Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Basis of Presentation (Policies)

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Basis of Presentation (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Operations

Operations.  W&T Offshore, Inc. and subsidiaries, referred to herein as “W&T” or the “Company,” is an independent oil and natural gas producer focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico and onshore Texas.  The Company is active in the exploration, development and acquisition of oil and natural gas properties.  Our interest in fields, leases, structures and equipment are primarily owned by W&T Offshore, Inc. (the “Parent Company”) and our wholly-owned subsidiary, W&T Energy VI, LLC (“Energy VI”).

Interim Financial Statements

Interim Financial Statements.  The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim periods and the appropriate rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements for annual periods.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included.

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year.  These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Adjustment Related to Additional Volumes

Adjustment related to additional volumes.  In January 2014, we identified that we had been receiving an erroneous conversion factor from a third party that had the effect of understating natural gas production at our Viosca Knoll 783 field (Tahoe).  The incorrect conversion factor had been used on all natural gas production from the field since we acquired it in 2011.  The effect of using this incorrect conversion factor did not affect revenues, operating cash flows or royalty payments to the federal government but did impact reported natural gas production and the calculation of depletion expense.  We performed an analysis of the information, assessing both quantitative and qualitative factors, and determined that the impact on our net income reported for quarters in 2013, as well as the impact to our earnings trend, was not material to the previously reported results, thus the adjustment was recognized in the fourth quarter of 2013.  The amounts included in the adjustment recognized in the fourth quarter 2013 period which relate to the first quarter of 2013 were: an increase in natural gas production volumes of 264 million cubic feet (“MMcf”) (with no corresponding increase in revenue); an increase to depreciation, depletion, amortization and accretion expense (“DD&A”) of $0.8 million; and a decrease to net income of $0.5 million.

Recent Accounting Developments

Recent Accounting Developments.  None.