Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Common Stock Options, Warrants And Changes In Capitalization

v2.4.1.9
Common Stock Options, Warrants And Changes In Capitalization
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Common Stock Options, Warrants and Changes In Capitalization
COMMON STOCK OPTIONS, WARRANTS, RESTRICTED STOCK AND CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION
Options
In January 2005, the Company adopted the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”), which is administered by the Compensation Committee (the "Committee"). Under the terms of the 2005 Plan, the Committee may determine when options shall be granted, to which eligible participants options shall be granted, the number of shares covered by such options, the purchase price or exercise price of such options, the vesting periods of such options and the exercisable period of such options. Eligible participants are defined as employees, consultants, and directors of the Company.
On April 20, 2006, the Company amended and restated the 2005 Plan to (i) include (a) incentive stock options, (b) nonstatutory stock options, (c) restricted awards (restricted stock and restricted stock units), (d) performance awards and (e) stock appreciation rights and (ii) increase the maximum aggregate amount of common stock that may be issued under the 2005 Plan from 1,904,606 shares to 3,000,000 shares, including the 627,337 shares underlying options granted to employees under the Plan prior to adoption of the 2005 Plan. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had granted 997,269 options for the purchase of shares of the Company’s common stock and 1,143,217 shares of restricted stock under the 2005 Plan. No additional securities will be issued under the Plan other than upon exercise of options that are outstanding.
On April 19, 2013, the Company amended and restated the 2005 Plan with the 2013 Restated Stock Incentive Plan ("2013 Plan"). The 2013 Plan increased the numbers of shares that may be awarded from 3,000,000 to 7,500,000 shares, including the 627,337 shares underlaying options granted to employees under the Plan. The shares of stock issued once the options are exercised will be from authorized but unissued common stock. As of December 31, 2014, the Company had granted 258,361 shares of restricted stock under the 2013 Plan.
Sale of Common Stock
On December 24, 2012, the Company completed the sale of an aggregate of 11,750,000 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering (including the partial exercise of a 1,650,000 share over-allotment option granted to the underwriters, which option was initially exercised to the extent of 750,000 shares) at a public offering price of $38.00 per share less the underwriting discount. The underwriters subsequently exercised their option to purchase the remaining 900,000 additional shares of common stock subject to the over-allotment option in a second closing, which occurred on January 7, 2013. The Company received aggregate net proceeds from both closings of approximately $460.7 million from the sale of these shares after deducting the underwriting discount and before offering expenses. The Company used a portion of these net proceeds to fund the acquisition of approximately 37,000 net acres in the Utica Shale, as described above in Note 2, and for general corporate purposes, including the funding of a portion of its 2013 capital development plan.
On February 15, 2013, the Company completed the sale of an aggregate of 8,912,500 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $38.00 per share less the underwriting discount. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of approximately $325.8 million from the sale of these shares after deducting the underwriting discount and before offering expenses. The Company used a portion of the net proceeds from this equity offering to fund its acquisition of additional Utica Shale acreage as described in Note 2, and the balance for general corporate purposes, including the funding of a portion of its 2013 capital development plan.
On November 13, 2013, the Company completed the sale of an aggregate of 7,475,000 shares of its common stock in an underwritten public offering at a public offering price of $56.75 per share less the underwriting discount. The Company received aggregate net proceeds of approximately $408.0 million from the sale of these shares after deducting the underwriting discount and before offering expenses. The Company has used and intends to continue to use the net proceeds from this equity offering for general corporate purposes, which may include expenditures associated with its 2014 drilling program and additional acreage acquisitions in the Utica Shale.
Private Placement Offering
In March 2002, the Company completed a private placement offering of 10,000 units. Each unit consisted of (i) one share of Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Company (the “Preferred”) and (ii) a warrant to purchase up to 250 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Warrants”). Holders of the Preferred were entitled to receive dividends at the rate of 12% of the liquidation preference per annum payable quarterly in cash or, at the option of the Company for all quarters ending on or prior to March 31, 2004, payable in whole or in part in additional shares of Preferred at the rate of 15% of the liquidation preference per annum. All Preferred shares were redeemed in 2005.
The 2,322,962 Warrants issued had a term of 10 years and a current exercise price of $1.19 per share of common stock subject to adjustment. The Company granted to holders of the Warrants certain demand and piggyback registration rights with respect to shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants. The 8,875 unexercised warrants expired on March 31, 2012.