Estimates of Proved Oil and Gas Reserves
The estimate of the Partnership’s proved reserves at December 31, 2013 was prepared and presented in accordance with SEC rules and accounting standards which require SEC reporting entities to prepare their reserve estimates using the un-weighted arithmetic average of the first-day-of-the-month commodity prices over the preceding 12-month period and year end costs. Future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than these prices and costs, which would impact the estimate of reserves and future cash flows. The Partnership’s proved reserve information included in this report was based upon evaluations prepared by RELP’s senior reservoir engineer.
Reservoir engineering, which is the process of estimating quantities of crude oil and natural gas reserves, is complex, requiring significant decisions in the evaluation of all available geological, geophysical, engineering, and economic data for each reservoir. These estimates are dependent upon many variables, and changes occur as knowledge of these variables evolves. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise, and are subject to considerable upward or downward adjustments. Actual production, revenues and expenditures with respect to reserves will likely vary from estimates, and such variances could be material. In addition, reserve estimates for properties which have not yet been drilled, or properties with a limited production history may be less reliable than estimates for properties with longer production histories.
Reserves and their relation to estimated future net cash flows impact the Partnership’s depletion and impairment calculations. As a result, adjustments to depletion and impairment are made concurrently with changes to reserve estimates. If proved reserve estimates decline, the rate at which depletion expense is recorded increases, reducing net income. A decline in estimated proved reserves and future cash flows also reduces the capitalized cost ceiling and may result in increased impairment expense.