Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

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Commitments and Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Plugging and Abandonment Funds
In connection with the Company's acquisition in 1997 of the remaining 50% interest in its WCBB properties, the Company assumed the seller’s (Chevron) obligation to contribute approximately $18,000 per month through March 2004 to a plugging and abandonment trust and the obligation to plug a minimum of 20 wells per year for 20 years commencing March 11, 1997. Chevron retained a security interest in production from these properties until the Company's abandonment obligations to Chevron have been fulfilled. Beginning in 2009, the Company could access the trust for use in plugging and abandonment charges associated with the property, although it has not yet done so. As of March 31, 2016, the plugging and abandonment trust totaled approximately $3.1 million. At March 31, 2016, the Company had plugged 463 wells at WCBB since it began its plugging program in 1997, which management believes fulfills its current minimum plugging obligation.
Employment Agreements
Effective November 1, 2012, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Messrs. James Palm, Mike Liddell and Michael G. Moore, each with an initial three-year term expiring on November 1, 2015 subject to automatic one-year extensions unless terminated by either party to the agreement at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term. These agreements provided for minimum salary and bonus levels which were subject to review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee and/or the Board of Directors, as well as participation in the Company's incentive plans and other employee benefits.
Effective February 15, 2014, Gulfport's former Chief Executive Officer, James D. Palm, retired and his employment agreement with the Company terminated. The Company entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Palm, under which agreement certain benefits are provided to, and obligations imposed on, Mr. Palm. As of March 31, 2016, the minimum commitment under Mr. Palm's separation agreement was approximately $0.2 million.
Mr. Liddell resigned as the Company's Chairman effective June 2013 at which date his employment agreement with Gulfport terminated. At that same time, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Mr. Liddell. Mr. Liddell terminated his consulting agreement with the Company effective January 1, 2015.
On April 22, 2014, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Moore as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Company and Mr. Moore entered into an amended and restated employment agreement with a three-year term commencing effective April 22, 2014. The agreement provides, among other things, for a minimum salary level, subject to review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee and/or the Board of Directors, as well as participation in the Company's incentive plans and other employee benefits. Effective as of April 29, 2015, the Company amended and restated its existing employment agreement with Mr. Moore. The employment agreement, as amended and restated as of April 29, 2015, reflects the decision of the compensation committee of the Company’s board of directors to increase Mr. Moore’s annual base salary to $460,000 for 2015 and the determination by the compensation committee to continue to increase Mr. Moore’s annual base salary during 2016 and 2017 so as to achieve alignment between the 25th and 50th percentile of the Company’s peer group disclosed in the Company’s annual proxy statement. The amended and restated employment agreement also eliminated Mr. Moore’s right to receive a fixed annual grant of 40,000 shares of restricted stock. Instead, consistent with the recommendation of the Company’s compensation consultant and approved by the compensation committee, the amended and restated employment agreement provided that Mr. Moore is entitled to receive an award of restricted stock equal to 500% of his annual base salary on the same vesting schedule as previously provided in his employment agreement with respect to his equity awards.
On March 13, 2015, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ross Kirtley, the Company's Chief Operating Officer. The agreement has a two-year term commencing effective April 22, 2014. This agreement provides, among other things, for a minimum salary level, subject to review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee and/or the Board of Directors, as well as participation in the Company's incentive plans and other employee benefits.
On March 13, 2015, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Aaron Gaydosik, the Company's Chief Financial Officer. The agreement has a three-year term commencing effective August 11, 2014. This agreement provides, among other things, for a minimum salary level, subject to review and potential increase by the Compensation Committee and/or the Board of Directors, as well as participation in the Company's incentive plans and other employee benefits.
The aggregate minimum commitment for future salary at March 31, 2016 under the above listed employment agreements was approximately $1.0 million.
Operating Leases
The Company leases office facilities under non-cancellable operating leases exceeding one year. Future minimum lease commitments under these leases at March 31, 2016 were as follows:
 
(In thousands)
Remaining 2016
$
593

2017
583

2018
54

Total
$
1,230


Other Commitments
Effective October 1, 2014 and subsequently amended on November 3, 2015, the Company entered into a Sand Supply Agreement with Muskie Proppant LLC ("Muskie") that expires on September 30, 2018. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company has agreed to purchase annual and monthly amounts of proppant sand subject to exceptions specified in the agreement at agreed pricing, plus agreed costs and expenses. Failure by either Muskie or the Company to deliver or accept the minimum monthly amount results in damages calculated per ton based on the difference between the monthly obligation amount and the amount actually delivered or accepted, as applicable. The Company incurred $1.3 million related to non-utilization fees during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Effective October 1, 2014, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Master Services Agreement for pressure pumping services with Stingray Pressure Pumping LLC ("Stingray Pressure") that expires on September 30, 2018. Pursuant to this agreement, Stingray Pressure has agreed to provide hydraulic fracturing, stimulation and related completion and rework services to the Company and the Company has agreed to pay Stingray Pressure a monthly service fee plus the associated costs of the services provided. On February 18, 2016, effective January 1, 2016, the Company amended its Master Services Agreement with Stingray Pressure. The amendment adjusted the amount of service fees payable for the period from January 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016.
Future minimum commitments under these agreements at March 31, 2016 are as follows:
 
(In thousands)
Remaining 2016
$
39,330

2017
52,440

2018
39,330

Total
$
131,100


Litigation
Due to the nature of the Company's business, it is, from time to time, involved in routine litigation or subject to disputes or claims related to its business activities, including workers' compensation claims and employment related disputes. In the opinion of the Company's management, none of the pending litigation, disputes or claims against the Company, if decided adversely, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.