Chesapeake Energy 2015 Annual Report Download - page 120

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (Continued)
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As of December 31, 2015, there was $8 million of total unrecognized compensation expense related to stock
options. The expense is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.56 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 2015, we did not recognize any reductions or excess in tax benefits related to stock options.
During 2014 and 2013, we recognized excess tax benefits related to stock options of $3 million and $1 million,
respectively. Each adjustment was recorded to additional paid-in capital and deferred income taxes.
Restricted Stock and Stock Option Compensation. We recognized the following compensation costs related to
restricted stock and stock options for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
Years Ended December 31,
2015 2014 2013
($ in millions)
General and administrative expenses ...................................................... $ 43 $ 46 $ 60
Oil and natural gas properties .................................................................. 23 29 52
Oil, natural gas and NGL production expenses ........................................ 18 18 21
Marketing, gathering and compression expenses .................................... 567
Oilfield services expenses ........................................................................ — 5 10
Total ............................................................................................... $ 89 $ 104 $ 150
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 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. For PSUs granted in 2014, the TSR
component can range from 0% to 200%, with no operational components. 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%. 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 ...................................................................................................................................................... 55.76%
Risk-free interest rate ................................................................................................................................. 1.06%
Dividend yield for value of awards .............................................................................................................. —%