effect, lock in sold call positions. Due to lower oil, natural gas and NGL prices, we were able to achieve this at a low cost to us. In some cases, we deferred the payment of the premium on these trades to the related month of production. Some of our derivatives are deemed to contain, for accounting purposes, a significant financing element at contract inception and the cash settlements associated with these instruments are classified as financing cash flows in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

We determine the volume potentially subject to derivative contracts by reviewing our overall estimated future production levels, which are derived from extensive examination of existing producing reserve estimates and estimates of likely production from new drilling. Production forecasts are updated at least monthly and adjusted if necessary to actual results and activity levels. We do not enter into derivative contracts for volumes in excess of our share of forecasted production, and if production estimates were lowered for future periods and derivative instruments are already executed for some volume above the new production forecasts, the positions would be reversed. The actual fixed price on our derivative instruments is derived from the reference NYMEX price, as reflected in current NYMEX trading. The pricing dates of our derivative contracts follow NYMEX futures. All of our commodity derivative instruments are net settled based on the difference between the fixed price as stated in the contract and the floating-price payment, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

We review our derivative positions continuously and if future market conditions change and prices are at levels we believe could jeopardize the effectiveness of a position, we will mitigate this risk by either negotiating a cash settlement with our counterparty, restructuring the position or entering into a new trade that effectively reverses the current position. The factors we consider in closing or restructuring a position before the settlement date are identical to those we review when deciding to enter into the original derivative position. Gains or losses related to closed positions will be recognized in the month of related production based on the terms specified in the original contract.

We have determined the fair value of our derivative instruments utilizing established index prices, volatility curves and discount factors. These estimates are compared to counterparty valuations for reasonableness. Derivative transactions are also subject to the risk that counterparties will be unable to meet their obligations. This non-performance risk is considered in the valuation of our derivative instruments, but to date has not had a material impact on the values of our derivatives. Future risk related to counterparties not being able to meet their obligations has been partially mitigated under our commodity hedging arrangements which require counterparties to post collateral if their obligations to Chesapeake are in excess of defined thresholds. The values we report in our financial statements are as of a point in time and subsequently change as these estimates are revised to reflect actual results, changes in market conditions and other factors. See Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for further discussion of the fair value measurements associated with our derivatives.


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As of September 30, 2015 , our oil and natural gas derivative instruments consisted of the following:

Swaps : Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.

Collars: These instruments contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, Chesapeake receives the fixed price and pays the market price. If the market price is between the put and the call strike prices, no payments are due from either party. Three-way collars include an additional put option in exchange for a more favorable strike price on the call option. This eliminates the counterparty's downside exposure below the second put option strike price.

Options : Chesapeake sells, and occasionally buys, call options in exchange for a premium. At the time of settlement, if the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, Chesapeake pays the counterparty the excess on sold call options, and Chesapeake receives the excess on bought call options. If the market price settles below the fixed price of the call options, no payment is due from either party.

Basis Protection Swaps : These instruments are arrangements that guarantee a fixed price differential to NYMEX from a specified delivery point. Chesapeake receives the fixed price differential and pays the floating market price differential to the counterparty for the hedged commodity.

As of September 30, 2015 , we had the following open oil and natural gas derivative instruments:

Weighted Average Price

Fair Value

Volume

Fixed

Call

Put

Differential

Asset

(Liability)

(mmbbl)

($ per bbl)

($ in millions)

Oil:

Swaps:

Short-term

6.9


$

70.41


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

159


Long-term

1.1


52.18


-


-


-


2


3-Way Collars:

Short-term

1.1


-


98.94


80.00 / 90.00


-


11


Call Options (sold):

Short-term

12.3


-


97.71


-


-


(1

)

Long-term

8.0


-


87.86


-


-


(5

)

Call Options (bought) (a) :

Short-term

(2.2

)

-


113.54


-


-


(3

)

Basis Protection Swaps:

Short-term

1.6


-


-


-


3.13


-


                                     Total Oil

$

163



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Weighted Average Price

Fair Value

Volume

Fixed  

Call

Put

Differential

Asset (Liability)

(tbtu)

($ per mmbtu)

($ in millions)

Natural Gas:

Swaps:

Short-term

243


$

3.42


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

164


Long-term

52


3.11


-


-


-


10


3-Way Collars:

Short-term

36


-


4.37


3.38 / 4.17


-


28


Call Options (sold):

Short-term

266


-


6.63


-


-


(1

)

Long-term

184


-


9.32


-


-


(1

)

Call Options (bought) (b) :

Short-term

(207

)

-


6.10


-


-


(84

)

Long-term

(50

)

-


6.02


-


-


(21

)

Basis Protection Swaps:

Short-term

46


-


-


-


0.31


2


Long-term

29


-


-


-


(0.48

)

(6

)

Total Natural Gas

$

91


Total Oil and Natural Gas

$

254


__________________________________________

(a)

Included in the fair value are deferred premiums of $3 million which will be included in oil, natural gas and NGL sales as realized gains (losses) in the remainder of 2015.

(b)

Included in the fair value are deferred premiums of $21 million and $85 million which will be included in oil, natural gas and NGL sales as realized gains (losses) in the remainder of 2015 and 2016, respectively.

In addition to the open derivative positions disclosed above, as of September 30, 2015 , we had $70 million of net derivative gains related to settled contracts for future production periods that will be recorded within oil, natural gas and NGL sales as realized gains (losses) on derivatives once they are transferred from either accumulated other comprehensive income or unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives in the month of related production, based on the terms specified in the original contract as noted below.

September 30,
2015

($ in millions)

Short-term

$

66


Long-term

4


Total

$

70



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The table below reconciles the changes in fair value of our oil and natural gas derivatives during the Current Period. Of the $254 million fair value asset as of September 30, 2015 , a $275 million asset relates to contracts maturing in the next 12 months and a $21 million liability relates to contracts maturing after 12 months. All open derivative instruments as of September 30, 2015 are expected to mature by December 31, 2022.

September 30,
2015

($ in millions)

Fair value of contracts outstanding, as of January 1

$

721


Change in fair value of contracts

370


Contracts realized or otherwise settled

(839

)

Fair value of contracts closed

2


Fair value of contracts outstanding, as of September 30

$

254


The change in oil and natural gas prices during the Current Period increased the asset related to our derivative instruments by $370 million. This unrealized gain is recorded in oil, natural gas and NGL sales. We settled contracts in the Current Period that were in an asset position for $839 million. We terminated contracts that were in a liability position for $2 million. Realized gains and losses will be recorded in oil, natural gas and NGL sales in the month of related production.

Interest Rate Derivatives

The table below presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates, using the earliest demand repurchase date for contingent convertible senior notes. As of September 30, 2015 , we had total debt of $11.7 billion, including $10.2 billion of fixed rate debt at interest rates averaging 5.24% and $1.5 billion of floating rate debt at an interest rate of 3.54% (three-month LIBOR plus 3.25%).

Years of Maturity

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Thereafter

Total

($ in millions)

Liabilities:

Debt – fixed rate (a)

$

396


$

500


$

2,212


$

1,016


$

-


$

6,100


$

10,224


Average interest rate

2.75

%

3.25

%

4.35

%

5.54

%

-

%

5.83

%

5.24

%

Debt – variable rate

$

-


$

-


$

-


$

-


$

1,500


$

-


$

1,500


Average interest rate

-

%

-

%

-

%

-

%

3.54

%

-

%

3.54

%

___________________________________________

(a)

This amount does not include the discount included in debt of $165 million and interest rate derivatives of $8 million.

Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest we earn on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the interest rate we pay on borrowings under our revolving credit facility and our floating rate senior notes. All of our other indebtedness is fixed rate and, therefore, does not expose us to the risk of fluctuations in earnings or cash flow due to changes in market interest rates. However, changes in interest rates do affect the fair value of our fixed-rate debt.

From time to time, we enter into interest rate derivatives, including fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps (we receive a fixed interest rate and pay a floating market rate) to mitigate our exposure to changes in the fair value of our senior notes and floating-to-fixed interest rate swaps (we receive a floating market rate and pay a fixed interest rate) to manage our interest rate exposure related to our revolving credit facility borrowings. As of September 30, 2015 , there were no interest rate derivatives outstanding.

As of September 30, 2015 , we had $41 million of net gains related to settled derivative contracts that will be recorded within interest expense as realized gains or losses once they are transferred from our senior note liability or within interest expense as unrealized gains or losses over the remaining eight-year term of our related senior notes.

Realized and unrealized (gains) or losses from interest rate derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to interest expense on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.


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Foreign Currency Derivatives

In December 2006, we issued €600 million of 6.25% Euro-denominated Senior Notes due 2017. Concurrent with the issuance of the euro-denominated senior notes, we entered into cross currency swaps to mitigate our exposure to fluctuations in the euro relative to the dollar over the term of the notes. In May 2011, we purchased and subsequently retired €256 million in aggregate principal amount of these senior notes following a tender offer, and we simultaneously unwound the cross currency swaps for the same principal amount. Under the terms of the remaining cross currency swaps, on each semi-annual interest payment date, the counterparties pay us €11 million and we pay the counterparties $17 million, which yields an annual dollar-equivalent interest rate of 7.491%. Upon maturity of the notes, the counterparties will pay us €344 million and we will pay the counterparties $459 million. The terms of the cross currency swaps were based on the dollar/euro exchange rate on the issuance date of $1.3325 to €1.00. Through the cross currency swaps, we have eliminated any potential variability in our expected cash flows related to changes in foreign exchange rates and therefore the swaps are designated as cash flow hedges. The fair values of the cross currency swaps are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as liabilities of $76 million and $53 million as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. The euro-denominated debt in long-term debt has been adjusted to $384 million as of September 30, 2015 , using an exchange rate of $1.1177 to €1.00.

Supply Contract Derivatives

As discussed in Note 8 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report, we enter into supply contracts in the normal course of business under which we commit to deliver a predetermined quantity of natural gas to certain counterparties in an attempt to earn attractive margins. Under certain contracts, we receive a sales price that is based on the price of a product other than natural gas thereby creating an embedded derivative. The prices of the products other than natural gas are unobservable. We engage an independent third-party valuation firm to value these supply contracts. The products being valued other than natural gas are sensitive to pricing fluctuations and some of these fluctuations could be material. Changes to the value of these contracts are recorded as mark-to-market adjustments to marketing, gathering and compression revenues in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures 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 accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Chesapeake's disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a–15(b). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2015 .

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 , which materially affected, or was reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II

ITEM 1.

Legal Proceedings

Litigation and Regulatory Proceedings

The Company is involved in a number of litigation and regulatory proceedings (including those described below). Many of these proceedings are in early stages, and many of them seek or may seek damages and penalties, the amount of which is currently indeterminate. See Note 4 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for information regarding our estimation and provision for potential losses related to litigation and regulatory proceedings.

July 2008 Common Stock Offering Litigation. On February 25, 2009, a putative class action was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York against the Company and certain of its officers and directors along with certain underwriters of the Company's July 2008 common stock offering. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint on September 11, 2009 alleging that the registration statement for the offering contained material misstatements and omissions and seeking damages under Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933 of an unspecified amount and rescission. The action was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma on October 13, 2009. Chesapeake and the officer and director defendants moved for summary judgment on grounds of loss causation and materiality on December 28, 2011, and the motion was granted as to all claims as a matter of law on March 29, 2013. On appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit affirmed the dismissal on August 8, 2014 and denied the plaintiffs' petition for rehearing on November 12, 2014. On April 10, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court, and on October 15, 2015, certiorari was denied and the case was closed.

Shareholder Derivative Litigation. A federal consolidated derivative action and an Oklahoma state court derivative action were stayed in 2012 pending resolution of a related, previously reported putative federal securities class action. The shareholder derivative actions alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, among other things, related to the former CEO's personal financial practices and purported conflicts of interest, and the Company's accounting for VPPs. The federal securities class action was dismissed in July 2014, and the parties stipulated to continue the stay of the Oklahoma state court derivative action while the plaintiffs pursued their claims in the federal consolidated derivative action. The plaintiffs filed a consolidated derivative complaint on October 31, 2014 and an amended consolidated derivative complaint on February 12, 2015. Chesapeake filed its motion to dismiss on February 23, 2015, and on August 13, 2015, the plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal. The federal derivative case was dismissed on September 29, 2015, and the Oklahoma state derivative case was dismissed on August 21, 2015.

Regulatory Proceedings. The Company has received, from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and certain state governmental agencies and authorities, subpoenas and demands for documents, information and testimony in connection with investigations into possible violations of federal and state antitrust laws relating to our purchase and lease of oil and gas rights in various states. The Company also has received DOJ, U.S. Postal Service and state subpoenas seeking information on the Company's royalty payment practices. Chesapeake has engaged in discussions with the DOJ and state agency representatives and continues to respond to such subpoenas and demands.

Redemption of 2019 Notes. See Chesapeake Senior Notes and Contingent Convertible Senior Notes in Note 3 of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of Part I of this report for a description of pending litigation regarding our redemption in May 2013 of our 2019 Notes.

Business Operations. Chesapeake is involved in various other lawsuits and disputes incidental to its business operations, including commercial disputes, personal injury claims, royalty claims, property damage claims and contract actions. With regard to contract actions, various mineral or leasehold owners have filed lawsuits against us seeking specific performance to require us to acquire their oil and natural gas interests and pay acreage bonus payments, damages based on breach of contract and/or, in certain cases, punitive damages based on alleged fraud. The Company has successfully defended a number of these failure-to-close cases in various courts, has settled and resolved other such cases and disputes and believes that its remaining loss exposure for these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Regarding royalty claims, Chesapeake and other natural gas producers have been named in various lawsuits alleging royalty underpayment. The suits against us allege, among other things, that we used below-market prices, made improper deductions, used improper measurement techniques and/or entered into arrangements with affiliates that resulted in underpayment of royalties in connection with the production and sale of natural gas and NGL. The


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Company has resolved a number of these claims through negotiated settlements of past and future royalties and has prevailed in various other lawsuits. We are currently defending lawsuits seeking damages with respect to royalty underpayment in various states, including, but not limited to, Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. These lawsuits include cases filed by individual royalty owners and putative class actions, some of which seek to certify a statewide class. The Company also has received DOJ, U.S. Postal Service and state subpoenas seeking information on the Company's royalty payment practices.

Plaintiffs have varying royalty provisions in their respective leases and oil and gas law varies from state to state. Royalty owners and producers differ in their interpretation of the legal effect of lease provisions governing royalty calculations, an issue in a putative class action filed in November 2010 in the District Court of Beaver County, Oklahoma on behalf of Oklahoma royalty owners asserting claims dating back to 2004. In July 2014, this case was remanded to the trial court for further proceedings following the reversal on appeal of certification of a statewide class. We and the named plaintiff participated in mediation concerning the claims asserted in the putative class action litigation and negotiated a settlement requiring the Company to pay $119 million cash to compensate the putative settlement class for alleged past royalty underpayments in exchange for the release of claims for the ten-year period ended December 31, 2014. Following a fairness hearing, the District Court certified the settlement class and approved the $119 million settlement on July 3, 2015. In the Current Quarter, the Company paid $114 million, which was net of opted-out claims, in settlement of the case.

Chesapeake is defending numerous lawsuits filed by individual royalty owners alleging royalty underpayment with respect to properties in Texas. On April 8, 2015, Chesapeake obtained a transfer order from the Texas Multidistrict Litigation Panel to transfer a substantial portion of these lawsuits filed since June 2014 to the 348th District Court of Tarrant County for pre-trial purposes. These lawsuits, which primarily relate to the Barnett Shale, generally allege that Chesapeake underpaid royalties by making improper deductions and using incorrect production volumes. In addition to allegations of breach of contract, a number of these lawsuits allege fraud, conspiracy, joint venture and antitrust violations by Chesapeake. Chesapeake expects that additional lawsuits will be filed by new plaintiffs making similar allegations. The lawsuits seek direct damages in varying amounts, together with exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, costs and interest.

Putative statewide class actions in Pennsylvania and Ohio and purported class arbitrations in Pennsylvania have been filed on behalf of royalty owners asserting various claims for damages related to alleged underpayment of royalties as a result of the Company's divestiture of substantially all of its midstream business and most of its gathering assets in 2012 and 2013. These cases include claims for violation of and conspiracy to violate the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and one of the cases includes claims of intentional interference with contractual relations and violations of antitrust laws.

Environmental Proceedings

Our subsidiary Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC (CALLC) is engaged in discussions with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) regarding potential violations of the permitting requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law and the Pennsylvania Dam Safety and Encroachments Act in connection with the placement of dredge and fill material during construction of certain sites in Pennsylvania. CALLC identified the potential violations in connection with an internal review of its facilities siting and construction processes and voluntarily reported them to the regulatory agencies. Resolution of the matter may result in monetary sanctions of more than $100,000.

CALLC is also engaged in discussions with the PADEP regarding potential violations of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law as a result of pad subsidence allegedly causing material to enter a nearby stream. Since the incident, CALLC and the PADEP have been working to remediate the site and bring it into compliance. We expect that resolution of these matters will result in monetary sanctions of more than $100,000.

The PADEP has separately indicated that it will seek a penalty in excess of $100,000 in connection with contamination in the vicinity of one of CALLC's well pads in Bradford County, Pennsylvania.  Discussions regarding the resolution of this matter are ongoing.

In July 2015, we settled an enforcement action initiated by the PADEP alleging gas migration from a well in Bradford County by agreeing to pay a civil penalty of $193,135.


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ITEM 1A.      Risk Factors

Our business has many risks. Factors that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results or liquidity and the trading price of our common stock, preferred stock or senior notes are described under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of our 2014 Form 10-K. This information should be considered carefully, together with other information in this report and other reports and materials we file with the SEC.

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table presents information about repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2015 :

Period

Total

Number

of Shares

Purchased (a)

Average

Price

Paid

Per
Share
(a)

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased as

Part of

Publicly

Announced

Plans or

Programs

Maximum

Approximate

Dollar Value

of Shares

That May Yet

Be Purchased

Under

the Plans

or Programs (b)

($ in millions)

July 1, 2015 through July 31, 2015

796,248


$

10.62


-


$

1,000


August 1, 2015 through August 31, 2015

19,531


$

7.59


-


$

1,000


September 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015

11,792


$

7.75


-


$

1,000


Total

827,571


$

10.51


-




___________________________________________

(a)

Reflects the surrender to the Company of shares of common stock to pay withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of employee restricted stock. Also includes shares of common stock purchased on behalf of Chesapeake's deferred compensation plan related to participant deferrals and Company matching contributions.

(b)

In December 2014, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion in value of its common stock from time to time. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date. As of September 30, 2015, no repurchases had been made under the program.

ITEM 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

ITEM 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

ITEM 5.

Other Information

Not applicable.

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

The exhibits listed below in the Index of Exhibits (following the signatures page) are filed, furnished or incorporated by reference pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements 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.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

Date: November 4, 2015

By:  

/s/ ROBERT D. LAWLER

Robert D. Lawler ,

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 4, 2015

By:  

/s/ DOMENIC J. DELL'OSSO, JR.

Domenic J. Dell'Osso, Jr.

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer




Table of Contents


INDEX OF EXHIBITS

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit

Number

Exhibit Description

Form

SEC File

Number

Exhibit

Filing Date

Filed or Furnished

Herewith

3.1.1

Chesapeake's Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

10-Q

001-13726

3.1.1

8/6/2014

3.1.2

Certificate of Designation of 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2005B), as amended.

10-Q

001-13726

3.1.4

11/10/2008

3.1.3

Certificate of Designation of 4.5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended.

10-Q

001-13726

3.1.6

8/11/2008

3.1.4

Certificate of Designation of 5.75% Cumulative Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (Series A).

8-K

001-13726

3.2

5/20/2010

3.1.5

Certificate of Designation of 5.75% Cumulative Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended.

10-Q

001-13726

3.1.5

8/9/2010

3.2

Chesapeake's Amended and Restated Bylaws.

8-K

001-13726

3.2

6/9/2014

4.1

First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated September 30, 2015 among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, as borrower; MUFG Union Bank N.A., as administrative agent, co-syndication agent, a swingline lender and a letter of credit issuer; Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-syndication agent, a swingline lender and a letter of credit issuer; and certain other lenders named therein.

X

12

Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends.

X

31.1

Robert D. Lawler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

X

31.2

Domenic J. Dell'Osso, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

X

32.1

Robert D. Lawler, President and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

X

32.2

Domenic J. Dell'Osso, Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

X

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document.

X

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

X

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

X


Table of Contents


101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

X

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

X

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

X