Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLCScarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Firm Insights

Ultra Petroleum files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Author: Joel R. Glucksman

Date: June 24, 2016

Key Contacts

Back

Ultra Petroleum files Chapter 11

Recently, Ultra Petroleum, the largest natural gas company in Wyoming and one of the biggest firms in the nation, announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According The Wall Street Journal, the company cited several months of financial decline for its decision.

Ultra Petroleum falls into insolvency

In its bankruptcy documents, the company claimed that it amassed a massive debt load that was directly correlated to the collapse of oil and natural gas prices. For a majority of the previous two years, natural gas prices have declined, and subsequently struggled to rebound, as they have averaged under $2 million per British Thermal Unit.

A Houston Business Journal report noted that the company has struggled with its debt load since 2014, as revenues fell from $183 million in the first quarter of 2015 to under $138 million by the first quarter of this year. Even so, the company only reported $21.8 million in losses in Q1 this year, as opposed to $25 million in revenues at the same time last year.

Nevertheless, this left the company with assets of only $1.28 billion and debts of more than $3.92 billion – all of which were unsecured. Then, after Ultra Petroleum failed over a series of months to negotiate refinancing agreements with any of its lenders and bondholders, the company was forced to seek bankruptcy protection.

The significance of the Ultra Petroleum filing

Ultra Petroleum’s bankruptcy petition comes less than a week after Midstates Petroleum announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to The Journal, this has become a growing trend in the energy sector as more companies have struggled to adjust to the collapse of oil and natural gas prices. To date, 67 production and exploration firms have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since 2015, which represents a 380 percent increase over 2014.

Are you a creditor in a bankruptcy?  Have you been sued by a bankrupt?  If you have any questions about your rights, please contact me, Joel Glucksman, at 201-806-3364.

For more posts regarding oil & gas companies filing for Bankruptcy, check out:

  • Venoco files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
  • Emerald Oil Inc Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
  • Goodrich Petroleum Corp. Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, LLC

Related Posts

See all
Does Your Homeowners Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage? post image

Does Your Homeowners Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage?

Your home is likely your greatest asset, which is why it is so important to adequately protect it. Homeowners insurance protects you from the financial costs of unforeseen losses, such as theft, fire, and natural disasters, by helping you rebuild and replace possessions that were lost While the definition of “adequate” coverage depends upon a […]

Author: Jesse M. Dimitro

Link to post with title - "Does Your Homeowners Insurance Provide Adequate Coverage?"
Understanding the Importance of a Non-Contingent Offer post image

Understanding the Importance of a Non-Contingent Offer

Making a non-contingent offer can dramatically increase your chances of securing a real estate transaction, particularly in competitive markets like New York City. However, buyers should understand that waiving contingencies, including those related to financing, or appraisals, also comes with significant risks. Determining your best strategy requires careful analysis of the property, the market, and […]

Author: Jesse M. Dimitro

Link to post with title - "Understanding the Importance of a Non-Contingent Offer"
Fred D. Zemel Appointed Chair of Strategic Planning at Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC post image

Fred D. Zemel Appointed Chair of Strategic Planning at Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC

Business Transactional Attorney Zemel to Spearhead Strategic Initiatives for Continued Growth and Innovation Little Falls, NJ – February 21, 2025 – Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC is pleased to announce that Partner Fred D. Zemel has been named Chair of the firm’s Strategic Planning Committee. In this role, Mr. Zemel will lead the committee in identifying, […]

Author: Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC

Link to post with title - "Fred D. Zemel Appointed Chair of Strategic Planning at Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC"
Novation Agreement Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses post image

Novation Agreement Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses

Big changes sometimes occur during the life cycle of a contract. Cancelling a contract outright can be bad for your reputation and your bottom line. Businesses need to know how to best address a change in circumstances, while also protecting their legal rights. One option is to transfer the “benefits and the burdens” of a […]

Author: Dan Brecher

Link to post with title - "Novation Agreement Process: Step-by-Step Guide for Businesses"
What Is a Trade Secret? Key Elements and Legal Protections Explained post image

What Is a Trade Secret? Key Elements and Legal Protections Explained

What is a trade secret and why you you protect them? Technology has made trade secret theft even easier and more prevalent. In fact, businesses lose billions of dollars every year due to trade secret theft committed by employees, competitors, and even foreign governments. But what is a trade secret? And how do you protect […]

Author: Ronald S. Bienstock

Link to post with title - "What Is a Trade Secret? Key Elements and Legal Protections Explained"
What Is Title Insurance? Safeguarding Against Title Defects post image

What Is Title Insurance? Safeguarding Against Title Defects

If you are considering the purchase of a property, you may wonder — what is title insurance, do I need it, and why do I need it? Even seasoned property owners may question if the added expense and extra paperwork is really necessary, especially considering that people and entities insured by title insurance make fewer […]

Author: Patrick T. Conlon

Link to post with title - "What Is Title Insurance? Safeguarding Against Title Defects"

No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!

Explore What Matters Most to You.

Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.

Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.

Ultra Petroleum files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Author: Joel R. Glucksman

Ultra Petroleum files Chapter 11

Recently, Ultra Petroleum, the largest natural gas company in Wyoming and one of the biggest firms in the nation, announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According The Wall Street Journal, the company cited several months of financial decline for its decision.

Ultra Petroleum falls into insolvency

In its bankruptcy documents, the company claimed that it amassed a massive debt load that was directly correlated to the collapse of oil and natural gas prices. For a majority of the previous two years, natural gas prices have declined, and subsequently struggled to rebound, as they have averaged under $2 million per British Thermal Unit.

A Houston Business Journal report noted that the company has struggled with its debt load since 2014, as revenues fell from $183 million in the first quarter of 2015 to under $138 million by the first quarter of this year. Even so, the company only reported $21.8 million in losses in Q1 this year, as opposed to $25 million in revenues at the same time last year.

Nevertheless, this left the company with assets of only $1.28 billion and debts of more than $3.92 billion – all of which were unsecured. Then, after Ultra Petroleum failed over a series of months to negotiate refinancing agreements with any of its lenders and bondholders, the company was forced to seek bankruptcy protection.

The significance of the Ultra Petroleum filing

Ultra Petroleum’s bankruptcy petition comes less than a week after Midstates Petroleum announced that it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. According to The Journal, this has become a growing trend in the energy sector as more companies have struggled to adjust to the collapse of oil and natural gas prices. To date, 67 production and exploration firms have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection since 2015, which represents a 380 percent increase over 2014.

Are you a creditor in a bankruptcy?  Have you been sued by a bankrupt?  If you have any questions about your rights, please contact me, Joel Glucksman, at 201-806-3364.

For more posts regarding oil & gas companies filing for Bankruptcy, check out:

  • Venoco files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
  • Emerald Oil Inc Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
  • Goodrich Petroleum Corp. Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Let`s get in touch!

* The use of the Internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.

Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!

Please select a category(s) below: